UK Visa and Immigration

Posted by an ILR Visa Candidate

Hello Everyone, I would like to share with you my personal experience of the Life in the UK Test for ILR. I shall go through each stage of the process and hope that it will give you an insight to what it is like.

Step 1 – Booking the Test

I wanted to book the test as early as I could because I wanted to make sure I could take the test at the closest available test centre and also so I could prepare myself as much as possible. I didn’t want the hassle on the morning of the test of travelling across town.

Step 2 – Buying the book

I tried to loan the book from my local library but unfortunately all were out. I went to my local Waterstones in town and bought the book. Life in the United Kingdom: A journey to citizenship, 2^nd Edition. I clarified this first with the test centre.

Step 3 – Revision Schedule

I put together a revision schedule so that I didn’t concentrate too much on one part of the book so when it came to the test I had revised everything I needed to. I was determined not to leave everything to the last minute so a realistic revision schedule was a brilliant idea. I wasn’t harsh with myself, 30 to 60 minutes a day.

Step 4 – Note Taking

I read one chapter at a time rather than jumping from section to section. As I read I made notes, just short notes that I could remember. Some sections can be put into a sequence of dates, I wrote these dates and events over and over again.

Step 5 – Practice Exams

There are many good websites with practice exams. I did not think that these would be of help but I soon realised that you can learn from your mistakes.

Step 6 – Last Week

You do not need to memorise every part of the book in depth, my shortened notes were enough. Practice for longer each day and ask someone to test you regularly. Reading the answers out loud helped me to memorise them.

Step 7 – Last Day

Don’t Panic. I read through all of my own notes, tested myself a couple of times, had a nice big meal and went to bed early.

Step 8 – The Exam Day

I woke up early, thanks to my early night. I kept my notes with me throughout my whole journey on the way to the centre. I took my ID, a pen and a notebook. I arrived in plenty of time because I planned my route.

Step 9 – The Exam

I registered at the reception desk and they told me where I would be sitting but to wait until I was called in. I didn’t talk to anybody because I wanted to concentrate fully in the task. We were called in to the room, I sat at the computer and the supervisor went through the rules of the exam. I started the test in a calm manner; I had 45 minutes to answer 25 questions. Once all of the questions were answered I went back through them all checking my answers. You can change any answers you feel are incorrect. I was finished in 20 minutes; I left the exam room very confident.

Step 10 – The Result

After waiting for what seemed like ages I was called aside and was asked to show my ID. I had PASSED! I was very pleased but I was not given my percentage, which would have been interesting to know. I was told to keep the certificate safe because as replacement will not be issued.