To resent the Life in the UK test?

[MooseBreath]

I will preface this by saying I am Canadian and have lived in the UK on a variety of visas for about 10 years. At 32 years old, this is basically my entire adult life.

I am finally at a point where I can become a permanent resident and can then apply for citizenship. In order to do this, I have to take the Life in the UK test. It is scheduled for later this month and I have bought the study guide and I am preparing to take the test so that I can continue living in the country with my DH and two British children.

Some of the knowledge required is absolutely ridiculous and a massive barrier to those with learning difficulties, those who speak English as a second language, or simply aren't highly educated. For example:

True or False: In 1500 the English defeated a large French fleet of ships that intended to land an army in England.

Which TWO facts relate to the UK's national heritage?
a. There are 25 national parks in England, Scotland and Wales.
b. All national parks are run by the National Trust.
c. There are 15 national parks in England, Scotland and Wales.
d. The National Trust is a charity that maintains much land and many historic properties.

Which TWO are famous British artists?
a. Thomas Gainsborough
b. Sir John Lavery
c. Benjamin Britten
d. Graham Greene

How many years did Mary Queen of Scots spend in prison?
a. 4
b. 11
c. 30
d. 20

How is this even remotely relevant to living in the United Kingdom in the 21st century? My DH (British born and bred, University educated to PhD level, excellent job) failed the practice test.

AIBU to be so resentful of having to learn all of this information to simply continue to live with my husband and children (and pay for the privilege)? I know I didn't have to move here and I didn't have to stay, but I met my DH whilst studying abroad and this is where life has led.

I’ve just had to do something similar in Germany to get my citizenship. I’ve been here for 12 years now. I have permanent residency following Brexit.
German is my third language and I have only recently learnt it as I didn’t need it for work. I work in another country where the main language in the city is French.
The questions are fairly similar. Lots about the separation of Germany, the Berlin Wall, the start of WWII. So some of this I already knew because of my education.
Nobody sitting the test with me would have had German as a first language. In fact, if you’ve had any schooling in Germany you don’t have to do this test.
I just learnt the bank of 300 questions and the ones for my area as well, but I am educated and have no learning difficulties.
I did pass the test and am now waiting for the Germans to pass the law that I can have dual nationality.

I failed mine, I took it as the immigration services insisted I had to take it to become a citizen, despite the fact that I attended primary, secondary, college and university in the UK. They were mosr unhappt when they has to admit that I was correct.

It’s a language test by stealth, mine also contained incorrect English that would only have been understood by someone familiar with a particular region of England.

Where we live now there isn’t a test for citizenship, if you meet the time criteria etc tou can apply.

I had a friend who did this test. She asked me to help her study... I failed. I did a practice test online and failed miserably. She passed the actual test but I was embarrassed as a British person that this is what we are asking others to know to live here when I bet those in government couldn't answer half of the questions themselves.

It's no wonder there's a trade in paying people to take the tests for you. Or at least there was. Do they demand biometric identification now?

I didn't even understand the question with the the national parks answers. If English was my second language..

@saraclara Yes, I need to bring my biometric permit to take the test, and I assume they will take my fingerprints.

I'm as English as it gets: Oxbridge educated, a (albeit deceased and distant) relative who's a baron, obsessed with cream teas...and the only one of those questions I could even guess at was the artist one.

It's absurd.

We're not taught any of these things at school and only people with National Trust membership, a memory for irrelevant detail, a car and a lot of free time indeed would know these things.

I would love to hear from the quarter of voters who think IABU though. Why do you think the test is a reasonable ask of applicants?

Which TWO are famous British artists?
a. Thomas Gainsborough
b. Sir John Lavery
c. Benjamin Britten
d. Graham Greene

What is the answer to this?
I thought A, C & D are correct. And B was born as a British subject possibly?

I suppose if you are a UK national from birth, you might not know the answers to those specific questions but you'll have equivalent knowledge of UK culture and history based on your own hobbies and interests and the periods of history you studied at school or that form part of your local heritage.

