Life in the UK Test 2026: Format, Booking, Pass Mark and ID Rules

The Life in the UK test is a 45-minute computer test of 24 questions about British traditions, history, customs and laws. You need 75% (18 out of 24) to pass, and it costs £50 as of October 2026. Most people need it for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and British citizenship. You book it online on GOV.UK at least 3 days ahead.

Key points

• 24 questions, 45 minutes, pass mark 75%.
• £50 per attempt, booked at least 3 days in advance, at one of more than 30 UK test centres.
• Exempt if you are under 18, 65 or over, or have a long-term physical or mental condition.
• Bring the same original ID you booked with. Expired BRPs only work until 31 December 2026 at the latest.
• Questions come only from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents.

Who needs to take the test

You normally need a Life in the UK test pass to apply for:

• indefinite leave to remain (settlement) on most routes
• British citizenship by naturalisation

You only need to pass it once. Your pass reference works for both applications. Our guides to indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship explain where the test fits in each process.

Exemptions

According to GOV.UK, you do not need to take the test if you:

• are under 18
• are 65 or over
• have already passed it
• have a long-term physical or mental condition (you need an exemption form or a doctor’s letter)

Test format at a glance

Item	Detail
Number of questions	24
Time allowed	45 minutes
Pass mark	75% (18 correct answers)
Fee	£50 per attempt
Booking notice	At least 3 days
Test centres	More than 30 across the UK
Content	Only material from the official handbook
Result	A pass comes with a unique reference number

Sources: GOV.UK test page, what happens at the test, fees table.

What the test covers

The test only uses information from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The handbook covers:

• the values and principles of the UK
• what the UK is, and its countries
• a long history, from early Britain to modern times
• a modern, thriving society: religion, customs, sport, arts and culture
• the UK government, the law and your role as a citizen

The official handbook is available as a book, eBook or audio, and there is an official e-learning subscription and practice app. Be careful with commercial books marketed as a “2026 handbook” or “new edition”. Only the official guide decides what is examinable. Check the publisher before you pay.

How to book: step by step

1. Check you need the test. Confirm you are not exempt.
2. Get your ID ready. See the ID section below. The name on your booking must exactly match your ID.
3. Have an email address and a payment card ready.
4. Book online through the official GOV.UK booking service, at least 3 days before you want to sit the test. Choose your centre when you book.
5. Prepare with the official handbook.
6. Attend on the day with the original ID you used to book.

Only book through GOV.UK. Third-party sites may charge extra.

Which ID you can use

This is where many people get caught out after the switch to eVisas.

Your situation	ID you can use
You have an eVisa	A share code from your UKVI account
No eVisa	A valid passport; a valid EU, Swiss, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Norwegian national ID card; or a valid photo travel document (not an emergency travel document)
You still have a BRP or BRC	Only if the test is within 24 months of the card’s expiry, or before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first

The ID must have a photo that looks like you. Copies and screenshots are not accepted on the day, and your photo will be taken at the centre. If you do not bring the correct ID, or refuse to have your photo taken, you cannot sit the test and you will not get a refund.

If you are not sure how to get a share code, see our eVisa and BRP guide.

On the day and after

• Arrive with the original ID you booked with.
• Your photo is taken to confirm your identity.
• You answer 24 questions on a computer within 45 minutes.
• If you pass, you get a unique reference number. You need this for your ILR or citizenship application. The Home Office uses it to check your pass, so you do not need a paper certificate.
• If you took the test before 17 December 2019, you received a letter with a test reference ID instead. If you have lost that letter, explain this in a letter sent with your application.

If you fail

You can rebook as many times as you need, but you pay £50 each time. GOV.UK does not set a waiting period between attempts on its main pages.

Preparation tips

• Read the official handbook in full. Questions can come from any chapter.
• Focus on dates, names and numbers. Many questions test specific facts.
• Use timed practice. 45 minutes for 24 questions is about 1 minute 50 seconds per question, which is usually enough, but practice reduces nerves.
• Book early if your visa is running out. Centres in busy areas can fill up, and you need the reference number before you apply.

Will the test change?

The government’s earned settlement proposals list passing the Life in the UK test as a mandatory requirement for settlement, as it is now. As of October 2026, the test format, fee and pass mark have not changed. Separately, the English requirement for ILR rises to B2 from 26 March 2027. Check /updates/ for news.

What to do next

1. Check your ID now, especially if you only have a BRP. After 31 December 2026, expired BRPs cannot be used to book.
2. Get the official handbook and set a study plan.
3. Book through the official GOV.UK page at least 3 days ahead.
4. Keep your unique reference number safe for your application.
5. See the UK country hub for the rest of the settlement and citizenship process.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Details are as of October 2026.