Can I take the test in my native language?
The test can be taken in English and arrangements can be made for anyone wishing to take the test in either Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.
When should I take the test?
You should take the test when you are ready to apply for naturalisation or settlement. Test results are valid for an indefinite period however Home Office states they will keep the test results for a reasonable period so taking it too early may cause problems.
I’ve passed the test for my settlement application. Do I need to take the test again for naturalisation application?
No. The new naturalisation application form asks whether you have already passed the test for settlement application. All you need to do is to tick the relevant box.
Where should I take the test?
There are many test centres available throughout the United Kingdom and you can take the test in a most convenient place for you. A complete list of test centres can be found at Life in the UK Test Centres.
How much does it cost?
The test costs £34 for each attempt. Payment methods may vary for each test centre. Make sure you have checked with the test centre whether they accept your method of payment while booking the test.
What form of identification do I need to take to the test centre?
Please check with the test centre for detailed requirements or consult: http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk/htmlsite/booking_10.html
What formats available for the test?
The test is only available in computer based format however you can have questions to be read out to you by the computer. If you are not good with the computers, please try keyboard training and mouse training provided by the official Life in the UK Test website.
Where can I find study materials?
You can find relevant study materials and practice test questions at Prepare: Life in the United Kingdom Test website. The site requires free registration.
You can also buy the original book Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship
What should I study?
You should study Chapter 2 (A changing society), Chapter 3 (UK today: A profile), Chapter 4 (How the United Kingdom is governed), Chapter 5 (Everyday needs), Chapter 6 (Employment) of the official book (second edition).
Has everyone being asked the same questions?
No. The computer will randomly pick the questions from a database. There are known to be over 30 different set of questions.
I’ve found questions from another source. Can they be same as the ones in the real test?
No. The actual test questions cannot be disclosed or discussed. Even if you have found a source, you are doing something illegal which may jeopardize your status in the UK.
I already live in the UK and know a lot about life here. Do I still study?
The test is based on the book and contains some in depth information. It is highly recemmonded to study for the exam even for the people who is resident here for many years and already has fair amount of information on daily life. Most of the people fail the test due to not studying. You are advised to read the relevant chapters from the book couple of times, go through practice tests until you are confident with them and get high scores every time and read the book one last time.
How does the test work?
Once your (and any other person who is taking the test at the same time with you at the test centre) details are logged in, you will be seated in front of a computer which is connected to a test server. The instructor will guide you with some simple steps and ask you to answer the sample question (most people gets this question wrong, do not panic). When everyone is ready, the test will start. There are 24 multiple choice questions 18 of which should be correctly answered to pass. You will have 45 minutes to answer the questions and even if you finish early, your results will not be given until everyone else finishes the test. We strongly recommend you to try Navigation tutorial provided by the official Life in the UK Test website.
When do I learn my test result?
Immediately after the exam once everyone is finished.
What proof do I get if I pass the test?
You will be given a pass notification letter. The letter will also be copied to Home Office online.
Can I get a replacement copy of the pass notification letter if the original is lost or damaged?
No. You will need to take the test again.
Can I take the test immediately after if I have failed?
There is no limitation on number of times you can take the test in a certain period. Please bear in mind that each attempt will cost you time and money.
How can I get more information about the test?
You can call Life in the UK Test Helpline which is available on 0800 0154245. You can also submit your query to Life in the United Kingdom Forums.
November 28th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I would like to book for the life in the UK test, I’m holding english certificate level 3,may u please sand me the details how to book and price of the test, I’m residing in kent at thanet[CT10]. Thank you.
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:22 am
You can try the following website and contact the test centre directly to arrange for a test.
http://www.multimap.com/clients/browse.cgi?client=ufitest&client=ufitest&db=GB&reclimit=5&pc=CT10
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
hi…my wife and i passed the life in the uk test last year, feb 2007 to be exact. we are planning to apply this month for citizenship… we are eligible to apply as i have been here for seven years and my wife 5 years. we both been granted ilr since 2005…my worries is that home office will say that the certificate is not valid anymore…many thanks for advice
December 6th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Joseph,
There is no ‘official’ expiry day and your certificate should still be valid.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
i was granted indefinate leave to remain (settlement)december 2008 and i have booked the test but i have lived in the uk for 4years is it to early
April 5th, 2009 at 3:33 am
hi dear
can you tell me when is the best time to take place for life in the uk as my husband have 15 months for his visa to expire,as in your web sit said:taking early my cause a problem
many thanks
August 15th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Hi,
**I am just wondering,how long is the Life In The UK test valid for? is it 1yr, 2 yrs or some thing else?
** My ILR is due in end of MARCH 2010 what is best time to give the test???
Many Thanks
January 1st, 2010 at 1:29 am
I will be submitting my paperwork for my ILR. I will be grateful if someone could let me know which are the main documents that I will need to submit with my application? Thank you
January 11th, 2010 at 2:50 am
Hello There!
I am just wondering, how long Life in the UK test certificate valid for? As I passed mine January 2009, and I am still not financially ready to submit my application. I am concerned that it’ll be out of date. Would you please advise me on the official expiry date.
Many Thanks
January 25th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Visitors and Life in the UK test
UKBA says partners who have been married and together outside the UK for 4 years can have ILR if they have passed the Life in the UK test. The test is not available here (in Germany) – can someone book and take the test in the UK whilst on a Visitor’s Visa?
March 6th, 2010 at 3:12 am
Infos for JG,
you can apply for ilr after 4 years of living in any EU state. First you’ll get a Entry Clearance (actually partial-ilr with a condition to pass the test) and as soon as you pass the test in UK, you’ll get a full ilr.
March 6th, 2010 at 3:16 am
Infos for Tessa,
There is no official expiry date and is valid for your application. UKBA accept passed tests taken at any time during your legal stay in UK.
March 6th, 2010 at 3:30 am
Infos for Raj Verma,
Provide every type of proof what you can to support your application i.e Proof of continous residency , Land registry, Mortgage (if applicable) and Taxes. They accept only letters of government body organisation like Council bills, Council Tax, Telephone Bills, DVLA letters, Employers attestment, HM Revenue & Custom letters, Bank statements etc etc.
But it’s really important for you to take a legal advice regarding to your paper work as it depends on the circumstances and conditions, which differs from case to case.
May 13th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Hi,
I got my dependent visa in May 2007,later got my Settlement VISA (ILR) in may 2009 and My husband is PR since Aug 2005, Can you please tell me Is it possible for both of us to apply for Citizenship together? Or will I have to wait till I complete 5 years in UK?
Thanks in Advance
May 25th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Hi I just come to uk to join my wife she is british and i got visa for 2 years is it possibal for me to take test right now and if i pass test is it ok i m going to apply for my settlement visa in 2012 please let me know thank you
July 4th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
I pass my life in the uk text in 2007 and i got my indefinite leave to remain in June 11th 2010.Could you tell me please
can i still use the same result when applying or i have to take the test again?Can i apply for citizenship stright away?
All the best