The Life in the UK test and English for residence and citizenship

The Life in the UK test measures your knowledge of British society.

• It covers five areas: British values and principles (democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and civic participation), the history of Britain (from ancient times, Romans and Normans to the World Wars and the present), modern society (family, education, religion, traditions, holidays, sport and arts), the political system and government (Parliament, the monarch, elections, local councils, law and courts), and rights and responsibilities (voting, taxes and serving as a juror).
• It relies on the official book Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (third edition) which is bought and studied.
• And the questions are asked in English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic only.
• And you need not be a history expert, but you need preparation.

You register via the official site lifeintheuktests.gov.uk with an account, pay about 50 pounds, and choose a test centre and date, and bring your passport or ID document and proof of address.

• You do not need an English certificate before the test.
• Prepare with the official book, practice tests on licensed apps and sites (Official Practice Tests), and daily review of a chapter.
• Set aside weeks of study (an hour a day) and practise multiple-choice questions.
• Do not rely on sites guaranteeing success or selling answers, and do not pay any unregistered third party.
• Retaking on the same day is not allowed, so you wait seven days.
• And you get the result at once, and if you pass you receive a pass notification letter and a reference number to submit with the residence or citizenship application.
• And if you fail you can retake by paying a new fee.

For permanent residence usually level B1 in English (listening and speaking), and for citizenship B1 also, and some visas (skilled worker and family) require level A1, A2, B1 or B2 depending on type.

• Proof can be by: a Home Office-approved secure English language test (SELT) such as IELTS Life Skills, Trinity GESE or Pearson LanguageCert from approved centres, or by a university degree (bachelor, master or doctorate) in English or taught in English confirmed by UK ENIC, or by nationality of an English-speaking country (such as Australia and Canada), or by exemption for those of advanced age or with a health condition.
• The exams cost between 150 and 200 pounds.
• And you do not need a new exam if you proved the level earlier for the same visa depending on the case.
• And always check the list of approved centres.

Colleges, adult education centres and community organisations offer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses at levels from Entry 1 to Level 2, some free for asylum seekers, refugees and low-income people, and some at reduced fees.

• The council, libraries and organisations such as Refugee Action and Learn English at Home offer conversation groups, volunteers and online lessons.
• Ask Jobcentre Plus about free ESOL courses.
• And there are free resources: BBC Learning English, British Council LearnEnglish and apps.
• Integrate learning into your life: watch news and series with English subtitles, and read street signs and menus, and speak with your neighbours and colleagues.
• And join a club or volunteer group that speaks English to practise.
• And train to listen to different accents.

After success you submit via GOV.UK an ILR or citizenship application with fees (about 2885 pounds for permanent residence and about 1605 for citizenship), attaching the test result, English certificate, proof of housing, the periods you spent in Britain, criminal record and work.

• The required residence period varies: five years for skilled workers and most routes (and may become ten) and three for a British spouse.
• And after ILR by a year you apply for citizenship (except for those married to Britons).
• And the citizenship ceremony is held by taking an oath before the council or a representative, and you then receive the citizenship certificate, the British passport and full voting rights.
• And renouncing your original nationality is not usually required, but check your country's law.
• And if your application is refused request a review or appeal, and consult a registered adviser.

How many questions in the Life in the UK test?