I failed my life in Britain mock test

My friend has just passed - found it very stressful but glad she will have her citizenship now after three decades here xx

I don’t know if its changed since I did it, but the answers for some of the NI based questions in the official book were wrong, so you had to purposely learn incorrect history to make the UK look better.

Write the answers on a St. George flag and put it in your knickers.

I got 92% on my first attempt and i didn't do GCSE history and have never studied politics (I've worked in the NHS since i was 18).

(Mock test, obviously)

I used to work with people from all over the world. They once tested me out by asking me some questions from the test..I hadn't a clue, which they found hilarious! Honestly I don't know what would happen to our hospital if they sent all non-Brits "home". We can't recruit enough British nurses, which is why we recruit from abroad!

It's 100% an English language test in disguise. When I took the test for my ILR the test questions were worded completely differently to how they are worded in the official test prep. The questions were so awkwardly structured which is fine for a native speaker but going to be a challenge for anyone else. I also got the same question twice about, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud."

A tiny book, a couple of hours? I must have done something wrong… it literally took weeks and that’s with decades in the country. Random historical dates of battles, order of kings, numerical facts from all four UK nations - number of MSPs, jury members etc. At the test centre, a large number of people walked out having failed. Talked to a lovely Greek nurse who’d had three attempts and was running out of time and money.

I think testing language skills is totally fine, making sure people understand something about basics of culture and everyday life - fine. Asking people to memorise random facts that no Brit knows and that several years later I never needed again is frankly idiotic

The start of us being at war with Germany…? 🤷‍♀️. History.

I took the Danish one, and most Danes can't pass it either. The point isn't you must know these things to be British, it's to show you've taken an interest.

Yes. So what are measuring is the ability to study random questions to pass a test, not intrinsic love of or integration with the country. Pointless.

I did a Britizen test the other day. Some of the questions were ridiculously obscure and hard, and that I’m sure only a tiny fraction of Brits would know.

One question that stood out was “what year did Habeus Corpus become law?” with four dates in the late 1600s. I do a lot of pub quizzes and have a lot of nerdy knowledge, but I’m sure that would have stumped the most trivia-mad set of quizzers!

The test has useless questions, they should be focusing more on everyday life, values and culture rather than bingo knowledge.
It is expected you'll study the book or do practice tests but I'm not sure what's the point of forcing people to learn random knowledge about UK winning a football match 50 years ago

I just failed it. I'm a 42 year old british citizen. Grammar school/top uni/masters grad. Must have been an imposter all my life! I bet 90% of British citizens wouldn't pass this.

This is such a stupid way to decide if you're British enough. I'd love to see the results of all current citizens. Surely things like being integrated into your community, having a job, raising your children here should be the test? Or maybe things like kindness, integrity, contributions to society?

That's it the mock exam that's online. I haven't needed to take the actual one on account of being born here.

Good point!

I got 88% but I do have a degree in History that I use in my job
I think it's possible to pass if you learn the book BUT all it really is is a test of your willingness and ability to memorise a number of random facts loosely connected to Britain.

It's a bit like a pub quiz. So it's quite British in that sense.

Just did a practise test and scored 83%. I’m British and that is just based on general knowledge. Of course I haven’t a clue what the maximum amount you can claim in a small claims court is, for example. But if most Brits can’t pass this test, as many seem to be saying here, then the state of general knowledge is appalling and it doesn’t say much for the education system.
I’m curious why people think they should be able to pass this test without studying. And seem to resent the idea that they should study. After all, you have to learn far more recondite stuff in the Highway Code to pass your driving test.

I bet most people don't want to swear allegiance to King...😂 Remember how that went at the coronation!

I'm not British, I've never been to Britain and got 83%. The only questions I guessed were those asking for the exact year of a historical event.

Coming from an English-speaking country makes it easier to pass, but it's not unreasonably difficult.

It is crucial though that migrants respect that. It's like the church. It's part of Britain officially, doesn't mean no other country has an official church.

Who cares? Well me because it's not an analogy, it's nonsense.

Imo it's pretty important as we had a bloodless revolution to get a new king & queen & I'm pretty sure it impacted our governmental system, but need to check how.

Omg please have a Fawlty Towers question!

Who cares? It's an analogy.