Life in the UK Test: A Guide to the Test and What to do Next

Like most exams, you will need to answer the 24 set questions in around 45 minutes. To pass, you will need to score 75%, or 18 out of 24. Though you can book the test three days in advance, make sure you give yourself enough time to study and prepare to give yourself the best chance of passing. Trying to take in a lot of information in a short space of time will add unnecessary pressure to your application.

Page Contents

• What will I have to do?
• How do I book a Life in the UK test?
• When can I take it?
• How can I study for the test?
• Is there anyone who isn’t required to take the test?
• Now you’ve booked your Life in the UK test and the day has arrived – let’s go through what you’ll need to take with you to the test on the day.
• What happens after the Life in the UK test?
• If I fail the test, can I take it again?
• Beyond the Life in the UK – applying for indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship
• How Can Total Law Help?

The only way to book a test is through the official government website. You will be able to choose a test centre; there are a number throughout the UK. During Covid-19, test centres are remaining open with social distancing measures in place so you can take your test safely. Through the website, you can also choose a date and time that suits you. Taking the test does cost £50.

You will need to prove your identity to book your test online by using supporting documents. Remember to enter any personal details exactly as they are on your documents, as officials at the test centres will use these details to confirm who you are when you arrive to take your test.

Documents/details you will need to prove your identity:

• Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). If you do not have a valid BRP, you can use your passport. Other acceptable forms of photo ID
• Details of your address and postcode
• A debit or credit card
• Your email address

You can take the test anytime. As you need to have the evidence of a test pass before you can make an application for indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship, ensure you have given yourself enough time to do so before you need to make your application. The test certificate doesn’t expire, so once you have passed you wont need to take a Life in the UK test again.

Practicing for the test can really help you prepare and give a much higher chance of getting the required score to pass! There’s an official study guide available from the Home Office, which includes activities and it’s available in different formats depending on what works best for you.

There are also other guides you can buy, including a practice questions book. There are some free resources available online too and lots of tips on doing your best on the test. You can take a free practice test here. However, when you are using resources, it’s very important to ensure they are fully up to date. For this reason, it could be best to pay for the official study guides, to be sure you’re receiving the best and most current information.

Other than people who have already passed the test, there are a few other exceptions. For example:

• Anyone under 18
• Anyone over 65
• People with a long-term physical or mental health condition (this must be evidence by a note from a doctor)

If you identify as having a disability, you can make special requests when you book your test to ensure the centre is accessible to you.

The test centre staff will need to be able to confirm who you are when you arrive. Therefore you’ll need:

• The same piece of ID that you used to book your test online – your Bioresidence permit for example, or your passport
• You could also use your drivers license
• Documents to show proof of address and post code: gas or water bill, bank statement, letter from the Home Office etc

They will also take your photo at the centre – according to the government website they will not let you take the test without doing so. If you wish, you can also ask to take a practice test at the test centre.

Thankfully there isn’t long to wait to see whether you passed – you should receive your results pretty quickly after the test is over. You can wait in the waiting room and test centre staff will call you once they have your results.

If you pass, you will receive a unique reference number (URN). With this number, you can now complete an indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship application to the Home Office. When you book a test, you will create an online account and your URN should be accessible here too, along with your result.

Don’t worry- you can take the test as many times as you need to. However, you will need to wait seven days before trying to book again after you have failed. You will need to pay each time you sit the test however – so studying and practicing will hopefully save you some money!

Passing the Life in the UK test is a huge step forward on the journey to getting settlement or citizenship. You’ll need to use your URN in your applications. There’s many other steps to consider before applying for indefinite leave to remain for example:

• Have you been resident in the UK for at least five years?
• Have you passed an English language test?
• Do you have a valid visa?
• Ensure you have not been out of the country for more than 180 days in 12 months