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Settlement · Indefinite Leave to RemainThe Life in the UK Test for ILR
There is no separate "ILR test". People searching for one are looking for the Life in the UK Test — the same 24-question test, in the same format, whether you are applying for settlement or for citizenship. This section covers what it means for an ILR application specifically.
The one-paragraph answer
To get Indefinite Leave to Remain on most routes you have to meet the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement, usually shortened to KoLL. It has two halves: passing the Life in the UK Test, and proving your English. You take the test once at an approved centre, you need 18 correct answers out of 24, and the pass does not expire — so the same certificate can later support a citizenship application without you sitting anything again.
Immigration rules, fees and waiting periods are set by the Home Office and change without notice. Always confirm the current requirements for your own visa route on GOV.UK before you book or apply. This page is general information, not immigration advice.
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What the test itself involves
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 24, multiple choice |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Pass mark | 18 out of 24 (75%) |
| Where | An approved test centre, on screen. Not at home. |
| Booking | GOV.UK only, with photo ID matching your booking |
| Re-sits | Unlimited, after a waiting period, fee each time |
| Validity | The pass does not expire |
The content is the same regardless of why you are sitting it: British values, the four nations and their geography, history from the Romans to the present, culture and traditions, and how government and the law work. Our five chapter summaries cover all of it.
How long to allow
Two to four weeks of short regular sessions suits most people. The practical constraint is usually not revision but booking: you need an appointment at a centre, and if you fail you must wait before re-sitting. If your current leave has an end date, sit the test early rather than close to your application deadline — a failed attempt plus a waiting period plus finding a second appointment can consume a month.