Citizenship tests FAQs
Some of your questions answered
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From 1 November 2005 testing of Knowledge of Life in the UK came into effect and every person applying for naturalisation has to demonstrate competence in the English language as well as Knowledge of Life in the UK.
This means that anyone whose application is received at the Home Office also has to produce a certificate showing that they have passed a “Life in the UK” test. Certain people may be exempt from the testing because of their age or disability.
The short test is set at the standard of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry Level 3. If applicants are successful they will not need to sit a separate English language test.
The test is offered at the Learn Direct centres throughout the UK. There is a fee for the test. This is in addition to the fee payable for a naturalisation application. The questions are based on the information contained in chapters two, three and four of the book “Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship”. The book is available from bookshops and the Stationery Office for £9.99
If the standard of English is below Entry Level 3, people will need to attend, and show advancement in, ESOL-with-citizenship” classes, these are English classes that include learning about life in the UK.
When will the citizenship tests be introduced and who has to take them?
From 1 November 2005 all applicants for naturalization will have to take the tests. All applications received by the Home Office on or after this date will have to be accompanied by the required evidence of knowledge of both language and of life in the UK.
Do children have to take the tests?
No. The tests apply only to applicants seeking naturalization. You have to be 18 before you can be naturalized.
Are there different sorts of test?
Yes. All applicants in the UK will have to go down one of two routes:
- Those whose English is good will be able to take a quick Life in the UK test on computer at a Life in the UK Test centre, which will satisfy both language and citizenship requirements;
- Those whose English is not so good will be able to attend a course (called "English for Speakers of Other Languages" or ESOL) at a local college. These courses will combine English and citizenship. Successful completion of one of these courses will satisfy the requirements. More information about ESOL
How do I know what my level of language ability is?
Your local Further Education College or other ESOL provider will be able to give you an initial assessment. You can call the learndirect helpline on 0800 100 900 to find out where your nearest college is or for details of other ESOL providers.
Is the test only available in English?
For the moment yes. The British Nationality Act 1981 requires that applicants have a sufficient knowledge of English so the test will not be made available in ethnic minority languages. Welsh and Scottish Gaelic are also acceptable under the legislation and the test will be offered in these languages in the future.
Why are these tests being introduced?
The tests are being introduced because we want to encourage those individuals settling here and becoming citizens to play a full part in their wider community. Embracing a common language and an understanding of life in the UK is important in achieving effective integration, good race relations and community cohesion.
How can taking these tests promote integration and participation in UK society?
We believe that giving people some basic information about life here and giving them help with the language will improve their prospects and their ability to feel part of this society.
Will applicants who submit their applications before 1 November have to sit the test / go through an ESOL course?
Not if their applications are received in the Home Office before 1 November. They will still need to meet the current language test.
Is it possible to be exempted from taking the test? I have an elderly mother who wishes to become British?
Yes. The Home Office has discretion to excuse applicants where they are over 60 or have a physical or mental impairment.
What about people with special needs?
Colleges and test centres will provide support for learners with special needs who want to undertake courses or sit tests. In case of severe difficulty the Home Office will be prepared to consider exemption from the tests.
How do I apply for exemption from the tests?
Applicants seeking exemption should write, setting out their case and enclosing suitable documentary evidence, to Nationality Enquiries Team, Managed Migration, IND, Home Office, PO Box 306, Liverpool L2 0QN.
Don’t these tests just make it harder for people to become British citizens?
They will make it a little harder, but the Government considers it essential that people becoming citizens should be able to communicate with their fellow citizens and to know something about the key values, which underlie life in the United Kingdom.
How hard are the tests?
They should not be a problem for people who study the handbook or follow their course attentively. The tests are not meant to act as a barrier to successful application. The Government welcomes applications for citizenship but also wishes to see greater efforts made towards integration.
Why can’t a solicitor or notary sign off suitable candidates as now?
This has been one way of satisfying the language requirement since it was brought in summer 2004, but would not work in the new situation created by the requirement that new citizens should also have some knowledge of Life in the United Kingdom.
Why can’t someone whose first language is English be excused the test? I have lived in UK for many years and been educated here. Why do I need to take this test?
An ability to speak English or having some years residence here does not prove that the person concerned has the knowledge of life in the UK necessary to pass the new test. Moreover it would be discriminatory to allow differential treatment on the grounds of nationality, culture or educational attainment. Everyone seeking to naturalise as a British citizen will benefit to one degree or another from the modest amount of study needed to pass these tests.
When can I take the test?
The Life in the UK tests will be available by around the end of September, as will many of the ESOL courses around the country. Anyone who knows that they won’t be able to meet the naturalisation residence requirements until sometime after 1 November will, we hope, be able to prepare by taking the test or joining an ESOL with citizenship course from October onwards.
At what stage in the application process do I take the test?
You would take the test before making your application for citizenship to the Home Office.
I urgently need to become British for compelling or compassionate reasons, is there any way of fast tracking the test or ESOL training?
It should be possible to arrange a test at a Life in the UK centre at very short notice, though there is no point in doing so if you do not have the necessary knowledge of English or have not studied the handbook carefully. If you need to go down the ESOL route you may have to complete a full course before you qualify.
Can I apply to register my children as citizens while I am awaiting the test or undertaking an ESOL course?
