Can you pass official UK citizenship test? 18 out of 24 is score you need

Can you pass the official UK citizenship test? You need 18 to pass. You might assume, if you are a UK citizen or have lived here a while, that you'll pass with ease. But there have actually been complaints that the test is too hard and according to recent research, two-thirds of British nationals would not pass it!

These questions are taken from the mock test on the only official Life in the UK test questions and answers app, approved by the Home Office , which sets the test. There are 24 questions, just like the real test. You get 45 minutes to answer if taking the real test but it shouldn't take you that long. You need 18 to pass officially.

The Life in the UK test is generally required where an adult applies for indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or naturalisation as a British citizen. It was introduced for citizenship applications in 2005 and for settlement applications in 2007, costs £50 and can be sat at one of 30 test centres in the UK. The questions are drawn from the official Life in the United Kingdom : A Guide for New Residents handbook, which people would be expected to buy and study before taking the test.

So... can you get 18 out of 24 correct and pass the official UK citizenship test?

Many countries around the world make passing a citizenship test a requirement of staying in the country, but the British one has attracted some criticism. According to University of Essex research in 2021, two-thirds of British nationals would not pass.

"Criticisms on the content include factual errors, the inclusion of trivia questions, such as who started the first curry house in Britain, the absence of practical information, such as how to access vital services, and the amount of work needed to pass the test, which has a 160-page study guide for those preparing to take it," said the university.

Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg, from the university and who led the study, said: “This is a potentially life-changing test which sets those who pass it on the path to acquiring rights equal to those who hold citizenship already. While on the surface our findings may seem pessimistic, after all, our results suggest that the Life in the UK Test may be flawed in its purpose and cause unnecessary distress among applicants, we believe there is in fact reason for optimism.

“People agree the test is too hard, an attitude we found across the political spectrum. Thus, policy makers can likely advocate and pursue improvement of this test without being too concerned about negative public opinion.”