Introduction

Thousands of people choose to make the UK their home every year. Your decision to join them in becoming a British citizen or permanent resident is only the start of what can be a long and challenging journey. The application process is complex, time-consuming and expensive.

An essential part of the process is the Life in the UK Test. This book includes the complete text of the official study materials, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The test requires you to learn about British history, culture and law, based on information set by the Home Office. This book will make learning this information a lot easier.

Home Office statistics show that around three in ten people fail the test. At £50 for every test taken this is an expensive mistake, and an unnecessary one. We actively seek feedback from readers after their test so we can track how effective our guides are – last year over 94% passed, 92% first time. If you closely follow the advice in this book, a pass is very achievable.

The UK is set to leave the European Union by 29th March 2019. Negotiations between the EU and the UK have been complex and ongoing. It has also triggered a great deal of domestic political discussion. The outcome of the negotiations will confirm what we, as British citizens and residents, can expect our relationship to be with the EU and EU countries. This guide contains a special section on Brexit and how it may affect you. 

Get in touch

We are always delighted when we hear from our readers. If you have any comments or questions about your studies and test, the book or website, or would like to share a particular experience, please get in touch with us.

To send us feedback please visit: www.lifeintheuk.net/feedback

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What's in the book?

This guide gives you everything you need to prepare for the Life in the UK Test:

The current version of the Life in the UK Test contains a lot of dates, events and numbers. We have picked out the most complicated parts and provided illustrations to help you learn them, as well as providing extra appendices to help you study, something which you won’t find in the official guide.

How to use this study guide

This guide has many parts and features, but the sections that you must focus on are the official study materials (see chapters 2–6). These chapters are reproduced in full from the Home Office publication, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. You must make sure you read and understand these chapters as the questions that you will be asked in your test are based on all of the information provided there.

The testable study materials are divided into five sections:

Chapter 1 is not testable but includes information on the questions as well as advice from people who passed the test and answers to frequently asked questions.

The other parts of this book will help you understand and learn the study materials. There are also practice tests that will help you prepare for your test by checking your knowledge.

Appendices

Chapter 7 contains timelines that summarise some of the study materials. There is also an extensive glossary of words that you need to know. These are words or phrases that you will need to understand for your test. Each word or phrase is explained fully, in easy-to-understand language. As you work your way through the materials, you can use the glossary to check any terms or expressions that are not familiar to you.

Practice questions

Once you have finished revising the study materials, try taking the practice tests. This will help you test your knowledge and identify any topics you need to study further.

Further practice tests, along with news and up-to-date information about the material in this guide can also be found online at www.lifeintheuk.net.

Register your book

When you are ready to start taking practice tests, you can use this book to claim a free subscription to the online tests at www.lifeintheuk.net/test.

Once you have created your account, follow the instructions to get a free 24-hour subscription. You can claim this free subscription as many times as you like.

Brexit

The UK is in negotiations with the EU about how to implement Brexit. These negotiations will confirm what we, as British citizens and residents, can expect our future relationship to be with the EU and EU countries. To this end, we have included some answers to common questions about how Brexit may impact on the Life in the UK Test and how it will affect your life in Britain.

Get the BritTest app on your phone

Take practice tests wherever you go with hundreds of questions and randomised practice tests in your hand.

The essential revision aid for anyone on the move. Available at www.lifeintheuk.net/app and the App Store.