I've read on another forum , that there has been made a recommendation to the gov. that you should only be able to take the test within 1 month before applying for ILR.

from ladyj's and my friend vicky
quote 'In another board that I am a member of, a representative of the department of the Home Office that writes and publishes the test papers said that this is a recommendation during a specially organised on line chat. As I said, at the moment there is no time limit, but from what this gentleman said it is possible that there may be.

No need to panic now, but I think people should bear in mind that this may change.'

now you and take it anytime, as my wife and stepson took it in mid march, and they didnt apply for ILR until may. but the only reason i can think of why the gov would want to do this is, make more , you cannot apply for ILR without your life in the uk pass cert, if you dont have it you will have to apply for FLR. and you will still have to take the test, but until you take the test and pass, and then can apply for ILR. you will still have no recouse to public funds, in other words no benefits. looks to me its about making it more difficult and expensive for those who want to claim ILR.