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For the admissions cycle for 2025 entry the Faculty of Law requires prospective applicants to sit the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) as a pre-interview admissions assessment. The LNAT is an internationally recognised standard for assessing applicants’ abilities in reading comprehension, inductive and deductive reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analysis, all of which are necessary skills to do well in Law at university. The LNAT does not assess intelligence or your knowledge of the law.

Cambridge will use both sections of the LNAT to assess applicants. The first section consists of 42 multiple choice questions relating to 12 argumentative passages over 95 minutes. The second is an essay in response to one of three possible questions in 40 minutes, for a total examination time of two hours and 15 minutes. The essay component will be marked centrally at Cambridge.

Please note that the LNAT will be used to deselect applicants (that is, it will be used, along with all other relevant information, in determining which applicants will be invited for interview), as well as for the selection of applicants.

Applicants are expected to sit their LNAT in September or early October, as the LNAT must have been completed by Cambridge’s 15 October UCAS deadline. Applicants may book their LNAT tests when registration opens on 1 August. Tests are completed at testing centres affiliated with the LNAT’s testing provider, Pearson Vue.

The fee for taking the LNAT is £75 at UK/EU test centres and £120 at test centres in the rest of the world. There is an LNAT bursary scheme available to candidates struggling to pay for their LNAT test. Test fees will be waived for UK/EU students in receipt of certain state benefits. Candidates must apply for their bursary before booking their LNAT.

To book your LNAT test, or to see further information, including sample tests, please visit the LNAT website .

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National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT)

My Cambridge Application

The LNAT tests your verbal reasoning skills, your ability to interpret information, and your analytical abilities.

You need to take the LNAT if you are applying for:

You must be registered in advance and the LNAT has earlier registration deadlines and different arrangements than other Cambridge admissions assessments.

You can register for the LNAT from 1 August to 15 September 2024. The test can be taken from 1 September 2024.

For 2025 entry, you need to take the LNAT by 15 October 2024. If you are applying to Hughes Hall , St Edmund’s or Wolfson in the March application round , you can take the LNAT up to 1 March 2025.

How to register for the LNAT

You need to register for the test by 15 September 2024 .

For your LNAT results to be sent directly to us, you must indicate that you plan to apply to the University of Cambridge as part of the LNAT registration process.

The assessment can be taken at any LNAT test centre. There are over 500 test centres around the world with 150 in the UK.

You may take the test on any day when there is availability at your chosen test centre, so long as it is before the relevant deadline.

The earlier you book, the more chance you have of securing a sitting on the day of your choice.

We strongly advised to begin making arrangements as soon as possible. A delay in booking may mean you have to travel further to secure a place at an available LNAT location before the deadline.

Find out how to register on the LNAT website .

There is an entry fee for the LNAT.

If you are a UK or EU applicant and are concerned about the cost, financial support may be available.

Check the LNAT website for details of costs .

How to prepare for the Law admissions assessment

Familiarise yourself with the test format and follow the guidance on preparation given on the LNAT website.

Find out what the test involves and how to prepare .

We don’t expect you to get every question right – you can learn more about how your performance fits into the rest of your application on the admissions assessment page .

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LNAT for Cambridge University BA (Hons) Law Admission 2024 and 2025

News & Updates
Revised & updated LNAT 2024 Edition
30 Full-Length Practice Tests
360 LNAT-Style Passages
1,260 Multiple-Choice Questions
All Answers Include Explanations
90 Essay Questions - with model answers
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Try the Free Full Length LNAT 2024 Practice Test

Cambridge University, Faculty of Law requires prospective applicants to take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) as a pre-interview admissions assessment for the undergraduate programme BA (Hons) law for 2024 entry and 2025 deferred entry.

The Cambridge Law Test will no longer be used for the admissions process, as it has been replaced by the LNAT.

The 2024 LNAT is used for assessing applicants’ abilities in reading comprehension, inductive and deductive reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analysis, all of which are necessary skills to do well in Law programmes at Cambridge University.

Cambridge University does not use the LNAT to assess your intelligence or your knowledge of the law.

How does Cambridge University use LNAT 2024 scores?

Cambridge University will use both sections A and B of the LNAT to assess applicants.

The first section consisting of 42 multiple choice questions will be automatically marked by the LNAT testing system. The scores will be available directly to the Cambridge University admissions officials.

The second part of the LNAT is the essay that you have to write in response to one of three possible questions. The essay will be available ‘as is’ to the Cambridge University admissions officials and all essays will be marked centrally at Cambridge.

While the LNAT essay will be marked centrally, the rest of the admissions process is handled by the college that you choose to apply to.

Undergraduate Colleges at Cambridge University

Cambridge University is home to 29 unique undergraduate colleges, each with its own distinguishing characteristics.

While some colleges cater solely to female students, others are geared towards mature or affiliated students. All undergraduate colleges provide the opportunity to pursue a BA in Law.

Regardless of the college chosen, law students at Cambridge attend identical lectures, select from the same course offerings, and take the same exams. Consequently, your selection of college will not influence your academic experience at Cambridge.

Additionally, the University’s pool system ensures that your choice of college will not affect your likelihood of being accepted into Cambridge, as long as you have a strong profile.

Admissions at Cambridge are managed by the individual colleges, rather than the Law faculty. (Only the LNAT essays are marked centrally).

As such, your application will be evaluated by the college to which you apply. If you have any questions about your application or qualifications, it is recommended to reach out to the admissions team of your preferred college.

LNAT is used for Rejecting as well as Selecting applicants

Take a look at the table below, which shows the number of applicants in the recent admission cycles for the Cambridge University BA (Hons) Law program.


1498	1537	1870	1845	1580
292	287	265	245	280
221	262	246	217	230

The success rate for 2023 was 14.6%

To deal with such a large number of applicants, the LNAT is used by the University to reject candidates; as well as for subsequent selection of the shortlisted applicants.

First, LNAT results will be used, along with all other relevant information, in determining which applicants will be called for the interview
Next, the LNAT scores will be used for selection from among the shortlisted applicants.

What is the minimum LNAT scores for Cambridge University BA (Hons) Law?

Cambridge University started using the LNAT from 2022, for the 2023 entry.

Average LNAT score for International (non-UK) domicile offer holders for 2024 entry (2023 application year) was :

MCQs – 30.35
Essay – 7.79

Average LNAT score across all offer holders for 2024 entry (2023 application year) was :

MCQs – 29.43
Essay – 7.55

While candidates with similar profiles and academic achievements will apply to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, it will not be the ‘same’ applicants in any given year. As you may be aware, it is not possible to apply to both the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford in the same year. Without this restriction, the applicant numbers in both these universities would have been double of what is seen in the statistics table in this article.

Holistic assessment of candidates

As per the information provided by the university, applicants are assessed individually using all the information available to the selectors. Decisions about applicants are made on the basis of the following:

academic record, including GCSE (or equivalent) grades, AS Level (or equivalent) marks and grades, where available, and A Level (or equivalent marks/grades or predictions
school/college reference
personal statement and information provided through My Cambridge Application (MCApp)
relevant contextual data, including extenuating circumstances
submitted work, where requested
written assessment results, where this forms part of the assessment
performance at interview, if interviewed

When should you take the LNAT for the Cambridge University BA (Hons) Law?

Applicants are expected to take the LNAT in September or early October, as the LNAT must have been completed by Cambridge’s 15 October UCAS deadline.

Applicants should book their LNAT tests when registration opens on 1 August.

