When you’re living in the UK and aiming for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent residency, one of the biggest hurdles is the Life in the UK Exam. It’s a short test, just 24 questions, but the weight behind it feels massive. For me, this wasn’t just another exam, it was a step closer to stability for my family.
It’s been a year since I took it, but the memories are still fresh. Let me share the whole journey, from preparing with a newborn at home, to the nerve-racking exam day, all the way to that golden email saying, “You passed.”
📅 Booking the Exam
I booked my exam through the gov.uk website. It’s the only official place you can do it, and it costs £50. You get to choose your test centre and schedule, and on paper, it all sounds straightforward.
But life happens. I actually had to reschedule twice. Why? Because at that time, we had a newborn at home. Imagine sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, and then squeezing in study time for an exam that could determine your residency status. Not easy. Mabuti na lang walang bayed ang peg reschedule.
Still, every time I practiced and didn’t feel ready, I knew it was better to wait. No shame in that, sometimes moving your schedule buys you the peace of mind you need.
📚 How I Prepared
Looking back, my preparation was a mix of discipline and creativity. Here’s what I did:
- Amazon Book – I ordered the Life in the UK Test Practice Questions (2024) from Amazon. I must’ve read that book cover-to-cover multiple times until some of the answers stuck in my head like song lyrics. Sharing the latest version na melon since every year inaupdate ang libro.
- YouTube While Doing Chores – Since free time was rare, I’d play Life in the UK review videos while washing dishes, cooking, or cleaning. Learning while doing chores — classic dad multitasking.
- Mobile Apps – This was my secret weapon. I downloaded three different Life in the UK practice apps. Whenever I had a spare minute (commute, waiting for the kids to nap), I’d do mock exams. My personal rule was:
👉 If I can pass consistently across all three apps, then I’m ready for the real thing.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked.
📝 Exam Day
Finally, exam day came. I was nervous but also felt ready. Here’s how it went down:
- At the TLSContact UKVCAS test centre, I had to put all my belongings in a locker. Only my passport and BRP were allowed with me.
- Then came the identity check. One by one, candidates were called in. The staff asked for my details, confirmed the reason I was taking the test, and then let me in.
- Inside the exam room, the air was thick with nerves. Everyone was quiet, just focused on the computer screen in front of them.
The test itself? 24 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 70% (18 correct answers) to pass. The questions felt familiar, just like the ones I had practiced. That gave me confidence.
⏱ The Waiting Game
After submitting my answers, there was no big “PASS” or “FAIL” screen. Instead, you wait for the result by email within minutes.
So I went back to the car, sat down, and kept refreshing my inbox like crazy. Click… refresh… click… refresh. My heart was racing. Then suddenly, there it was. The email.
I opened it, scanned the first line, and… YES. I PASSED!!! 🎉
The relief was overwhelming. All those late nights, practice exams, and rescheduled appointments, they all led to that moment.
💡 My Tips for Kababayans
If you’re about to take the exam, here’s what I’d recommend:
- Start early. Even 20–30 minutes of review daily adds up.
- Use multiple study tools. Book, YouTube, and apps, each one helps in a different way.
- Practice mock exams seriously. Once you can consistently pass them, you’re ready.
- Don’t stress too much. Most of the questions are similar to what you’ll find in practice tests.
Final Thoughts
For me, the hardest part wasn’t the exam itself, it was preparing for it while being a dad to a newborn. But that’s the reality of this journey: you make it work, no matter how messy or tiring life gets.
Passing the Life in the UK Exam was more than just ticking off a requirement. It was proof that despite the challenges, we’re slowly but surely building a life here for our family.
And to anyone reading this who’s preparing for their test — kayang-kaya mo ‘to. 💪
-#DadBuhay
DadBuhay 
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