Life in the UK Test 2026: booking, questions, pass mark and free practice
The Life in the UK test is the Home Office's test of knowledge of British life, needed for some applications for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and British citizenship. There is no national exam date: you book your own test online on GOV.UK, at least 3 days ahead, at a test centre of your choice. The test is 24 questions in 45 minutes, and you pass with 75% or more, which is 18 right. This guide explains booking, the fee, the pattern, the handbook and a study plan.
Life in the UK Test at a glance
| Conducting body | Home Office (delivered at test centres by PSI) |
| What it is for | Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and British citizenship applications |
| Mode | On a computer at a test centre |
| Questions | 24 multiple choice |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Marking | Pass at 75% or more, which is 18 of 24 |
| Languages | English; in Welsh at centres in Wales and Scottish Gaelic in Scotland |
| How often | Book again if you do not pass; you pay each time |
| Official website | gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test |
Test dates and booking
There are no fixed dates. On the GOV.UK booking page (checked 20 October 2026) you book online, at least 3 days in advance, at one of the test centres across the UK, and the fee is £50. You choose the date and time from the slots available.
Plan the date backwards from your visa or citizenship application: you need the pass before you apply, because the pass gives you the unique reference number the application asks for.
How to book the Life in the UK Test
- Go to the official booking service on GOV.UK. Do not book through other websites.
- Have ready an email address, a debit or credit card, and an accepted form of ID. If you have an eVisa, you use a share code instead.
- Enter your name exactly as it appears on your ID; a mismatch can stop you sitting the test.
- Choose a test centre and a slot at least 3 days ahead, and pay £50.
- On the day, bring the same ID you booked with. Read what happens at the test beforehand.
You do not need to take the test if you are under 18, 65 or over, have already passed it, or have a long-term physical or mental condition and provide an exemption form or doctor's letter.
Exam pattern
| Part | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 24 multiple choice, drawn from a large bank |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Pass mark | 75% or more: 18 of 24 |
| Result | Pass or fail, told on the day |
| Changing answers | You can move between questions and change answers |
A short trial on the computer may be offered before the timed questions; it does not count. Each sitting draws different questions from the bank, so a later attempt is a different test. A pass gives a unique reference number for your immigration application.
Syllabus
Questions come only from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), sold as a book, eBook and audio. Its chapters cover:
- The values and principles of the UK
- What the UK is: its countries and their relationship
- A long and illustrious history: from early Britain to the modern age
- A modern, thriving society: religion, customs, sport, the arts, leisure
- The UK government, the law and your role: Parliament, elections, the courts, everyday responsibilities
Our Life in the UK test syllabus maps these chapters.
A plan for the weeks before your test
| Week | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Book a date about five weeks out. Read the handbook's first two chapters and take a practice test. |
| 2 | History chapter, a section a day. Make a timeline of dates, monarchs and battles. |
| 3 | Modern society: festivals, sports, writers, artists, inventors. |
| 4 | Government and the law. Practice tests every other day. |
| 5 | A practice test daily. Re-read the pages behind every wrong answer. Aim for 22 or more consistently, well above the 18 needed. |
The history and modern-society chapters are the longest and full of names and dates, so give them the most time.
Useful links
- Book the Life in the UK Test (gov.uk)
- What happens at the test (gov.uk)
- Knowledge of language and life in the UK: caseworker guidance (gov.uk)
- Free Life in the UK practice tests
- Life in the UK test syllabus
- Life in the UK test dates
- Australian Citizenship Test 2026: booking and pass mark
- Leben in Deutschland Test 2026: booking and pass mark
Frequently asked questions
What is the Life in the UK Test pass mark?
75% or more, which is 18 correct answers out of 24.
How much does the Life in the UK Test cost?
£50, paid when you book on GOV.UK (checked 20 October 2026). You pay again if you need to retake it.
How do I book the Life in the UK Test?
Online only, through the official GOV.UK booking service, at least 3 days before the test, with an email address, a card and accepted ID.
How many times can I take the Life in the UK Test?
You can book again if you do not pass. Each attempt costs the full fee, and each sitting has different questions.
Who does not need to take the Life in the UK Test?
People under 18, people aged 65 or over, people who have already passed, and people with a long-term physical or mental condition who provide the required evidence.