If the children have an entitlement to citizenship we will consider them in advance. If not our policy is to consider family applications together and the outcome for the children will be affected by whether the parents are successful in their application for citizenship.
Will these tests be the same as the ones being introduced for those seeking settlement?
We will make an announcement on the content and date of introduction of the tests for people seeking settlement in the United Kingdom before long.
LIFE IN THE UK TEST
What will the test consist of?
The test will be taken on a computer at one of around 90 Life in the UK Test centres in the UK. The test will consist of 24 questions based on the information contained in chapters 2, 3 and 4 of the handbook "Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship". 45 minutes will be allowed for the test. Those who trialled the test said 45 minutes was ample.
Who are Ufi Ltd?
Ufi Ltd will be administering these tests on behalf of the Home Office. Ufi Ltd is an organisation based in Sheffield, which is responsible for "learndirect", and "UK online". It was established by the Government in 1998 to promote e learning. It operates a network of more than 2,000 learning centres providing access to a range of e-learning opportunities.
Where can I get the Life in the United Kingdom Handbook?
The handbook, price £9.99, is available online from www.tso.co.uk/bookshop or from Stationery Office shops or from booksellers (Waterstones and others).
How can I find a test centre?
The addresses and contact details of test centres will be published on the Life in the UK Test website, in a few weeks’ time. They will also be available, in the same timescale, from the Life in the UK Test helpline.
What happens if there is no test centre near me?
There will be 90 test centres throughout the UK close to centres of immigrant population. You will have to travel to the one nearest to you.
Can I take the test in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales?
Yes, there are test centres there.
What happens if I am living in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or overseas?
Separate arrangements will apply for the very small numbers of people who naturalise while outside the UK. It will not be possible to take the Life in the UK Test since there are no test centres outside the UK. Details will be available in a short while.
How do I book a test? At what times are the centres open?
Contact a test centre during opening hours by telephone or in person. Centres offer testing at different times. These details will be able to be found in due course on www.uknationality.gov.uk or by contacting the Life in the UK Test helpline.
Can I practice taking the test?
The Life in the UK Test website www.uknationality.gov.uk will include a short tutorial to help you prepare for the test. At the test centre you will have ten minutes to try a short practice test before the real test starts.
What identification should I take with me to the test?
You will need to confirm your identity by taking your passport or photographic driving license with you. If you hold neither of these you will be asked to provide a photograph of yourself. This must have been signed on the back by a professional person who knows you personally. The photograph will then be signed by a member the test centre staff and forwarded to the Home Office.
Will the same questions be used each time?
Applicants will have to answer 24 questions chosen randomly from a large question bank. There will also be one or two slight variations in the questions according to whether you live in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland. But all the questions will be based on the contents of the handbook.
Will I get a certificate?
No. You will get a letter, which proves you have been successful. It is called your pass notification letter. It needs to be kept safe and to be attached to the completed citizenship application form when you send it to the Home Office. As confirmation, Ufi will also notify the Home Office of all results electronically.
What if I cannot read?
The computer, if required, can read out each question.
Will I have to pay for the test?
Yes everyone sitting the test will have to pay a fee. There will be no exemptions. The cost will be £40 including VAT, payable before you take the test. The Life in the UK Test website www.uknationality.gov.uk will give information on the methods of payment accepted by individual centres.
Suppose I have to cancel or postpone my test?
Tell the test centre. Usually they will give you another time but you may have to pay a charge.
Will applicants have to pay to re-sit the test?
Yes. The normal fee will apply.
How many times can an applicant re-sit the tests?
No limit.
What happens if someone repeatedly fails the test?
They will need to wait until their knowledge or ability in the language is at the required level.
Will those who pass the Life in the UK Test still have to prove knowledge of English to ESOL Entry Level 3?
No, the new citizenship test will be pitched at ESOL Entry Level 3 and applicants who pass the test will automatically have shown that they have the required level of ability in English.
Why aren’t you testing people on history?
The handbook gives a brief overview of the history of the UK; the test itself will concentrate on factors that are relevant to today's United Kingdom.
I do not have access to the internet. What can I do?
In England, contact UK online on 0800 77 1234 for details of local centres providing computer and internet access. In other parts of the UK, contact your local library or Citizen’s Advice Bureau for information on free access to computers.
I have no experience of using a computer, what do I do? Is the test only available on computer?
Yes it is but the test requires only very basic mouse or keyboard skills. The Life in the UK website contains free mouse and keyboard training and the test centres themselves specialise in supporting learners who are new to computers
What do I need to learn before taking the test?
The information on which you will be tested is set out in chapters 2 - 4 of the handbook. Read that very carefully. Also look at the "Prepare for the test" section of the Life in the UK Test website www.uknationality.gov.uk.
Will there be training or coaching available for the test?
Guidance will be available on the Life in the UK Test website www.uknationality.gov.uk. Visit the Navigation tutorial to practice finding your way around the test system.
What is the waiting time for taking the test?
That will vary from centre to centre but should never be more than one month.
What is the pass mark for the test?
The pass mark varies slightly based on the questions asked in each test, but will generally be in the region of 75%. This variation in the pass mark is a normal feature of this type of test, and ensures a fair result for all candidates.
