What Happens on the Day of the Life in the UK Test?
The Life in the UK Test is taken in person at an approved test centre. You will have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions about the information covered by the official Life in the UK handbook.
The test itself is straightforward, but there are some important rules around identification and arriving prepared.
Before you leave for the test centre
Check your booking confirmation and make sure you have the correct identification.
If you are required to bring physical ID, you must bring the same ID you used when booking the test. It must be the original document, rather than a photocopy or screenshot. If your identity is being checked through an eVisa, you may not need to bring a physical identity document.
It is worth leaving plenty of time to reach the centre. If you are late and cannot take the test, you will not normally be entitled to a refund.
You also cannot bring children or other family members into the test centre with you.
Your identity will be checked
Before you take the test, the centre will confirm your identity.
You will also have your photograph taken on the day. This is used to confirm that you are the person who booked the test.
If you do not bring the required identification, or refuse to have your photograph taken, you will not be allowed to take the test and you will not receive a refund.
What is the actual test like?
The Life in the UK Test is computer-based.
You have 45 minutes to answer 24 multiple-choice questions based on the official Life in the UK handbook.
You need to score at least 75% to pass. That means answering at least 18 of the 24 questions correctly.
You therefore have plenty of time per question. The 45-minute limit works out at almost two minutes for each of the 24 questions, so there is usually no need to rush.
Read each question carefully, particularly questions that ask you to select more than one answer.
When do you find out if you passed?
You are told whether you have passed or failed on the day of the test.
If you pass, you will receive a unique reference number. You will need this when completing a relevant settlement or British citizenship application, and the Home Office can use the number to confirm that you passed.
What happens if you fail?
If you fail, you can take the Life in the UK Test again.
There is no limit to the number of times you can retake it, but you must make another booking and pay the test fee again for each attempt.
If you do not pass, it is usually worth doing some more preparation before immediately booking another attempt. Use practice questions and mock tests to identify the areas that caused you difficulty, then aim to score comfortably above the 75% pass mark before trying again.
How should you prepare for the day?
By the time you arrive at the test centre, the format should feel familiar.
Before your real test, make sure you have:
- completed several full 24-question mock tests;
- practised within the 45-minute time limit;
- revised any areas where you regularly make mistakes;
- checked your identification requirements; and
- confirmed the location and time of your appointment.
The test-day process itself should not be the difficult part. The important thing is arriving with the correct identification and having prepared well enough that the questions do not come as a surprise.