The British citizenship test is also known as the Life in the UK test, which is one of the tests that check how much you know about various aspects of living in the country, and it’s almost the same as taking the UK identity test or the Britishness test. 

It is also possible that aspiring British nationals will be required to take the English language test, as outlined below. If you want to know how to apply for British Citizenship tests or how to prepare for them, then keep reading.

British Citizenship Handbook 

The Life in the UK test requires a fairly decent understanding of the English language. It is only essential for people who want to become citizens of the United Kingdom. If you only want to work or study in this country, then you are not required to pass that test. 

If you are indeed planning to become a British citizen, there is a need to acquire the official handbook for the Life in the UK Test. It is a good book that will help a person prepare for the test by making clear the history, values,s, and traditions that exemplify Britain.

The official handbook has to be consulted and the knowledge from it needs to be applied for the Life in the UK Test. The guide includes the following:

• History of the UK
• UK geography
• The Government in Britain

• Local customs

Every question on the British Citizenship test is randomly drawn from the guide. You can find ways to prepare for the examination through study tools and example questions and answers as well. As a bonus, reading from the guide will also greatly improve pass rates.

There are loads of practice questions available for the British citizenship test on the Internet. So, use them to prepare for the real test.

You can also see that book in various formats that you can study – eBook or audio for example. Since the test will be mostly focused on British customs and traditions, it would be wise to spend some time living in Britain to help understand the various concepts in the book better.

Who Doesn’t Need to Take the Test?

Someone who aspires to become a British national or establish a residential status in the UK must take the British citizenship test, except for applicants who fit one of the below exceptions listed.

• You are either under 18 or over 65 years of age.e
• You must submit a medical doctor’s note documenting a long-standing physical or mental illness. 
• Also, you have already taken the Life in the UK test as part of your indefinite leave to remain (ILR) application. 

How to Schedule for British Citizenship Test?

Make sure to book your test three days in advance from the day you wish to take the British citizenship test. You will also require a bank account, an email address, or credit card, and one of the following IDs to book:

• photographic ID valid for travel (you are not allowed to use an emergency ID)
• a real passport
• biometric residence card
• pass to live in the country

Should you not have any of these items, email nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk. Use the same name that appears on the ID when booking.

British Citizenship References

Every person applying for citizenship has to include two referees. The referees must sign some declaration and provide some personal details to the Home Office.

Rules must be followed by aspiring officials. Referees should have known you for at least three years and must not be a family member, co-worker, friend, lawyer, or Home Office employee. Also, people under the conviction of crime in the last ten years cannot be a referee at least until a certain period has passed. Also, the referee giving you both references has to know you for at least three years.

The individual should have “professional standing.” The complete list of occupations specified by the government is available on the gov.uk website. Occupations covered under this definition include (but are not limited to) accountant, dentist, chemist, attorney, head of a business that is registered for VAT, optometrist, member of parliament, social worker, journalist, police officer, solicitor, and trade union official. The person referring to your application need not necessarily be British but may be of any country.

In the case of second referees, the aforementioned requirements differ for a British citizen above the age of 25 or a professional.

The Home Office solicits references from applicants who fulfill the requirements, and even one of your sources failing to meet these requirements can cause a delay in your application. This makes it essential to consider a proper referee in a British Citizenship application.

What is the Duration of the British Citizenship Test? 

You have a total of 45 minutes to complete all 24 questions. It is wise to keep two hours in hand for the entire procedure to get completed including reaching the test center, getting your ID documents, sitting in the test, and waiting for results. 

After the test, you will know your result, and you will receive either a pass or a fail test certificate.

It would be wise to leave a full 2 hours for the whole affair, including identity checks on your arrival, and 45 minutes just for the test itself.

Conclusion 

The British citizenship test costs fifty pounds, and unfortunately, the fee is non-refundable if you do not pass or for booking a place too far away from your home to take the test. Make sure to prepare well for the test and cover all the topics provided in the handbook. To get more information on the test, you can visit the official website of the UK government relating to immigration and visas.