Cambridge University Undergraduate Law Official website

Reconfirm all the details by referring to the official website at : https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/law

Statistical data sources :

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/law_28#incoming-2659526
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ib_and_lnat_statistics_for_ba_in#incoming-2424787
https://www.ba.law.cam.ac.uk/applying/law-national-aptitude-test-lnat

How does the Cambridge University Faculty of Law use LNAT for BA Hons Law admissions LawMint UK

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National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) Guide

Everything you should know before taking the LNAT and how to be successful. The LNAT is an admissions test used by top UK universities to help select successful applicants to their Law degree programmes.

Register for the LNAT
Tips for a Successful Applicant
How to Pass the LNAT

Everything you should know before taking the LNAT and how to be successful!

WHAT IS THE LNAT?

The LNAT is an admissions test used by top UK universities to help select successful applicants to their Law degree programmes. The LNAT, tailored specifically for Law applicants, focuses on assessing candidates' legal reasoning and aptitude for law studies. By incorporating the LNAT into the selection process, top UK universities can identify students who not only possess a passion for Law but also exhibit the intellectual acumen required to thrive in their law programs.

WHO NEEDS TO SIT THE LNAT?

Applicants for a Law course at most of the top UK universities will most likely be required to take the LNAT, including Oxford and Cambridge universities. Other UK law schools which require the LNAT are: University of Bristol, Durham University, UCL, University of Nottingham, University of Glasgow, King’s College London, and SOAS.

If you’re applying for Cambridge and have heard of the CLT, or Cambridge Law Test, then you might be asking yourself ‘does Cambridge require LNAT’? The CLT is an older, Cambridge-specific admissions test that Cambridge University used to use instead of the LNAT, but from last year’s admissions cycle onwards, the LNAT has replaced the CLT as the current Cambridge law admissions test.

HOW IS THE LNAT STRUCTURED?

The LNAT is taken on a computer and is made up of two sections:

The first section is multiple choice, consisting of 42 questions which are to be answered in 95 minutes. The questions in this section will be around a series of texts (12 texts, to be precise), for each of which there will be 3-4 questions.

The second section of the test is a 40-minute essay section. You will be able to pick one out of three possible prompts from which to write an essay that demonstrates your ability to argue a point of view concisely and effectively.

CAN I CHOOSE WHICH QUESTIONS I ANSWER IN THE LNAT?

In the second section of the paper, students will be able to choose one from three different prompts to respond to in an essay format.

HOW IS MY SCORE IN THE LNAT USED?

Oxford and Cambridge University use the LNAT as a standardised format for assessing and benchmarking their applicants. The exam rewards problem solving and the construction of arguments over specific legal knowledge, so that students taking different qualifications at school can access the syllabus.

Oxbridge uses students’ marks in the LNAT to make decisions about which applicants they should invite to interview. Results in the LNAT are generally a good (although not surefire) indicator of an applicant’s likelihood of being selected for interview.

Other universities use the LNAT score as additional context in their decision-making process for admissions to law-related courses.

WHAT IS A GOOD LNAT SCORE?

The LNAT is marked out of a total 42 points. The average score is usually somewhere between 20-24 points. A good LNAT score would be higher than the average for top UK universities, with Oxford and Cambridge generally accepting the highest average scores. Oxford University has the highest average score, with their 2021/2022 data showing that the average LNAT score for candidates accepted onto the law course was 27.03.

DO I NEED TO KNOW SPECIFIC CONTENT?

The LNAT is a test of skills, such as critical thinking, analysis, and essay-writing, rather than of any particular content knowledge. Although the content is not specific to any school syllabus, the skills that you will be using to take the test will be those taught and practised in your A-level (or equivalent) humanities subjects, such as English, History, or Sociology, so we recommend focusing on these skills. It can be difficult to identify tasks and exercises to practise these skills; our specialist tutors who have experience of advising students taking other qualifications and help them fill in knowledge gaps.

How to register for the LNAT

WHEN IS THE LNAT IN 2024?

Unlike other admissions tests, the LNAT does not have to be taken on a specific date, but rather tests are taken on a rolling schedule between September and January (for entry the following September). The date by which an applicant should register for and take the test depends on which university they are applying for:

For Oxford and Cambridge applicants, you must register for the LNAT between the 1st of August and the 15th of September, and sit the test by the 15th of October, ahead of the Oxbridge UCAS deadline. This ensures that the university has your test results along with your application to help them shortlist candidates in time for December interviews.

For applicants to King’s College London and LSE, applicants must sit the LNAT before the 31st of December.

For applicants to all other institutions requiring the LNAT, you must have registered for the test and booked your test slot by the 20th of January, have sat the test by the 25th of January, and have submitted your UCAS form by the 31st of January deadline (6pm UK time).

If you’re struggling to keep on top of dates and deadlines, head to our website to download our free University Application Calendar , which features registration deadlines and test dates for all major UK admissions tests, as well as other key dates such as UCAS deadlines, interview dates, open days, and more.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION?

The deadline for LNAT registration and testing can be a little confusing, since it differs based on which university/universities you’re applying to, but the rule of thumb is that you must have sat your LNAT by the deadline on which your UCAS form is due (although you may sit the test after submitting your application form if you have done so in advance of the deadline). For specific dates, check the section above.

You must register on the LNAT website before you can choose a test centre and select a date and time on which to sit your test. Remember that the sooner you register and select a slot, the more times there will be available, so we recommend doing it as soon as possible to avoid timetable clashes.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE LNAT?

The LNAT costs £75 at UK or EU test centres, and £120 at test centres outside of the EU.

Tips from a Successful Law Student

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE LNAT?

Familiarise Yourself with Legal Issues: Engage with legal news, cases, and debates to enhance your understanding of legal matters and the broader legal context.
Practise Critical Thinking: Regularly engage in activities that promote critical thinking, such as solving puzzles, debating ethical issues, and analysing complex arguments.
Refine Essay Writing Skills: Work on constructing well-organised essays with a clear thesis and supported evidence.
Time Management: Practise answering multiple-choice questions and writing essays under timed conditions to improve your time management skills during the LNAT. For access to bespoke, true-to-life mock papers with which to practise your timing skills, head to our Admissions Test Resources hub and browse our exclusive collections.
Seek Feedback: Share your practice essays and responses with teachers or mentors to receive constructive feedback and refine your legal analysis and writing skills. Previous Oxbridge (or other top UK University) Law graduates, such as our mentors here at Oxbridge Applications, are also a great source of knowledge to draw on, as they can give you an accurate picture of what it means to perform like a real University Lawyer.

LNAT PREPARATION MATERIALS

In addition to official LNAT past and specimen papers on the LNAT Website, we at Oxbridge Applications have written a series of additional mock papers. Our students have 33% more questions to practise with. Our mock LNAT papers can be found here and are included with our admissions test tuition. All of our LNAT tutors are highly-trained Oxbridge graduates who can share their personally insights of having sat the test. You can contact our Oxbridge-graduate Consultants on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or email [email protected] to discuss which of our test training would suit you best. We also have an online testing portal for students who want to sit the exam in timed, test conditions.

WHAT IS THE BEST STUDY GUIDE FOR THE LNAT?

At Oxbridge Applications, we pride ourselves in providing up-to-date advice and unrivalled expertise. As well as collating information from publicly available sources, we also conduct our own research into the application process; for example, by surveying the thousands of students we support each year. Speak to an Oxbridge Applications expert today for advice on your specific situation!

How to Pass the LNAT?

The best advice we can offer to succeed the LNAT exam is to begin exam preparation early and practise often.

Most students who don’t get through the LNAT to be invited to interview tell us that they didn’t spend enough time familiarising themselves with the type of questions that can arise. They typically say that they were caught off guard by a particular question and it put their timings off for the rest of the test.

START EARLY

Since no specific subject knowledge is required for the LNAT, challenge yourself to begin working through past papers and familiarising yourself with the questions as soon as possible.

