Which English Test is Required for a British Passport?
Although an exam is not required for a person to receive a British passport, a person applying for British citizenship (which is a prerequisite for obtaining a passport) must pass a test before receiving citizenship and being eligible to apply for a travel passport.
There are certain requirements that one must meet in order to be able to test for citizenship. An applicant must been a resident in Britain for five years and be able to demonstrate that he can speak, read and comprehend sufficient English to take the test. The British government has implemented standards, testing and educational services to assist applicants in fulfilling these requirements.
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The Content of the Test
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The Life in the United Kingdom test comprises 24 questions written in standard British English (applicants in Wales and Scotland however, can take the test in Welsh or Gaelic). The questions focus on basic knowledge points that the applicant is expected to know about the government and life in the United Kingdom. It assumes that the average individual, who has lived five years in UK and speaks conversational English well and will have amassed sufficient information about his country of residence to pass the test. While there is no actual grammar test in the exam, applicants must have a good comprehension of English to pass the exam. Applicants cannot take the test in any language but English, Welsh and Gaelic.
Eligibility for Citizenship and Passport
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Applicants must be able to demonstrate fluency at English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Level 3 in order to test for British citizenship. The UK Border Agency recommends that applicants who are unsure of their level of fluency complete the practice test that is listed on the Life in the United Kingdom website. The practice test does not provide answers to the actual test, but provides a hands-on demonstration of what would be expected. Alternatively, applicants can contact the nearest college in their area for assessment, or visit the Learndirect Centre website for further assistance.
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ESOL Students
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Individuals who cannot complete the practice test satisfactorily will likely need to take a combined English and citizenship course before applying to sit for the exam. Most community colleges in Britain offer the course. The course objective is twofold: to help the student improve his oral and written comprehension in English and to provide the necessary tools for passing the knowledge portion of the test.
English Speakers
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English speakers who can demonstrate an ESOL Level 3 fluency can proceed directly to the exam. The book "Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship" provides an overview of the topics that are covered in the test, and can be purchased through the TSO Shop, which has a link on the Life in the UK website. Applicants are encouraged to use this book as the foremost authority, and are discouraged from using commercial study guides, which might not be as comprehensive.
Sitting for the Test
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The exam takes about 45 minutes and must be taken at a designated testing center. The content of the test relates to specific knowledge about the government in Britain, what department or agency one might contact for particular services or information and information about the area in which the applicant lives. The UK Online website provides a list of Internet access locations across the UK that applicants can use to locate a testing center or get more information.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of ccarlstead
