The test
You answer 24 questions about British traditions and customs in 45 minutes. You need 75% or more to pass, which is 18 correct answers.
The questions are based on the handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, available as a book, eBook or audio.
Who needs to take it
You take the test as part of an application for British citizenship or settlement. You do not need to take it if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, have passed it before, or have a long-term physical or mental condition (you must provide an exemption form or a doctor's letter).
Booking and cost
The test costs £50. You book online through the government's booking service at least 3 days in advance and choose one of more than 30 test centres in the UK.
To book you need an email address, a debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID. The name on your booking must match your ID exactly.
Accepted ID
You can book and sit the test with one of these:
- An eVisa share code from your UKVI account
- A valid passport
- A valid national identity card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
- A valid travel document with a photo (emergency travel documents are not accepted)
- A biometric residence permit or biometric residence card, within GOV.UK's expiry rules
On the day
Bring the same ID you used to book, in its original form: copies and screenshots are not accepted. Your photo is taken at the centre to confirm who you are. Without the right ID, or if you refuse the photo, you cannot take the test and will not get a refund.
You cannot bring children or other family members into the test centre.
After the test
If you pass, you get a unique reference number. You need it for your citizenship or settlement application, and the Home Office uses it to check that you passed.
If you fail, you can book again as many times as you need, but you pay each time.
How to prepare
Work through the handbook chapter by chapter, then take full practice tests. Each practice test on this site has 24 questions and is scored against the 75% pass mark.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Life in the UK test pass mark?
The Life in the UK test pass mark is 75%, which is 18 correct answers out of 24 questions.
How much does the Life in the UK test cost?
The Life in the UK test costs £50.
How long is the test?
You have 45 minutes to answer the 24 questions of the Life in the UK test.
What ID do I need on the day?
On the day of the Life in the UK test you need the same ID you used to book, in its original form, for example a valid passport or an eVisa share code.
What happens if I fail?
If you fail the Life in the UK test, you can book again as many times as you need. You pay the fee each time.
Who does not need to take the test?
You do not need to take the Life in the UK test if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, have passed it before, or have a long-term physical or mental condition and provide an exemption form or a doctor's letter.
Sources
Updated: November 2026