Reflect on your personal strengths and weaknesses. No two students should have the same revision strategy for the LNAT, since you all have varying abilities.Try to identify which parts of the paper you find easier and which you find more difficult; this should help you strategically plan your preparation.

DON'T RESTRICT YOUR PRACTICE MATERIALS

Don’t restrict your practice materials: Once you have tried all of the past and sample papers from the LNAT website, and have moved on to additional materials like our bespoke LNAT papers, you should then look wider at similar materials. For example, take a look at law, philosophical, or critical thinking exam papers. This could offer you a wider array of practice material and help train your flexibility to unseen materials.

COLLABORATION

Work with a friend or teacher to discuss questions and identify your own personal revision goals. Working with others can be a huge motivation and keep you on track in the weeks and months leading up to the test. We have specialist LNAT tutors who can work with you one-to-one to refine your test technique.

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Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)

This admissions test is taken for some Oxford and Cambridge courses. Last updated: 1 year, 1 month ago

Description

The LNAT forms a key part of the admissions process to study Law or Law with Law Studies in Europe courses at Oxford, and to study Law at Cambridge. As hinted at by the name, this exam differs from other Oxbridge entrance exams in that it is not administered by the University but rather it is a national exam administered by Pearson VUE.

How to Prepare

General information.

Here are some general resources related to the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT). Use this page as a hub to branch off and use other resources!

The test doesn’t test your knowledge of law or any other subject. Instead, it helps universities assess your aptitude for the skills required to study law. The content of the LNAT is managed by the members of the LNAT Consortium. The test itself is administered by Pearson VUE, under contract to LNAT.

The LNAT helps universities make fairer choices from the many highly-qualified applicants who want to join their undergraduate law programmes. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as UCAS application and academic qualifications.

The LNAT is a 2 hour 15 minute test in two sections: multiple-choice questions based on passages of text, and an essay.

Section A: The first part is a computer-based multiple-choice exam. You’ll be asked to read passages of text and answer questions that test your comprehension of them. Your scores from the multiple choice section of the test are checked by computer, and a mark out of 42 is created. This is known as your LNAT score.

Section B: In the second part of the test you will be asked to write one essay from a list of three proposed subjects. This section is not marked by the test centre and does not contribute to your LNAT score, but it is your opportunity to show your ability to construct a compelling argument and reach a conclusion. (Source: What is LNAT? 🔗 Accessed: 23/07/2023 .)

You need to be registered 🔗 🌟. This is done separately to UCAS. Key things to note are that to meet Oxford and Cambridge deadlines, you must be registered by the 15th of September 2023 and take the exam before (or at the latest on) the 16th of October 2023 in the year you apply. More information about dates and deadlines can be found here 🔗.

Getting Started

The LNAT officical webiste 🔗 🌟 All information about the LNAT can be found here.

LNAT Oxford - What is the LNAT 🔗 Visit this page to find out more about the basics, like what this test is, if you’ll have to take it and how much it will cost you. There are further sections on how to register, when to take the test, and how to prepare.

Cambridge Law 🔗 This is an overview of the Law course at Cambridge including the admissions requirements for the different colleges, all of which require the LNAT.

Eve Cornwell’s ‘How to ACE the LNAT’ video 🔗 🌟 This video by popular studytuber and Bristol graduate Eve Cornwell explains the structure of the LNAT, as well as going through some example questions and an essay she wrote at the time of preparing for the LNAT herself.

BA in Jurisprudence Admissions FAQs 🔗 Have any questions? They might be answered here… Although these are general FAQs for applying to study Law at Oxford, there are questions about the LNAT worth reading.

Taking the Plunge

LNAT Specimen Paper 🔗 🌟 Try taking this specimen Section 1. There is also another specimen paper Section 1 on the LNAT website, alongside some essays you can practice in timed conditions.

Mark Scheme 🔗 and Commentary 🔗

Pushing for Progress

The LNAT does not require a lot of learning and memorisation. In this way, it is not like an A-level. It is important to remember it is not your knowledge but rather your aptitude for Law that is being tested. Although there are various things you can do to prepare for this exam, you can’t really revise (study) for this test like you might for normal academic exams.

Probably, the best preparation is to take past papers in timed conditions, and then carefully go through your answers. Some people find it useful to note down the errors that they have made along the way.

For the essay, the best preparation would be to practise typing answers to the example essays questions available on the LNAT website in timed conditions. This will help you

Here are some other things you could look at to try to improve your score on Section 1.

Official LNAT Preparation Guide">Official LNAT Preparation Guide 🔗 🌟 This document is very useful. Produced by the LNAT Consortium (who write the exam) this guide will take you through how to approach the multiple choice questions and essay, providing explained practice questions to Section 1 and suggestions on how to plan the essay.

LNAT Test Stimulator 🔗 🌟 This link will take you to an onscreen simulation of the LNAT. It is a simulation of the real LNAT exactly as it will appear on-screen at the test centre. You can use it to familiarise yourself with the format of the test and the skills it requires. Wi-Phi (Wireless Philosophy) Critical Thinking videos 🔗 These videos provide a fun and straightforward introduction to critical thinking, and may be useful in developing the skills you’re being tested on in the Critical Thinking questions.

LNAT’s suggested books to develop your critical thinking skills: A. Fisher, Critical Thinking: An Introduction R. van den Brink-Budgen, Critical Thinking for Students N. Warburton, Thinking From A to Z P. Gardner, New Directions: Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking (mainly for those who have English as a second language)

Section 2: The Essay

Section 2 is not marked by the body who writes the LNAT exam but instead sent to the Universities you’ve applied to for them to review themselves. At Oxford, your essay is taken into consideration when looking at your application (some other Universities only look at your multiple-choice score). The essay might not seem as important as Section 1, but it’s an opportunity to showcase your written reasoning abilities to whoever is reading your application. The content of your essay does not need to be incredible. The most important thing is to have a clear, logical structure.

Here are some resources to help.

Elle the Law Student’s LNAT 101 Guide 🔗 🌟 Elle is studying at Mansfield College, Oxford. She has a YouTube channel where she has gone through an introduction to the LNAT (part 1), the multiple choice questions (part 2) and the essay question (part 3). These videos are really in depth and worth watching!

The Lawyer Portal’s Top 6 Tips for the LNAT Essay 🔗 Some really useful tips here on how to approach Section 2.

Tips and Tricks

A good place to start for hints and tips is the LNAT website 🔗! They have a whole section on tips for Section 1 and 2, including advice from previous candidates.

As a challenge, try taking a LNAT paper in less than the normal amount of time. You might (or might not) find this ‘altitude training’ useful.

On the other end of the spectrum, you could try spending as long as you like on a paper, working at it until you’re confident in all of your answers. That way, you could separate errors where there might be conceptual gaps from errors that were made because of time pressure.

Try answering the questions in a different order. Some people find it helpful to answer questions by category, or even taking the whole paper backwards! (But it is probably a good idea to try this on a past paper before trying anything radical in the actual exam.)

If you find yourself struggling to understand why certain questions have the answers they have, try talking to friends or teachers about them.

If you’re still not sure, it might be worth trying to get hold of a ‘worked solutions’ book. You might be able to find one in your local library, or you could buy one before the test and return it afterwards (as one student did)! Although you don’t need one of these to do well in the LNAT, they can be useful.

A good way to practise for the essay question is making sure you are engaging in everything you read. When reading the news (follow the link below for some newspapers Oxford recommends), question whether you agree with the view being given. What assumptions are being made? What information is being relied on to draw which conclusion? How would you challenge this view? This will help you to be aware of the world around you. The LNAT essay topics will not be specifically about current affairs, and you will not be judged by what facts you know. But knowing how the world ticks, in general terms, will help you to write intelligently about a host of different topics. (Source: Oxford LNAT webpage 🔗, Accessed: 12/08/2020)

Most paid resources are completely unnecessary. Expensive courses, online and in-person, are almost never worth it.

