What score do I need to pass the Life in the UK test?
Short answer
18 out of 24 — 75%. You have 45 minutes, every question comes from the official handbook, and the booking fee is £50. There is no limit on retakes but you pay each time, and a pass certificate never expires, so it covers both ILR and citizenship.
The Life in the UK Test is a computer-based test of 24 questions in 45 minutes, and the pass mark is 18 correct — 75%. There is no borderline: you pass or you fail, and you can retake as often as you need, paying the £50 fee each time.
What to study, and where
Every question is drawn from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. Nothing outside it is tested, and no general knowledge of British life will substitute for the handbook’s specific dates, institutions and figures — this is a memory exercise, and past-paper style practice questions based on the handbook are the most efficient preparation.
Book through an approved test centre. The test is available in English or Welsh (the Welsh option at centres in Wales); there is no version in other languages.
Exemptions and adjustments
- Reasonable adjustments — extra time, large print and other accessibility measures can be requested when you book.
- Medical exemption — where a condition or disability prevents you taking the test at all, you can seek an exemption from UKVI with supporting medical evidence.
- Age-based exemptions also apply at each end of the age range.
Timing it well
You do not need an immigration application in progress to sit the test, and the certificate does not expire. Many people take it months or years before applying, which removes one deadline from an already stressful process. A pass used for an ILR application will also satisfy the requirement at the naturalisation stage — you never retake it for citizenship.
Keep the certificate safe, along with the reference number, because you will be asked for it in the application. Replacements are possible but not straightforward. Remember too that the test is not an English language test: the language requirement is separate, and you must meet both.
Related guides
Life in the UK Test Preparation
The Life in the UK Test is a computer-based test of knowledge about British history, culture, society, and values. It must be passed by most applicants for Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship. The test consists of 24 questions drawn from the official handbook and must be completed in 45 minutes.
5 min
Naturalisation Process in Detail
Naturalisation is the formal legal process by which a person who was not born a British citizen becomes one. While the eligibility criteria are covered in the British Citizenship guide, this guide focuses on the practical steps involved in submitting and progressing a naturalisation application.
6 min
British Citizenship Basics
British citizenship can be obtained in several ways — by birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation. The most common route for immigrants is naturalisation, which is available to most people who have lived lawfully in the UK for at least five years (or three years if married to a British citizen). Becoming a British citizen gives you the right to a British passport, the right to vote in all UK elections, and the ability to pass citizenship to your children.
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Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — also called settlement — gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK for an indefinite period without immigration restrictions. ILR is a significant step on the pathway to British citizenship and provides much greater security than any time-limited visa. However, ILR can be lost if you spend extended periods outside the UK.
8 min
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