Do you know your Cavaliers from your Roundheads? Or which British PM created the NHS?
The test touches on several subjects around British history and modern life in the UK (Image: Getty)
I passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test on my first attempt but it’s fair to say it was not easy. As someone who always tries to do better than average at anything I set my mind to, I know for a fact that I didn’t exactly ace the exam.
The Life in the UK assessment is an integral part of becoming a citizen of the United Kingdom and consists of 24 multiple choice questions to be completed within 45 minutes. A mark of 75 percent is needed to pass the exam and get a foreigner further along the way to British citizenship.
Upon arriving at the test centre I was searched. I had to spread my fingers apart and roll up my sleeves to show that I had no writing on my skin. I was a bit surpised by how thorough the anti-cheating checks went but I followed directions as they asked me to lift my long hair.
Then it was into the exam where I hoped the hours of study I had put into trying to pass would pay off as I stared into the computer trying to rack my brain.
The Government has a number of guides available to help you prepare for the endeavour and I had opted for the three pack option. This pack consisted of the ‘Official Study Guide’, the ‘Offical Guide For New Residents’ and the official ‘Practive Questions and Answers’ books for the total of £27.99.
After studying, I booked my exam, which has to be scheduled online at least three days in advance and costs £50.
The scores were not revealed and the Scotsman who informed me I had passed wouldn’t tell me what mark I achieved — only going so far to say I had passed with a sly smile. But he did confirm that I had not hit 100% when I asked him as a follow-up question.
Still, I was grateful that he had told me at the centre as I had an hour-and-a-half journey back to my house and I wanted to be put out of my misery so I could hit the books again if required. Thankfully, this was not needed and the news was positive across the board as my family members who had sit the test also managed to pass first go — to everybody’s relief.
The tricky thing about the test is the wide variety of topics that it covers and because of this, I would be very surprised if anyone passed it first go without studying. And if they did, they should look at perhaps applying to be on a TV game show to put their knowledge to good use.
I had questions about the ice age, historic migration to the UK, Olympic champions, the civil war, past royalty, Crystal Palace and the structures attributed to Isambard Kingdom Brunel. I don’t remember all of the inquiries but I do remember thinking that I would have struggled to pass if I hadn’t have studied.
I’ve always prided myself on the fact that my general knowledge is decent. I am well read, regularly watch the news and have a decent array of podcasts that I listen to semi-regularly.
The main observation I came away from the exercise of passing my Life in the UK test was wondering how people who have English as a second language managed to pass when I struggled.
It was difficult enough for me as a native English speaker to get across the line and I think it would add another dimension to the challenge. I think many British born people would struggle with the test if they had to do it right now because a lot of the knowledge is not commonplace, nor is it all from one area of subjects.
