Life in the UK Test

The grounds for exemption of people under the age of 65 need to be compelling, such as where the applicant:

- is suffering from a long term illness or disability which severely restricts mobility and ability to attend language classes; or
- has a mental impairment which means that they are unable to learn another language.

Applicants claiming exemption must include in their naturalisation applications detailed reasons for doing so. This should include evidence from an appropriate medical practitioner of any physical or mental impairment that would prevent them from taking a test. They should be aware that test centres can cater for applicants with a range of disabilities, for example limited mobility and visual impairment.

However, the Home Office would consider exempting someone under the age of 65 on physical and mental grounds only very rarely. This would be in cases of long standing and permanent disability, rather than a mental or physical ailment that could respond to treatment or therapy. And the nature of the disability must be such as to prevent a person from learning English rather than requiring special arrangements to be made for learning it.

Between November 1, 2005 and March 1, 2006 - in 4 months, that is - 7,373 people failed.* It means that approximately 60 people failed the “Life in the UK Test” every day.

Why taking the risk? Take our “Real Test Simulations” to make sure you are ready. And remember, you can get a full refund if you fail. Which is very unlikely!

*House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for April 18, 2006 

Your test supervisor will let you know if you fail the test. You should not apply for naturalisation in this case.

You can take the test again, but it is recommended that you do not do it immediately. You should go back and study chapters 2, 3 and 4 of the ‘Life in the United Kingdom’ handbook and do practice tests on this website, until you feel confident. Your results notification letter will give you feedback on which areas of the handbook you need to look at again. You will then need to book a new test date and time with your test centre. Alternatively, if you feel you did not pass the test because of your level of English, you may like to consider attending combined English language (ESOL) and citizenship classes at your local further education college. You would do this instead of taking the test again.