Applying for british citizenship

[EasterIssland]

Hi
question for those mn that have applied for British citizenship and that don’t belong to a country from the commonwealth or studied in the UK. I’ve seen you need to proof your English level by taking an exam.
I really don’t want to put myself to study grammar as already have to study for the life in the UK test.

has anyone taken a B1 exam? Did you find it easy to take without studying? I’ve been in this country for 15 years so I should be able to pass higher ones but concerned about failing here because probably the way we all talk / write is not what Cambridge expects you to and there and my main goal is the life in the UK test.

thanks.

Why do you need UK citizenship?

Hi OP, no personal experience here but just wanted to say that your English, and grammar has been totally fine in the post you've written. I don't think they would be asking for perfect essays.

I’ve done the B1 in German to get German citizenship but I did do a course as I have only been speaking German for 3 years.
My grammar is not great and I still got a good pass mark. I think if you’ve been living in the UK for 15 years and speaking English daily it should be easy enough to pass. There are also books with sample tests - do one of those to see.

It's really easy. DH did it

B1 is "intermediate" - there are some resources here https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-levels/understand-your-english-level/b1-intermediate

But as a PP said, your writing here is perfectly clear and would be fine for B1. Tiny errors like "proof / prove" wouldn't count against you at B1 level.

Just asked DH. Maybe it changed but 3 years ago he just had simple conversation with thr examiner. Wrote something about himself and that was it. Apparently convert were basic questions like where do you live etc.

The LITUK test was much bigger bother!

its not needed but you can apply for it if you want to. There are some benefits to having it but not compulsory.(yet)

They’d be unfortunately and whilst my English is good after 15 years (thanks for the comment by the way) I also know I make mistakes which I’d prefer to avoid as my aim is not this exam but the citizenship this is just something that is required to be able to apply

Thanks. I could probably try for a c1/c2 and obtain it but I know that would take time to prepare it whilst a b1 is more basic and it’s the lowest level required for the citizenship application. I’d rather spend my time learning about who was the son of Edward or how many MPs are in the Scottish parliament as there is another test that is required and I tend to have around 60% pass mark which is not enough

I’ve seen the b2 exam is valid for life. I took that one 20 years ago. Just not sure where it’s. So probably I can ask my mum to check it at home for me and if can’t find it then take b1

thanks for the help!

Mum has found my b2 certificate ❤ thanks god for that! Thanks all for the help and the praises about the English

Woooo 👏🏻

Good luck OP!

Check if they accept it before you submit. You don't get fee refund if something is wrong!
Good luck

The B1 exam is quite easy and probably will not require a lot of studying for you (based on your messages).
Maybe before agonising about it, just take a mock test online and see how it goes!

Conceivably because they would like to be a British citizen? Are you one? Why?

Yes they’re accepted for citizenship and Cambridge says that b2 doesn’t expire so it should be

I got advance yesterday on a mock one 😂 wish I got that in the life in the uk one

I don’t know if it’s changed since 2020, but I am from an English speaking country, so I just ticked that box. I never needed to take an exam.

Im from a non English speaking country. There are some countries that don’t have to proof their English level and others which have to. Unfortunately my country is from the later one.

Op we had to take an exam from the list of approved tests,there was absolutely no need to study for it.I had studied abroad, I did IELTS twice with high score,still had to take another exam.It was some reading comprehension tests online,then an online conversation with an examiner on the other side of the computer for 10 minutes. It was pretty ridiculous to appear in the exam for us as my partner is a lecturer at the University,surely he knows enough English! Its a money making scheme but heyho!

Sorry OP but despite no expiry date they are only accepted for a citizenship application if they were taken in the last 2 years.

However, for citizenship you only need to do a test that covers speaking and listening, not reading and writing, so I am sure you will be fine taking a test (Edited to add - just re-reading all of your messages, and how you express yourself, you will be ABSOLUTELY FINE passing a B1 test).

Do you have a degree fully taught in English? What citizenships do you hold? How did you get your Indefinite Leave to Remain - through the EU Settlement Scheme?

I took the test about 3 years ago. It was very easy, no need to prepare for it. From what I remember, it was just a chat about my hobbies and how I spend my free time etc.
Check if the exam result you have will be accepted before submitting - I believe there is an expiry date on it (exam needs to be taken within 2 years of application from what I remember). I studied in my home country in English (MA degree), which should have automatically given me dispensation from taking the oral exam B1. Unfortunately, when I calculated the cost of obtaining this dispensation (NARIC fee etc.) it was easier and cheaper to just take the B1 test in the UK.

Oh it doesn’t say it in their website anything like that 🤦🏻‍♀️ also realised I might need to give up my passports as not sure they allowed dual 🤦🏻‍♀️
Yes have settled status

What nationality are you? Whether you can keep both passports depends upon the rules of your current nationality. The UK permits dual/triple/quadruple etc nationality so no issues in that direction.

I don't think I was asking you.