Life in the UK Test Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Life in the UK Test, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
£50
Provider
UK Home Office (delivered by PSI e-Assessments)
Validity
Does not expire
Available
UK
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
6-12 months of relevant experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- You are applying for British citizenship or settlement in the UK, which is the only reason gov.uk gives for taking the test.
- You are 18 or over and under 65, because gov.uk exempts both groups.
- You have not already passed the test, since a previous pass counts for both settlement and citizenship.
- An email address and a debit or credit card to book on gov.uk.
- An accepted ID: an eVisa share code, or a valid passport, EU, Swiss, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Norwegian ID card, valid photo travel document, or a biometric residence permit or card within the gov.uk expiry rules.
- Booking at least 3 days in advance through gov.uk, the only official booking service.
- Separately, evidence of English speaking and listening at CEFR level B1 for the settlement or citizenship application itself, unless exempt.
Number of Questions
24
Duration
45 minutes
Question Format
Multiple choice questions drawn from the official Guide for New Residents, 3rd Edition, Questions covering British values, history, traditions, society, government and the law, A different set of 24 questions for each candidate in the same test session
Passing Requirement
75 percent or more, which is at least 18 of 24 correct
How It Is Delivered
Computer-based at a registered Life in the UK test centre. There are over 30 centres in the UK and you choose yours at booking.
Languages Offered
English, Welsh (by arrangement), Scottish Gaelic (by arrangement)
Rules specific to this exam
- gov.uk does not publish a breakdown of question formats or the number of questions taken from each chapter.
- You cannot bring children or other family members into the test centre.
- You must bring the original ID used to book, not a copy or a screenshot, and your photo is taken on the day.
- Bookings must be made online through gov.uk at least 3 days in advance. Other booking sites are not official.
- The handbook notes that separate arrangements apply if you live on the Isle of Man or in the Channel Islands.
- The handbook has been in its 3rd edition since 2013, and in January 2023 the Home Office told Parliament it intended to set out plans to review it.
Visit the official UK Home Office (delivered by PSI e-Assessments) certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
Score Scale
Raw score out of 24 questions, reported as a pass or fail against a 75 percent threshold
Score You Need
75 percent or more, which is at least 18 of 24 correct
How It Is Calculated
Each candidate receives 24 questions drawn from the whole of the official Guide for New Residents, and the 24 differ between candidates in the same session. The Home Office does not publish an item-level weighting, a scaled score, or a per-chapter allocation, so the only published measure is the raw percentage against the 75 percent threshold.
When You Get Results
gov.uk does not publish a waiting period. A pass produces a unique reference number that you enter on your citizenship or settlement application, and the Home Office uses that number to verify the pass.
In raw terms: 18 correct out of 24 is 75 percent. 17 correct is 70.8 percent and does not pass.
- Candidates who passed before 17 December 2019 hold a letter with a test reference ID instead of a unique reference number.
- If that letter is lost, gov.uk says to send a letter explaining the loss with your citizenship or settlement application.
- gov.uk does not publish a penalty for wrong answers, so leaving an item blank has no advantage over guessing.
- The Home Office reported a 68.5 percent pass rate for financial quarter 2022-23 in a written answer to the House of Lords.
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the Life in the UK Test?
You are applying for British citizenship or settlement in the UK, which is the only reason gov.uk gives for taking the test.. You are 18 or over and under 65, because gov.uk exempts both groups.. You have not already passed the test, since a previous pass counts for both settlement and citizenship.. An email address and a debit or credit card to book on gov.uk.. An accepted ID: an eVisa share code, or a valid passport, EU, Swiss, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Norwegian ID card, valid photo travel document, or a biometric residence permit or card within the gov.uk expiry rules.. Booking at least 3 days in advance through gov.uk, the only official booking service.. Separately, evidence of English speaking and listening at CEFR level B1 for the settlement or citizenship application itself, unless exempt..
How much does the Life in the UK Test cost?
The Life in the UK Test exam costs £50. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Life in the UK Test?
Visit the official UK Home Office (delivered by PSI e-Assessments) certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the Life in the UK Test?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for Life in the UK Test?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
View Life in the UK Test Guide