Life in the UK Test Pass Mark
You need 18 correct answers out of 24. That is 75%. You can get 6 wrong and still pass.
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The pass mark in numbers
The pass mark is 18 out of 24 (75%). GOV.UK writes it as 75%. Both mean the same thing.
- Questions
- 24
- Correct answers to pass
- 18
- As a percentage
- 75%
- Wrong answers allowed
- 6
- Time
- 45 minutes
So you can get 6 questions wrong and still pass. Get 7 wrong and you do not.
GOV.UK is the place to check this before you book. See the official test page. We are not part of GOV.UK or the Home Office.
How the marking works
Each question is worth one mark. There are no half marks.
Some questions ask you to pick two answers. You must get both right to score the mark. One right and one wrong scores nothing.
No topic is worth more than another. A history question and a culture question are both one mark.
You do not lose marks for a wrong answer. So answer every question, even the ones you are unsure about. A guess might be right. A blank never is.
You find out if you passed on the same day, at the test centre. You are not told your exact score.
What happens if you do not pass
You can take the test again. GOV.UK says you can rebook it as many times as you need.
You pay the £50 fee again for every try. Our page on what the test costs explains how those fees add up.
You book a new test the same way as the first one. See how to book on GOV.UK.
Do not book straight away. Study first. The people who fail twice are usually the ones who booked again the same week.
See where you stand against the pass mark
24 questions, 45 minutes, marked against the real 18 out of 24.
Take a free mock testHow to know you are ready
A single good score does not mean much. You want the same score again and again.
- Sit a full mock test with the 45 minutes timer running.
- Mark yourself against the real pass mark of 18.
- Write down which topics you got wrong.
- Drill those topics with practice by topic.
- Wait a day or two, then sit another full mock test.
Aim for 22 or more out of 24, three times in a row. That is well above the pass mark, which gives you room for a bad day or a question you have never seen.
Nothing can promise you a pass. But going in with scores well above the mark is the best thing you can control.
Where the questions come from
Every question comes from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. Nothing outside that book is tested.
The questions are spread across the whole book. You cannot pass by learning one part very well and skipping the rest.
- British history is the biggest part. Read the chapter.
- Government and the law comes up often. Read the chapter.
- Values, society and culture make up much of the rest. Start with the study guide.
Common questions
What is the pass mark for the Life in the UK test?
You need 18 out of 24 (75%) correct. GOV.UK states the pass mark as 75%, which comes to the same thing.
How many questions can I get wrong?
Six. Getting 6 wrong still leaves you with 18 correct, which is a pass. Seven wrong is a fail.
Do I lose marks for a wrong answer?
No. A wrong answer scores nothing, but it does not take a mark away. Answer every question, even if you are guessing.
Do I get told my exact score?
No. You are told on the day whether you passed or not. You do not get a mark out of 24.
What happens if I do not reach the pass mark?
You can book the test again. GOV.UK says you can rebook as many times as you need, and you pay the £50 fee each time.
What score should I get in practice before booking?
Aim for 22 or more out of 24, three times in a row. That sits well above the pass mark and leaves room for a bad day.
Practise until you are well past 18
Free mock tests in the real format, with a short reason for every answer.
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