Obtaining British citizenship is a life-changing process – You get the right to vote, access public services and funds and also apply for a British passport.
If you’ve been married to a British citizen for the past 3 years or have an Indefinite Leave to Remain status and are considering applying for British Citizenship. One of the eligibility requirements for the Naturalisation process is passing the British Citizenship Test.
The British Citizenship Test is more commonly referred to as the “Life in the UK” test. The test ensures that applicants are aware of the customs, traditions, laws and political systems in Britain and the English Language.
The British Citizenship Test is mandatory if you wish to apply for naturalisation or long term settlement in the UK. With so much on the line, the test can be stressful, but preparation is the best way to ensure you pass. Our immigration lawyers at Royce Legal have highlighted some tips and information to increase your chances of a successful application and know what to expect from the test.
What Is The British Citizenship Test?
The British Citizenship Test consists of 24 multiple choice questions that test your knowledge of life in the UK considering you’ve spent a significant amount of time in the UK.
The test lasts 45 minutes and is computer-based, covering customs, traditions, laws and the political system in the UK.
To pass the exam, you will need to get 75% questions correct, i.e. 18 questions to pass the exam. The results are issued after the test as a pass or fail certificate.
We recommend you allow yourself 2 hours for the entire process – 45 minutes for the test and the identity checks on arrival.
How to Book Your Test
Currently, the British Citizenship test costs £50. The fee is paid at the time of booking and is non-refundable if you fail the test. You can retake the test as many times as you want, but you will need to wait a week in between bookings and you will pay £50 each time.
The test is booked online on the online portal. You can choose 5 preferred centres out of the 30 that are available across the UK. You get to select the date, time and location. While booking you will need to verify your ID. Once your booking is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from your chosen location.
What to Take to the British Citizenship Test?
Please take the correct identification to the test centre. Below are the accepted forms of identification:
- Certificate of Identity Document (CID)
- Passport
- Conventional Travel Document (CTD)
- UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- EU Identity Card
- Biometric Residence Permit
- Stateless Person Document (SPD)
You will not be allowed to sit for the exam without a proper ID to support your application. You will not be refunded either.
Preparation for the Exam
To UK born people, the British Citizenship Test is like a general knowledge test, but it is not simple – even British born citizens would struggle to answer the questions. That being said, preparation is key, and answers are easily available on the internet.
The questions you will be asked, or a variation of it are available as well – this is the official Home Office Approved learning material. The handbook has information about UK history and geography, the British Government and the Local culture.
Royce Legal recommends that you study the book thoroughly and practise the questions to evaluate your performance. It contains sample questions and answers and study guides to help you prepare for the test.
You need to correctly answer 75% of the questions to pass. There are also plenty of websites that offer practice tests online.
What to Expect On the Day of the Exam
- Please be punctual. You should arrive at the location as detailed in your confirmation email. The whole process will last for 2 hours.
- Bring original documents (ID and proof of address) as you will be checked on arrival. The document should be 3 months old. You use the following:
- UK Home Office Letter
- UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- Council tax bill
- Utility bill (gas, electricity or water)
- Printed bank or credit card statement (stamped and signed by the branch)
After confirmation of ID, you will have your photo taken before the test. You will also be allocated a locker for your valuables. Before seating you at a computer, your ID will be checked again in the test room.
Once the test begins, you will be given four practice questions (these will not affect your score or be part of it), followed by the 24 multiple-choice questions.
You are permitted to flag any questions you are unsure of how to answer and answer them later on. After completion, you will be returned to the waiting room. Results are revealed on the same day. You will wait a short while before your name is called to announce the result of your test.
If you pass the exam, a ‘pass notification letter’ will be issued. This letter will be attached with your naturalisation application that will be submitted to the Home Office. If you fail, you can retake the test as many times, till you pass.
How long is the UK British Citizenship test certificate valid for?
The certificate has no expiration date. Once you have passed the test, you can use the certificate for British Citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Apart from the British Citizenship Test, the whole naturalisation application is not easy to submit. For a successful application, it needs to be complete, comprehensive and accurate to avoid refusal. Royce Legal Solicitors is a law firm specialising in UK Immigration. We ensure that all supporting evidence is submitted with the application. Our immigration solicitors will guide you through the entire process. If you have any questions about the application for British Citizenship, please contact us at 01706 655 592.
