The official UK citizenship test requires a score of 18 out of 24 to pass, and questions are drawn from the Home Office-approved Life in the United Kingdom handbook. The test is generally required for adults applying for indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation as a British citizen, though some people, such as those under 18, are exempt.
Test format and history
The mock test below contains 24 questions, matching the real test, which candidates have 45 minutes to answer. The test was introduced for citizenship applications in 2005 and for settlement applications in 2007. It costs £50 and can be taken at one of 30 centres across the UK.
Questions cover a wide range of topics, from politics to the English Civil War, and from food to popular sports. British citizens do not have to take the test, but that does not mean the questions are easy, as some are very tricky.
Research findings on difficulty
According to University of Essex research in 2021, two-thirds of British nationals would not pass the UK citizenship test. The university noted criticisms of the test's content, including factual errors, trivia questions such as who started the first curry house in Britain, the absence of practical information like how to access vital services, and the amount of work needed to pass, with a 160-page study guide for those preparing.
Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg, who led the study, said: “This is a potentially life-changing test which sets those who pass it on the path to acquiring rights equal to those who hold citizenship already. While on the surface our findings may seem pessimistic, after all, our results suggest that the Life in the UK Test may be flawed in its purpose and cause unnecessary distress among applicants, we believe there is in fact reason for optimism.”
Public opinion and future prospects
Dr Van Tilburg added: “People agree the test is too hard, an attitude we found across the political spectrum. Thus, policy makers can likely advocate and pursue improvement of this test without being too concerned about negative public opinion.”
The test remains a requirement for many applicants, and the quiz offers a chance to see if you can achieve the passing score of 18 out of 24.
