Life in the UK tests
Ufi has worked with the Home Office to develop an online ‘Life in the UK’ test, which is now being delivered from selected learndirect centres across the country.
Each year more than 100,000 people apply for citizenship, and, as part of their application, they must prove they have a knowledge not just of the English language but of Britain and British life.
The new test, which covers a range of topics including Britain’s people, laws and culture, is based on the existing Home Office booklet ‘Life in the UK – a Journey to Citizenship’. Since November 2005, people have been able to take the online test at learndirect centres.
Background
Managing the project at Ufi is Director of Products and Services Kirstie Donnelly. She explained: “The Home Office wanted to make the Life in the UK testing process as easy as possible by ensuring people could access it locally. A computer-based system seemed the ideal solution.
“The Home Office were able to draw on Ufi’s experience in developing an online platform for the test, as well as the established infrastructure of learndirect centres to deliver it. Another key advantage was the fact centres are already located in the communities the Home Office wanted to target, and have the experience and the facilities for secure online testing to take place.”
Delivering in the community
One of the learndirect centres delivering the tests is Creative Minds in South West London. Manager Phil East said: “We already had a test room set up for people taking the exams for the European Computer Driving Licence and the Adult Certificates in Literacy and Numeracy, and staff qualified to invigilate online tests. The centre serves a diverse community and becoming a test venue for Life in the UK was a good way for us to extend the services already on offer here.
“So far we’ve had a really good response, with around ten to twenty people sitting the tests each week. Our role is to make sure each candidate is prepared, so they’ve read the ‘Life in the UK ’ handbook, and understand how taking the test on the computer will work.
“The Life in the UK test takes 45 minutes, and we run test sessions in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening so people can fit it in around work and other commitments. For the candidate it also has the advantage of giving instant feedback, so they leave the centre knowing whether or not they’ve passed.”
Flexibility and support
Maggie, 39, was one of the first people to take the Life in the UK test at Creative Minds. Originally from New York , Maggie has lived in the UK for nine years and now works as a journalist. She said: “I’m getting towards the end of the citizenship application process, and it was great to be able to ring up a local centre and book an appointment to take the Life in the UK test quickly and easily. I even had to change my appointment several times to fit in around work, and the system was flexible enough for that to be accommodated.
“The staff at Creative Minds were extremely supportive. I’ve got really poor eyesight, and they arranged for the screen I used to be set up for a large font and high contrast, so I didn’t have any trouble reading the questions. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to do that on a paper-based version of the test.
“I made sure I’d studied the Life in the UK booklet well before taking the test, so there were no surprises and I passed first time. For an exam experience it’s really as good as it gets!”
Speaking at the launch of the Life in the UK test in November 2005, Minister of State for immigration and citizenship Tony McNulty welcomed Ufi’s contribution. He said: “A huge thanks to Ufi and colleagues for delivering both the infrastructure and the tests … and for the huge amount of work that has gone into (the project)”.
Maximising potential
Kirstie concluded: “This is a great example of how Ufi can work across government departments to maximize the potential of the learndirect and UK online centre networks, and draw on the wealth of expertise and experience at Ufi. By continuing to work together in this way, Ufi hopes to help government make the most of its investment by developing, testing and delivering e-services, and by helping citizens get the access, skills and support they need to use those services effectively.”