Try your best! There is not a strict ‘pass mark’ for the multiple choice section of the exam. Your results are viewed in context, compared to the average for everyone who sat the exam that year. Furthermore, Oxford views your results and essay as part of your whole application so alongside your personal statement, teacher reference, previous academic attainment and interview performance. All you can do is prepare and try your hardest!

To do well in the LNAT, you need discipline and focus. These things are made much easier when you look after yourself: try to get good sleep, consistently; eat healthy food; and talk to people if you’re finding yourself with runaway stress. You will have probably heard these things emphasised before, but that’s because they really are important!

Informations about LNAT bursaries can be found here 🔗.

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Tips for LNAT essay?

I’m applying to read Law at Cambridge and am sitting the LNAT on the 4th of October. In comparison to the essay model answers on Arbitio, I find that my own essays tend to ‘flow’ less well and suffer from a lack of concise wording. Does anyone who has sat the LNAT before have any tips for communicating their ideas in a fitting manner for the test? Also, is it better to go for a more opinionated tone or a factual one?

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Hints and tips

Multiple choice question hints

You can skip multiple choice questions and come back to them by marking them for review. Remember, though, that you need to go back to them before the multiple choice part of the test is over. You can’t go back to them after the essay.

You may like to start by skim-reading or “speed-reading” the multiple-choice passages. But then go back and read them slowly and deliberately, and think about the exact meaning of every sentence. Note key words and phrases on your whiteboard if it helps you to concentrate.

Don’t read anything in, and don’t read anything out. You are not being asked to surmise. And the questioner, not you, is the best judge of relevance. So take everything in the passage at face-value and give it all even-handed attention.

Don’t ever rely on what you know from other sources in answering the multiple-choice questions. They are always questions about the passage itself. If it contains falsehoods, never mind – treat them as true for the purpose of the test.

Accept that one (and only one) of the answers to each question is correct. All the questions have been thoroughly checked. If there are matters of degree, the question is there to test how you handle matters of degree. If there are ambiguities, we are trying to find out how you cope with ambiguities. The solution is always there in the passage.

Remember that one of the hallmarks of a good multiple-choice question is the inclusion of one or more answer options that are wrong but almost right. Work hard to find them and eliminate them. Questions like this are not tricks. They are there to test whether your powers of discrimination are fine-grained (i.e. can distinguish propositions that are very close together) or coarse-grained (i.e. can distinguish propositions only when they are quite far apart). There are no trick questions on the LNAT.

There is a point for each right answer. But none are deducted for wrong answers. So don’t leave blanks. If you really can’t work out the answer, it’s better to eliminate the answers you know to be wrong and guess from the ones that are left.

Unlike some multiple-choice tests the LNAT does not put great emphasis on speed. We have designed it so that you have a reasonable amount of time to work through all the questions patiently. Pacing yourself correctly is one of the main things you can learn by taking our practice tests .

We don’t care whether you have any data about the topic. An argument based on assumptions can be just as good as an argument based on information. But you need to say what your assumptions are. (e.g. “I will assume that the demand for health care is growing, and will continue to grow, out of proportion to supply. That being so, what can be done to ensure that rich countries don’t monopolize it?”)

We are also not very interested in your opinions. We are interested in whether you can defend a position – which may or may not be your own personal position. Sometimes you may do better if you attempt to defend a position that you do not agree with personally. This may make your argument tighter.

Economy of expression is important. Our ideal LNAT essay is 500-600 words long. If you write much less than this your essay will be too short to be evaluated properly and you are unlikely to do well. But a very long essay will also put you at a disadvantage. This panel of text (from the top of the page to the word “disadvantage on the left) is already about 600 words long. It was typed in about five minutes using two-fingered typing. You have 40 minutes to type a similar amount. So you have lots of time to think, organise your thoughts, compose, and edit. You should try and remove repetition, surplus words and digressions. This kind of discipline will be rewarded.

Don’t sit on the fence. Don’t say that each side in an argument has a point unless you go on to say which point each side has. It is perfectly all right to say that that one side is right about point 1, whereas the other side is right about point 2. It is also all right to say that, on closer inspection, the two sides are at cross-purposes and don’t really disagree. It is fence-sitting only if you say that they do disagree, that there is only one point of disagreement, and yet that they both have a point on that point. That makes no sense.

Don’t try to impress with fancy words or elaborate style. Be straightforward in your writing and your argument.

Read some sample essay answers here .

Advice from past candidates

Preparation

‘The more you practice the more you can understand what the questions are getting at’
‘Doing the practice was useful to get a feel for how the test would go. This was helpful because I knew what to expect. I didn’t feel that I could have prepared any more for it though as you don’t know what the questions are going to be. Reading newspapers is helpful for the essay part as you’ll have a wider knowledge of the world and be able to answer a question more easily, it will also help your essay writing.’
‘Read the sample paper on the internet site, seek advice from tutors at college or school and familiarise yourself with texts of a more advanced and complex nature.’
‘Read newspapers and learn to formulate opinions and express them succinctly. Also practice at being able to read subtle differences in things, for the multiple choice.’
‘Practice writing essays on subjects with which you are unfamiliar. This helps you to focus on the planning aspects of essay writing and the structure of the essay instead of getting too wrapped up in the subject detail.’
‘Perhaps read some difficult articles on topics of personal interest to familiarise with possibly difficult words that you may not understand out of context.’
‘Use the material and advice on the LNAT website. Familiarisation with typical content, format and timing was invaluable.’

During the test

‘Carefully read the instructions at the beginning of the test. I panicked half-way through the multiple choice section of the test and believed I only had half the actual time available to do this section.’
‘Stay calm and keep track of time during the test as it was very time pressured and it would be easy to mismanage your time and therefore not perform as well as you should.’
‘Try to keep to time on the multiple choice section and don’t over analyse the questions too much. I ran out of time on the multiple choice section and had to guess the last few which didn’t help my score. Also don’t panic or get unnerved by the timer.’
‘It sounds silly but thoroughly read the questions, everyone is likely to say it, but genuinely read every single word’

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Cracking the LNAT: Tips and Strategies for Success on the National Admissions Test for Law in 2024

This guide was written by one of our Oxbridge Law Tutors (Anya - Hertford College, Oxford), with expert knowledge in all things Law, Law Schools, and the LNAT. Read on for their top tips for success including what to expect, how it’s structured, and what score you need to get to feel secure.

What is the LNAT Test?

Like with many subjects, Oxford and Cambridge require a good score in an admissions test for a candidate to be considered for a place on their Law course – this is the Law National Aptitude Test , frequently called the LNAT. However, unlike some other subjects, the LNAT is also required by many other prestigious institutions across the country, such as the University of Bristol, University of Durham, and University College London, to name but a few. As such, it’s important to do some LNAT prep prior to the exam to make sure you have the best shot possible at getting a good mark.

The LNAT is a two-part admissions test by Pearson , usually sat in an Pearson centre using a computer – similar to how you’d sit a driving theory test. It’s purpose is not to test your knowledge of the law, but instead to test your critical thinking skills and essay-writing technique . This is because university law courses are structured with the assumption that you have not studied the law before – there is no prior knowledge required, just good skills of analysis, communication and critical thinking . As Law as a degree mainly consists of digesting long passages of verbose text and restructuring them into a clear, intelligible essay, these skills are extremely valuable to universities, and this test provides them with evidence as to how you perform in these areas.

How do I know if I need to take the LNAT?

