Page 5 | I failed my life in Britain mock test

Britishfailure · 2025-10-04T20:24:21+00:00

So I am a European citizen who has lived in London for 3 decades married to a Brit and raised 2 children. I have been toying with the idea of citizenship I light of the Reform “we want to deport you all” rhetoric. I took the mock citizenship test tonight and scored 71% which was not enough to pass. However, I made my British DH and children take it too and I actually scored way higher than they did. The test is honestly crazy. Questions about roast beef. Honestly so weird. I think I won’t bother becoming a British citizen as I really don’t like roast beef 😂

Ecrire · 05/10/2025 19:43

Did you read and memorise the book for the test and despite that still failed it?

Anonymous23456 · 05/10/2025 19:25

My H got 54%.

Anonymous23456 · 05/10/2025 19:20

I got 67% 🤣

Isinglass20 · 05/10/2025 19:20

Wadpole or Walpole?

LemondrizzleShark · 05/10/2025 19:17

BIossomtoes · 04/10/2025 22:27

I just got 71%, born in the UK and lived here for 72 years. Some of those questions are insane - how does knowing Hitler invaded Poland prove Britishness ffs?

Proves you’ve watched that Fawlty Towers clip?

CautiousLurker01 · 05/10/2025 19:16

CherieBabySpliffUp · 04/10/2025 21:32

I dare say most Brits (born and bred) would fail the test.

I just did a mock and got 22/24… but Ironically am a naturalised Brit, not born but bred here. My Dh and kids would have failed it as I only passed it as I am a bit of a dork.

ramonaquimby · 05/10/2025 19:13

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 05/10/2025 18:24

But, as with all these things, it is not about the questions, it is about the reading to learn about the British culture.I’ve asked several friends today to do the test, friends with various levels of education, all have passed easily.

It makes me wonder about the discussion of all the people failing. I find it difficult to believe that people who show any interest in the traditions and institutions of this country could fail the test, let alone line so many who are intelligent. Normally intelligence couples with curiosity. It’s strange there is quite some performative failings here.

Show quote history

Again. Smug.

its ok to have empathy for those who want to become citizens of the UK and have difficulty passing the test.
FWIW I've lived here for close to 30 years. I still don't get quite a lot of cultural references (Only Fools and Horses? Never seen it, not interested in ever watching)
Anyways. Haters gonna hate and all of that.

Madcats · 05/10/2025 19:11

83% for me, (Walpole dates, Habeas Corpus, Union Jack and small claims sum).

I’d assumed that the test would cover basic laws/good behaviours of living in the UK not “Did Hitler invade Poland?”.

As others have said, sometimes you just need to silently curse and learn the stuff.

Pinkrinse · 05/10/2025 19:04

63% lived here 66 years and got a degree. 😂😂😂😂

Amiable · 05/10/2025 18:59

I took the test and failed, took a second test and passed. 🤷‍♀️

FKAT · 05/10/2025 18:59

Oldwmn · 05/10/2025 18:46

You seem nice. Typical Brit, not quite seeing the point.

Show quote history

I know we're so awful with our obscure tests and leathery roast beef and ignorant population who, themselves, would never be able to pass a history quiz. It's amazing anyone wants to live here.

wordler · 05/10/2025 18:58

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 05/10/2025 18:18

These are general knowledge questions about the UK. All of them except exact dates relate to things that will have been experienced and observable in your life.having a post grad qualification is irrelevant, as it should be. My dad, who left school at 14 would have been able to answer most of them.

Show quote history

Some are ridiculously easy, but the dates one are more tricky, especially if they are offering you dates from the same century because I know enough about history to get to the right century but if it's a choice between something like 1655, 1618, 1623 etc, I haven't retained those without studying.

I can see that with study it's still hard but doable.

Periperi2025 · 05/10/2025 18:58

Bumblebee72 · 05/10/2025 18:23

Exactly it should pull out the universal truths that make us British!

What does your boss mean when she says she'll think about it later? She already forgotten.

Show quote history

But OP objected to the Boaty McBoatface question, so apparently not in her case!!

