Life in the UK Test Changes
The Life in the UK test is a requirement for both indefinite leave to remain (ILR, also called settlement) and citizenship. As of September 2026, GOV.UK lists no change to the test itself, although the government has said it intends to review it, and repeated that in its settlement decision of 2 November 2026. This guide explains what has changed nearby, what has stayed the same, and how to prepare.
- Section
- Costs, English & General
- Reading time
- 7 min
- Last checked
- 2 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Previous Life in the UK test passes remain valid regardless of changes.
- The test continues to be required for both settlement (ILR) and citizenship.
- Use current official study materials, not outdated guides.
- The test costs £50 and must be booked online.
As of September 2026, the Life in the UK test is unchanged: 24 questions, 45 minutes, £50, 75% to pass, based on the official handbook. The government said in 2018 it would consult on the test and handbook, and no new version has been published since. Previous passes remain valid. The test continues to cover British values, history, government, and everyday life. Use the current official handbook to prepare.
What Has Changed
As of September 2026, GOV.UK lists no change to the Life in the UK test itself. The government announced in 2018 that it would hold a public consultation on the test and its handbook, to make the test "more relevant to daily life and culture in the UK" and give more prominence to British values, but no new version of the test or handbook has been published since. If a revised test is introduced, it may include:
- Updated historical content
- Revised sections on British institutions and government
- New material on contemporary British society and values
- Changes to the test format or delivery method
Two related rules are changing, although neither changes the test:
- From 26 March 2027, the English language requirement for settlement on the Skilled Worker, Scale-up, Global Talent, Long Residence and several other routes rises from B1 to B2. This is enacted but not yet in force.
- On 2 November 2026 the government announced its decision on "earned settlement", which makes 10 years the standard wait for settlement, with shorter and longer paths. It is not yet in the Immigration Rules: the Home Secretary told Parliament the changes will begin to be laid from December 2026 and be brought in during 2027. See our guide to earned settlement.
What the Settlement Decision Says About the Test
The government's response to the earned settlement consultation (CP 1707, page 17) says "the Life in the UK test requirement will continue, with the existing exemptions": people under 18, people aged 65 or over, and people with a relevant physical or mental condition. It also says the government is "reviewing the test to ensure it better reflects life in modern Britain". No new version of the test or its handbook has been published, and no date for one has been given.
Under the decision, the test is one of five minimum requirements for settlement that higher earnings or public service cannot make up for (page 4). There is one planned difference: refugees who arrive through the UK Resettlement Scheme will not need to pass the test "until an appropriate version of the test is available at A2 level", because the current test is set at a higher level of English (page 5). None of this is law yet. Read the government's response for the full text.
For the most current information, check the GOV.UK Life in the UK test page.
What Has Not Changed
The fundamental aspects of the test remain the same:
- It is required for both settlement (ILR) and citizenship
- The test costs £50
- It consists of 24 questions with 45 minutes to complete
- You need to answer at least 18 correctly (75%) to pass
- You can take the test as many times as needed
- Previous passes remain valid permanently
How to Prepare
To prepare for the current version of the test:
- Official handbook: Use the current edition of the official study guide. See our study guide.
- Practice tests: Take as many practice tests as possible. See our complete test guide.
- Focus on the topics: See our test topics guide for what to study.
- Avoid outdated materials: If the test content has been updated, older study guides may contain incorrect information.
Booking the Test
The test is booked online through the official GOV.UK booking page. For costs, see our test cost guide. For booking tips, see our booking guide.
Exemptions
Some people are exempt from the Life in the UK test. See our exemptions guide and disability exemptions guide.
You may also find our English Language Tests for UK Visas andUK Visa Fees: Complete Guide helpful.
Questions and answers
Has the Life in the UK test changed in 2026?
As of September 2026, GOV.UK lists no change to the Life in the UK test itself: it is still 24 questions in 45 minutes, costs £50, has a 75% pass mark, and is based on the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The government said in 2018 that it would consult on the test and handbook, but no new version has been published since. Check GOV.UK for the latest position.
Do I need to retake the test if I passed the old version?
No. If you have already passed the Life in the UK test, your pass certificate remains valid regardless of any subsequent changes to the test. You do not need to retake it.
What topics does the updated test cover?
The Life in the UK test covers British values, history, government, law, and everyday life. No revised content has been published. In its response on earned settlement (2 November 2026) the government said it is reviewing the test to ensure it better reflects life in modern Britain.
How should I prepare for the 2026 test?
Use the most current official study materials available on GOV.UK or from the official handbook publisher. Avoid outdated study guides. Practice tests based on the current question bank are the most effective preparation method.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.