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.

Surely determined Jihadists will either study for it or not bother applying? There is pretty much zero enforcement around removing people who shouldn't be here.

In large swathes of the world (particularly where American English has more influence) artist does include writer and composer.

But they are being tested on their knowledge of UK culture - not the culture of parts of the world that use American English.

He was born in Belfast at the time Ireland was occupied - post-partition Belfast became part of the UK. Obviously there is a great depth of argument about the definition of 'Irish' in those circumstances, but legally he was born a UK citizen.

That's what the queation on application about engaging/sympathising with terrorist activities is for innit 😁

Found it😁

I did several of the practice tests linked to. I'm a history buff. I reckon at least 50% of the questions were ones that even I struggled with. Including who the principal architect of New Delhi was...????
To be it sounds as though we had a fairly sensible test originally that then got 'Torified', presumably to 'take back control' or some other such nonsense and now we have to make people wade through ridiculousness that in no way makes them better citizens. I have no issues with A citizenship test, but I have many issues with the current format.

i took the Life in the UK test around 12 years ago as it was required for my Indefinite Leave to Remain. I enjoyed learning jt and everything was from the book that you buy when you register to take the test. There was nothing tricky about it. While OP has chosen to highlight a few questions they personally find irrelevant, there is a practical section that deals with using benefits, using the NHS, renting and buying property. Once you have ILR, you have recourse to public funds and so this is important. There are also sections about society, for example, when different ethnic groups came
to the UK and why, questions on government roles and functions and wildly useful details on when pubs close and the number of pennies in a Scottish pound (100, but apparently people have been ripped off at times when handling Scottish money in England and Wales). My understanding is that the art and culture section has been added since I took the test.

For the people who say they are UK natives and wouldn’t pass - that’s irrelevant. You likely learned the highway code to take your driving theory test and it’s also likely that there are bits of that you don’t fully use. I have yet to see a horse in a roundabout in Central London, but it was a question on my theory test a few weeks ago!

When joining a society, it’s fair to be asked to learn a bit about its history, culture, governmental structure and social norms.

As this country does have an official language (not all
do), it is fair that the exam taker demonstrates an ability to use it to a reasonable degree.

OP, you sound a bit entitled and whingey. If you do not wish to study for, and take the exam, you have other options for your life. But it would be nice if you could think about having a bit of respect for the culture you are joining.

While OP has chosen to highlight a few questions they personally find irrelevant, there is a practical section that deals with using benefits, using the NHS, renting and buying property

These are not there anymore really. It's morw hiatory and art heavy so bigger chance of getting that on random mixes or however it works. I had absolutely nothing about benefits. Nhs was when it was started. Nada on renting or buying.

Or maybe I just completely foegot these awctions and just remember the bloody Tudors

He has probably the settled status, the test is only if he wants a British passport, i am assuming he is from EU country.

Language has a different (also paid separately) test

YABU to the extent that any country can decide its entry requirements as it sees fit. Feeling resentful is a waste of energy.

YANBU to think that if these questions are meant to test whether an applicant is British enough, they’re bollocks.

YABU not to see this as a test designed to (1) raise as much revenue as possible (2) deny entry to as many people as possible (3) manage the flow of citizenship paperwork.

Basically, YABU to think that this test has anything to do with being an upstanding British citizenship, for all the reasons you give. Which, ironically, means you’re perfectly suited as you’re moaning about idiotic bureaucracy you can’t change!!

Just done that one. Got 23/24. The questions were definitely not like the ones the op mentions. The one I got wrong was because I didn't read the question properly and clicked without clarifying. I admit a couple I guessed, though they were fairly educated guesses as I knew enough of what might not be right.

Is the online one a simplified version?
Is the real one more like what the op includes or not.

I agree with you OP, it's ridiculous. I'm 45, born in UK, lived here forever. Just failed an online Life in the UK test! Only by a bit, but still - ridiculous.

It's the two tiers that I find offensive-first class citizens deemed worthy by birth and second class citizens deemed worthy only if they jump through arbitrary hoops.

I've got a German friend who got 100% in this test. She's just been awarded the freedom of the City of London (not connected)

Try the other tests on that link... I got 23/24 on Test 1, and 15/24 on one of the others!

What would you propose? That anyone can live in any country they want?

@OnAFrolicOfMyOwn there are already other criteria, but I would certainly get rid of a 'culture' quiz. Or make it mandatory to be taught in schools here if we really feel that it is so vital.. (and revoke citizenship of all who fail?🤔)

Just did a practice one- am English born and bred- got 90% but I grant you that there were a couple of odd questions in there.

I didn’t know Mary queen of Scot’s went to prison .

yabu ..

I have survived 50 years in this country without this knowledge . Far more practical would be useful .

She didn’t go to prison. She was imprisoned in a Scottish castle, then an English castle, and finally beheaded on the orders of Elizabeth I.

@MooseBreath The questions you propose would indeed be useful. This kind of thing was on the old test.

@SlimSchadee you refer to this kind of question in criticising those who don’t see the point of the current test, as comprising much of your test. But your test was 12 years ago, around 2011. I suspect it was the old version.

Where did you do it? I'd be keen to see how British I am

PS the test changed in March 2013