Uricon2 · 05/10/2025 18:56

I got 85% but very annoyed by the "which 2 countries took part in the Battle of Agincourt question", England and France was correct.

The Welsh archers would be even more annoyed, with good reason.

Oldwmn · 05/10/2025 18:54

88%. It's like a pub quiz.

Duechristmas · 05/10/2025 18:53

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 05/10/2025 18:18

These are general knowledge questions about the UK. All of them except exact dates relate to things that will have been experienced and observable in your life.having a post grad qualification is irrelevant, as it should be. My dad, who left school at 14 would have been able to answer most of them.

Show quote history

It was the exact dates I failed on. The law and cultural questions were fine.

Bumblebee72 · 05/10/2025 18:49

wanttokickoffbutcant · 05/10/2025 18:47

I also got 75% and no roast beef related questions. Also some guesses.

Show quote history

I got the roast beef question! It was which country is Roast Beef associated with , England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

wanttokickoffbutcant · 05/10/2025 18:47

wordler · 05/10/2025 18:35

I got 75% but admit a few were lucky guesses!

Show quote history

I also got 75% and no roast beef related questions. Also some guesses.

Oldwmn · 05/10/2025 18:46

LivingOnCoffee567 · 04/10/2025 21:36

It's a tiny book you have to learn for FFS. I read it a couple of times during my commute and reserved a couple of hours on a Sunday morning for revision before the test on a Monday.

If you can read and write reasonably well in English, it's very very easy.

It's a challenge if you don't but then again, you really shouldn't be a citizen of a country if you're not fluent in the language.

You seem nice. Typical Brit, not quite seeing the point.

Bumblebee72 · 05/10/2025 18:45

wordler · 05/10/2025 18:35

I got 75% but admit a few were lucky guesses!

Show quote history

Some of the questions are so random. I didn't know:

> How many seats there are in the Irish assembly?
> When English became the official language in documents?
> The limit for using the small claims court in Northern Ireland
> The year the habeos corpus act became law?

wordler · 05/10/2025 18:35

Namechangedforthis25 · 04/10/2025 21:36

Some mock tests

very difficult

britizen.uk/practice/life-in-the-uk-test/1

I got 75% but admit a few were lucky guesses!

JumpingPumpkin · 05/10/2025 18:32

Britishfailure · 05/10/2025 18:09

Ok so from the citizenship test from my native country (it’s also multiple questions) I have selected some which I think are a bit more relevant than UK questions on roast beef and carry on films -

expected behaviour in schools
Who provides social welfare
is it legal to do jobs without paying taxes?
why are references important when applying for work
what are the 2 official languages of this country
what are the main natural resources of the country

Show quote history

But that wouldn’t be a British test would it? Surely after 30 years you’ve realised we do a mix of perfectly rational, irreverent and traditional all mixed in together?

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 05/10/2025 18:24

ramonaquimby · 05/10/2025 17:53

I think such a test in 2025 is unnecessary. It doesn't prove that one prospective citizen is going to be an asset to the country. Or that they will belong more so than someone who fails the test.

And those prattling on about how they got 100% despite never having taking history/know nothing about the other topics etc, good for you. I really loathe this type of smug comparison, happens everywhere.

But, as with all these things, it is not about the questions, it is about the reading to learn about the British culture.I’ve asked several friends today to do the test, friends with various levels of education, all have passed easily.

It makes me wonder about the discussion of all the people failing. I find it difficult to believe that people who show any interest in the traditions and institutions of this country could fail the test, let alone line so many who are intelligent. Normally intelligence couples with curiosity. It’s strange there is quite some performative failings here.

Bumblebee72 · 05/10/2025 18:23

Letmeooooout · 05/10/2025 18:21

Who is the most hated advert character?
Gocompare singer

Show quote history

Exactly it should pull out the universal truths that make us British!

What does your boss mean when she says she'll think about it later? She already forgotten.

Blablibladirladada · 05/10/2025 18:23

Just read the book before taking the test…maybe?