Life in the UK Test – Which Preparation Book Should You Use

If you are planning on settling in the UK, via an Indefinite Leave to Remain, or applying for British citizenship, one of the requirements you’ll have to complete is successfully passing the Life in the UK Test. The test was implemented as a means of demonstrating that the applicant knows about life in the UK, and is an alternative to the combined English for Speakers of Other Languages and citizenship classes. The test is a computerized series of 24 questions, based on the text “Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship“. Although much of the test is generalized information for the UK as a whole, depending on where the applicant lives, questions relevant to that geographic area will also be asked.

With so much riding on one test, obviously choosing the right book to prepare yourself is critical to passing the test. A must read for anyone taking the test is the official handbook – the second edition of “Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship“. The Border and Immigration Agency recommends studying Chapters 2 through 6 very closely. In addition, they offer a Prepare for the Test section on the Agency’s website. No other preparation books have been officially approved, despite their claims.

However, there are a plethora of study guides and handbooks in the marketplace, eager to help you prepare. One of the better guides is “Life in the UK Test: Practice Questions“, by Henry Dillon. This guide has more than 400 questions and answers primarily taken from Chapters 2 through 6 of the official text. The questions are formatted similarly to the actual test, giving the reader an even greater advantage. In addition, with the purchase of the book, the reader also gains access to other online tests, to further help you prepare.

In the end, choosing to settle in the UK or become a British citizen is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. As such, the Life in the UK Test was developed to ensure that immigrants better understood the decision they were making. However, passing this test is not simple, and as such preparation books can be useful. By reading both the official “Life in the United Kingdom” book and reviewing the material in “Life in the UK Test: Practice Questions”, you will increase your chance of success exponentially.