Test your Britishness

Cristobal

Cristobal

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Yesterday I had a talk with an acquaintance, who will apply for British citizenship eventually. Taking a test is a part of the application process. The test itself is not about how to make tea or eating a spoonful of Marmite, but rather about life in the UK.

It's called the Life in the United Kingdom test:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_in_the_United_Kingdom_test
Free tests online:
https://lifeintheuktests.co.uk/

I did 4 of them (I'm not planning on becoming British). You need 75% to pass, I failed twice (65% and 69%) and passed twice (75% and 79%) without preparation. With the dedicated books and a bit of training, I would likely succeed. With some general knowledge and common sense, it's very feasible. However, since 2013 the test is harder.

For instance, I didn't know that "scunthorpe" is a word that came from Viking language (I don't even know what is a scunthorpe and its purpose) or that the "engineers" were Germans who came to Great Britain in the Middle Ages.

Funnily enough, I'm pretty sure that my cousin who's been a British citizen for more than 25 years (by marrying an British citizen/woman), would fail the test...
 
Cristobal said:
Yesterday I had a talk with an acquaintance, who will apply for British citizenship eventually. Taking a test is a part of the application process. The test itself is not about how to make tea or eating a spoonful of Marmite, but rather about life in the UK.

It's called the Life in the United Kingdom test:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_in_the_United_Kingdom_test
Free tests online:
https://lifeintheuktests.co.uk/

I did 4 of them (I'm not planning on becoming British). You need 75% to pass, I failed twice (65% and 69%) and passed twice (75% and 79%) without preparation. With the dedicated books and a bit of training, I would likely succeed. With some general knowledge and common sense, it's very feasible. However, since 2013 the test is harder.

For instance, I didn't know that "scunthorpe" is a word that came from Viking language (I don't even know what is a scunthorpe and its purpose) or that the "engineers" were Germans who came to Great Britain in the Middle Ages.

Funnily enough, I'm pretty sure that my cousin who's been a British citizen for more than 25 years (by marrying an British citizen/woman), would fail the test...
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Do other countries have such a test and if so is it as difficult as the British test? :)
 
One go and hit 75% :p On a couple of occasions I could have read the question a little more thoroughly but hey ho, apparently I'm a British Welshman! :D

Also, yes, you do have national tests in other countries. I'm sure America do it for nationality applications, and I'm fairly sure Canada do it for a permit to stay - though Canada's approaches use of the English language and suchlike as well if I'm not mistaken.
 
Blademonkey said:
Do other countries have such a test and if so is it as difficult as the British test? :)
Click to expand...

In Scotland it's connected with enduring getting a tattoo, holding excess alcohol, being both incredibly generous and open hearted whilst steadfastly remaining stubbornly close minded and inviting candidates into the examination chamber with the traditional cry of, " Come on in if ye think ye're hard enough ! " , the addition of Jimmie for male, female or indeterminate is optional.

JohnnyO. o/
 
JohnnyO said:
In Scotland it's connected with enduring getting a tattoo, holding excess alcohol, being both incredibly generous and open hearted whilst steadfastly remaining stubbornly close minded and inviting candidates into the examination chamber with the traditional cry of, " Come on in if ye think ye're hard enough ! " , the addition of Jimmie for male, female or indeterminate is optional.

JohnnyO. o/
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I think I could pass a test like that, very similar in Cornwall apart from the " Jimmie" :)
 
87% one wrong because I misread the question and one because I couldn't for the life of me remember St David's day (I mixed it up with St George's).
I know a fair few people who would struggle with that. Plenty who would never have heard of the Chartists for example.
 
Count of Undolpho said:
87% one wrong because I misread the question and one because I couldn't for the life of me remember St David's day (I mixed it up with St George's).
I know a fair few people who would struggle with that. Plenty who would never have heard of the Chartists for example.
Click to expand...

I missed that one as well, but knew the Chartist one. It seems to be more on landmarks & culture than on the machinations of gov't however. Odd.
 
Count of Undolpho said:
87% one wrong because I misread the question and one because I couldn't for the life of me remember St David's day (I mixed it up with St George's).
I know a fair few people who would struggle with that. Plenty who would never have heard of the Chartists for example.
Click to expand...

You had to have been there Count ... although I apologise to my Celtic bros & sisters for getting St. David's day wrong. My bad ( just to show I'm cosmopolitan ) .

JohnnyO. o/
 
OK.
Scunthorpe seems to be a nice and welcoming city...

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These test questions are not a secret so all you would have to do is a little reading and absorb the infomation although I do find the questions to be strange and not particularly relevant but I wouldn't know what questions to ask apart from stuff like have you been convicted of any crimes and have you a clear understanding of British laws and regulations ect.
 
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