The Life in the UK test

The Life in the UK test is part of applying for settlement or British citizenship. This guide covers how to book it, what it asks, the exemptions, what happens if you fail — and what the Home Office does not publish, including any pass rate.

Checked 2 March 202614 min readWritten by the Rowan Editorial Team

Section: Costs, English & General
Reading time: 14 min
Last checked: 2 March 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

24 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes. You need at least 18 correct (75%) to pass.
It costs £50 each time. GOV.UK sets no waiting period before you rebook.
All questions come from the official handbook, 'Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents'.
You do not need to take it if you are under 18, are 65 or over, or have already passed it.
The pass does not expire, and one pass covers both settlement and citizenship.

The Life in the UK test is a 24-question, computer-based test on British history, culture and values. You have 45 minutes and need 75% to pass. It costs £50 each time and is part of both settlement and citizenship applications. You take it once: the pass does not expire and counts for both.

What Is the Life in the UK Test?

The Life in the UK test is a knowledge test about British history, culture, values, traditions, and everyday life. It is part of applying for settlement, which is also called indefinite leave to remain, or British citizenship.

The purpose of the test is to demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom. It is one of two knowledge requirements for settlement and citizenship. The other is the English language requirement.

The test is taken on a computer at an approved test centre. It is not taken online or at home. You must attend in person with valid identification.

Test Format and Structure

Understanding the format helps you prepare effectively.

Number of questions: 24
Question type: Multiple choice (usually 4 options per question)
Time allowed: 45 minutes
Pass mark: 18 out of 24 (75%)
Result: You find out immediately whether you passed or failed

The Home Office does not publish the questions, so no two people can compare a set in advance. All of them come from the official handbook, which is why the handbook is the whole syllabus.

The Home Office guidance for caseworkers adds one thing the main GOV.UK page does not: “People can take the test in Welsh if they go to a test centre in Wales, or Scottish Gaelic if they take the test in Scotland.”

What Topics Does the Test Cover?

All questions are based on the official study material. For a detailed breakdown of each topic area, see our Life in the UK test topics guide.

The main topic areas are:

The Values and Principles of the UK

This section covers fundamental British values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance, and respect for different faiths and beliefs. It also covers responsibilities of UK residents.

What Is the UK?

Geography, population, nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), the Crown Dependencies, and overseas territories.

A Long and Illustrious History

This is the largest section. It covers British history from the Stone Age to the present day, including the Roman invasion, the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, the World Wars, and post-war Britain.

A Modern, Thriving Society

Religion, customs and traditions, sport, arts and culture, leisure activities, and places of interest.

The UK Government, the Law, and Your Role

The constitution, Parliament, the devolved governments, local government, the electoral system, the courts, fundamental rights and responsibilities, and how to get involved in your community.

How to Book the Life in the UK Test

For step-by-step booking instructions, see our Life in the UK test booking guide.

Here is a summary of the booking process:

Go to the official Life in the UK test booking page on GOV.UK.
Create an account or log in to your existing account.
Enter your personal details as they appear on your ID document.
Choose a test centre and an available date and time.
Pay the £50 fee online with a debit or credit card.
Keep the confirmation for the centre address and the time. What you must take with you is the original identity document you booked with.

You must book at least 3 days in advance. GOV.UK says: “There are over 30 test centres in the UK. You can choose where to take your test when you book.” You are not tied to the one nearest you.

How Much Does the Test Cost?

The Life in the UK test costs £50 per attempt. See our Life in the UK test cost guide for the full picture, including what GOV.UK does not put a price on.

If you fail, you pay £50 again. There is no discount for repeat attempts and no refund for a fail. On cancellations, GOV.UK says you get a refund if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test, and that you will not get a refund if you cancel or rearrange within 3 days of it.

How to Study for the Life in the UK Test

For a comprehensive study plan, see our Life in the UK test study guide.

The Official Handbook

The only official study material is the book "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents". Every question in the test comes from this book. It is sold as a book, an eBook and an audio version, and GOV.UK also points to an e-learning subscription and a practice app. GOV.UK publishes no price for any of them: the sellers set their own.

There is no official study time. How long the handbook takes you depends on how much of it is already familiar, and reading it in a second language takes longer.

Practice Tests

Practice tests are one of the most effective ways to prepare. They help you get familiar with the question format and identify topics you need to revise. Several websites offer free practice tests based on the official material.

Study Tips

Read the official handbook cover to cover at least twice.
Pay special attention to dates, names, and specific facts. The test asks about precise details.
Focus on areas you find difficult. History dates and constitutional details are often the hardest.
Take practice tests regularly. Aim to consistently score above 80% before booking your real test.
Study a little each day rather than cramming everything into one session.

What to Expect on Test Day

GOV.UK does not publish an arrival time; your confirmation gives the time of the test. What GOV.UK is specific about is the identity document: “You must bring the same ID that you used to book the test. This must be your original ID, not a copy or screenshot.” Accepted documents are an eVisa with a share code, a valid passport, a valid national identity card from a country in the EU or from Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or a valid travel document with a photo. A biometric residence permit or card is accepted only if the test is within 24 months of its expiry date and before 31 December 2026 — these stopped being issued at the end of 2024.

