How Much Does the Life in the UK Test Cost?

The test costs £50. You pay that fee every time you sit it, so a retake costs another £50.

Last updated 15 August 2026

What the test costs

The Life in the UK test costs £50. You pay when you book.

Test fee: £50
When you pay: At the time you book
How you pay: Debit or credit card
Each attempt: £50, every time
Refund: If you cancel at least 3 days before

The fee is set by the government, not by test centres. Every centre charges the same.

Fees change from time to time. Check the official test page on GOV.UK before you book. We are not part of GOV.UK or the Home Office and we cannot book the test for you.

What a retake costs

A retake costs £50, the same as the first try. There is no cheaper second attempt.

GOV.UK says you can rebook as many times as you need. There is no limit on tries. But each one is another £50.

Here is how that adds up.

Pass first time: £50
Pass on the second try: £100
Pass on the third try: £150

You need 18 out of 24 to pass. Being ready before you book is the only way to keep the cost at £50.

Getting your money back

You can get a refund if you cancel at least 3 days before your test. GOV.UK counts that as 72 hours.

Cancel later than that and you lose the £50.

You also lose the fee if you turn up without the right ID, or if you refuse to have your photo taken at the centre. Both count as not sitting the test.

Practise before you pay

A free mock test takes 45 minutes and costs nothing. The real one costs £50 every time.

Take a free mock test

Or read the free study guide

The test fee is the small one

Most people take this test as one step in a bigger application. The other fees are much larger.

Becoming a British citizen. £1,709 to apply, plus a £130 ceremony fee. That is £1,839 in total.
Indefinite leave to remain. £3,226 for a main applicant.
The Life in the UK test. £50.

So the test is a small part of what you will pay. It is also the part you have the most control over.

These application fees were last changed on 8 April 2026 and they go up most years. Check the current figures on the GOV.UK fees page before you plan your budget.

How to avoid paying twice

The cheapest test is the one you pass first time. Practice costs nothing, so use it before you spend £50.

Sit a free mock test before you read anything. This shows your real starting point.
Read the weak topics in the study guide.
Drill those topics with practice by topic.
Sit more mock tests until you score 22 or more out of 24, three times in a row.
Only then book the real test.

One avoided retake saves you £50. Our guide on how to pass sets out the study plan in full.

Common questions

How much does the Life in the UK test cost?

It costs £50. You pay when you book, using a debit or credit card. The fee is the same at every test centre.

How much does it cost to retake the Life in the UK test?

£50 again. There is no reduced price for a second attempt, and GOV.UK says you can rebook as many times as you need.

Can I get a refund on the test fee?

Yes, if you cancel at least 3 days before your test. Cancel later than that, or miss the test, and you do not get the £50 back.

Is the test fee the same everywhere in the UK?

Yes. The fee is set by the government, so every approved test centre charges £50.

What else will I have to pay for?

The test is usually one step in a larger application. Becoming a British citizen costs £1,709 to apply plus a £130 ceremony fee. Indefinite leave to remain costs £3,226. Check GOV.UK for current figures.

Is there a free way to practise before I pay?

Yes. Our mock tests and topic practice are free, and every answer comes with a short explanation. Practising first is how you avoid paying the £50 twice.

Make the £50 count

Free practice in the real format, with a short reason for every answer.

Start a free mock test

Or see how to book the real test