The test at a glance
- Questions
- 24 multiple-choice questions
- Time allowed
- 45 minutes
- Pass mark
- 75% (18/24)
- Fee
- £50 per attempt
- Where
- In person at an approved test centre — over 30 across the UK
- Result
- Same day, at the test centre
GOV.UK states you must score 75% or more to pass. With 24 questions this means at least 18 correct answers; 17 or fewer is a fail.
On this page
Who needs to take the test
The Life in the UK Test is a requirement for two of the biggest immigration milestones. You normally only need to sit it once — if you passed it for settlement, you do not take it again for citizenship.
British citizenship (naturalisation)
You must have passed the Life in the UK Test to apply for British citizenship, alongside proving your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.
Settlement (indefinite leave to remain / ILR)
You must pass the Life in the UK Test as part of most applications to settle in the UK. If you passed it for your settlement application you do not need to take it again when you later apply for citizenship.
Who is exempt
You do not need to take the test if any of the following apply to you:
- Age — under 18. You do not need to take the test if you are under 18.
- Age — 65 or over. You do not need to take the test if you are 65 or over.
- Medical / long-term condition. You do not need to take the test if you have a long-term physical or mental condition. You must provide either a completed exemption form or a letter from a doctor confirming your condition.
- Already passed it. You do not need to retake the test if you have passed it before — for example, if you passed it for your settlement application and are now applying for citizenship.
For the evidence each exemption needs, the medical exemption form, and why no country is exempt from this test, see the full Life in the UK Test exemptions guide.
If you do need it: booking in brief
You book through the official GOV.UK service, at least 3 days ahead, and pay £50 by card. The parts that catch people out are the ID rules, the arrival time and the 72-hour cut-off after which a booking cannot be changed or refunded — all of which are set out in full, with sources, on our booking guide.
Life in the UK Test booking
- The £50 fee, the 3-day rule and the paid priority options
- Exactly which original ID is accepted, and the exact-name-match rule
- Rescheduling, cancelling and when you do and do not get a refund
- What happens if you arrive late or with the wrong document
Looking for a location instead? See Life in the UK test centres.
After you pass: citizenship vs settlement
Passing is one requirement among several. Which path you are on decides what else you need, but both use the same unique reference number to prove your result — see what you receive and whether a pass expires.
British citizenship (naturalisation)
Passing the Life in the UK Test is one requirement for naturalisation as a British citizen. You must also prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, meet residence requirements, and be of good character. You apply online via GOV.UK, providing your unique reference number so the Home Office can verify your test result.
Settlement (indefinite leave to remain)
Passing the Life in the UK Test is required for most settlement (indefinite leave to remain) applications. You must also meet the English language requirement and the residence/eligibility rules for your visa route. You apply on GOV.UK and provide your unique reference number. If you later apply for citizenship, you do not need to retake the test.
The separate English language requirement
Separately from the test, most citizenship and settlement applicants must prove knowledge of English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic). This can be met with an approved English qualification at CEFR level B1, B2, C1 or C2, or a degree taught or researched in English. Nationals of certain majority English-speaking countries are exempt.
Pending 2026 changes to watch
The government's May 2025 immigration white paper, 'Restoring control over the immigration system', signalled reforms to the settlement and citizenship system, including a move toward an 'earned settlement' model and a proposal to increase the standard qualifying period for settlement from 5 years to 10 years for most routes (reducible for people who make demonstrable economic and societal contributions). The white paper also indicated the Life in the UK Test would be reviewed. In November 2025 the government opened a consultation on the earned settlement proposals.
Status: Proposed / under consultation as of mid-2026 — not yet in force. The 24-question, 45-minute, 75% pass-mark test based on the 3rd-edition handbook remains the current requirement.
- White paper published
- 12 May 2025
- Earned-settlement consultation opened
- 20 November 2025
- Consultation closed
- 12 February 2026
Because rules may change, always confirm the current requirements on GOV.UK before booking or applying.
Ready before you pay the £50?
Sit a free, exam-style mock test — 24 questions in 45 minutes, marked at the 75% (18/24) pass mark — so you walk into the test centre knowing you are ready.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Life in the UK Test and how long do I have?
There are 24 multiple-choice questions and you have 45 minutes to answer them.
What is the pass mark?
You need to score 75% or more. With 24 questions that means at least 18 correct answers; 17 or fewer is a fail.
Who has to take the test?
Most people applying for British citizenship (naturalisation) or for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) must pass it.
Who is exempt from the test?
You do not need to take it if you are under 18, are 65 or over, have a long-term physical or mental condition (with a doctor's letter or exemption form), or have already passed it — for example when you settled and are now applying for citizenship.
What should I study for the test?
All questions are based on the official handbook 'Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents' (3rd edition). It covers British values, history, traditions, government and everyday life. You can buy it from the TSO shop and major booksellers.
Are the rules about to change?
The government's May 2025 immigration white paper proposed reforms, including a move to an 'earned settlement' model and increasing the standard settlement qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, plus a review of the Life in the UK Test. These are proposals under consultation and not yet in force — always check GOV.UK for current rules before applying.
Sources
Verified against the following official pages. Last checked on 22 July 2026. Rules can change — always confirm the current requirements on GOV.UK before booking or applying.
- Life in the UK Test — GOV.UK (overview: 24 questions, 45 minutes, £50, who needs it, exemptions, over 30 centres) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- Who needs to take the test — GOV.UK (exemptions: under 18, 65 or over, medical, already passed) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- What to take to your test — GOV.UK (accepted ID, name-match rule) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- What happens at the test — GOV.UK (75% pass mark, unique reference number, retakes) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- Cancellations, refunds and complaints — GOV.UK (3-day/72-hour refund rule, test-centre cancellations, 3-month refund window) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain — GOV.UK (test + English language requirements) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling — GOV.UK (CEFR B1/B2/C1/C2 or degree taught in English) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper — GOV.UK (published 12 May 2025; earned settlement, 10-year qualifying period, test review) — accessed 2026-07-22.
- Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd edition (Paperback) — TSO Shop (official handbook, ~£12.99) — accessed 2026-07-22.
LifeUKPractice is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the UK Home Office, gov.uk, or any government body.