Life in the UK test
Before relocating to the United Kingdom, you need to have at least a minimum understanding of the British lifestyle. To prepare yourself for a new life in the UK, it would not hurt to learn more about British culture.
It is not uncommon to research the traditions and history of another country before relocating there to avoid any unpleasant and awkward situations.
The United Kingdom is a country with thousands of years of history that has brought a lot of innovations into this world. Knowledge of its culture makes the adaptation of foreign nationals smoother.
The UK is full of surprises and opportunities:
- The UK is at the forefront when it comes to arts, culture, architecture, and literature. This attracts enthusiasts from all over the world;
- Visa-free travel. UK citizens enjoy visa-free access to 192 countries which is a huge plus for globe trotters;
- High-quality healthcare. The UK’s National Healthcare Service (NHS) is sponsored by the government. All UK residents get free healthcare excluding dental care and cosmetic treatments;
- High-quality education and great career prospects. UK residents can study at the world’s top universities and get employed in the world’s top companies;
- Mild climate. The weather in the UK is mild in comparison to other countries;
- Cultural life. The UK has numerous art galleries, museums, and theatres most of which can be visited free of charge;
- A famous shopping destination offering all major brands;
- Many sightseeing spots.
There are, of course, disadvantages of living in the UK, such as high living costs and visa fees. Most of the jobs require knowledge of English. It means that if you plan to stay in the country, you will have to learn its language and history.
Why is life in the UK test mandatory and who must take it?
According to the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, every applicant for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or UK citizenship must pass the Life in the UK test.
The test is taken by all the applicants for an ILR or UK citizenship, except for those who are under 18 years old or over 65 years old and those who have already passed the test. You can also be exempt from the test if you have a serious physical or mental condition.
The Life in the UK test ensures that an applicant knows the British customs, traditions, law, and political system as the immigration rules prescribe.
What is life in the UK test?
The Life in the UK test is an online test that can be taken in an authorised public or private centre. It consists of 24 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within 45 minutes. To pass the test, you need to score at least 75% (18 correct answers).
The test is designed to ensure that an applicant understands the British way of life. Questions are about the UK values, principles, traditions, culture, politics, law, and the most significant historical events.
The questions can vary. If you live in Scotland, for example, they will be mainly about this part of the UK.
In 2023, the Life in the UK test costs £50.
How to pass life in the UK test?
The Life in the UK test is one of the key requirements to get a UK passport. The test is not as simple as it may seem, so you need to prepare for it thoroughly. The Life in the UK test will not only assess your knowledge of the UK but also make you look at the country from different angles. To prepare for the test, you can do the following:
- Study “Life in the United Kingdom. A Guide For New Residents”. This is the main preparation resource. You can access the handbook in different formats: a printed book, an electronic book, an online course, or an audio course.
Since the handbook is the most important material to prepare for the test, you need to study it carefully and make sure that you are ready and have a clear understanding of all the topics addressed in it.
- Take several online practice tests to check your knowledge. There are websites with practice questions for the Life in the UK test to get familiar with the format and topics. You may even come across the same questions during the actual test.
- Take a course that would prepare you for the Life in the UK test. Such courses are aimed at helping you understand the topics and develop a strategy to answer the questions correctly.
- Join a group for the preparation for the test. It is a good alternative to self-study since you will be able to communicate and share experiences with other people who want to pass the test. In this way, it may be easier to understand the material.
What should applicants do if they fail the test? Is it rescheduled or cancelled?
You should not give up. If you fail the test, you can retake it as many times as you want, but you need to wait for seven days to attempt it again. And each time, you will have to pay the full fee again. If you do not pass, you will not get your money back. Note that unless you pass the Life in the UK test, you will not be able to apply for an ILR or naturalisation.
If you cannot take the test and inform the centre about this at least three days before, you will get a refund.
If your centre cancels the test, you can request a refund within three months using the official email address on the government website: support@lituk.psionline.com. If you have any complaints, you can email complaints@lituk.psionline.com.
If you fall ill, are late, refuse to have your photo taken, or fail to show the required ID, you will not be allowed to take the test and will not get your money back.
You will not be deported from the UK if you fail the test. You will be able to stay in the country till your current visa expires.
Registration for life in the UK Test
You need to register to take the Life in the UK test in one of the 30 UK centres at least three days in advance using your email, debit or credit card, and your ID document. It can be:
- Valid passport;
- Valid travel document with your photo (you cannot use a special travel document – emergency travel document);
- Biometric resident card.
During registration, make sure there are no mistakes in your name or other personal data. Or you will not be allowed to take the test or can be even banned from applying for UK citizenship for the next five years.
Carefully check that your name and surname are written in the correct order and your passport data and address are correct.
If you are a person with special needs and require assistance in getting to the centre and moving around it, you can also request this during the registration process.
Legal support
You should consider such legal assistance since immigration advisors will be able to provide you with one-stop support for all immigration-related issues.
The UK immigration rules are not easy to understand for the unprepared, so an experienced immigration advisor can make a huge difference and get your application approved.
FAQs about the Life in the UK Test
What are the most common mistakes when registering for the Life in the UK test online?
The most common mistakes when registering for the Life in the UK test are providing an incorrect date of birth, incorrect name and surname, incorrect passport, or ID number. You need to pay extra attention when you fill in your application.
The above mistakes are typical, so double-check your personal data before applying.
An applicant has a serious physical or mental condition. Do they have to provide evidence of their condition?
If you suffer from a serious physical or mental condition, you will be exempt from the Life in the UK test if you provide the documents or medical report confirming your disease.
I have issues registering for the test. What should I do?
To register for the Life in the UK test, first go to the government website: https://www.gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test. There you can find all the instructions on filling in the application and a link for registration: https://www.lituktestbooking.co.uk/lituk-web/. When registering for the test, you will need the following information: your email, debit or credit card, and your ID.
If you have any issues, you need to contact the customer support service. The phone number can be found on the government website: 0800-015-4245.
How many mistakes can I make to pass the Life in the UK test?
To pass the Life in the UK test, you need to score 75% or more. There are 24 questions in the test, so you need to give at least 18 correct answers and make not more than six mistakes.
If you fail the test, you will be able to retake it in seven days. However, you will have to pay the full price of £50 for the test again.
How can I cancel my Life in the UK test?
You can cancel the Life in the UK test at least three days before the scheduled date through your personal account. You need to select “Confirmed tests” and then “Cancel tests”.
