Life in the UK test
Anyone applying for naturalization as British citizen or for settlement in the UK is obliged to book and pass Life in the UK test. The test can be taken in one of the centres located all over the UK. Life in the UK exam tests are difficult. It seems they are getting more complex and difficult to pass as the time progresses. Passing the life in the UK test without practice and preparation is becoming increasingly impossible.
Even for those who are fairly familiar with British culture and history can find the test challenging. The questions on the test are becoming more detailed and arcane comparing to the ones from the past years when the test was just introduced. Luckily, the candidates need to answer correctly only 18 of the 24 questions in the test.
The life in the UK test cost is 50 GBP. The test can be booked on line, at least three days before the date of the exam.
Who is exempt from taking the test
You do not need to take the test if you:
- are under 18
- are 65 or over
- have passed it before – for example, if you’re applying to become a citizen and already passed it as part of your settlement application
- have a long-term physical or mental condition – you must provide either a form or a letter from a doctor confirming your physical or mental condition
Registering for Life in the UK exam
Candidates can register for the Life in the UK test online, by going to this website. To register candidates will need to have at the following information:
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). If you do not have a valid BRP, you can use your passport. Other acceptable forms of photo ID
- Details of address and postcode
- A debit or credit card
- Email address
- Details of any special requests they have
Preparing for Life in the UK exam
The test costs only 50 GBP but it is still an investment in time and money. It is a good idea to prepare for the Life in the UK test thoroughly.
The questions on the Life in the UK test are focused on cultural and historical facts and achievements in science, technology, arts etc. You should expect to face questions about past and contemporary cultural and political events in the UK. There are also questions related to popular culture, laws, society, and broadly understood ‘British values’. The good news is that someone who is interested in the current news, politics and culture will already know answers to a fair number of questions in the test.
However, the questions are taken from a wide range of fields. There are bound to be questions candidates do not know the answers. That is why it is important to prepare for the test.
How to pass Lfe in the UK test
Fortunately, there are many options for those who want o prepare for the exam. The first port of call should be the gov.uk page dedicated to that goal. From that site you can, among other things, take a mock test. We would recommend taking the mock test for several reasons. First and foremost, it can give you a rough idea about the typical questions asked of the candidates. Taking the test also shows us how your knowledge compares with the requirements.
There are 15 mock tests available for the free users as well as access to all learning materials. Everything you need in order to prepare for the Life in the UK test is in there.
TAKING THE TEST
Irrespectively of the amount of time spent preparing, there will inevitably be questions you may not know answers. There are techniques that can be used in the multiple choice tests that increase your chances of success.
The Life in the UK test is timed. Candidates are given 45 minutes to answer 24 questions in the test. There are several guidance notes available online about strategies to answer multiple choice tests. It is worth the time to familiarize yourself with the most common strategies. They may help you to get right that crucial one or two questions you are not sure about.
Those strategies may be summarized in few crucial points.
- Read the entire question
- Read every answer option
- Answer the questions you know first
- Eliminate wrong answers
- Use the process of elimination
- Select the best answer
- Make an educated guess.
Does Life in the UK test have an expiration date?
Life in the UK test has no expiry date and can be used for ILR or naturalisation applications any time after being taken.
