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An important part of the British naturalisation application is the life in the UK test. This test is used to determine if the applicant has an understanding of culture and lifestyle in the UK. If you are going to become a British citizen, it’s important that you know about the culture and history of the country.
The test is 25 questions long and you have 45 minutes to complete it. The questions are multiple-choice, so this makes the challenge a little easier. It costs £50 to book your test. To pass the test, you need to get a score of at least 75%. You will be told on the day if you have passed your test.
Many people dread taking this test because they worry that they will get things wrong and have to take the test again. Provided you have studied the course materials and taken the time to practise the test format, you should have no issues passing this test.
If you are preparing for your life in the UK test, read on to learn our top tips for passing with flying colours every time.
Study for the test
Some people assume that since they know about life in the UK, they can take the test without studying. This is a huge mistake. The test not only covers British customs and traditions but also covers British history. Research from Essex University found that two-thirds of British-born people would fail the test. So, we know that studying isn’t an option.
Thankfully, there are study guides and online resources available to help you study for the test. Once you are feeling more confident about your knowledge, you can take practice tests. Taking practice tests will help you to understand the type of questions that might come up. Once you are consistently passing the practice tests, you can then think about booking your test.
Book your test
There are 30 test centres in the UK. The first step is to find the one nearest to you. You have to book your test at least 3 days in advance. It costs £50 to book the test, and you won’t get a refund if you fail to show up.
Make sure you can get to the test site on the day of your test and that you are approved to take time off work. You should also make sure you can secure childcare for the duration of the test. Note that you can’t bring children or family members with you to the centre.
To book your test, you will need an email address, debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID. Accepted forms of ID include things like a valid passport or your biometric residence permit.
Preparing on the day
On the day of your test, arrive with plenty of time to prepare. You’ll need to show your ID at the venue when you arrive. You will also have to have your photo taken to confirm your identity. If you forget your ID or refuse to have a photo taken, you will not be able to take the test. You won’t get a refund in this situation.
You will have 45 minutes to complete the test, but you can leave early if you complete the test before this time.
It’s common to feel nervous before a test, these tips can help you to relax:
- Arrive with plenty of time to spare so that you aren’t rushing.
- Familiarise yourself with the area so you know where you are going.
- Take a bottle of water with you and a small snack to eat before the test. This can help to calm your nerves.
- Don’t bring notes or study guides to the test. You should be confident that you have studied sufficiently by this point. If you continue reviewing your notes, this could make you more nervous.
After the test
You will learn your result immediately after your test. If you have been successful and have achieved a passing mark of 75% or above, then you will be given a “unique reference number”.
If you have failed the test and failed to achieve the required mark, you will need to book the test again.
What to do if you pass
If you pass the test, you will be given a “unique reference number” that you can attach to your citizenship application. The Home Office will use this reference number to confirm that you have passed the test.
What to do if you fail
If you fail, you will need to book another test and try again. We recommend studying again between your first and second tests. Remember that you will have to pay £50 every time you book a test. Repeatedly failing the test and failing to learn from your mistakes can quickly get very expensive.
If you are failing because you are struggling with the language, it might be a good idea to continue with English tutoring. If you haven’t already, you will also need to pass an English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic test. So, if language is the problem, you might want to focus on this test first.
Tips for passing the test
If you want to pass the test the first time, try these tips:
- Use an approved study guide. This will include all relevant information that is covered on the test. If you go into the test without studying, you might find that you are simply guessing. The chances of getting the correct answers from guessing alone are pretty low.
- Make the most of practice tests. There are plenty of practice tests online to help you study. Don’t book your test until you are confidently passing multiple practice tests in a row.
- Make sure you read the question. Assuming you have understood the question and then basing your answer on an incorrect assumption is a really common way to fail the test.
Take your time. You have 45 minutes to complete the test, so you can afford to take your time. This means you can spend around 90 seconds on each question. Some questions won’t take this long, so you can then spend more time on the questions that have you confused.
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