Booking the test

How do I book my test?

The only way to book and pay for your test is online.

• Register for a Life in the UK account
• Choose a test session
• Pay for your test.

Please make sure when you register for a Life in the UK account that your personal details are right. If they are not, you might not be able to take your test.

You can book as many tests as you like, but all tests booked through your account must be for you.

The earliest test you can take is 7 days from today. Your test fee will not be refunded if you cancel your test with less than 7 days before your test is due.

Register for a Life in the UK account

Do I need to bring any identification to my test?

When you register for a Life in the UK account we'll ask what ID you'll bring with you on the day of your test. It is very important that you bring the same ID that you registered with to your test - if you do not bring the same ID you will not be able to take your test and you will not receive a refund of your test fee.

We'll also ask you for proof of your address. Please bring an original of one of the following (photocopies or printouts will not be accepted):

• gas/electricity/water bill,
• a council tax bill,
• bank or credit card statement,
• UK photocard driving licence,
• or a letter from the Home Office with your name and address on it.

You won't be able to take your test without the above documents, so please don't forget to bring them with you.

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Where can I take the test?
There are around 60 test centres around the country where you can take your test in a welcoming and friendly environment. Most of them are also learning centres where you can brush up on your language or computer skills. You will be given details of your nearest test centres, and directions to it, when you book your test. . Please remember you are only able to take your test at one of your five nearest test centres to your postcode - and you will need to provide proof of this postcode as set out above.

How much will the test cost and how do I pay for it?
From 1st June 2011 the cost of the test is £50 (VAT inclusive).

Are there any identification requirements?
Yes, you need to bring original photographic ID with you to your test centre to present to the test supervisor. You must bring one of the following forms of ID (please note photos on all documents must be a true likeness of you for them to be accepted and photocopies of documents will not be accepted):

• a passport (from your country of origin) - this document may be out of date
• a UK (United Kingdom) photocard driving licence, full or provisional - this document must be in date(this can also be used as proof of postcode)
• one of the following Home Office UK travel documents: a Convention Travel Document (CTD), a Certificate of Identity Document (CID) or a Stateless Person Document (SPD) - this document must be in date
• a European Union Identity Card - this document must be in date. Candidates should select 'Approved Travel Document' from the ID Type drop down list when registering.
• an Immigration Status Document, endorsed with a UK Residence Permit and bearing a photo of the holder - this document may be out of date. If you are registering with this document and it does not show an expiry date, please enter 1 January 2000 during registration.
• A Biometric Residence Permit - this document must be in date.

You must also bring proof of your postcode in order to take your test. This should be an original of one of the following documents (photocopies or printouts will not be accepted):

• gas/electricity/water bill,
• a Council Tax bill,
• bank or credit card statement,
• UK (United Kingdom) photocard driving licence (this can also be used as photographic ID)
• or a letter from the Home Office with your name and address on it.

Do test centres cater for disability needs?
The test can be provided in a format that meets your particular needs. You will be asked to let us know about these needs when you book your test.

This will allow us to make any arrangements and provide the support you need to make sure that your disability does not influence your test result.

You can also find out about test usability preferences in the Navigation tutorial on this website. Further guidance for candidates with severe disabilities is available from the Home Office website.

The Stationery Office provide the 'Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship' handbook in large print, audio CD and downloadable PDF, in addition to the main text. Please visit www.tsoshop.co.uk/LIFE for more information.

Each test centre offers headphones during the test - you will be able to use these headphones to hear each question and the possible answers.

How do I find out about the facilities test centres have?
You will be able to find out further information on centre facilities, like car parking and languages spoken by staff, when you book your test online. Facilities and services may not be the same in the different test centres, so you should always read the information carefully to make sure they have the facilities you need.

I'm new to computers. Is the test available in other formats?
The test will only be available to take on a computer at an official test centre. Try the Mouse training and Keyboard training to practise using a computer. The Navigation tutorial allows you to find out more about using the test.

How do I get help using a computer?
To book a test you need to have your own email address. If you don't have an email address, you can get help to create one from the go-on.co.uk website.

If you'd like more help with your computer skills, or to get internet access, you can visit your local UK Online centre. Please note that you may not be able to take your Life in the UK Test at the same centre.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, most local libraries offer free or low-cost computer and internet access.