Frequently Asked Questions
Please ensure you've read and understood the answers to these questions before you make a booking as the answers contain important information you must be aware of.
For more information about what to expect on the day of your test, please refer to our guidance here.
Booking your Test
How soon can I take my test?
You can take the test as early as 24 hours after booking. Typically, you'll be able to schedule a test session within a month, and you won't have to wait more than two months.
We recommend you leave as much time as possible to adequately prepare for your test. For information on the official Life in the UK testing materials, please review the 'Preparing for your Test' section below.
Can I change the time and date of my test?
Yes, you can reschedule your test to a new time and date if you need. To avoid any issues, please think about any events which may affect you being able to take your test (for example, travel times) and allow enough time.
You can change the time and date of your test up to 3 days (72 hours) before your test free of charge.
If you change the time and date within 3 days (72 hours) of your test, you will have to cancel and pay for a new test
Can I take a test outside the UK?
There is one test centre outside the UK which is only available for dependents of, or a serving member of, the British Armed Forces. If you do not fall into this category you cannot sit a test outside the UK.
I'm under 18, can I take a test?
If you are under 18, you do not need to take a Life in the UK test (please see guidance from the Home Office on the Gov.UK website).
If you need to take the test because you will be submitting your settlement or citizenship application after your 18th birthday, you will need to obtain parental consent to sit the Life in the UK test. Please consult our Minors Policy, and contact our Helpline for guidance on receiving permission to sit a test:
Email: support@lituk.psionline.com
Phone number: 0800 015 4245
Why does the information I've given during registration have to be exact?
It is essential that the information you give when you register for a Life in the UK account is an exact match to the ID document you will bring with you to the test centre or your eVisa share code. This is because we must ensure every person that sits the Life in the UK test is the person who registered for the test.
If this information does not match, you will not be able to take the test and we will not refund your test fee.
How should I register my nationality?
We understand that national identity can be deeply personal and complex, and we are continually looking for ways to better serve all test takers to ensure they experience as few issues as possible when registering and booking a Life in the UK test.
If you have an eVisa, you will not need to input your nationality when registering. If you do not have an eVisa, please use the nationality listed on your official government-issued ID or your passport which you will bring with you to the test centre. If using a passport or approved Travel Document, the correct details can be found on the bio page.
Please note that if the nationality you register with does not match your ID document, you will not be able to sit a test and we will not refund your test fee.
Some common examples:
If the Nationality states 'French', please choose France (and so on)
If your Nationality appears as a 2 or 3 letter code, please call our Helpline so that we can advise which country it stands for
If you are a British National (Overseas) passport holder, your nationality may be presented as 'BNO' - please choose British National (Overseas)
If you are a Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR passport holder, but it states 'China' in your nationality field of the details page, please select China from the nationality list. Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR are both available as options as well
If you are a Taiwan passport holder, your nationality field may say 'Republic of China'. If this is the case, please select Taiwan. If your nationality field says 'People's Republic of China', please select China as your nationality
Refugees and stateless persons can select the following if the codes are stated on your ID:
XXB: Refugee as defined in Article 1 of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
XXC: Refugee - Other
XXA: Stateless Person
XXX: Unspecified Nationality
Can I register using an eVisa?
Yes, you can use an eVisa share code (sometimes called 'View and Prove') to register for a Life in the UK test.
Please ensure you use the correct share code - it must begin with an S. If your share code begins with an R or W, you will be unable to sit your test and we will not refund your test fee. You will have an opportunity to regenerate a new share code if needed at the test centre, but this may not always work.
For help with creating a share code or more information on eVisas, please review the guidance on Gov.UK. There is also a helpful video on YouTube.
I only have one legal name, how do I register for the test?
If you only have one legal name your chosen method of ID must reflect this. To register for the test you must insert your name into both the Last Name and First Name fields.
For example:
Can I change the details I've given during registration?
Yes, you can change some of your details up to one day before the start of your test.
You will not be able to change your First Name or Date of Birth once you have registered, so please ensure these details are correct and accurate. If you need to change these details, you will need to create a new account.
