Life in the UK Prep ILR and Life in the UK test guides
Plain-language guides to settling in the UK: what ILR is, which tests you need, how the Life in the UK test works and how to pass it first time.
ILR and British citizenship
Indefinite Leave to Remain, settlement and naturalisation explained.
-
ILR requirements: are you eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
A checklist of the main ILR requirements: qualifying period, continuous residence and absences, the Life in the UK test, English language and good character.
Read guide → -
ILR vs British citizenship: what's the difference?
ILR gives permanent residence; British citizenship gives a passport, full voting rights and can't lapse. Compare rights, requirements and the tests for each.
Read guide → -
The British citizenship test: everything you need to know
The British citizenship test is the Life in the UK test: format, pass mark, who must take it, how it fits into naturalisation, and free practice tests.
Read guide → -
The English language requirement for ILR and citizenship
For ILR and British citizenship you usually need B1 English in speaking and listening. Ways to meet it, exemptions, and how it differs from the Life in the UK test.
Read guide → -
The ILR test: what you need to pass for Indefinite Leave to Remain
The 'ILR test' is the Life in the UK test: 24 questions, 45 minutes, 75% to pass. What it covers, how to book, the English test you also need and how to prepare.
Read guide → -
What is ILR? Indefinite Leave to Remain explained
ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is permanent UK residence with no time limit. What it means, who can apply, the tests you need and how it leads to citizenship.
Read guide →
The Life in the UK test
Booking, cost, the pass mark, the day itself and what happens if you fail.
-
Can you take the Life in the UK test online?
The official Life in the UK test isn't taken online: you sit it in person at a test centre. But you book online and can practise online and in the app.
Read guide → -
Failed the Life in the UK test? What to do next
Failed the Life in the UK test? You can retake it after 7 days for £50. Why people fail, how to fix weak topics, and a plan to pass next time.
Read guide → -
How much does the Life in the UK test cost?
The Life in the UK test costs £50, paid when you book. What the fee covers, refunds if you cancel, the cost of retakes, and how to avoid paying twice.
Read guide → -
How to book the Life in the UK test
How to book the Life in the UK test through the official booking service: what you need, choosing a test centre, paying the £50 fee and avoiding mistakes.
Read guide → -
Life in the UK test day: what to bring and what to expect
What happens on Life in the UK test day: the ID to bring, arriving at the centre, the 45-minute test on screen, getting your result and your unique reference number.
Read guide → -
Life in the UK test pass mark: what score do you need?
The Life in the UK test pass mark is 18 out of 24, or 75%. How scoring works, how many you can get wrong, and what score to aim for in mock tests before booking.
Read guide → -
Who is exempt from the Life in the UK test?
You don't need the Life in the UK test if you're under 18, 65 or over, or have a long-term condition that prevents it. How exemptions work for ILR and citizenship.
Read guide →
Revision and study
How to prepare, what’s in the handbook and the facts worth memorising.
-
How to pass the Life in the UK test first time
A practical 4-week study plan to pass the Life in the UK test first time: what to read, how to practise, when to take mock tests and when you're ready to book.
Read guide → -
How to pass the Life in the UK test if your English isn't strong
The Life in the UK test is in English, but you don't need perfect English to pass. Practical tips, key words to learn, and explanations in your language.
Read guide → -
Life in the UK mock tests: how to use them to pass
How to get the most from Life in the UK mock tests and practice tests: timed vs untimed, how many to take, what score means you're ready, and where to take them.
Read guide → -
Life in the UK test key dates to remember
The key dates for the Life in the UK test in one timeline, from 1066 and the Battle of Hastings to devolution in 1999, with what happened in each year.
Read guide → -
The Life in the UK handbook: a chapter-by-chapter study guide
What's in Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), what each chapter covers, and what to focus on for the Life in the UK test.
Read guide →