Plainfiles

Independent. Not government.

Exam practice

Life in the UK test practice questions: 24 free questions

Try 24 original questions on UK values, the four nations, history, everyday life and government. Choose an answer, then open the explanation to see the correct one and the public source it rests on.

Independent guide, not governmentReviewed by Liam Humphreys on Last updated Last checked 46 sources13 min readHow this guide was made, including our use of AI

Contents

Practice questions, not the real exam

These questions are original. They are written from facts in public sources such as GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk, not copied from the handbook, any past test, app or website, and none is taken from a real test. This guide is not from or endorsed by the Home Office or the publisher of the handbook. The real test is based on the handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (see the GOV.UK page in the sources), so study the handbook as well. Facts and the test itself can change: check the sources before you rely on an answer.

About the Life in the UK test

The Life in the UK test at a glance
DetailWhat GOV.UK says
Who takes itPeople applying to settle in the UK or to become British citizens usually have to pass it to meet the knowledge of life in the UK requirement. Some people are exempt (for example because of age or a physical or mental condition). Check the Home Office guidance for your own case.
Format24 multiple-choice questions, taken on a computer at a test centre
Time allowed45 minutes
Pass mark75 per cent, which is 18 of the 24 questions
Fee50 pounds per attempt (GOV.UK, checked 8 November 2026). You must book online at least 3 days in advance, and you can retake as many times as you need, paying each time.
What it is based onGOV.UK says the questions are based on the handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, and that you are only tested on information from it. These practice questions are not a substitute for the handbook: study it, and book through GOV.UK.
ChangesThe test and its handbook can change. Check GOV.UK before you book.
A woman holds a pencil and reads a spiral-bound booklet at a library table, a laptop open beside her.
Illustration. AI-generated image. About our images

How the quiz works

Read each question and decide on A, B, C or D. Then open Show the answer under it. There is no score, so keep your own tally. Aim for at least 18 out of 24 (75 per cent), which is the pass mark GOV.UK gives for the real test.

Abbreviations used: GOV.UK means the UK government’s website, MP means Member of Parliament, NHS means National Health Service, and mph means miles per hour.

The 24 questions

Question 1

Under the Equality Act 2010, which of these is a protected characteristic?

  1. The school a person attended
  2. A person’s favourite newspaper
  3. The football team a person supports
  4. Religion or belief
Show the answer

Answer D. Religion or belief

Section 4 lists nine protected characteristics, and religion or belief is one of them. Football allegiance, school and reading habits are not on the list.

Relies on: Equality Act 2010 s.4 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/4).

Question 2

Under section 13 of the Equality Act 2010, what is direct discrimination?

  1. Giving every customer the same written terms and conditions
  2. Turning down a job applicant who does not have the skills the job needs
  3. Asking all staff to arrive at the same start time
  4. Treating someone less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic
Show the answer

Answer D. Treating someone less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic

A person discriminates directly if, because of a protected characteristic, they treat another person less favourably than they treat, or would treat, others.

Relies on: Equality Act 2010 s.13 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/13).

Question 3

Which right is set out in Article 6 of the Convention rights listed in Schedule 1 to the Human Rights Act 1998?

  1. The right to life
  2. Freedom of assembly and association
  3. Freedom of expression
  4. The right to a fair trial
Show the answer

Answer D. The right to a fair trial

Article 6 gives everyone a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal. The right to life is Article 2, expression Article 10 and assembly Article 11.

Relies on: Human Rights Act 1998 Sch.1 Part I, Article 6 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/schedule/1).

Question 4

What does section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 entitle a person to when they ask a public authority for information?

  1. To have the information only if they are a British citizen
  2. To be told in writing whether the authority holds the information and, if it does, to have it communicated to them (subject to the Act’s exemptions)
  3. To see every document the authority has ever written, with no exceptions
  4. To be paid for any delay in the authority replying
Show the answer

Answer B. To be told in writing whether the authority holds the information and, if it does, to have it communicated to them (subject to the Act’s exemptions)

Section 1 gives a general right of access to information held by public authorities, subject to the other provisions of the Act. The right belongs to any person making a request.

Relies on: Freedom of Information Act 2000 s.1 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/1).

Question 5

Which Act made the marriage of same sex couples lawful in England and Wales?

  1. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
  2. The Human Rights Act 1998
  3. The Representation of the People Act 1983
  4. The Equality Act 2010
Show the answer

Answer A. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

Section 1 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 says that marriage of same sex couples is lawful. It extends to England and Wales.

Relies on: Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 s.1 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/30/section/1).

