Anyone taken the 'Life in the UK' test?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I am thinking (once again) about getting my UK citizenship. Now I have to take a quiz to do this.

The sample questions look severely assy. I mean ... 'what, exactly, does U mean on a film rating?'. 'How many people live in Scotland?'. How on earth are these important questions? (And they'd left 'I don't give a fuck' off the multiple-choice options!)

Do I need to buy and read the stupid book? Or will I be ok?

[scienceteacher]

My hubby did the test for real last year. It was easy peasy. Nothing to worry about at all.

[expatinscotland]

I did mine by post, Sue and it took about 4 months to get approved and then another 3 weeks or so to get in for a citizenship ceremony - these are run by your local council.

You can apply for a passport after you have been through the citizenship ceremony - because they give you a certificate you need to get the passport.

But my landlord's wife did hers this past May and used the Checking Service and had the entire thing wrapped up in about 5 weeks.

[scienceteacher]

DH's application was passed in approx 2 weeks.

He did the test, and then went to a local registrar to have his documents verified and the application sent off to the Home Office. Two weeks later, we got a letter saying the application had been approved. A week or so later, we had the official notification from the County, which then asked about booking the Citizenship Ceremony.

Following the Citizenship Ceremony, it was a further 2 - 3 weeks to receive a British Passport.

DH received his British passport about 4 months after the 3 year mark.

[expatinscotland]

Keep in mind, however, that the Home Office works from both sides of the queue, not by who gets in first.

And whilst it seems to be that people who use National Checking Service do seem to be approved more quickly, this is NOT guaranteed.

The Checking Service is an extra £40. It's not a local registry office, but if you're in London there's an office there. Just make an appointment after you've passed the Life in the UK test.

When you get your citizenship ceremony will depend on how busy your council is with them.

Getting the passport after all this is the easiest part!

[SueW]

Thanks expat.

Have found local test centres and now looking for checking centres.

DH has a phobia of blank white forms that he needs to complete.

Sadly, neither Nottingham nor Derby or their shires are considered worthy of a checking centre. Leicester it is then.

Cor, could all be wrapped up by Christmas

[scienceteacher]

The hardest part, Sue, is figuring out all his days out of the UK in the last 3 years.

[purplemonkeydishwasher]

you do need to the study for the test NQC. some of the government questions are a bit tricky. I passed quite easily but only because i was prepared. I registered for a practice quiz website as well (£10 i think) and that helped a lot.
my citizenship ceremony was LOVELY though. Falkirk council did themselves proud that day!

[snoozer]

haven't read the thread but you have to get the book if you're going to take the test -- it's full of random/obscure facts that even a born and bred Brit wouldn't know. But everything on the test is straight from the book so it's not hard as long as you've read it.

[scienceteacher]

DH's experience was that the book was full of obscure and dubious facts, but the actual test was much more 'obvious' and relevent.

[SueW]

Days are already in an excel spreadsheet. And the past couple of years have been much easier

[Jackaroo]

I'm worrying now that DH is a bit weird. He finished it in under 5 minutes (he says 3) and passed. he's been here a long time but there's lots of stuff he doesn't know. He said that because there were answers to choose from it was much easier than someone wanting the answer to "what other languages are spoken in Wales" iyswim...

Good luck! Oh, and allow a lot of time - he spent almost 3 hours there, of which, as mentioned, 3 minutes spent on the actual test :-)

[username124]

I know this is a really old thread but just incase anyone stumbles on this I would like to share how I studied for my test in year 2016 :) I bought the 3rd edition handbook and practiced as many questions as I could on lituktest.com/life-in-the-uk-test/

Good Luck to you all!

[annaboros]

i did apply for the test done some practice online. Hopefully i will go through it.
here is few websites good for practice.
Life in the UK Test 2016

[Geeta86]

I recently passed my test, I agree some questions are completely useless but there are some useful tips especially in the modern life section, learned a few things from that.

The test isn't that easy, I would recommend to anyone going for the test - get the Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents handbook, when you're finished with that you should attempt a few life in the uk practice tests like the ones here: uktest.net/category/life-in-the-uk-test to see if you're ready for the test.

[RevolutionofOurTime]

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