At BritishTest.com we are happy to announce the re-launch of our Training packages with a more accessible price and format new features for our customers.

We are moving to a three options package to address your needs. It is known to us that many of our customers purchase our package to round up the study process  just for a few days. This is why we developed two limited time frame package to address this need and a unlimited use one for our demanding customers.

Now you will be able to choose between a Light, a Basic and a Complete training package to help you prepare for the Life in the UK Test. Each package contains different features to address your study preparations.

The Light Package is a fast and fun kit that will give you access to the study guide, a PDF containing questions, tests by chapter and also allow you to run 5 real test simulations. This package holds the most relevant 400 questions for the life in the UK test. The Light Package can be used for three days after the first log in, designed for our customers that like to keep things simple.

Our Basic Package is what we call intensive citizenship training. Made from 600 questions that will prepare you for the test, it gives you the chance to cover the whole material in just a few steps. The Basic Kit includes 10 real test simulations, “by chapter” and “custom” tests and our brand new feature “Test History”.

Test History is the result of our customer feedback suggestions and a deep analysis of the citizenship examination. This is the best way to walk you through the important dates and years in the study guide and help you memorize them successfully. We know there are a lot!

The Basic Package also provides the customer with a complete result analysis and a completion certificate. It is also designed for our new generation customers allowing them to study on their Mobile Device! The Basic Kit is valid for 7 days after the registration is completed.

Finally we offer the Complete Package for our most demanding customers. The complete Kit is the best choice if you want to study from scratch and manage your own time. With unlimited time and real test simulations, a deep result analysis and a 1000 question database, the Complete Kit represent the best training option. You will have access to all of our features including History Test, mobile Training, iPod Version, Gap Detector and an audio Version. It also offers the Express training feature that allows you to narrow the database to the 200 questions most likely to appear on the citizenship test.

The Complete Kit also includes Daily Test feature. We will send you a 20 questions test every day to you email address so you don’t forget to practice and train for the citizenship test. We also offer Local Support Groups where you can communicate with people from your same residence area that are preparing the test just like you.

Find the best training choice for your needs and let us be part of your journey towards your British citizenship.

Mr Benton, that successfully passed the Life in the UK Test, is facing a deportation charge from the Border Agency. Back in 2008 Bill met Menna through the Internet. He applied back then for a 2 day visitor Visa to meet Menna, after which they got engaged and planned a life together. On October 28^th 2008 Mr Benton returned to the UK and married Menna. He assisted to the Life in the UK Test and was granted, or so he thought a 2 year resident Visa.

On November 2010 Mr Benton started an extension procedure with the UK BA so he could remain the UK with his wife. It was then that the Brder Agency informed Mr Benton that his Visa was only for 6 month and his extension deadline was way passed. Now he was facing a deportation to his hometown in Columbus, Ohio.

Benton is now on the verge of a 6000 miles round trip in order for him to apply for a visa to reenter the UK. The Border Agency relies on the fact that the extension period of Mr Benton has expired and no exception will me made. The couple is worried that this trip will throw them into financial crisis making Mr Benton unable to come back to the UK to his wife.

- “We’re scared to death of that possibility. A strapping lad in my position could go back to the US, get a job, save some money and fly to the UK again. I have a spinal condition, bad knees and difficulty walking.

- “I’m not trying to get sympathy but I don’t think the people in charge realize how close people in my situation are to the edge financially. I am in declining health and have no immediate family in the US to look after me. We exist here on my veteran’s disability allowance and my social security disability payments.” He said to the news.

The Benton’s are now applying to their state MP David Jones to secure a visa within the UK border so they can avoid a much greater expense.

Wales MP Mr Jones stated he is more than willing to support the Benton’s in their application to the Border agency. “It is an unfortunate story” He said in a press conference.

The UK Border agency remains silent. Mr Benton is on the verge of deportation along with no assurance of safe passage through UK borders.

As of April 6^th on all settlers in the UK are required to pass the Life in the UK Test. This includes citizenship application, which we knew, skilled workers from first and second category and representative of an overseas business, newspapers, government employees, minister of religion, investor and writer, composer or artist.

Not that long ago there have been some discussion with the skilled immigrants to the UK regarding of the ESOL course certification. University teachers and english masters where forced to take a small language course of 2 to 3 weeks that included civic content for their VISAS and applications to be approved. Many of these subject where extensively certified in their english proficiency however these paperwork was not sufficient for the Border Agency back then.

Fortunately the Border Agency has implemented this change that affects most of the immigration to the UK if not all.

Many UK residents are puzzled by the announcement. It was common knowledge that the Border Agency was proudly communicating a reduction of the 20% of their expenses in 2011 optimizing their supplier chain and support services. We where becoming a more secured country and an efficient entity that promoted skilled citizen settlements. Where does this new update leave us?

Basically the 20% savings are not hitting the target. Mr Green assures that the increase in fees will result in a better protection of our borders and won’t stop or avoid further settlement. In his words a new citizen or immigrant should meet this requirement in order to enjoy full protection of the UK Borders.

