- 24 questions in 45 minutes, and you need 75% or more to pass.
- The fee is £50 each time you book, and you must book online at least 3 days ahead.
- You can rebook as many times as you need after a fail, paying each time.
- Every question comes from the official Guide for New Residents.
The test in numbers
| Item | Detail from GOV.UK |
|---|---|
| Questions and time | 24 questions about British traditions and customs, 45 minutes |
| Pass mark | 75% or more, which is at least 18 of the 24 questions |
| Fee | £50 per booking |
| Where | Over 30 test centres in the UK; you choose when you book |
| Source of questions | The official Guide for New Residents, as a book, eBook or audio |
| After a fail | Rebook as many times as you need; you pay again each time |
The 18-of-24 figure is our arithmetic from the 75% rule, not a number GOV.UK prints.
Who does not have to sit it
GOV.UK says you do not need the test if you are under 18, are 65 or over, have passed it before (for example, when you now apply for citizenship after passing for settlement), or have a long-term physical or mental condition and can provide either an exemption form or a letter from a doctor. Disabled applicants can make special requests when booking, such as extra equipment or help accessing the centre. Anyone who wants staff at the centre not to see a previous gender, or for it not to appear on the result, should email the Home Office sensitive bookings address before booking.
Preparing in a sensible order
- Buy the official Guide for New Residents, or use the official e-learning subscription or practice app from the official shop.
- Read the guide, because GOV.UK says you will be tested only on information from it.
- Book at least 3 days ahead through the only official government booking service.
- Check that the name on your booking exactly matches your ID.
- Take the same original ID to the centre. A copy or a screenshot will not do.
If you cannot attend or something goes wrong
- Cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test and the £50 is refunded to the card you used.
- Cancelling or rearranging inside 3 days gets no refund.
- If the test centre cancels, ask PSI for a refund within three months of the test date.
- No refund if you were ill, late, brought the wrong ID or refused your photo.
- Complain within three months; PSI says it replies within 10 working days.
Who sells a pass, and why it never works
Because the test is booked on GOV.UK, sat at a centre, and recorded by the operator, there is no honest way for anyone else to supply a pass. Sellers of passes and look-alike booking sites are covered at unofficial booking sites and fake test certificates. What you receive after a pass is on the unique reference number.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for the Life in the UK Test?
75% or more, according to GOV.UK. With 24 questions that means at least 18 correct answers, which is our own arithmetic. You have 45 minutes, and every question comes from the official Guide for New Residents. You are only tested on information from the official guide, so unofficial question banks can mislead you.
How many times can I retake the test?
As many times as you need. GOV.UK says you can rebook after a fail, but you pay the £50 fee each time, and you must book online at least three days in advance. There is no limit on attempts, but each booking is a separate payment and needs a fresh online booking.
How do I get a refund if I cannot attend?
Cancel at least three days (72 hours) before the test and the fee goes back to the card used. Inside three days there is no refund. If the centre cancels, ask PSI within three months of the test date. Cancelling is done in your Life in the UK account, under confirmed tests, and no contact with UKVI is needed.
What happens if I bring the wrong ID?
You will not be able to take the test and you will not get a refund. You must bring the same original ID you used to book, not a copy or screenshot, and your photo is taken on the day. Refusing the photo has the same result.
Who is exempt from the test?
People who are under 18 or 65 or over, who have passed before, or who have a long-term physical or mental condition and supply an exemption form or a doctor's letter. Check the GOV.UK page for the current wording before you decide.