Would You Pass the British Citizenship Test?
Take a free Life in the UK practice test: 24 questions on British history, traditions, government and the law, with 45 minutes on the clock, just like the real thing. You need 18 right to pass. Plenty of people born here don’t make it. Will you?
- Free, no sign-up
- 24 questions, 45 minutes
- Pass mark 18 of 24
- Every answer explained
Unofficial practice test. These are Altto’s own questions on the topics of the official handbook, not the Home Office’s questions. To sit the real test, book it on GOV.UK. Updated .
The test
24 random questions from a bank of over 300. Answer, then move on; you can go back and change answers before you finish. Your result, and every answer explained, the moment you finish.
Study mode: practise one topic at a time and see the answer straight after each question. No clock.
Choose a topic to study
Your result
PASS
0 out of 24
That’s your full result, free. Nothing to pay and nothing to sign up for.
Your answers
How the Life in the UK test works
- 24 multiple-choice questions. Most have four possible answers and one is right. Some are true or false.
- 45 minutes. That’s nearly two minutes a question, so most people finish with time to spare.
- 18 right to pass. The pass mark is 75%. Get 17 or fewer and you fail.
- Five topics. British values and principles, what the UK is, its history, a modern society (traditions, sport, the arts) and government, the law and your role.
- Every answer explained. On this practice test you see which ones you got wrong, the right answer and why, straight after you finish.
The real Life in the UK test: quick facts
What the official test that people take to settle in the UK or become British citizens involves.
Checked on GOV.UK
- Questions
- 24 multiple-choice questions on British traditions and customs.
- Time
- 45 minutes.
- Pass mark
- 75%: at least 18 of the 24 answers right.
- Cost
- £50 each time you take it. Book online at least 3 days ahead.
- Where
- At one of more than 30 test centres around the UK, on a computer.
- Who takes it
- Most people applying for British citizenship or to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain). You don’t need it if you are under 18, 65 or over, or have passed it before.
- What to study
- The official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). Only what is in the handbook is tested.
- This practice test
- Free, unofficial, with Altto’s own questions on the same topics. Not affiliated with the Home Office.
Could you pass the citizenship test if you were born here?
Most British people have never seen the questions, and many are surprised how hard they are. The test expects you to know things like the year of the Battle of Bannockburn, which saint’s day falls on 1 March, how many people sit on a jury in Scotland and who founded modern nursing. None of that comes up much in everyday life, which is why it makes such a good challenge to send to friends and family.
Historically about 7 in 10 people taking the real test have passed it. People who sit it usually study the handbook for weeks first.
What the questions cover
| Topic | Examples |
|---|---|
| Values and principles | Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance, and the responsibilities and freedoms of living in the UK. |
| What is the UK | The four nations, capitals, patron saints and their days, the flags, Crown dependencies and overseas territories. |
| A long and illustrious history | From Stonehenge and the Romans to the Normans, the Tudors, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution and the two world wars. |
| A modern, thriving society | Religion and festivals, sport, music, theatre, literature, food and famous places. |
| Government, the law and your role | Parliament, elections, the courts, the police, devolved governments and how to take part in your community. |
Is the test changing?
The government’s May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed replacing the test with one focused more on British values and democratic principles, with a new handbook. As of late 2026 no new test or handbook has been published, so the real test is still based on the 3rd edition handbook. Check GOV.UK before you book.
Sources
- Life in the UK Test (GOV.UK): 24 questions, 45 minutes, £50, booking, ID and who is exempt.
- Life in the United Kingdom test (Wikipedia): the 75% pass mark and past pass rates of about 70–75%.