The Life in the UK test is a computer-based test of 24 questions, taken in 45 minutes at a test centre, based on the official Guide for New Residents. Many adults who apply for British citizenship or indefinite leave to remain must pass it. A pass gives a unique reference number to use on the application.
Key points
- The test has 24 questions and lasts 45 minutes. It costs £50 and you must book at least 3 days in advance.
- You need 75% or more to pass. If you pass, you get a unique reference number for your application.
- You must bring the same original ID you used to book. Without it you cannot sit the test and you get no refund.
- 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.
- If you fail you can rebook as many times as you need, and you pay the fee each time.
How the Life in the UK test works
You may need to take the test as part of an application for British citizenship or for settlement in the UK. GOV.UK tells applicants to check the guidance and application form to find out whether the test applies to them.[1]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test For example, passing it is one of the requirements for naturalisation if you already hold indefinite leave to remain.[4]Home Office, Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status
The test has 24 questions and you have 45 minutes to answer them. The questions come only from the official Guide for New Residents, so that is the book to study.[1]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test
You book online. It costs £50 and you must book at least 3 days in advance. There are over 30 test centres in the UK and you choose one when you book.[1]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test
Booking, ID and exemptions
To book you need an email address, a debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID. The name on your booking must be an exact match with the name on that ID.[1]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test
| If you have | What GOV.UK says to use |
|---|---|
| An eVisa | Use a share code to book. You sign in to your UKVI account to get it. |
| No eVisa, or you cannot access it | A valid passport, a valid ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or a valid travel document with a photo |
| A biometric residence permit or card | It can be used if your test is no later than 24 months after the expiry date on the card or before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first |
An emergency travel document cannot be used. The ID must have a photo that looks like you.[1]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test
You do not need to take the test if you are under 18 or 65 or over. You also do not need it if you have passed it before, for example as part of a settlement application. People with a long-term physical or mental condition are exempt too. They must give either an exemption form or a letter from a doctor confirming the condition.[1]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test
On the day and after the test
You must bring the same original ID you used to book. A copy or a screenshot is not accepted. The test centre takes your photo to confirm your ID. If you bring the wrong ID or refuse the photo, you cannot take the test and you get no refund.[2]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: What happens at the test
You must score 75% or more to pass. If you pass, you get a unique reference number. You need it to complete your citizenship or settlement application, and the Home Office uses it to check that you passed.[2]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: What happens at the test
If you fail, you can rebook as many times as you need and you pay each time.[2]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: What happens at the test
GOV.UK sets out when you can get your money back if you cancel or the test does not go ahead.[3]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Cancellations, refunds and complaints
| Situation | Refund |
|---|---|
| You cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test | Yes, the £50 goes back to the card you used |
| You cancel or rearrange within 3 days of the test | No |
| The test centre cancels the test | You can ask for one, within 3 months of the test date |
| You brought the wrong ID, were ill or were late | No |
Example
Amira has held indefinite leave to remain for more than a year and plans to apply for citizenship. She is 34 and has no exemption. She studies the Guide for New Residents, then books a test online for £50 using her valid passport as ID. She takes that original passport to the test centre. She answers the 24 questions in the time allowed and scores 75%. She receives a unique reference number and enters it on her citizenship application.
If she had scored below 75%, she could rebook and pay £50 again.
What people get wrong
People often book with one document and arrive with another. The ID you bring must be the same original ID you used to book. A copy or a screenshot is not accepted, and without the right ID you cannot sit the test and there is no refund.
GOV.UK states this rule on its page about what happens at the test.[2]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: What happens at the test
A second common mistake is to cancel too late. The refund only applies if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test.[3]Home Office, Life in the UK Test: Cancellations, refunds and complaints
The test is also separate from the English language requirement. The Life in the UK test checks your knowledge of life in the UK. The English language requirement is a different part of the application and is proved in a different way.
The bottom line
The Life in the UK test is a 24-question, 45-minute computer test that many adult applicants for citizenship or settlement must pass. You book it online for £50, bring the same original ID and need 75% to pass. A pass gives you a unique reference number for your application. Check your own application guidance first, because some people are exempt.
Common questions
You must score 75% or more. The test has 24 questions, so that means getting 18 of them right. You have 45 minutes to answer.
Usually yes. GOV.UK lists having passed the Life in the UK test as a requirement for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain. Some people are exempt, for example those under 18 or aged 65 or over.
You can rebook as many times as you need. You pay the £50 fee each time you sit the test.
You get a refund if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test. You get no refund if you cancel or rearrange within 3 days, or if you bring the wrong ID.
Sources
We cite the Immigration Rules, legislation and GOV.UK guidance directly. Rules change, so each source shows the date we last checked it.
- Home Office. Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Life in the UK Test: What happens at the test. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Life in the UK Test: Cancellations, refunds and complaints. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