As mentioned above, there is a list of institutions in the UK that require the LNAT. These institutions are as follows:

The University of Bristol

The University of Cambridge

Durham University

The University of Glasgow

King’s College London

London School of Economics

The University of Oxford

SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London

University College London

The international universities IE and Singapore University of Social Sciences also may require the LNAT under ‘some circumstances’, and the official webpage for the national admissions test for law advises the applicant to ‘check with the universities directly for details’.

If you need to sit the LNAT, you apply online and book a test using your LNAT web account. You must travel to a Pearson centre on your booked date to sit the LNAT test. You sit the same exam for all LNAT universities, so the Cambridge LNAT is the same exam as for UCL. You cannot resit the LNAT in the same application cycle, so it’s very important to get in your LNAT practice and use resources like this LNAT guide to make sure you’re prepared!

The LNAT Test: What to Expect, and How it is Structured

The LNAT exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes long , and separated into two parts, Section A and Section B.

In the first part – section A – you will answer 42 multiple choice questions on 12 passages of text, and you have 95 minutes to complete the section. The passages are usually about 1 page long, and will be followed by 3-5 multiple choice questions. It’s important to note that these passages usually aren’t related to law – they can be about any topic in the world, from Formula 1 to chicken farming, and are used to test your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills, as well as whether you can get a good general understanding of difficult passages and arguments in a short period of time.

The questions in this part will usually ask you to identify specific details in the text, or understand the general argument made in the text. However, this is often not as easy as it sounds. Oftentimes, it will appear as though every multiple-choice answer is correct, but this is never the case. It is easiest to think about which options cannot be disproved, as opposed to which one is most easily proved, but we will discuss this in more detail later.

In Section B, you have to write one essay from a choice of three questions. As with the multiple choice questions, it is unlikely that these will be law-based, and they can be on any topic – so you’re not guaranteed to have a good knowledge of the subject matter. As such, it tests your ability to form and structure a coherent argument effectively and persuasively. You have 40 minutes to write the essay.

Library filled with useful resources to excel in Cambridge LNAT and all LNAT exams

Mastering the LNAT : Our Oxbridge Law Tutor's Top Tips

General tips for the lnat in 2024.

Firstly, some general advice: start early. As the LNAT is not a content-based test, there is no way to ensure your success by cram-revising material the night before. In order to get to grips with the test and timings, you want to start plenty in advance and engage with your LNAT practice little and often. It’s good to try and start before August so that you have a lot of time to get used to answering the type of questions asked – doing a couple of multiple choice questions a week, and/or a practice essay, can be a great start and engages your brain with the type of critical thinking required in the exam. Intensify your practice as you get closer to the exam date, but be careful not to overwork yourself and burn out.

Timing is incredibly important in the exam. It’s so, so important to stick to timings, and you’ll find that running out of time is the most difficult barrier you’ll face. As you practice, allow yourself strictly 8 minutes per passage in Section A, and 40 minutes per essay in Section B. This includes reading the passage and answering the questions. This will seem difficult at first, but practising more questions will improve your speed as you get used to them.

LNAT: Section A

Now, for some specific tips on Section A. It is important to note that, as I mentioned above, it will frequently seem like all of the multiple choice answers to a question about a passage could be correct – but this is never the case. Therefore, I found it easier if I inverted how I was thinking about the answers in my head, and searched for not which was the most right, but instead, which was the least wrong. While this may seem identical in principle, imagine it like this: I imagined I was looking for whichever statement a rival prosecutor could not conjure an argument in opposition of, from the information in the passage. Often, when you’re stuck, an alternative way of thinking such as this can really help you to re-visualise what you’re being asked, and help you find an answer.

This next tip is the one that completely revolutionised my LNAT practice: do not read the multiple choice answers until you already have an idea of what the answer could be. Read the passage, and then read the question, but cover up the answers beneath it with your hand. Think about how you would answer the question, and then look at the answers, and see which of them is the closest to what you previously thought. This prevents you from second-guessing yourself when you see another viable answer as an option.

LNAT: Section B

Now for some Section B tips. Section B is harder to give advice for, since it’s purpose is to show universities your essay writing style, and the coherency and persuasiveness of your arguments, all of which are individual to the applicant. However, there are a few general things that should improve the quality of your Section B.

Firstly, make each of your points very clear. You want to have one driving argument throughout your essay, and a clear point in each paragraph. Make sure these points are clear and decisive, and can easily be picked out of your writing, as they not only make your argument more persuasive but also add structure to your essay by making clear the issue you’re discussing.

Secondly, consider including three different types of analysis: descriptive, analytic, and normative . Descriptive involves describing your point – what is the thing you’re discussing? For example, should your essay be about fishing, what aspect of fishing are you writing about? Analytic involves the analysis of your point – why is it like this? Why could fishing cause controversy, why would you choose to argue this? And finally normative is the ‘should’; it involves making a judgement about the point up for discussion, sometimes involving the consideration of precedent, ethics and morals. Should fishing be causing this controversy? Including these three different kinds of analysis need not be explicit in your writing in paragraphs, but can help to structure your writing and provide you with something to write if none of the topics are quite what you’d hoped for.

Top LNAT Practice Resources

If you want to practice these tips, you’re going to want to get your hands on some practice resources. There are lots of available resources both in the form of LNAT practice exams and revision books, so there is a range of ways to do your LNAT preparation online, or with a book.

For a physical resource, there are countless LNAT practice books to choose from. An excellent choice is ‘The Ultimate LNAT Collection’ by William Anthony and Dr Rohan Agarwal, which contains over 600 practice questions and solutions. If you choose to use a physical resource, using a timer on your phone to ensure you’re practising the 8-minute per question-set timing correctly can really help your practice. There are plenty of other good LNAT practice books too, available for purchase online and in bookstores, so pick one that suits you.

The official LNAT website also is a good bet to look at prior to taking the test. This website offers free practice tests, study guides, and a range of resources to help you prepare for the LNAT.

If you are looking for a cohesive guide to the Law application process, look no further than the U2 Law Interview Preparation Guide which will guide you through every step to getting accepted onto your dream course, including some recommended reading to get your mind buzzing in advance of the LNAT test.

What score do I need to get in the LNAT exam?

There is no ‘pass mark’ for the LNAT, however different universities have different expectations of how they would like you to perform. In the 2021/ 2022 academic year, the average score obtained by successful Oxford applicants was 28.25 , but for Bristol it was 25 . It is ideal to aim for an LNAT score of approximately 27 , but the average LNAT score can change drastically from year to year – it dropped from 22.9 in 2015/2016 to 17.9 in 2016/2017. In 2021/2022, the average LNAT score was 20.8.

How are the marks calculated?

Section A is marked by offering one mark per correct multiple-choice answer. This is how the average LNAT score is calculated. However, while no distinct ‘mark’ is given, it’s important to focus on Section B too, as many universities will put a lot of weight on the essay section.

How can U2 help you with your LNAT preparation?

If you determine that a tutor will be the right investment in your LNAT journey, then U2 Tuition can offer you a personalised tuition experience with an expert LNAT tutor. See our Law School page to find out all the ways in which we can support your application.

Outside of the tuition sessions, your U2 LNAT tutor will also provide you with targeted homework in order to maximise your time during the LNAT preparation cycle and so that you reinforce all the concepts needed to score above the national average.

We have been honoured to guide dozens of students to the LNAT finish line and help them overcome a major obstacle to reaching their Law School dreams. If you would like to hear more about how a U2 LNAT tutor can help you on your LNAT journey, book a free consultation to discuss your goals and LNAT prep strategy with one of our expert tutors.

Best of luck!

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LNAT University and Score Requirements

Do i need to take lnat.

The LNAT forms a part of the undergraduate admissions processes for some of the most prestigious law schools in the world.

