Life in the UK Test: format & pass mark

Last reviewed 13 August 2026 · Reviewed by the BritainTest editorial team

The Life in the UK Test is 24 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, and you need 18 correct (75%) to pass. You take it when applying for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) or British citizenship, and it is the same test for both. Knowing exactly how it works takes a lot of the worry out of the day, so here is the whole thing in plain English.

Test format

You take the test on a computer at an approved test centre. There are test centres in cities and towns across the UK, and you book your slot online on GOV.UK. You get 24 multiple-choice questions and 45 minutes to answer them.

Every question comes from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). This is the only book the test is based on, so your revision should come from it, or from practice built on it.

There is one test. Despite what you might read elsewhere, there is no separate "easy" or "hard" version and no US-style long or short split. Everyone sits the same 24-question format.

What is the pass mark?

You need to answer at least 18 of the 24 questions correctly, which is 75%. That means you can get up to 6 questions wrong and still pass. You find out whether you passed at the test centre on the day, as soon as you finish. There is no long wait for a letter.

How the questions work

Every question is multiple choice, but they are not all the same shape. You will see questions that ask you to:

• pick the single correct answer from four options,
• choose which of two statements is true,
• select the two correct answers from a list.

Because the format varies, the most useful habit to build is reading each question slowly and checking how many answers it wants. A correct fact chosen for the wrong question still loses the mark, so practising in the real format is the best way to get used to this.

What the test covers

Every question is drawn from the handbook's five chapters:

• The values and principles of the UK: democracy, the rule of law, and the responsibilities of living here.
• What is the UK?: the four nations, their capitals, and the flags.
• A long and illustrious history: from the Romans through to modern Britain.
• A modern, thriving society: customs, festivals, sport, and culture.
• The UK government, the law and your role: Parliament, elections, and the justice system.

History and society carry the most dates and names, so plan the most revision time for those two chapters.

What happens on the day

Plan to arrive early. Bring the exact ID and documents listed when you booked, and make sure the details match your booking. If they do not match, you can be turned away, and you lose the fee. See our guide to what to bring for the full list.

After a quick check-in, you take the test on a computer. The screen shows the time remaining, so you can pace yourself across the 45 minutes.

You get your result before you leave. If you pass, you receive a unique reference number. Keep it safe, because you use it in your settlement or citizenship application. There is no paper certificate, so that number is your proof. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see what happens on test day.

Booking and cost

You book the test yourself on GOV.UK, at least 3 days in advance, and pay a £50 fee for each attempt. The fee is not refunded if you fail or miss your appointment. The £50 is the official government fee and is separate from anything you pay to practise. Our cost and booking guide walks through the booking steps.

Do you have to take it?

Most applicants aged 18 to 65 need to pass the test. You may be exempt if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, or have a long-term physical or mental condition that makes taking it unreasonable. If you have already passed it for an earlier application, you usually do not take it again.

Exemptions are decided by the Home Office against the evidence you provide. See our who needs to take the test guide, and always check your own situation on GOV.UK. This guide is general information, not immigration advice.

Passing the test is also separate from the English language requirement (speaking and listening at B1 level) that most applicants need to meet. Passing one does not cover the other, as our B1 English guide explains.

What if you do not pass?

You can book and take the test again. There is no limit on the number of attempts and no waiting period, so you can rebook as soon as you are ready, but you pay the £50 fee each time. If you are retaking, put your revision into the chapters you found hardest, and do a few timed mocks so the clock feels normal. Our guide to failing and retaking the test covers this in full.

The quickest way to get ready

The format rewards practice. Two habits make the biggest difference:

1. Get used to reading 24 questions under a 45-minute clock, so timing never surprises you.
2. Revise straight from the handbook's five chapters, and review every question you get wrong until you can answer it from memory.

You can try a free practice test now, with no sign-up needed. Do a few full mocks in the week before your test, and you will walk in knowing exactly what to expect. For a full plan, follow our study guide.

This page explains how the Life in the UK Test works and is for study and preparation only. It is general information, not immigration advice, and does not determine your eligibility for settlement or citizenship. For official rules and any updates, rely on GOV.UK; GOV.UK guidance controls if anything here differs.