To change your details:
Log into your Life in the UK account
Click on the green "Edit account" button
Change your details as needed
Click "update my details" to save any changes
If the following details do not match your ID on the day of your test, or you are unable to confirm these details correctly if asked, you will not be allowed to take the test and will not receive a refund of your test fee:
Last name
Nationality
Type of ID you have registered with (eg. Passport/eVisa share code)
Preparing for your Test
How should I study for my test?
You will be tested only on information from the official You will be tested only on information Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents book.
There are many unofficial, unapproved learning materials available widely on the internet. You are strongly advised to prepare using only the official learning materials linked above to avoid incorrect or misleading information.
The handbook is available as a book, an eBook, an e-Learning subscription or in audio formats.
Are there practice tests I can use?
Your learning can be supported by the official Life in the UK practice Q&A app. You can find this by going to the TSO website following this link.
On the day of your test, at the start of the test there will be some non-scored questions to help you get used to the test style and system.
Test Day
What ID do I have to bring to the test?
You must come to the test with the ID that you registered with. If you have registered with an eVisa you do not need to bring any other ID with you. If you arrive with a different ID or the details on the ID are not an exact match to the details given at registration, you will not be able to take your test and your test fee will not be refunded.
If you have changed your name, you must provide acceptable ID in your new name. The list of acceptable ID documents is found here: ID Requirements.
Email nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk for help if you do not have any of these documents.
The ID you register with and bring to the test centre should be an original document (photocopies, printouts or electronic documents will not be accepted).
At the test centre, a test supervisor will check your ID or your eVisa details to make sure that:
The photo is a true likeness of you
It is in date (unless BRP)
The details you have given during registration are correct
A test supervisor will also check your signature. If you have registered with an eVisa, you can use an alternative ID or bank card with your signature clearly displayed.
You will not be able to use a marriage certificate or UK Spouse Visa to verify your identity at the test centre.
What happens during check-in at the test centre?
For detail on what to expect on the day of your test, we recommend you watch this video, and review this page.
When you arrive at the test centre, your ID will be checked to match the one used during registration. A security check will then be carried out - this is required in order to take the test. We understand that some test takers may have personal or religious concerns about this process. Our staff are trained to perform checks respectfully and efficiently, and if needed, you can request a same-gender staff member, subject to availability.
You will need to consent to a passport style photograph being taken before taking your test, you will not be able to take the test without this.
We will also ask you to sign a candidate attendee list to confirm you attended your test.
I have special requirements to sit the test - what accommodations are available to me?
We aim to support all candidates who require particular accommodations by making test adjustments or other special arrangements for their test.
The test system is designed with many accommodations, so you will be able to adjust font size, screen background colour, and you will be provided headphones to listen to audio of the questions.
If you need any special arrangements, you can request them during the booking process. When you click 'Make a booking' from your Life in the UK account, the first page will ask if you have any specific requirements.
For example, if you need wheelchair access, you can select 'Easy Access' - this notifies the test centre to provide a height-adjustable desk and make sure you can move around the centre comfortably. If you have questions or need more information, feel free to email us at specialarrangements@lituk.psionline.com.
If you have a previous gender, including a different name, and do not wish to use this in the test centre or show it on the test result, please email sensitivebookings@homeoffice.gov.uk before booking a test.
Can I take notes while doing my test?
Yes, you can take notes. However, you must hand these over to the test supervisor before you leave the test room.
You are not able to bring your own notes with you into the test room. If you are found to have any notes or writing on you or your person you will be unable to take the test and we will not refund your test fee.
How and when will I get my test result?
When you have completed your test, you will receive an email within 10 minutes with your Unique Reference Number (URN). If you have not received your results within 24 hours, please contact our Helpline:
Email: support@lituk.psionline.com
Phone number: 0800 015 4245
Your URN is your unique reference for your test result and must be quoted in all correspondence with the Home Office in regard to your test result. Your URN is unique for every test you take.
You can also find your URN in your Life in the UK account.
You will be able to view all your test results on your Life in the UK account, just log into your account and view the results in the results tab.
What if I can't finish my test because of computer problems?
If for any technical reason you can't complete your test, please alert a member of staff immediately. If we are unable to recover your test you can take it again without having to pay. This will take place on a different day and is subject to availability.
What happens if I break the rules of the test?