University of Bristol

University of cambridge, durham university, university of glasgow.

King's College London
The London School of Economics

University of Oxford

University College London

If you are applying to any of these universities through UCAS for undergraduate law, you will be required to complete the LNAT. The deadline for completion will depend on whether you are applying to Oxbridge or the other universities; information regarding deadlines can be found here .

As the English Law enjoys such prominence in the commercial spheres, it is no wonder that you will find these universities in the UK.

Singapore University of Social Sciences
IE University

What is the required Score?

In this guide, we will also consider what LNAT score is required.

As the LNAT is split into two parts, each will be marked and given a score individually. The section A multiple choice will be out of 42. The section B essay will be given an individual score by each university and so there is no official metric for the score and nor will you receive a mark when you get your test results back.

There is no specific cut-off score for either parts of the LNAT and each university will have internal scores that they look for in applicants. It can however be useful to consider the average scores found by applicants historically at the universities. You should be aiming for a score above these levels in your preparation. Remember that the LNAT is the only genuine quantitative metric by which the admissions team can universally compare candidates. It stands to reason that doing well on your LNAT may well be that additional factor to put you across the line.

Normally the national LNAT average sits between 18-24 out of 42. Of course this mark changes yearly and you should be considerate of these when sitting practice tests. Below are the average scores achieved by students applying to some specific LNAT universities as a guide for the marks you should look to obtain.

Before launching into considering each specific university, it is best to understand what your aim is and what should be your preparation for LNAT. You should be aiming to be cut and above the average, as you wish to ensure that your application is a foregone conclusion. To expand on a previous point, consider that LNAT is the only genuine quantitative metric by which the admissions team can compare candidates: everyone has different A-levels, everyone has some work experience, everyone can write a persuasive personal statement. It stands to reason that doing well on your LNAT may well be that additional factor to put you across the line.

NB The statistics do not account for a spilt between home and international students, unless expressly stated. Usually, the level required of an international student is higher (about 5-10%).

Courses: BA Law (Jurisprudence); BA Law with European Law; BA Law with French Law; BA Law with German Law; BA Law with Italian Law; BA Law with Spanish Law

Law (Jurisprudence) at Oxford is one of the most competitive undergraduate courses in the world. Unlike other universities, Oxford admissions consider the interview, LNAT, school grades, and personal statement. The LNAT here thus plays a bigger role in ensuring you can achieve an interview before then also playing a role in your admissions decision more generally. As an approximation, you could say that since Oxford admissions are centered on the interview performance, half of the job is getting the interview in the first place. For this, LNAT is crucial.

When you average out across the years of admission cycles, the average score of a successful candidate in pervious admission years was about 29. Further, only 2% of applicants scored above 34.

The average score for those invited to interview was 29.46
The average score for those offered a place was 31
The average score for those invited to interview was 64.43
The average score for those offered a place was 64.94

High score/ranked essays will normally exhibit:

Application Close attention to the question(s) asked and sustained and focussed treatment of the issues.
Reasoning ability Well-drawn distinctions, a keen eye for relevance, awareness of more than one possible line of argument, and an element of independent critical judgment.
Communication Clear and fluent writing and notable clarity and appropriateness of structure and argument.

Low score/ranked essays will normally exhibit:

Application Poor attention to the question(s) asked, no sustained and focussed treatment of the issues.
Reasoning ability Poorly developed arguments, a preponderance of irrelevant points, few or no well-drawn distinctions, a lack of awareness of more than one possible line of argument, no evidence of independent critical judgment.
Communication Lack of fluency and clarity and no clear or appropriate structure or argument.

The essay is to be marked as a percentage and tutors marking the test are asked to mark by analogy to the conventional understanding of marks in examinations: for example, it will only be in the rarest of cases that a candidate would obtain a mark of 75 or above. Marks should be awarded on the following basis:

70 and above: Excellent: The essay clearly and consistently contains “high mark features”. There are no “low mark features”; or the negligible “low mark features” are wholly outweighed by the excellence of the “high mark features”. The essay is therefore at a level one would expect of candidate very likely to obtain a place.

65 to 69: Very good: The essay contains a preponderance of “high mark features” with only a limited number of “low mark features” and is therefore at a level one would expect of a candidate with a strong chance of obtaining a place.

60 to 64: Good: The essay contains a number of “high mark features” which, taken as a whole, outweigh the “low mark features”. The essay is therefore at a level one would expect of candidate with some chance of obtaining a place.

55 to 59: Moderate: The essay may provide some “high mark features” but, taken as a whole, those features are outweighed by the “low mark features”. The essay is therefore at a level one would expect of candidate unlikely to obtain a place.

50 to 54: Poor: The essay contains a preponderance of “low mark features” with only a limited number of “high mark features” and is therefore at a level one would expect of a candidate very unlikely to obtain a place.

49 and below: Very poor: The essay clearly and consistently contains “low mark features”. There are no “high mark features”; or the negligible “high mark features” are wholly outweighed by the “low mark features”. The essay is therefore at a level one would expect of candidate almost certain not to obtain a place.

Please note that the LNAT guidelines on essay length emphasise that economy of expression is important and that the ideal LNAT essay length is about 500-600 words.

Cambridge is relatively new to the LNAT (starting for 2025 admissions cycle) having moved away from the CLT. It therefore does not have any data yet available having only been through the admissions process once. It is likely that the levels will be the same as Oxford however so you should be aiming for 30 .

University College London (UCL)

Courses: LLB Law; LLB Law (Senior Status); LLB Law with French Law; LLB Law with German Law; LLB Law with Hispanic Law; LLB English and German Law Dual Degree; and M102/M145

The competition for UCL is fierce (15 applicants per place), and borders on being Oxbridge-like. The issue for a candidate is that UCL usually does not hold interviews. Therefore, one can see the importance of a rounded application, with a strong LNAT performance.

The deadline for UCL is slightly earlier than other non-Oxbridge universities being at the end of December.

On average, a successful home candidate presented a score of about 28.

On average, a successful international candidate presented a score of about 30.

The average applicant score was 23
The average offer holder score was 29 (27 for contextualised offers)

The Essay seems to be very important. Here are some quotes from the admissions team at UCL:

‘The LNAT essay is given considerable weight in our consideration as it is the only piece of writing that we receive under exam conditions, and demonstrates a candidates abilities to reason, argue and to construct a cohesive essay.’

As for marking criteria of the essay (which is given a numerical mark), the below should be quite illuminating to the question:

When assessing the essay, admissions tutors will consider

Aptitude for reasoning skills Including high-level comprehension, interpretation, analysis, synthesis, ability to draw broad and fine distinctions, induction and deduction
Aptitude for exploring arguments and ideas Including in writing, the ability to formulate, develop and defend argument
Communication Including accuracy of syntax, breadth of vocabulary and ability to formulate ideas succinctly.

For international students, the rate of offers is about 17%. UCL is quite popular with students from Singapore and Hong Kong, who have the reputation for excelling academically. This may be in part due to the motivation to undertake a year abroad (Singapore, Hong Kong or Australia), which is offered to M100 LLB students for their third year, provided they perform at the top in the first year and go through an interview process.

London School of Economics (LSE)

Course: LLB Law

The good news is that LSE is not using any cut-off scores. LNAT forms part of the holistic assessment of all candidate data. However, LSE is express at using the Score in particular to distinguish between seemingly similar applications.

It has been reported however that the average score of applicants is around 26, although one would imagine the average score to be a little below of that of Oxbridge and UCL.

LSE does not typically use the essay part of the LNAT but they state that they ‘reserve the right to assess the essay for all applicants including those taking non- traditional qualifications or less well-known qualifications’.

Courses: LLB Law; LLB Law with Foundation

For Durham, you should be aiming for a score of at least 29 .

