How I Passed the Life in the UK Test (the first time!)

So you want to learn about the Life in the UK test from someone who has actually taken it. Great! You’ve come to the right place.

For those not familiar, the Life in the UK test is needed for applications like Indefinite Leave to Remain or naturalisation.

Heads up: You must pass the test BEFORE you can apply for ILR so don’t leave it for the last second. The Life in the UK Test pass certificate does not expire and is valid for life.

Life in the UK test: a complete walkthrough

When should I book my test?

Some people say don’t bother booking until you’re ready, some say you need to book months in advance. My advice? Sign up and check availability early for the testing centre you want. If there’s loads of availability, you probably don’t need to book too far in advance but at least you’ll know.

For reference, I went to PSI Stratford. When I checked the booking availability on 17 July, there was available space around the last week of August, going into September, and then there was a lot of availability. I decided to book then and there since it seemed like that centre was busy, and booked my test for 4 September 2025.

From 17 July until 4 September was plenty of time to study without cramming, but also not too much time that I felt like I was forgetting stuff or there wasn’t any urgency.

How to book Life in the UK test

If you’ve never done the test before, you need to register for an account on the official website.

It’ll ask you to verify your identify, name, birthday, address, etc – the usual. If you have an eVisa, you can generate a Share Code and provide that info as part of the registration.

How much does it cost?

Currently the Life in the UK test is £50. If you fail, you’ll need to book again at least 7 days later and re-pay for it. The way the immigration systems have been going in the UK lately, I would not be surprised if this cost is increased in the near future.

What should you study?

You absolutely need to get the handbook and read that (maybe even twice). It’s tough because the handbook is insanely brief. You’re not going to be taught the complexities of why WWI started, you just need to know how it started and what year.

I actually hated all of the online practice tests. If you Google “life in the uk test” you’ll see loads of them. So my British partner and I actually made our own Life in the UK website: Brit IQ

You can register for free to start practicing or you can subscribe and receive full access to all possible questions. We set it up in a way that I found super helpful. There’s in-depth flashcards and it tracks your progress so you can see the areas you need to spend more time on.

I used it and passed my test the first time so I hope it can be helpful to others!

My experience taking the Life in the UK Test

I arrived at PSI Stratford at 1:30pm, about 30 minutes before my test. I checked in at the front desk and he said they were allowing 2 pm tests to enter. I can’t say if they would let you in any earlier, but 30 minutes early was OK.

Once upstairs, I followed the signs until I found the proper room.

At the door they make you turn off your phone (and watch you do so) and check that your name is on the list for tests that day. Then they have you put everything in a locker (they’re not huge lockers so if you’re arriving with a backpack and a big winter coat, be aware). I could fit my coat and a small back pack fine.

Afterwards, I was given a list of rules to read over and seated in a waiting room. It only took about 2 minutes before I was sent off to get my identity verified in a small office.

They asked my name, date of birth, citizenship and why I’m taking the test. They also took my photo.

Since I booked my test with my eVisa, they pulled up those details to verify everything I had said.

I heard some people had booked their tests with their passport which they needed to bring and show.

In the end, I was not asked to show anything. I brought my passport and I even printed off my eVisa webpage but didn’t need anything. If you book with your passport, you’ll need it.

After getting verified, I went through security:

  • they checked behind my ears, pulled up my jeans
  • guy in front had long sleeves that he had to pull up
  • pulled out all of my pockets, even the little coin pocket you get on jeans
  • they used a metal detector wand on me, front and back

I was then approved to go into the testing room. This was just a small computer room with about 15 computers but not all of them were turned on.

A woman working the testing room sat me down, asked my name and DOB. The photo they took of me a few minutes earlier came up on the screen so she could verify the right person was sitting the test.

I was given a sheet with instructions but it’s a very basic multiple choice test where you select your answer and then hit “Next.” You start with 4 practice questions then 24 real questions with a 45 minute time limit.

I read each question multiple times and even still, the whole test only took about 5 minutes.

Once I was done, the woman in the room said I could leave. I got my stuff out the locker and was all cleared to go.

By the time I got outside and turned my phone on, I already got an email saying I passed! They say it can take 10 minutes to get a result, but it only took two.

You don’t know your actual score, just that you passed. You’ve given a special code in this email that you’ll need for your Indefinite Leave to Remain application to prove that you’ve passed.

The actual Life in the UK questions I got on my test

I don’t know if each test is a random selection of 24 questions out of a bank of say, 1000 questions. But below are the Life in the UK test questions I got.

I’m not saying you’ll get them, too, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless and might help relieve some anxiety about your test:

  • What is the flower of the various countries? (daffodil, rose, shamrock, thistle)
  • How old do you have to be to buy alcohol?
  • What is a crown dependency?
  • What festival do Sikhs and Hindus celebrate in November?
  • Who became Lord protector?
  • Who invented radar?
  • Which platforms have to give equal representation of political candidates?

There was two questions about the women’s right to vote:

  • When did women get the right to vote as the same as men at age 21?
  • Women were given the right to vote after their work with which war?

One question that threw me was:

Which statement is correct: in Scotland, most minor crimes are dealt with as the justice of the peace or in Scotland all criminal crimes are dealt with at the high sheriff?

More questions on my test were:

  • What is the capital of Northern Ireland?
  • Patron saints for the different countries (St. David, St. Andrew, etc)
  • What sport is Six Nations?
  • Who wrote the Daffodils?
  • What is expected of British citizens?
  • What monument is in Cornwall?
  • Which Emperor built the wall in the north of England to keep out the Picts?
  • What famous playwright was born in Stratford Upon Avon?
  • Who are 2 famous para-athletes?
  • Who defeated the English at Bannock in 1314?

Not included in my test:

  • Nothing about Battle of Hastings or the last successful invasion of England.
  • Nothing about important days like Christmas, Valentine’s Day or Halloween
  • Nothing about MPs
  • Very little about Kings and queens and nothing about Henry the 8th

What I wish I did differently

Honestly nothing. Give yourself enough time to study bit by bit so you don’t have to cram it all last minute – there’s a lot to memorise. You’ll absolutely read the book (maybe even read it a second time if needed) and take your time with the test.

Good luck and all the best with your test!!