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British citizenship test · Topic guide

The five fundamental British values

Every Life in the UK test starts here. Democracy. Rule of law. Individual liberty. Tolerance. Respect. Master these five and a third of the exam looks after itself.

What are the fundamental British values?

The Home Office identifies five core values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. They are taught in every UK school and underpin the citizenship test.

Where do these values come from?

They’re built up over a thousand years — from Magna Carta (1215) limiting royal power, to the Bill of Rights (1689), to the Human Rights Act (1998) and the Equality Act (2010). The handbook expects you to recognise the role each plays.

What does the citizenship Oath of Allegiance say?

New citizens swear allegiance to the Sovereign and pledge to uphold the UK’s rights, freedoms and democratic values. It’s read at every citizenship ceremony alongside a Pledge to the United Kingdom.

How is this tested?

Expect single- and multi-answer questions on responsibilities of citizens, the Oath, and which historic documents established which rights. Our practice tests cover all 30 question variants used by the Home Office in this area.

Sample questions on this topic

Here's how values & principles might appear in the UK citizenship test. Free version: try them, unlock to see tips and explanations.

Single answer
Which document, signed in 1215, is considered a cornerstone of British democracy?
  • Act of Settlement
  • Petition of Right
  • Bill of Rights
  • Magna Carta
Single answer
Which of the following is a fundamental principle of British life?
  • Compulsory military service for all
  • Prohibition of all religious practices
  • Respect for the law
  • Monarchs rule without consultation
Single answer
Which British value emphasizes the importance of everyone's freedom to express their views?
  • Rule of Law
  • Tolerance
  • Democracy
  • Individual Liberty

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the British citizenship test?
The official Life in the UK test has 24 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 18 correctly (75%) to pass. You have 45 minutes to complete it.
How much does the official UK citizenship test cost?
The official test costs £50 and is booked via gov.uk. Our practice platform is independent: 2 tests are completely free; £9.99 unlocks the remaining 43 plus training mode and cheat sheets — one-off payment, no subscription.
What is the pass mark for the Life in the UK test?
You need 18 correct answers out of 24 — that is 75%. Our practice tests use the same scoring so you can benchmark yourself realistically.
Is the British citizenship test hard?
It is fact-heavy rather than trick-based. Most candidates pass after 4–8 hours of practice if they use exam-format tests and a community-reviewed question bank like ours.
Which book does the test come from?
All official questions are drawn from "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition)". Every question on our site is mapped to that handbook.
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Our 45 practice tests rotate every topic — including this one — in the official 24-question format.

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