Life in the UK Test: Values and Principles Practice Questions

UK citizenship test

The test

24 questions from a bank of 563, or pick one of the 18 numbered mock tests below. 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.

Mock tests

Life in the UK mock tests 1 to 18

Each mock is a full 24-question test with a 45-minute clock and a pass mark of 18, in the same mix of topics as the real thing. Every mock has different questions, so you can work through them in order and keep track of your best score on each one. Your scores are saved on this device only.

The mocks draw on all 563 of Altto’s practice questions across the five topics of the official handbook. They are unofficial practice, written by Altto, and not the Home Office’s questions. If you would rather practise one topic at a time, use Study mode above, or go to British history, government and the law, a modern society, what is the UK or values and principles.

How to

How the Life in the UK test works

  1. 24 multiple-choice questions. Most have four possible answers and one is right. Some are true or false.
  2. 45 minutes. That’s nearly two minutes a question, so most people finish with time to spare.
  3. 18 right to pass. The pass mark is 75%. Get 17 or fewer and you fail.
  4. 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.
  5. Every answer explained. On this practice test you see which ones you got wrong, the right answer and why, straight after you finish.
At a glance

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.
About the test

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

TopicExamples
Values and principlesDemocracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance, and the responsibilities and freedoms of living in the UK.
What is the UKThe four nations, capitals, patron saints and their days, the flags, Crown dependencies and overseas territories.
A long and illustrious historyFrom Stonehenge and the Romans to the Normans, the Tudors, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution and the two world wars.
A modern, thriving societyReligion and festivals, sport, music, theatre, literature, food and famous places.
Government, the law and your roleParliament, 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

Practice

Sample questions: Values and principles

12 of the 39 questions in this topic, with answers. Use Study mode above for the rest.

Values and principles

Which of these is a fundamental principle of British life?

  • A single official religion everyone must follow
  • Democracy
  • Inherited voting rights
  • Rule by the armed forces

Answer: Democracy. Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance of other faiths and beliefs, and taking part in community life are described as fundamental principles of British life.

Values and principles

Which of these is a fundamental principle of British life?

  • Everyone attending the same church
  • Never criticising the government
  • Only speaking English at home
  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Answer: Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Tolerance of people with different faiths and beliefs is one of the fundamental principles of British life.

Values and principles

Which of these is a fundamental principle of British life?

  • Avoiding your neighbours
  • Participation in community life
  • Paying tax only if you choose to
  • Voting the way your family votes

Answer: Participation in community life. Taking part in community life is one of the fundamental principles of British life.

Values and principles

Which of these is a responsibility of people living in the UK?

  • To learn a musical instrument
  • To look after the area you live in and the environment
  • To report your neighbours’ visitors to the police
  • To vote for the party in government

Answer: To look after the area you live in and the environment. Looking after the area you live in and the environment is one of the responsibilities of living in the UK.

Values and principles

Which of these is a freedom the UK offers to people who live there?

  • Freedom from paying council tax
  • Freedom from unfair discrimination
  • Freedom to drive without insurance
  • Freedom to ignore jury service

Answer: Freedom from unfair discrimination. Freedom from unfair discrimination is one of the freedoms offered in return for accepting the responsibilities of living in the UK.

Values and principles

What must new citizens make when they become British?

  • A donation to a charity
  • A promise to live in London
  • A speech in Parliament
  • An oath or affirmation of allegiance and a pledge

Answer: An oath or affirmation of allegiance and a pledge. At a citizenship ceremony new citizens swear or affirm allegiance to the King and make a pledge to respect the rights and freedoms of the UK.

Values and principles

Which two things must you normally pass to apply for British citizenship or settlement?

  • A driving test and a cooking test
  • A fitness test and an interview with an MP
  • A history exam and a maths exam
  • The Life in the UK test and an English language requirement

Answer: The Life in the UK test and an English language requirement. Applicants usually need to pass the Life in the UK test and meet an English speaking and listening requirement.

Values and principles

How long do you have to complete the Life in the UK test?

  • 15 minutes
  • 2 hours
  • 45 minutes
  • 90 minutes

Answer: 45 minutes. You have 45 minutes to answer the 24 questions.

Values and principles

What is the Life in the UK test based on?

  • A history of the royal family
  • The driving theory test book
  • The newspapers
  • The official handbook "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents"

Answer: The official handbook "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents". The test is based on the Home Office handbook for new residents, and Altto’s practice questions are original ones written on the same topics.

Values and principles

Which of these is a responsibility of people living in the UK?

  • To be a member of a trade union
  • To respect and obey the law
  • To support the same football team as their family
  • To work in the same job for life

Answer: To respect and obey the law. Respecting and obeying the law is a fundamental responsibility.

Values and principles

Which of these is a responsibility of people living in the UK?

  • To be rich
  • To have children
  • To live near relatives
  • To look after yourself and your family

Answer: To look after yourself and your family. Looking after yourself and your family is one of the responsibilities of life in the UK.

Values and principles

What does "tolerance" mean as a British value?

  • Accepting any behaviour
  • Accepting people with different views and beliefs
  • Agreeing with everyone
  • Avoiding different groups

Answer: Accepting people with different views and beliefs. Tolerance means respecting that other people may have different beliefs, faiths and ways of life.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Are these the real Life in the UK “Values and principles” questions?
No. They are Altto’s own unofficial practice questions on the topics of the official handbook, not the Home Office’s questions. To sit the real test, book it on GOV.UK.
What does the “Values and principles” part of the Life in the UK test cover?
This practice topic covers the fundamental principles of British life, such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance.
How many “Values and principles” practice questions are there?
There are 39 free questions on this topic, each with an explanation. Study mode shows the answer straight after each one, with no clock.
Is it free?
Yes. No sign-up, no email and nothing to pay.
How do I practise the whole test?
Use the full mock test on the Life in the UK practice test page: 24 questions in 45 minutes with a pass mark of 18, like the real test.