Your photo is taken on the day to confirm your identity. GOV.UK says: “You will not be able to take the test and you will not get a refund if you do not bring the correct ID or if you refuse to have your photo taken.” You also cannot bring children or other family members into the test centre.

The test is taken on a computer at the centre, and you have 45 minutes for the 24 questions. You are told whether you passed on the day.

If you pass, GOV.UK says: “You’ll get a ‘unique reference number’. You’ll need this number to complete your citizenship or settlement application.” If you took the test before 17 December 2019, you were given a letter with a test reference identifier instead.

Life in the UK Test Pass Rate

For detailed statistics and trends, see our pass rate guide.

There is no current Life in the UK test pass rate. The Home Office has not published one since a set of test statistics was withdrawn in 2014, and GOV.UK gives no figure today. Percentages quoted elsewhere do not come from an official source, so we do not repeat them.

What is published is the standard you are measured against: 24 questions, 45 minutes, and a pass mark of 75%, which is 18 correct answers. Every question comes from the official handbook.

What If You Fail the Life in the UK Test?

Failing is disappointing but not a disaster. See our failed test guide for detailed advice.

If you fail:

There is no waiting period. GOV.UK says: “You can rebook the test as many times as you need. You’ll have to pay each time.” The only timing rule is the same one as before — book at least 3 days in advance.
You pay £50 again. There is no discounted rate for retakes.
There is no limit on attempts.
It does not change your current permission to stay. A failed test is not a refusal of anything. It means you do not yet have the reference number that a settlement or citizenship application asks for.

Exemptions from the Life in the UK Test

For full details on exemptions, see our exemptions guide.

You are exempt from the Life in the UK test if:

You are under 18. The test is only required for adult applicants.
You are 65 or over. For settlement, the Home Office caseworker guidance says people under 18 or 65 or over on the date of application are exempt from the knowledge of language and life requirement as a whole — the English requirement as well as the test.
You have already passed it. GOV.UK gives the example of applying to become a citizen having passed the test as part of a settlement application.
You have a long-term physical or mental condition that severely restricts your ability to learn English or prepare for the test. See our disability exemptions guide for what evidence is asked for.

On health grounds, the Home Office asks for its medical waiver form, completed by a doctor. The caseworker guidance also lists other groups the requirement does not apply to, including refugees and people with humanitarian protection, and victims of domestic abuse applying under those provisions.

Using Your Pass for Settlement and Citizenship

Your Life in the UK test pass does not expire. Once you pass, the same result counts for both your settlement application and your later citizenship application. GOV.UK lists among those who do not need to take the test people who “have passed it before — for example, if you’re applying to become a citizen and already passed it as part of your settlement application”.

Keep the unique reference number safe. It is what the settlement or citizenship application asks for. If you cannot find it, sign in to your test booking account, or contact the test provider on 0800 015 4245.

The Life in the UK test is only one half of the knowledge requirement. For both settlement and citizenship, you also need to meet the English language requirement (unless you are exempt).

Suggested 3-Week Study Schedule

This schedule assumes you can study for about 1 hour per day.

Week 1: Read the entire official handbook once. Do not try to memorise everything. Focus on understanding the main themes and structure.
Week 2: Re-read the handbook, this time making notes on key dates, people, and facts. Start taking practice tests at the end of the week.
Week 3: Focus on your weak areas. Take a practice test every day, and go back over any question you get wrong.

This is our suggestion, not an official schedule: the Home Office publishes no recommended study time. The real pass mark is 18 of 24, and the test costs £50 every time, so practice scores are worth watching before you book.

Questions and answers

What is the Life in the UK test?

The Life in the UK test is a computer-based test that you must pass to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) or British citizenship. It tests your knowledge of British history, culture, traditions and laws. The test has 24 questions and you need to answer at least 18 correctly (75%) to pass.

How much does the Life in the UK test cost?

The Life in the UK test costs £50 per attempt. If you fail, you must pay £50 again each time you rebook. There is no limit on how many times you can take the test.

How do I book the Life in the UK test?

You book the test online at the official GOV.UK website. You choose a test centre near you and select an available date and time. You must book at least 3 days in advance. You need a valid email address and a debit or credit card to pay the fee.

What topics does the Life in the UK test cover?

The test covers British values and principles, history (from early Britain to the modern era), traditions and culture, government and politics, the law, and everyday life. All questions come from the official handbook: 'Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents'.

What happens if I fail the Life in the UK test?

You can rebook and take it again. GOV.UK sets no waiting period: 'You can rebook the test as many times as you need. You'll have to pay each time.' There is no limit on attempts, and you pay £50 each time. You cannot complete a settlement or citizenship application until you pass.

Who is exempt from the Life in the UK test?

GOV.UK says you do not need to take it if you are under 18, are 65 or over, or have already passed it. It may also be waived if you have a long-term physical or mental condition — for that you send an exemption form or a letter from a doctor confirming the condition.

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.

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