Question 6

Which three patron saints’ crosses are combined in the Union Flag?

  1. St George, St David and St Patrick
  2. St Andrew, St David and St Patrick
  3. St George, St Andrew and St Patrick
  4. St George, St David and St Andrew
Show the answer

Answer C. St George, St Andrew and St Patrick

The Union Flag combines three heraldic crosses: St George (England), St Andrew (Scotland) and St Patrick (Ireland). St David’s cross is not part of it.

Relies on: The Royal Family, Union Jack (royal.uk/union-jack).

Question 7

On which date is St David’s Day, the national day of Wales, marked?

  1. 23 April
  2. 17 March
  3. 1 March
  4. 30 November
Show the answer

Answer C. 1 March

St David’s Day is 1 March. The designated Union Flag days also list St Patrick’s Day on 17 March, St George’s Day on 23 April and St Andrew’s Day on 30 November.

Relies on: GOV.UK, Union Flag flying guidance for UK government buildings (gov.uk/guidance/designated-days-for-union-flag-flying).

Question 8

Which of these is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland but not in England and Wales?

  1. St Patrick’s Day (17 March)
  2. Easter Monday
  3. Boxing Day
  4. Spring bank holiday
Show the answer

Answer A. St Patrick’s Day (17 March)

GOV.UK lists St Patrick’s Day on 17 March (and the Battle of the Boyne on 12 July) as Northern Ireland bank holidays. Easter Monday, Boxing Day and the spring bank holiday also apply in England and Wales.

Relies on: GOV.UK, UK bank holidays (gov.uk/bank-holidays).

Question 9

Which of these is a Crown Dependency, a self-governing dependency of the Crown that is not part of the UK?

  1. Anglesey
  2. The Isle of Wight
  3. Shetland
  4. The Isle of Man
Show the answer

Answer D. The Isle of Man

The Crown Dependencies are Jersey, Guernsey (including Alderney and Sark) and the Isle of Man. They have their own elected assemblies and legal systems. The Isle of Wight, Anglesey and Shetland are parts of the UK.

Relies on: GOV.UK, Crown Dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man (gov.uk/government/publications/crown-dependencies-jersey-guernsey-and-the-isle-of-man).

Question 10

Under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which language has official status in Wales?

  1. Cornish
  2. Irish
  3. Welsh
  4. Scots
Show the answer

Answer C. Welsh

Section 1 of the Measure says the Welsh language has official status in Wales.

Relies on: Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 s.1 (legislation.gov.uk/mwa/2011/1/section/1).

Question 11

In which year was the Battle of Hastings fought, after which William of Normandy became king of England?

  1. 1015
  2. 1215
  3. 1314
  4. 1066
Show the answer

Answer D. 1066

William landed at Pevensey on 28 September 1066. Harold’s army faced his near Hastings on 14 October, and William was crowned king on Christmas Day 1066.

Relies on: The Royal Family, William I (royal.uk/william-the-conqueror).

Question 12

Which king accepted the terms of Magna Carta, dated 15 June 1215?

  1. King William III
  2. King Henry VIII
  3. King Charles II
  4. King John
Show the answer

Answer D. King John

The National Archives says the king agreed to accept the terms of Magna Carta, dated 15 June 1215. The charter begins with the name John, King of England, and was given at Runnymede.

Relies on: The National Archives, Magna Carta (nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/magna-carta).

Question 13

In which year was the Act for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies passed? (It came into effect on 1 August 1834.)

  1. 1848
  2. 1865
  3. 1807
  4. 1833
Show the answer

Answer D. 1833

The National Archives dates the published Act to 28 August 1833. It came into effect on 1 August 1834.

Relies on: The National Archives, The 1833 Abolition of Slavery Act (nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-time-period/georgians/1833-abolition-of-slavery-act-and-compensation-claims).

Question 14

The Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805 was fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of which two countries?

  1. France and Spain
  2. Spain and Portugal
  3. France and Prussia
  4. Germany and Austria
Show the answer

Answer A. France and Spain

Royal Museums Greenwich says the battle was fought on 21 October 1805 between the Royal Navy and the combined Franco-Spanish fleet. Nelson laid the plans for victory.

Relies on: Royal Museums Greenwich, Battle of Trafalgar background (rmg.co.uk/stories/maritime-history/battle-trafalgar-background).

Question 15

In which year was the National Health Service (NHS) founded by Clement Attlee’s Labour government?

  1. 1979
  2. 1918
  3. 1948
  4. 1966
Show the answer

Answer C. 1948

The UK Government’s history blog says the NHS was founded on 5 July 1948 by Clement Attlee’s Labour government.