Violent or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated within our test centres. This behaviour will be reported to the Home Office and you may be prevented from attending the centre again. This may affect your application for citizenship or settlement.
If you try to cheat in any way, including without limitation in the ways set out below, we may cancel your test, you may be prevented from future testing at our test centres and we will be required to report the matter to the Home Office and this may impact any applications that you make. The below constitutes an attempt at cheating:
Taking the test for another person,
Attempting to use fraudulent ID to take the test,
Using any materials (electronic or printed) during the test,
Writing or notes on your person,
Using any electronic communications device including but not limited to a Bluetooth device or mobile phone,
Copying any part of the test (electronically or in text format) and removing it from the test centre,
Intimidating staff with threats or violent behaviour to either enable you to take your test or influence your test result,
Offering bribes to test centre staff to influence your result,
Using any other method to get the help of test centre staff to influence your test result,
Speaking to other candidates during the test,
Looking at other candidates' screens during the test.
If we at any time think any of your behaviour is criminal, we will report it to the police and the Home Office. The test centre also has the right to remove you from your test session and cancel your test. Anyone suspected of cheating using fraudulent ID or electronic devices will have these items removed and retained by the centre.
If you have acted in one of the above ways, you have no right to a refund.
Others
What will happen if the registration, booking and test systems are not working?
Sometimes we have to interrupt access to the registration, booking and test systems for emergency maintenance or repairs, or to carry out upgrades to improve the systems.
Access may also be interrupted due to failures of telecommunications links, equipment, or staffing issues which are beyond our control. In this situation you will not have a claim for breaking the contract (either against PSI or the test centre) or otherwise because the system or centre was not available for tests.
We will not be legally responsible to you for any of the following types of loss or damage arising out of or in connection with not taking the Life in the UK Test:
any loss of profits, loss of earnings, loss of anticipated savings, goodwill or revenue
any loss or corruption of data
any indirect or consequential loss
How can I make a complaint?
Before making a complaint, please read through the information about making a request for a refund. If, after having done so, you still wish to contact us with a complaint, you can contact us in any of the below ways:
By Phone: 0800 015 4245 Monday - Friday 8am to 8pm
By email: complaints@lituk.psionline.com
By downloading and completing a request for refund form.
Print and send it by post only to: 2nd Floor
Boardman House
64 Broadway
Stratford
London
E15 1NT
Your data/privacy and Terms
Who will store my personal information?
The Home Office is responsible for any personal information you have provided when registering to take the test. We at PSI process this information for the Home Office.
We hold this information securely and transfer it to the Home Office. For information on how the Home Office uses this information and how long they keep it, please contact the Home Office.
We will keep the registration information you have provided, plus the date of your test, for 3 years for audit purposes and to help prevent fraud.
We will also keep your information for as long as we need to for the purposes we collected it for, or if this is needed by law or to enforce or defend legal claims. We will not transfer this information to anyone else, unless we have to do so by law or in connection with legal proceedings.
We will combine the information from the tests to provide reports on, for example, pass rates, number of tests taken and so on. Nobody will be able to personally identify you from this information.
What optional services do you have?
The following services below are entirely optional and are offered to at the prices included. There is no compulsion to take any of these services and a test can be purchased at the standard price.
Optional Services
| Optional Services | What you get | Additional fee | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book a short notice test | Take the test in a timeslot within the next 24 - 72 hours. | £15.00 | This service is available as an additional extra once you are in the standard booking process. |
| Book a Sunday test | Take the test on a Sunday This may not be available at every test centre. |
£15.00 | If the Sunday test you book takes place within 72 hours of your booking, you will only be charged for a single additional fee of £15, not another additional fee for the short notice test. This service is available as an additional extra once you are in the standard booking process. |
| Buy the official Life in the UK Handbook from TSO | Have you fully prepared for your life in the UK test yet? Use the only official learning materials to avoid misinformation and stufy in a way that suits you such as books, eLearning, apps, or audio format. | £9.99 | Visit the TSO website for more information. |
| Book a test centre for additional privacy | Where additional privacy is needed, a closed test session can be provided. | Price on application | If you feel you require special arrangements, such as a reader and a scribe or if you wish to book a test centre for your own personal individual use this can be arranged. Contact us on 0800 015 4245 |