Life in the UK Test: Cost, Pass Mark and How to Book

You may need to take the test as part of your application for British citizenship or settlement in the UK, and when you apply you should check the guidance and application form to find out if you need to take it. The GOV.UK Life in the UK Test page is the only official government service for booking the Life in the UK Test.

You will have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions about British traditions and customs, and you must score 75% or more to pass the test.

You will only be tested on information from the official Guide for New Residents, which is available as a book, an eBook or in audio formats. You can also get a Life in the UK test e-learning subscription or download the official Life in the UK test practice app, and you can buy online from the official Life in the UK Test shop.

If you pass you will get a unique reference number, which you will need to complete your citizenship or settlement application and which the Home Office will use to check that you have passed. If you took your test before 17 December 2019 you will have a letter with a test reference ID instead of a unique reference number, and if you have lost your letter you should send a letter explaining that you have lost it with your citizenship or settlement application.

If you fail the test you can rebook the test as many times as you need, and you will have to pay each time.

You must book your test online at least 3 days in advance and it costs £50, and there are over 30 test centres in the UK where you can choose where to take your test when you book. Book through the official GOV.UK booking service.

You can contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline if you need help with your booking, on 0800 015 4245, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, or at support@lituk.psionline.com. See our guide to eVisas and to proving your immigration status for how to get a share code.

You cannot bring children or other family members with you to the centre, you must bring the same original ID that you used to book the test, not a copy or screenshot, and your photo will also be taken on the day to confirm your ID.

If you are unable to attend your test you can rearrange it or cancel it, you will get a refund if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before you are due to take the test, and you will not get a refund if you cancel or rearrange within 3 days of your test.

To cancel your test you sign into your Life in the UK account, select Confirmed tests and then Cancel tests, and if you are eligible for a refund the £50 fee will be refunded to the card you used to book the test, without you needing to contact UK Visas and Immigration.

You can ask for a refund if the test centre cancels the test, but you cannot ask for a refund if you brought the wrong ID, were ill, were late, did not bring the right documents or refused to have your photo taken. You must ask for a refund within 3 months of the test date, and the fee will be refunded to the card you used to book the test.

You can contact PSI to make a complaint at complaints@lituk.psionline.com or on 0800 015 4245, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, you will get a response within 10 working days, and you must make your complaint within 3 months of the test date.

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 are applying to become a citizen and already passed it as part of your settlement application, or have a long-term physical or mental condition, for which you must provide either an exemption form or a letter from a doctor confirming your physical or mental condition.

You can use the exemption form if you have a long-term physical or mental condition and do not need to take the Life in the UK test or prove your knowledge of English, and a qualified medical professional should complete the form on behalf of applicants applying for settlement or naturalisation as a British citizen. When you submit your completed exemption form you should include all original and current relevant medical reports setting out your diagnosis, and the form should be included with your visa application form.