Someone new to the UK won't necessarily have a bank of knowledge about UK history and culture so the aim, I suppose, is to give them something of this as a starter to interest them.

YABU your country has one too. 🤷‍♀️

I wonder how many MPs could answer those?

The artist one I think I could answer as I think Britten was a composer and Greene an author, so technically not artists...

I think 15 national parks sounds more likely than 40....

But I'd expect questions about road crossings, Sunday trading hours, daylight saving time, council tax, vat etc really, not the Arts and history. Sport perhaps.

@OnAFrolicOfMyOwn But I've lived here nearly 10 years, so I do have plenty of information about the UK.

It may be a privilege but knowing that stuff is a complete waste of time unless you have an interest in history. It has no bearing on the life skills that you need to live here.

@SisterMichaelsHabit I don't agree with Canada having one either. Certainly not one based in history. Laws, culture, and values? Absolutely.

I had to do similar in Denmark. The thinking behind it is that it shows you've put some effort into learning about your new home, something I have to say is fair enough. Whether the questions on the paper are a valid indication of that is another matter.

Not everyone seeking citizenship will be in that position - it would be a bureaucratic nightmare trying to have different tests for different situations or the farcical situation where you did a test to prove you didn't need to do the citizenship test.

This. Be grateful it's not asking you who Mr Blobby was. Some of us had to live that.

@BlueKaftan I don't think I'm being particularly entitled. I think I should have to apply for residency and citizenship. I think I should have to prove that I can abide by the laws and be a good member of the community. But the ability to name Henry VIII's wives and how they died isn't even remotely relevant to that proof.

I am the same and completely agree - I was 100% behind having a test as I think citizenship should include knowing about the culture of a country - until I read the questions! I have a degree - but it will take some effort to learn a whole pile of baff most uk born people don’t know.

I’ve been putting off the test since it’s inception 20 years ago?

I think you have posted extreme examples. I have just done an online practice test and my first question was “When is Christmas Eve.” Other questions included “which is part of the UK” options Canada, Falkland Islands, Wales and St Helena. Also who is Queen Elizabeth II married to. Anyway I easily passed with 80%, so I am going to have to disagree that most British born would not pass it.

I obtained Australian citizenship by conferred ten years ago and did a similar test for that. I probably would not have passed that with no practice, but the books really do make it very simple. My husband and I both finished the test within four minutes and got 100%.

Exactly. The life in the UK test should be about living in the UK. About understanding the social culture, not the creative arts or the long gone history. It's the perfect means of educating those immigrating here about our behaviours, our obligations, and how to live with regard to financees, housing, bill paying and our legal system.

It seems that this one is designed so that as many as possible will fail it.

Shows you've made an effort to understand the UK. I approve of the effort and the history. Cultural appreciation and understanding.

That sounds totally different to the British test. The German one sounds like it is modern history and anyone with general knowledge would already know a lot of that without needing to swot up for it as new information.

The examples of the British one given here are just risible. This is why we can't run our own country. We're an embarrassment to ourselves.

The questions are fairly similar. Lots about the separation of Germany, the Berlin Wall, the start of WWII. So some of this I already knew because of my education.

They're likewise historical questions, but I wouldn't call them similar. The German examples you give are all 20th century and all events that continue to have an impact. There's still a divide between the former DDR and the former BRD. WW2 is a major event in modern history and crucial for understanding the development of post-war Europe. (It's also key since it's a major atrocity for which Germany was responsible.) The 16th century in England and Mary Queen of Scots do not have the same direct relevance.

I think I should have to prove that I can abide by the laws and be a good member of the community. But the ability to name Henry VIII's wives and how they died isn't even remotely relevant to that proof. But here I would disagree. Yes, abiding by the laws and being a good member of the community is the major thing. But all adult citizens of a country should have a decent grasp of the overview of that country's history, with knowledge also of the more notable periods.