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.

Knowing the nuances of the definition of the word artist has nothing to do English culture. It is an imprecise question that is open for interpretation.

This is a very important test for many people. Would it really hurt to use the word 'painter' so it tests cultural knowledge instead of reading comprehension?

https://www.citizenshiptest.org.uk/Practice/Question_Submit

Just passed twice too - but what a silly set of questions!

How many jurors in a Just of the Peace court anyone?

15 apparently

And to leave John Lavery out of it. If you Google something and the first page of results and Wikipedia indicate that this is an Irish painter, should that really be on that test?

Did Wiiliam the Conqueror build the Tower of London? I doubt he lifted a finger. Poorly phrased question.

I just think this is a bit silly to be honest.

I've looked at five or six now. The tests are not very hard. Would you say this about other things?

"I've been driving 20 years and I've just failed this driving theory test I found online... AIBU to think driving tests are offensive?"

It is a silly test, one about laws and cultural practices would be much more relevant.

@hallana yes, if the driving theory test was a quiz about vintage car designs say, and only some of the population had to sit it, others were exempt because they belong to an elite class of 'real' drivers, then yes I'd find that offensive.

But it isn't really. That's the point.

There are a few basic history questions and most of the rest are things like where is London and what is Wales.

@LoraPiano A pass mark is 75%. That's not a lot of wiggle room if a bunch of the questions happen to be history-based or specialist knowledge. I don't know many Canadian gold-medalists, let alone British ones!

Is there still the 1966 football team captain one? Like wtf

Do you mean the Mo Farah question? That's another that everyone who was around in the UK at the time of his medal-winning would know, it was inescapable even if you had no interest in long-distance running.

The test is actually very easy (or it was when I took it 9 years ago) I bought the small book (which is like a summary) and studied 1 day only :) , as it was a new requirement for my Indefinite Leave to Remain, which I didn't know about so it was all very last minute. Most questions were about the government and the crown, and day to day things like asking about HMRC, and how to go down the appropriate channels like your MP and citizens advice bureau etc. I see your point though it cost so much and make you jump through so many hoops and put you under so much scrutiny. Before my citizenship I had to pay £125 to take a test to prove I could speak English, by this point, I had been working in the UK in a professional job, for a medical company for over 4 years. This was apparently not proof enough, so I had to pay the £125 fee, and travel to a local college only to have a 10 min conversation with a person there about various things, that was the test 😁 which I obviously passed.

I think you are being disingenuous and picking out probably less relevant questions. However, the UK has a vast history, and you need to understand the basics in order to understand where we came from and where we are going.

My lovely Russian neighbour, English not her first language, passed the test easily and enjoyed learning about her new heritage.

Well jealous hearing of the old tests....

What really bugs me is that I have to take an English test. I need to sort that out at some point, but it's such a hassle. I work in a state school(TA) ffs, I obviously have at least the bare minimum English skills they require. 🙄

Obviously the examples I gave were the sort of questions I felt were both difficult and irrelevant. Some are good and quite helpful. The first test on the link posted did not cause a problem for me - but some of the subsequent tests did. I am currently averaging 76% when doing the tests, which is classed as a pass (barely). But am I willing to risk an additional fee and my Indefinite Leave to Remain on it? Plus, if I don't pass by January, I will need to renew my Spouse Visa, so that's another £2k down the toilet. Or is it loo? Because it might actually matter to those in my position.

Edited because of autocorrect.

I just took a practice test. Passed first time in about 4 minutes. It really isn't difficult. You should be able to get 25% just by guessing as it's multiple choice. I haven't studied anything in nearly 20 years and work an entry level job due to health issues.

Basic tip for any multi choice tests try eliminating options that you know are wrong even if you don't know the right answer.

When I did the practice test someone linked to, I guessed at this. I knew he won a medal and he runs, and I sort-of recognised two of the other names as a different sport, so it seemed a reasonable assumption. But I wasn’t certain and I think it’s a pointless question.

I thought so too. I’m sure I read just recently at an exhibit in Stirling or Edinburgh castle she was basically held under house arrest for 18 and a bit years.

Crikey, I would fail some of those questions too.

I think we should rewrite it. For example:

"Which two counties have a long standing dispute over jam or cream first?"
"What is a quid?"
"Give 3 alternative names for a bread roll"
"You want to go through a door, you see people queueing at one door and no one at the other, what should you do?"

I love history and have a history degree and could have a broad stab at those questions but it seems mad they’re part of the test.

Wheres the actually useful stuff? Like if someone asks you if you want a cup of tea and you want one, how should you respond:

A. Yes please
B. Only if you’re having one
C. No thanks
D. Rhubarb

Get this free study book maybe? https://lifeintheuktest.com/life-in-the-uk-test-book/ I found it looking through the online tests.

The history part is basically what we learnt in primary school, so that's a nice bit of context you will now be able to share with your kids. Maybe they could help you study and you could swap them fact for fact with Canadian history, so they get to know your culture better too. Same goes for painters, or authors, or athletes. You know, it doesn't have to be a bad thing to find out who Sir Mo Farah is. He's pretty amazing, and, topically, he ran his final race today.

Good luck @MooseBreath

Well actually in 2023 it's the brown and black people who are probably most able to pass as you have to come here as a student or get a sponsored job. Unless you're a refugee - and they don't need to do this. It's not the 1980's where any commonwealth citizen could just enter freely.
It's people like @ŁadnaPogoda's cousin's wife, who could previously move freely under EU rules, who'll struggle.

I'm in 2 minds OP. On one hand it's exclusive, OTOH other countries also have citizenship tests with 'cultural' questions including Denmark and the Norway, always held up here as socialist utopias (although presumably they do most of that by keeping immigrants out).

I'm a brown person who will need to sit this despite being married to a Brit and having gone through the questions I don't see how it's more difficult than my driving test. And English isn't my first language.

btw @Rounee it's not true that most will be married to a brit/have british kids. You need it for ILR which you get after 5 years. Many stay here to work long enough to get it before going home/to another country.

Those questions are ridiculous! I’d love to know how many people born in the UK would get all of those correct.

As someone who has lived (short term as a student in EU times) in a couple of European countries, it would be much more beneficial to have a test based on current society and things you come across in daily life. For example, the colour of a post box. In my first stay abroad I wasted so much time look forward red boxes, I totally missed the fact that they were yellow! Or what are the numbers for the emergency services. Or questions about the government and how our parliamentary system works (full but useful to know if you ever need to contact your MP etc). Basic questions about laws and rules that might affect you (tenancy stuff/ basic traffic rules)
I say this as someone with a history degree! I love the subject but unless you’re going to go on “the Chase”, I don’t really see how knowledge about naval battles from 500 years ago is going to benefit you!

@MrsR87

Just read the thread. There are one or two history questions on each test. Dozens of British born people have reported that they have taken the test and had no trouble with it whatsoever. For people not brought up in the British culture, there is a very small book they can read to prepare. It is really jus Pt a small amount of effort that is repaid with a citizenship - and I speak as somebody who has taken such a test to gain a new citizenship.