Relies on: GOV.UK History of government blog, From caution to celebration: the NHS at 70 (history.blog.gov.uk/2018/07/05/from-caution-to-celebration-the-nhs-at-70).

Question 16

How much paid holiday (statutory leave) are almost all workers legally entitled to each year?

  1. 8 weeks
  2. 4.5 weeks
  3. 3 weeks
  4. 5.6 weeks
Show the answer

Answer D. 5.6 weeks

Almost all workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year. For most people who work a five-day week, that is at least 28 days.

Relies on: GOV.UK, Holiday entitlement (gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights).

Question 17

At what age can most people start learning to drive a car in the UK?

  1. 16
  2. 21
  3. 17
  4. 18
Show the answer

Answer C. 17

GOV.UK says that most people can start learning to drive when they are 17.

Relies on: GOV.UK, Requirements for driving legally (gov.uk/legal-obligations-drivers-riders).

Question 18

Unless signs show a lower limit, what is the speed limit for cars on motorways?

  1. 70 mph
  2. 80 mph
  3. 60 mph
  4. 50 mph
Show the answer

Answer A. 70 mph

GOV.UK’s speed limit table gives 70 mph for cars on motorways. The limits for cars on single carriageways and dual carriageways are 60 mph and 70 mph.

Relies on: GOV.UK, Speed limits (gov.uk/speed-limits).

Question 19

Which of these means you need a TV Licence, according to GOV.UK?

  1. Watching a DVD
  2. Listening to the radio
  3. Watching or recording live TV on any channel or service
  4. Watching on-demand programmes on All 4
Show the answer

Answer C. Watching or recording live TV on any channel or service

GOV.UK says you need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV on any channel or service, or to use BBC iPlayer. It lists videos or DVDs and on-demand services such as All 4 as not needing one.

Relies on: GOV.UK, TV Licence (gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence).

Question 20

In England and Wales, it is an offence to sell alcohol to an individual aged under what age?

  1. 21
  2. 18
  3. 16
  4. 17
Show the answer

Answer B. 18

Section 146(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 makes it an offence to sell alcohol to an individual aged under 18.

Relies on: Licensing Act 2003 s.146 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/17/section/146).

Question 21

How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?

  1. 108
  2. 90
  3. 129
  4. 60
Show the answer

Answer C. 129

One member is returned for each of 73 constituencies, and seven regional members for each of eight regions (56). That makes 129.

Relies on: Scotland Act 1998 s.1 and Sch.1 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/section/1).

Question 22

What is the maximum full-time equivalent number of judges of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom set by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005?

  1. 9
  2. 15
  3. 7
  4. 12
Show the answer

Answer D. 12

Section 23(2) provides that no appointment may cause the full-time equivalent number of judges of the Court at any time to be more than 12.

Relies on: Constitutional Reform Act 2005 s.23 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/4/section/23).

Question 23

Who leads the UK government and is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions?

  1. The Prime Minister
  2. The Lord Chancellor
  3. The Speaker of the House of Commons
  4. The Governor of the Bank of England
Show the answer

Answer A. The Prime Minister

GOV.UK says the Prime Minister is the leader of His Majesty’s Government and is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions. The PM also appoints members of the government and oversees the Civil Service.

Relies on: GOV.UK, How government works (gov.uk/government/how-government-works).

Question 24

Under the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, how many constituencies are there in the United Kingdom?

  1. 600
  2. 670
  3. 650
  4. 635
Show the answer

Answer C. 650

Schedule 2, rule 1 says the number of constituencies in the United Kingdom shall be 650. The figure was substituted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 2020.

Relies on: Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 Sch.2 (legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/56/schedule/2).

Get told when the full practice bank is ready

A fuller practice bank for the Life in the UK test is not on sale yet, and we have not built it. We will build it if enough people ask. If you would like to be told when it is ready, enter your email address below and tick the box. We will write to you only about this.

We store your email address, what you ticked, and the date, with Cloudflare, and use them only to write to you about this. We keep them for up to 12 months or until you ask us to delete them. Privacy notice.

Sources

All sources were last checked on 8 November 2026.

Changes to this guide

  • 9 November 2026: First published. GOV.UK’s Life in the UK test page was re-read on 9 November 2026 and the test facts on this page agree with it.

This guide is general information written from the official sources listed above and checked on 9 November 2026. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and Plainfiles is not endorsed by any government body. Rules change, so check the linked official pages for your own situation. Written and designed by Plainfiles with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, then checked against the official legislation and guidance listed in the sources. How we write and check our guides.