On his words “I believe these proposals continue to strike the right balance between maintaining secure and effective border controls, and ensuring that our fees structure does not inhibit the UK’s ability to attract those migrants and visitors who make a valued contribution. It is right that those who benefit directly from the immigration system should pay to meet the costs of securing the UK’s borders.”

In the other hand there have been some rumors regarding the ESOL courses for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Visas. It has been said that from 6^th April on the approval of “The Life in the UK” Test will be sufficient proof in matters of language level.

However, as stated before, we haven’t been able to confirm such changes and the 6^th is approaching fast. We will maintain you informed as soon as the UK Border Agency puts some light to the subject. Stay alert!!!

For starters the UK pays for almost all the medical care bills a citizen may have. Even big and expensive operations that will cost you your life, the UK government is responsible for. Don’t underestimate this since not all countries have it.

Having the UK citizenship also helps you to start a successful business. UK is known as a shopkeepers land for almost all markets. Being a citizen grants you with the legal frame that will boost your business in the community. It is also known that a PR status would allow you the same benefit but as integration the UK citizenship will be more useful.

UK government is stable and it is difficult for it to be overturned, an important thing to add to the matter is that the Police is very reliable, considered one of the most honest law forces in Europe. Nothing better than sleeping quietly at night and being able to walk your neighborhood peacefully. In addition to this there are almost no hobos living in the UK, even though a person has the intention to lower their status it would be very difficult to accomplish since the country has daycares and pensions a person could use till their very last day. Police enforcement also help taking care of these people. This reflects the stability of British society.

The UK gives free education to all citizens and residents. Free education is something many countries aspire for and can’t reach. Regardless of the use UK citizens give to this amenities is something to consider when establishing your family in a new nation. The guarantee of having free education for the next generation is the core of every big nation.

The GB Pounds Sterling is one of the most stable currencies in the world. The best for business with other currencies and economies. In fact the stability of UK economy is related to the actual wealth the country has.

When choosing a final destination for your life these are the things many of the citizens of the world take in consideration to make a decision. The UK is a great place to live, the lIfe in the UK test is just a step towards a better way of life, with stability and security. In my point of view it is totally worth it.

One seeming point of confusion for the government in the immigration debate and the public has been the source of the immigrants. The Conservative/Liberal coalition recently announced a cap on non-EU immigration. This seems to be pandering to public desire because, as Nick Clegg argued in the recent leadership debate, a large proportion of UK immigrants in recent years have come from countries within the EU, in particular A8 countries in Eastern Europe. EU law allows the free movement of labour, meaning that citizens from EU member states are allowed to settle and work without restriction in other member countries, without needing to learn the language of pass the Life in the UK Test. Workers tend to be willing to work for less money and enjoy more mobility with travel and housing. What’s more, recent statistics show that for the first time in recent years, more EU citizens are leaving the country each year than are coming in. The troubled economy has certainly been a contributing factor, and it would seem that most have been economic migrants, with the strong pound and good opportunity for work being principal factors. Such groups of immigrants have been criticised for seeming to simply come to the country, earn money and leave, without making any contribution to British society or working towards attaining British citizenship. It would seem that the government restrictions on non-EU migrants will not necessarily fix ‘the problem’ of immigration in the UK.

Public fears about immigration appear to be closely connected to fears of loss of identity, reduced job opportunities, housing difficulties and consumption of public funds. Andy Burnham, shadow Health Secretary and a candidate for leadership of the Labour party, claimed ignorance of immigration cost Labour the recent election victory. ‘It was the biggest doorstep issue in constituencies where Labour lost. People aren’t racist, but they say it has increased tension, stopped them getting access to housing and lowered their wages’. It has become common to hear from both Labour and Conservative parties and certain channels of the media open criticism of the ‘problem’ of immigration, something that must be ‘dealt with’. Another Labour leadership candidate, former Minister for Education Ed Balls recently openly criticised recent UK immigration policy, advocating restrictions on the EU free movement of labour from Eastern Europe. The issue of immigration has become an intriguing and contentious topic in recent months, arguably the most important in UK politics, with the outlook bleak for those intending to migrate in the future.

The test was introduced to aid integration, to ensure that incoming migrants demonstrated an understanding of the modern British society to which they would become a part of – in essence, to know what it means to be as British as fish and chips, strawberries and cream, binge drinking and benefits. One flaw of the ‘Life in the UK Test’ is the requirement of those preparing for it to arbitrarily commit statistics to memory. Is it necessary to know that the population has grown by 7.7% since 1971? Or that in 2001 0.4% of the population classed themselves as of Chinese origin? One would imagine that after cramming all these statistics into one’s short term memory to pass the test that they are rarely, if at all, used before being quickly forgotten.

Shortly after its launch, the test suffered a strong backlash from historians for its numerous historical errors. Although they have since been amended, the credibility of the test as well as its chief contributor Bernard Crick MP was severely tarnished. (For some examples of the errors see link, below) The second edition of the material, from which the test is drawn is also out of date in some cases. Published in 2007, it states, for example that it is illegal for those aged 16 or below to buy cigarettes. Since then, the law has changed, and the minimum age is now 18. What should someone sitting the test answer when that question flashes up if they have learnt the wrong answer? Goodness knows how many of the ‘current statistics’ littered throughout the guide are outdated as well.

