A year to the date when the British Government introduced the Life in the UK Test, I made my first step towards acquiring British Citizenship.
Life in the United Kingdom Test has been introduced by the Home Office for those applying for naturalisation as a British Citizen. It is a computer-based test and you will have 45 minutes to answer 24 multiple choice questions based on chapters 2, 3 and 4 of ‘Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship’ book. The pass mark for the test is 75% (18 questions but according to Home Office this may vary based on the questions asked) and you will be provided with a certificate if you pass the test.
There is a test fee of £34, which at most centres, will only accept credit or debit card payments.
So, what is the test all about?
Well, the book Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship talks about different aspects of how Britain came to be and how it is now with regards to its structure of government, traditions, and other daily mundane information that originated or affected the British society. Things like the TV licence, Grand National, Geordies, Scousers and Cockneys, Parliament and of course, the British Monarchy. To my British friends and associates who have seen the book at the time I was preparing for the test, knowing all these information doesn’t really make anyone British. Passing the test means that one had successfully memorised what was written somewhere. Much like taking a test in school — passing a chemistry exam does not mean you will be a good chemist. But I will not argue long and hard for this. It was required, a necessary evil, you may say. The main thing is, I passed, so on to file the application!
Excerpt from the Pass Notification Letter:
Following your test today in knowledge of life in the United Kingdom this is to certify that you have reached the level required for the purposes of naturalisation as a British Citizen under … This also confirms that your success at this test demonstrates that your level of competence in English meets the required standard for naturalisation. …
Here are just some bits that I found interesting:
- British women, prior to 1857, were not allowed to divorce their husbands.
- Britain does not have a written constitution.
- Boxing Day is not Boxing Day because of the boxes resulting from opening presents of the previous day. It is representing a time to appreciate the work that servants, gardeners and others have done by giving them a Christmas Box.
For those of you who are interested or are preparing to take the test, here are some tips. And, goodluck!
BOOKS
Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship – Published by the Home Office; usually £9.99 from bookshops or buy it from TSO **
British Citizenship: Study Guide (The essential study guide for the Life in the UK Test) – Published by Red Squirrel Publishing 2005; usually £5.00 from Amazon UK Marketplace **
British Citizenship Test Practice Questions: Questions and Answers for the Life in the UK Test (British Citizenship Test Materials) – Published by Red Squirrel Publishing 2006; usually £5.56 from Amazon UK
MOCK TESTS
myUKtest – online **
British Citizenship Test – CD
USEFUL SITES
Prepare: Life in the UK
British Citizenship – includes a searchable list of nearest test centres
** – used personally
Next epi: Choosing an agent
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congratulations, ladyc!!! i hope the rest of the process is a lot less complicated. it will be so much easier to travel after that!
yes, anne, i do hope that it’s less complicated. by the way, natuloy kayo sa paris?
congratulations! i’m a filipina who acquired canadian citizenship a few years ago. the process of acquiring canadian citizenship also requires writing and passing a test about the canadian history, politics, economics, and way of life. a handbook is also given to you prior to the test for you to review. all the questions and answers are in the book. it doesn’t prove that you are ready to be a citizen (how can that be qualified anyway). for me, the test shows that you can comprehend english (and that you read and understood the handbook) and it was another revenue stream for the government
that’s a good point, padthai, on showing your english comprehension. i mean, i don’t mind the extra revenue stream for the government but if it had been more of current events, it would have made more sense. because if you are trying to become a citizen of a country, then you would have to be aware and be concerned of what is happening all around. but then again, britain’s society is in a bit of disarray at the moment what with all the talks of the veil, crime reduction, smoking bans, etc. even naturally born british would say that things have deteriorated.
I also passed the Test, but it’s the actual application process that seems to me a bit difficult now!!
Have you got your citizenship yet?
hi maria! yes, i have my citizenship application completed and approved. i have been travelling now on my british passport.
actually, my company assisted me in the application, i.e. filing and chasing but i had to prepare all the documents myself prior to handing it over to the appointed consultants.