Life in the UK test book: the official handbook and how to use it
Updated · Rules and fees can change, so always check GOV.UK
Every question in the Life in the UK test comes from one book: Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). People call it the Life in the UK book or the handbook. Here is what is in it, how to get it and how to study it.
Which book do I need?
- The official handbook is Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd edition. It is published by TSO (The Stationery Office) for the Home Office.
- Make sure it is the 3rd edition. The test is based on this edition, and older editions are out of date.
- The same publisher also sells an official study guide and an official book of practice questions. They can help, but the test only asks about what is in the handbook.
What is in the handbook
The handbook has five chapters. The first two are short. History and modern society are the longest, so they carry the most questions.
- The values and principles of the UK
- What is the UK?
- A long and illustrious history
- A modern, thriving society
- The UK government, the law and your role
Where to get it
- You can buy the handbook from the publisher or from bookshops. GOV.UK links to the official versions, which include a printed book and digital and audio versions. Check GOV.UK for the current formats and prices.
- Many public libraries have copies you can borrow.
- There is no official free PDF. The handbook is under copyright, so be careful with sites that offer a free download: the file may be an old edition or not the real book.
How to study the handbook
- Read one chapter at a time, starting with chapters 1 and 2.
- After each section, read short notes on it to fix the key dates, names and facts in your memory.
- Practise questions on that chapter until you get most of them right, and read the explanation for every one you get wrong.
- When you have covered all five chapters, take full mock tests: 24 questions in 45 minutes, with 18 correct answers needed to pass.
Is this site the handbook?
No. This site is not the official handbook and is not connected to the government. Our study notes are short summaries in our own words, and our questions are original and written from the handbook. They are for revising and for testing yourself alongside the book.
Questions people ask
What book is the Life in the UK test based on?
Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the official handbook. Every test question comes from it.
Which edition of the Life in the UK book do I need?
The 3rd edition. Older editions are out of date.
Can I get the Life in the UK handbook as a free PDF?
There is no official free PDF. You can buy the official versions through the links on GOV.UK, or borrow the book from many public libraries.
Do I need to read the whole book?
Questions can come from any part of the handbook, so cover all five chapters. Short notes and practice questions help you remember what you read.
Is the handbook available in other languages?
The official handbook is in English, and the test is taken in English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic). On this site you can read explanations and study notes in Hindi, Urdu or Traditional Chinese.
Pass first time
Practise free questions and take a timed 24-question mock test.
Life in the UK Questions is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration or any part of the UK Government. All practice questions are original and are based on the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). They are not the questions used in the real test.