The internet is awash with articles and related comments from British-born citizens furious at the test, blasting it as irrelevant and questioning the sense of forcing migrants to pass a test that the average man on the street would, without preparation, almost certainly fail. A look at some of the material certainly raises a few questions. Should an immigrant coming to the UK in the 21^st century really be expected to know that centres were once set up in the West Indies to help train bus drivers? Or that in the 16^th and 18^th centuries Britain provided French Protestants shelter from prosecution?

What about diverting some of the millions spent creating and enforcing these tests to more worthwhile projects from which those in need will actually benefit? The ESOL course, only a few years old, is already faltering and suffering a huge drop in participants due to budget cuts. Instead of the faceless computerised box-ticking, what about conducting an informal interview to gauge both language skills and knowledge of one’s society. Undertaken on a smaller scale, this would surely prove more relevant and worthwhile not only to the person taking the test but also the local community.

In some parts of the world, citizenship may afford the ability to legally stay within a country without offering much more. Taking advantage of social programs may be especially difficult, and voicing personal opinions and perspectives may be a challenge as oppressive or incompetent administrations undermine the importance of the roles of citizens. In the UK, by sharp contrast, personal opinions and perspectives are serious personal traits that can be used to help influence the course of the country and its populace. Though this concept may be quite novel to some newcomers, others may seek residency and citizenship in the UK precisely in order to take advantage of this capability. Being heard, appreciated, and counted as a British citizen is not always experienced as a major difference from experiences in a former country of residence, but appreciation tends to be abundant when new UK citizens realize that their ideas and opinions are truly valued and can help make important national changes.

Immigrants who do not take the citizenship test and o through the other steps necessary to obtain permanent residency status are less likely to find a favorable experience with expressing themselves and receiving a fond reception. While most British citizens are open to the benefits that immigrants bring to the country, there is less opportunity for those staying on temporary visas or who are in the country illegally to have their voices heard and taken into account. Not everyone who achieves citizenship status in the UK becomes involved with the country’s operation, of course, and a large number of people choose not to vote or otherwise participate in national affairs. Yet for new citizens, becoming an integral part of the national decision-making process and helping to influence points of view are essential experiences that make living and working in the UK a true pleasure. Through speaking and being heard as a UK citizen, newcomers ensure that they add to the prosperity of the country while complimenting their own.

Some immigrants in the UK decide to approach the preservation of their cultural heritage and personal identity through seeking dual citizenship. While the administrative side of such a decision can be more complex than those associated with other types of citizenship applications, dual citizenship may be a preferable option for some, especially those who plan on traveling frequently between the UK and their original country of residence. For other immigrants, however, becoming a full British citizen is the most attractive option available, and retaining the identity formed in a different land can be a bit of a different experience. Though a person’s heritage stretches far beyond the limits of mere paper, those who opt for full British citizenship may find that psychologically, they are someone more separated from their past.

This concern can easily be addressed, however, by making an honest and diligent effort to remain connected to one’s original homeland and the people and experiences that defined one’s life while there. Through staying in touch with loved ones, practicing customs and traditions, connecting with other new citizens or immigrant groups from the same area, or simply reflecting on the past, new citizens in the UK can balance their dual identities in such a way as to remain important and useful both for the United Kingdom and for any other country in which a person has lived. Starting a new life in a novel place can be extraordinarily challenging, and maintaining a sense of identity is often a major part of this challenge. When new citizens remain thoughtful and open about the past as well as the present, however, they’re often able to enjoy a harmonious sense of well-being no matter where they roam.

In the United Kingdom, where a great deal of immigrants decide to settle and seek citizenship each year, there are numerous family stories that stretch across several nations. Sometimes, successful citizenship applicants may encourage other family members to join them in the UK, while others may simply visit occasionally and relish in re-visiting the customs and landscapes of their countries of origin. The United Kingdom is home to many citizens originally hailing from nations very far away, and families are sometimes challenged in their attempts to re-connect with regular visits. Thanks to the wealth of modern technological advances in communications, however, people are able to keep in touch across notable distances, even when they’re away from home. The opportunity to connect with family members over the phone, online, or even through the post makes it easy to stay in touch so that immigrants can share their success stories and impressions with those back home.

While “home” may be a complicated concept for a majority of new UK citizens, the availability of modern conveniences means that loved ones –no matter where they may be– can be contacted and let in on the perspectives and ideas experienced in the United Kingdom. Through sharing this information and making a point to remember family values and customs, new citizens help enrich the United Kingdom’s social landscape, just as they help to comfort and honor their family members. Sometimes, seeking citizenship in a new land is tainted with the idea of betrayal or rejection of one’s original home. In the modern world, however, immigrants who venture to the UK and who seek citizenship can incorporate their experiences and backgrounds into their new lives as British citizens, keeping families intact while creating greater personal prosperity.