As for the Essay, Durham does not disclose more than that it is part of the admissions process. It may be assumed that an impressive essay would work to push the candidate across the line.

King's College London (KCL)

Courses: LLB Law; LLB Politics, Philosophy and Law; LLB English Law & French Law; LLB English Law and German Law; LLB English Law and Hong Kong Law

The average score of a successful candidate is about 27 out of 42 .

The Essay is not computed into any specific score. Its use should only come to aid for candidates who are considered borderline.

There has been a steady increase in the scores over the previous years, so it may be a sign that the application process has become even more competitive, on account of the increasing popularity and academic achievement of the Faculty.

Courses: LLB Law; LLB Law and French; LLB Law and German; LLB Law and Spanish

A level 40%

Bristol states on its website that it has no minimum requirement for the LNAT but does note that ‘[t]he overall LNAT grade used by the University uses the following weightings: 60% multiple choice questions and 40% essay.’

In the 2022 application cycle, applicants scored an average of 23/42 in Section A.

The Essay is scored within five bands: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100.

Courses: LLB Law, all other combinations including Law (except Senior Status)

SOAS has sparse data on the role of LNAT in the admissions process. However, from a reasonable collation of anecdotal evidence, a score of minimum 25 and a solid essay performance will stand the candidate in good stead.

Courses: All LLB degrees, except LLB Scots Law (fast-track: graduate only)

Glasgow does not provide any official information regarding their LNAT requirements but on average, a successful candidate will score 23 out of 42.

The Essay is viewed as an add-on to one's personal statement: the tutor assesses the writing ability of the applicant. Indeed, the focus of a Law degree is undoubtedly on mastering the written skill.

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and IE University

Unfortunately, there is no available data regarding LNAT here. SUSS is new to LNAT and IE University looks at LNAT differently, depending on the course choice.

Word of Advice

This guide aims to give you a rough understanding of what you are up against with LNAT. Note that it is only based on the available historical data, which does not guarantee any future trends. Do well on LNAT and it will help your application, but you should not forgo all the over parts, such as Personal Statement and A-level/IB results.

You should derive a target score for LNAT that is above the average - you want to ensure that your application stands the best chance. With that in mind, you can plan and train effectively towards success. Naturally, we recommend you consider Arbitio to help.

Arbitio is the leading online platform for LNAT preparation, with the most comprehensive resources available that are delivered under real timed exam conditions. With over 700 Questions & Solutions, and 20+ Model Essays with Questions, you will be able to cover every aspect of the exam and practice so that your real LNAT is just another Practice Test.

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LNAT Results Explained [2024]

Last Updated: 14th June 2022

Author: Chloe Hewitt

Admissions Test

If you have sat the LNAT, you might be wondering when you will receive your results from it.

The LNAT is marked out of a score of 42, there is no pass or fail mark, however, there are average scores that candidates usually achieve to successfully receive offers from the LNAT universities.

But when do the LNAT results come out and how do the different universities use them during the admissions process?

When Do LNAT Results Come Out?

LNAT results are emailed to candidates twice a year, with test dates determining the results date.

For all Admissions Tests taken before 20th October, the universities that require the LNAT will receive the result directly from the test provider on the 21st October. On any day after 20th October, your test result will be sent directly to the LNAT universities within 24 hours of you taking the test.

Candidates taking the LNAT on or before 26 January will receive their results in mid-February .
Candidates taking the test after 26 January will receive their results in mid-August.

Candidates may only sit the LNAT once between 1 September and 31 July the following year, unless authorised to because of extenuating circumstances. If a candidate sits the test twice without authorisation, their later test sitting will be invalid.

You will just receive your score for Section A and the average score for the cohort in the admissions cycle. Section B is assessed by the universities Admissions Tutors themselves, as such you will not get a mark back for it.

Effective LNAT preparation is crucial to achieving an offer, so let UniAdmissions help you get a great score.

The LNAT is a tough exam to prepare for without expert guidance and comprehensive resources. However, our LNAT Tuition Programme provides you with everything you need to perfect your LNAT skills and get a winning score.

Discover our LNAT Tuition Programme for comprehensive admissions support by booking a free consultation session or clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success .

What If I Fail The LNAT?

Technically, you cannot fail the LNAT although your results are important. You simply achieve a certain number of points in the test, and then the results of your LNAT are considered alongside your qualifications and your Personal Statement.

There is no fixed threshold to define good and bad LNAT results, so you simply have to wait to hear from the LNAT universities you have applied to.

Remember, if you do get a low score it is not the end of the world. While you may not get a place at your preferred university, you can look at other options such as non-LNAT universities or deferring entry to the following year.

LNAT Results 2022

Below you will find the average results for applicants at each of the ten LNAT universities in the UK.

University of Bristol LNAT Results 2022

In 2022, all applicants at the University of Bristol scored an average of 23 points in Section A of the test and 82/100 in Section B. Bristol has a unique marking scheme for Section B that provides a quantified score for each candidate. The only university to quantify the Section B score is Oxford.

University of Cambridge LNAT Results 2022

There are currently no publicly available average results for Cambridge law applicants. As this was the first LNAT sat by Cambridge applicants since the introduction of the CLT, we also don’t have data from previous years to work with.

Durham University LNAT Results 2022

Out of the entire applicant pool for Durham, the average score achieved was 23.9, which is on the higher end of averages for entire cohorts rather than just successful applicants. However, it is also a decrease from 2019 and 2018, where applicants scored 24.7 and 25.1 respectivly.

University of Glasgow LNAT Results 2022

LNAT results for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle currently have not been provided by the University of Glasgow. However, the previous application cycle saw applicants achieve an average score of 20.

King's College London LNAT Results 2022

King’s College London provide a variety of different Law courses, each of which uses the LNAT in its application process. Amongst these courses, the average LNAT scores for all applicants range from 22 – 27, with applicants for the standard Law course achieving and average of 27.

London School of Economics (LSE) LNAT Results 2022

LSE has reported that the average score of their successful applicants was 26, which falls in line with their previous two years of using the LNAT in their admissions process. 26 was the average score in both 2020 and 2019.

Univesity of Nottingham LNAT Results 2021

The University of Nottingham posted an average score of 23 for all applicants in 2021. Scores for 2020 and 2019 are currently not publically available, but we can see that there has been a decrease since 2018 and 2017, where applicants scored 24 and 25 respectively.

University of Oxford LNAT Results 2022

Oxford has provided a wide range of average scores for us to look at:

Oxford Section A Average Results

All Applicants – 22.5

Shortlisted Applicants – 27

Offer holders- 28.25

Oxford Section B Average Results

Shortlisted Applicants – 63.52

Offer holders- 64.05

Univesity College London LNAT Results 2022

The average scores provided by University College London state that the entire admissions pool achieved a score of 22, while offer holders achieved a score of 28. As well as this, contextual offer holders scored 26 on average.

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How Do The LNAT Universities Use My Results?

Since the scores expected vary between universities, a good LNAT score for Oxford is generally different from a good LNAT score for Nottingham for example. As a result, it is important to understand how the different universities use your score.

Your LNAT score and essay will be used by each university in the way that best suits its own admissions system. The use of the essay Section B is dependent on each participating university’s admissions policy.

Some universities may use it as the basis for Interview questions. Others may compare it with the Personal Statement, or use it as a means of distinguishing between borderline candidates.

Do note that candidates applying to Cambridge for 2023 will now have to sit the LNAT, but with no data available as to what they are looking for the assumption is it would be in line with Oxford’s expectations.

University of Bristol

At the University of Bristol , candidates are scored and ranked based on their academic record, according to their achieved or predicted results with the following weightings:

GCSE 20% | A-Level 40% | LNAT 40%

The overall LNAT grade used by the university uses the following weightings:

60% multiple-choice questions and 40% essay.

