Life in the UK Test Practice: Free Questions and a Timed Mock Test
Practise questions from all five chapters of the official handbook, with a note on why every option is right or wrong. Then sit a 24-question mock test under the 45-minute clock and see whether you would reach the pass mark of 18. Every drill has a free try.
24 questions in 45 minutes in all four question types, marked against the real pass mark of 18, with a score for every chapter and an explanation for every option.
Or start with a free drill- 581 original questions in the four question types used on the test
- 24 questions in 45 minutes on the mock test, a new set every sitting
- 6 free drills: one per handbook chapter plus a mixed drill
What did the Bessemer process make possible?
Select one answer
The Life in the UK test at a glance
The Life in the UK test checks that you know the traditions, customs, history and system of government of the UK. Most people applying to settle in the UK or to become a British citizen need to pass it, and every question comes from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents.
- Who takes it
- Most people applying for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) or British citizenship. It is one of the ways you show a good understanding of life in the UK
- Format
- 24 questions about British traditions, customs, history and government, on a computer at a test centre
- Time
- 45 minutes
- Pass mark
- 75% or more, which is at least 18 of the 24 questions. A pass gives you a unique reference number for your application
- Content
- Only information from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition)
- Fee and booking
- £50, booked online at least 3 days in advance. There are more than 30 test centres and you choose one when you book
- ID
- The name on your booking must exactly match your ID: an eVisa share code if you have an eVisa, or a valid passport, national identity card or travel document with a photo. Bring the original on the day; your photo is taken at the centre
- Retakes
- If you fail, you can book again as many times as you need, paying the fee each time
- Exemptions
- You do not take the test if you are under 18, 65 or over, have passed it before, or have a long-term physical or mental condition (with an exemption form or a doctor’s letter)
Life in the UK mock test: 24 questions in 45 minutes
The mock test is the real format: 24 questions from all five chapters in 45 minutes, in all four question types. Skip, flag and return to questions as you would on the test screen. Your result says whether you reached 18 of 24 (75%), gives your score in each chapter and explains every option. Each new sitting draws questions you have not answered yet first, so you can sit about 20 mock tests without a repeat.
The four question types
Most questions on the test have one correct answer from four options, but some use other formats. Our bank and mock test use all four, so the real screen holds no surprises.
One correct answer
A question with four options. Choose the one correct answer.
356 questions in our bank
True or false
A statement. Decide whether it is true or false.
79 questions in our bank
Which statement is correct?
Two statements. Choose the one that is correct.
110 questions in our bank
Which TWO are correct?
Four options with two correct answers. You need both to score the mark.
36 questions in our bank
The five handbook chapters, and a free drill for each
Every question on the test comes from the handbook’s five chapters. Each drill is ten questions from one chapter with a note on every option after each answer, and each chapter has its own guide page. The Home Office does not publish how many questions come from each chapter; the mock column shows our split, which follows the length of each chapter.
| Chapter | On our mock | In the bank | What it covers | Drill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The values and principles of the UK | 1 | 30 | The fundamental principles of British life, the responsibilities and freedoms of residents, the citizenship pledge and oath, and what you need to settle. | 10-question drill |
| 2. What is the UK? | 1 | 22 | The four countries of the UK, Great Britain, the Crown dependencies and overseas territories, the capital cities and where laws are made. | 10-question drill |
| 3. A long and illustrious history | 9 | 234 | From the Stone Age, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans through the Tudors, Stuarts, Georgians and Victorians to the two world wars and modern Britain. | 10-question drill |
| 4. A modern, thriving society | 6 | 154 | Religion, patron saints, festivals and customs, sport and famous sports people, music, theatre, art, architecture, literature, food, film and places of interest. | 10-question drill |
| 5. The UK government, the law and your role | 7 | 141 | The monarchy, Parliament and elections, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, devolution, voting, the police and courts, human rights, tax, driving and your role in the community. | 10-question drill |
Ready for the timed test?
24 questions in 45 minutes in all four question types, marked against the real pass mark of 18, with a score for every chapter and an explanation for every option.
Or start with a free drillHow to use these Life in the UK practice questions
- Read the handbook once, then take the free mixed drill to see where you stand.
- Drill the history chapter first: it is the longest chapter and the largest share of questions.
- Read the note on every option, including on questions you got right. The wrong options are real facts from the same chapter, so each question teaches you four facts.
- Sit the 24-question mock test under the 45-minute clock, then drill the chapters with your lowest scores.
- Keep sitting new mock tests until you pass comfortably, well above 18 of 24, before you book the real test.
Common questions
How many questions are on the Life in the UK test?
24 questions, and you have 45 minutes to answer them. The questions are about British traditions, customs, history and government, and they come only from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents.
What is the pass mark for the Life in the UK test?
You must score 75% or more, which means at least 18 correct answers out of 24. Our mock test marks you against the same line, so you know whether you would pass today.
Can I practice for the Life in the UK test for free?
Yes. Every one of the six ten-question drills (one per handbook chapter plus a mixed drill) has a free try with a free account, and the hub and every chapter page have free sample questions with answers. The timed 24-question mock test comes with a Life in the UK pass, and every sitting draws a new set of questions.
What types of questions are on the test?
Most questions have four options and one correct answer. Some ask you to decide whether a statement is true or false, some ask which of two statements is correct, and some ask you to choose the TWO correct answers from four. Our bank uses all four types, as the mock test does.
How much does the Life in the UK test cost?
The test costs £50. You book it online at least 3 days in advance and choose one of more than 30 test centres. If you fail, you pay the fee again for each new attempt.
Which chapters of the handbook are tested?
The handbook has five chapters: the values and principles of the UK; what is the UK; a long and illustrious history; a modern, thriving society; and the UK government, the law and your role. GOV.UK says you will only be tested on information from the handbook. History is the longest chapter, so it has the most questions in our bank.
Are these the real Life in the UK test questions?
No. The real questions are not published. Every question here is original practice written from the content of the official handbook, with an explanation for every option. It is not the official question bank and is not copied from any other book or site.
Who does not need to take the Life in the UK test?
You do not need to take it if you are under 18, are 65 or over, have passed it before, or have a long-term physical or mental condition that stops you taking it (you need an exemption form or a letter from your doctor).
Ready for test day?
24 questions in 45 minutes in all four question types, marked against the real pass mark of 18, with a score for every chapter and an explanation for every option.
Or start with a free drillSources
- GOV.UK: Life in the UK Test (24 questions, £50, booking, ID, exemptions)
- GOV.UK: What happens at the test (45 minutes, 75% pass mark, if you fail)
- GOV.UK: Prepare for the test (only tested on the official handbook)
- Official Life in the UK study materials (handbook, study guide, practice questions, e-learning)
Original practice questions written from the content of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). They are not the official question bank and are not copied from it or from any other book or site. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Home Office or UK Visas and Immigration. Book the real test on GOV.UK.