How to Take the Life in the UK Test

You may need to pass the Life in the UK Test as part of your application for British citizenship or settlement in the UK. You do not need to take it if you are under 18, are 65 or over, have passed it before, or have a long-term physical or mental condition (you must provide an exemption form or a letter from a doctor). You take it at an approved test centre, and it consists of 24 multiple-choice questions. You have 45 minutes to complete it.

To pass, you need at least 18 correct answers (75%). The questions are based on the official handbook “Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents” and cover British history, traditions, culture, and values.

1. Go to gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test and use the “Book the Life in the UK Test” service. It is the only official government service for booking the test. You need an email address, a debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID.
2. Choose a test centre and an available date and time. You must book online at least 3 days in advance.
3. Pay the £50 fee and complete your booking.

The fee is £50 per attempt. If you do not pass, you can rebook the test as many times as you need, paying each time.

You must bring the same ID you used to book the test. It must be your original ID, not a copy or a screenshot, and your photo will be taken on the day to confirm who you are.

The ID you can book with is an eVisa (you book with a share code), a valid passport, a valid ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, a valid travel document with a photo (not an emergency travel document), or a biometric residence permit or card, as long as your test is no later than 24 months after the expiry date printed on it and before 31 December 2026. A UK driving licence is not on this list, so you cannot use one.

If you do not bring the correct ID, you will not be able to take the test and you will not get a refund.

Phones, smartwatches, notes, bags, and any other personal items are not allowed in the test room. Secure storage will be provided.

You take the test on a computer at the test centre. You will see 24 multiple-choice questions. You are only tested on information from the official handbook, “Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents”.

The test is in English, but you can take it in Welsh at a test centre in Wales, or in Scottish Gaelic if you take it in Scotland. You can change your answers before submitting. The timer shows your remaining time throughout the test.

Results are immediate. Once you submit your answers, the screen will show whether you have passed or failed.

If you pass, you will get a unique reference number. You need it to complete your citizenship or settlement application, and the Home Office uses it to check that you passed. Pass letters by post are only for tests taken before 17 December 2019. If you do not pass, you can rebook the test as many times as you need, paying £50 each time.