The Life in the UK Test for ILR and settlement
If you are applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also called settlement, you usually need to pass the Life in the UK Test. It is the same single test used for British citizenship, and you take it once: a pass does not expire and counts for both. People under 18 or aged 65 and over are exempt.
Indefinite leave to remain, settlement, and ILR all mean the same thing: the right to live in the UK with no time limit. For most people, reaching that point includes passing the Life in the UK Test. This guide explains when you need it for settlement, who does not, and how it connects to a later citizenship application, so you only ever sit it once.
Do you need the Life in the UK Test for ILR?
For most adult applicants, yes. The Life in the UK Test is a standard requirement for indefinite leave to remain, alongside meeting the residence and other rules for your particular route. The exact conditions depend on your visa and circumstances, so always confirm your route on GOV.UK. What stays consistent is that, unless you are exempt, the test is part of a settlement application.
Settlement, ILR, and indefinite leave to remain are the same thing
These three terms are used interchangeably, which causes a lot of confusion. Indefinite leave to remain, or ILR, is the formal name. Settlement is the everyday word for it. Both mean permanent permission to stay in the UK. So if you have read that you need the test for settlement, for ILR, or for indefinite leave to remain, it is the same requirement and the same Life in the UK Test.
You only take the test once
This is the part many people miss. There is one Life in the UK Test, and one pass covers you for both settlement and, later, British citizenship. The pass does not expire. If you pass it now for your ILR application, you do not take it again when you apply to become a citizen later. Keep your pass confirmation safe in case you need to refer to it. Our guide to the Life in the UK Test for British citizenship explains how the two applications connect.
Who does not need the test for settlement
A small number of people are exempt. You do not need the Life in the UK Test if you are under 18 or aged 65 and over at the time of your application. You may also be exempt if a long-term physical or mental condition prevents you from taking it, with supporting medical evidence. Our guide to who is exempt covers this in full.
The test itself, in brief
The Life in the UK Test is 24 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, and the pass mark is 18 correct, which is 75 percent. Every question comes from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. It costs £50 per attempt, booked on GOV.UK. Our guides explain the pass mark and the cost in full.
Most settlement routes also ask you to meet an English language requirement. That is a separate qualification from the Life in the UK Test, so check what your route needs on GOV.UK.
How to prepare
The test is very passable with practice. The most reliable approach is to answer realistic questions until the facts stick, rather than reading the handbook cover to cover. Our 14-day plan shows how to get ready in about two weeks, and you can try a free practice test right now to see where you stand.
Quick questions
Do I need the Life in the UK Test for ILR?
For most adult applicants, yes. It is a standard requirement for indefinite leave to remain unless you are exempt, for example if you are under 18 or aged 65 and over. Confirm the rules for your route on GOV.UK.
Is the settlement test the same as the citizenship test?
Yes. There is one Life in the UK Test, and it is used for both settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and British citizenship. You take it once, and a pass counts for both.
Do I have to take the test again for citizenship?
No. If you have already passed the Life in the UK Test for your settlement application, you do not retake it when you later apply for citizenship. The pass does not expire.