Life in the UK Prep The British citizenship test: everything you need to know
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The UK (British) citizenship test is the Life in the UK test: 24 questions about British life and history, with a pass mark of 75%. If you passed it for ILR, you don't need to take it again for citizenship.
The UK citizenship test, also called the British citizenship test, is officially the Life in the UK test. It’s the same test people take for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and one pass covers both.
Citizenship test at a glance
- 24 multiple-choice questions
- 45 minutes
- 18 correct to pass (75%)
- £50 fee, booked online through the official booking service
- Questions from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition)
Where the test fits in becoming British
For most adults, the path to British citizenship by naturalisation looks like this:
- Live in the UK on a visa that leads to settlement.
- Pass the Life in the UK test and meet the English requirement.
- Get ILR (or EU settled status).
- Wait, usually 12 months after getting ILR, unless you’re married to a British citizen.
- Apply for citizenship and meet the residence, absence and good character rules.
- Attend a citizenship ceremony, where you make an oath or affirmation of allegiance and a pledge.
Because the test comes early, many people take it years before their citizenship application. That’s fine: the pass doesn’t expire.
What the citizenship test asks
Questions cover British values, the nations of the UK, history from the Stone Age to the present day, modern society and culture, and how government and the law work. For example:
- What do new citizens promise in a citizenship ceremony?
- Who was Prime Minister during most of the Second World War?
- When is St David’s Day, the patron saint’s day of Wales?
See answers and many more in our practice questions.
How to pass the citizenship test
Most people need a few weeks of regular study. Read the handbook, practise questions with explanations, then take timed mock tests until you’re comfortably above the pass mark. Our step-by-step study plan shows how.
Frequently asked questions
What is the British citizenship test called?
Its official name is the Life in the UK test. It's often called the British citizenship test, UK citizenship test or naturalisation test.
Do I need to take the citizenship test again if I passed it for ILR?
No. A Life in the UK test pass doesn't expire, and you use the same unique reference number in your citizenship application.
How many questions are on the UK citizenship test?
24 questions in 45 minutes. You need 18 correct answers (75%) to pass.
Is there a speaking part to the citizenship test?
No. The Life in the UK test is a multiple-choice computer test. English speaking and listening are assessed separately through the English language requirement.
This is general information, not immigration or legal advice. For advice about your own situation, speak to a regulated immigration adviser. Immigration rules change, so always check GOV.UK before you apply.