The University of Bristol looks for candidates who can demonstrate the ability to make and sustain a persuasive argument and have a strong command of language in the essay section.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has only recently adopted the LNAT as its law admissions test. Previously, there was a specialised exam called the Cambridge Law Test, used exclusively by the university. However, in the 2022 application cycle for 2023 Entry, the CLT was replaced with the LNAT.

Cambridge considers both Sections 1 and 2 and required applicants to complete the test by October 15th, which is in-line with the Oxbridge UCAS application deadline. Mature applicants applying for Law to either Hughes Hall or St Edmund’s have an extended deadline of March 1st 2023 to sit the LNAT.

The LNAT is fairly similar to the CLT in terms of what it is testing. Cambridge uses your results in the shortlisting process in order to decide who to invite to interview.

Durham University

At Durham Law School , performance in the LNAT is one of a number of grounds on which admissions selectors determine the relative merit and potential applicants. As a part of this process, performance in the LNAT may be used to distinguish between otherwise similar candidates.

It is important to note the following:

Both parts of the LNAT are always considered by Admissions Tutors when assessing an application.
No minimum score is required for the multiple-choice part of the LNAT.

In Durham’s assessment of an LNAT essay, Admissions Tutors look in particular for evidence of the following positive attributes:

Focus on the particular question
Clarity of expression and fluency of prose
A logical progression and structure
Reference(s) to relevant evidence
An ability to recognise, and address, counter-arguments
A concise and effective conclusion

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow i s probably the least competitive when it comes to the LNAT. On average, a successful candidate will score 23 out of 42.

The essay is viewed as an add-on to your Personal Statement, with the Admissions Tutor assessing the writing ability of the applicant.

King's College London

KCL strongly encourages applicants to sit the LNAT by mid-December to best facilitate the assessment of their application.

KCL only assesses Section A of the LNAT, with offer-holders tending to score around 26.

This is quite a fair amount above the usual national average but it tends to be slightly less than other London Law Schools such as LSE and UCL. This reflects the fact that KCL tends to rank slightly lower than LSE and UCL in the Law School rankings .

London School of Economics

At present, LSE o nly uses the multiple-choice score in their assessment of applicants; for most applicants, the essay will not be considered.

However, they might assess the essay for applicants taking non-traditional qualifications or less well-known qualifications.

There is no set minimum score in the multiple-choice section that applicants are expected to achieve in order to be successful, instead, the score may be used to help distinguish between similarly qualified applicants.

University of Nottingham

Uniquely, the University of Nottingham considers an LNAT cut-off score. Whilst information is not precise and changes every year based on the performance of the cohort you should consider the score to be about 25.

The essay is taken into account as well. The criteria are qualitative and the tutors are primarily looking for a candidate to prove their ability to present a logical argument and observe structural conventions of English essay writing.

University of Oxford

As Oxford admissions are centred on the Interview performance, half of the job is getting to the Interview in the first place. For this, the LNAT is crucial.

The average score of a successful candidate in previous years was about 29. Furthermore, only 2% of applicants scored above 34. This indicates that you should be aiming for 30 or above.

However, due to the high calibre of candidates, the scores have a very narrow window. Therefore, the essay is taken very seriously and is assessed through an official marking scheme .

High scoring essays will normally exhibit:

Application Close attention to the question(s) asked and sustained and focussed treatment of the issues.
Reasoning ability Well-drawn distinctions, a keen eye for relevance, awareness of more than one possible line of argument, and an element of independent critical judgment.
Communication Clear and fluent writing and notable clarity and appropriateness of structure and argument.

Low scoring essays will normally exhibit:

Application Poor attention to the question(s) asked, no sustained and focussed treatment of the issues.
Reasoning ability Poorly developed arguments, a preponderance of irrelevant points, few or no well-drawn distinctions, a lack of awareness of more than one possible line of argument, no evidence of independent critical judgment.
Communication Lack of fluency and clarity and no clear or appropriate structure or argument.

The essay is to be marked as a percentage and tutors marking the test are asked to mark by analogy to the conventional understanding of marks in examinations. For example, it will only be in the rarest of cases that a candidate would obtain a mark of 75 or above.

Applicants with standard qualifications (such as A-Levels, International Baccalaureate or other high school qualifications considered equivalent to A-Levels) are not required to take the LNAT.

However, SOAS will consider making lower offers to candidates who do so and perform well in the Admissions Test.

Usually, a minimum score of 25 and a strong essay is what SOAS consider to be a high-performing candidate.

University College London

The LNAT essay is given considerable weight in UCL’s consideration as it is the only piece of writing they receive under exam conditions, and demonstrates a candidate’s abilities to reason, argue and construct a cohesive essay.

When assessing the essay, Admissions Tutors will consider:

Aptitude for reasoning skills Including high-level comprehension, interpretation, analysis, synthesis, ability to draw broad and fine distinctions, induction and deduction
Aptitude for exploring arguments and ideas Including in writing, the ability to formulate, develop and defend an argument
Communication Including accuracy of syntax, breadth of vocabulary and ability to formulate ideas succinctly

As for the multiple-choice section:

On average, a successful home candidate presented a score of about 28.
On average, a successful international candidate presented a score of about 30.

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LNAT Guide - Everything You Need To Know About The LNAT

Are you taking the LNAT this year? Find out everything you need to know about the LNAT through our comprehensive guide, covering both sections of the test and all the admin you need to be aware of.

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Many UK universities offering law degrees require the LNAT exam. Our LNAT guide outlines everything from LNAT practice tests and important dates to cost and duration.

What Is The LNAT Exam?

The LNAT is a computer-based law entrance exam. Achieving a strong score is a necessity to get into some of the most prestigious universities in the UK (many of which have chosen to use the LNAT as part of their admissions process for some time) and a handful of overseas universities, too.

The exam assesses your verbal reasoning skills, your ability to understand and interpret information, your inductive and deductive reasoning abilities, and your ability to analyse information and draw conclusions. Contrary to some perceptions of the LNAT, it is not designed to test your knowledge of the law. Instead of focusing on content memorisation, the emphasis is on your critical thinking skills (not dissimilar to the kind of critical thinking tests that aspiring solicitors will encounter later on when applying to training contracts and vacation schemes , such as the Watson Glaser test ).

The LNAT is split into two sections:

Section A : 42 multiple-choice questions, much like a driving theory test, which count towards your final LNAT score. The questions are based on 12 argumentative passages, with 3 to 4 multiple-choice questions each.
Section B : 3 essay questions to choose from – you must answer 1. The essay questions will cover a range of subjects, so it’s useful to have knowledge of current affairs.

It’s worth noting that only section A is technically counted within your quantitative overall ‘score’. However, section B answers are also available for universities to look through (and they often will in regard to understanding your essay writing skills).

Who Should Take The LNAT?

You’ll need to take the LNAT test if you’re applying to a law degree and it’s specified as an entry requirement. There are 11 LNAT universities around the world that require you to take the LNAT.

How Long Is The LNAT?

The LNAT lasts for 2 hours 15 minutes, split across the two sections. You are given 95 minutes to answer the 42 multiple-choice questions and 40 minutes to answer one of the three essay questions.

You may choose to take the test at any time within the windows laid out under ‘key dates’ below.

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Why Do Some Universities Require LNAT?

The LNAT is used by universities to help admissions tutors decide which applicants to offer course places to if the rest of their applications are broadly similar on paper (although some universities, such as Oxbridge , will then turn to interview processes at this point as well). It is also helpful for admissions tutors to get a standardised comparison of candidates when those candidates have different qualifications – for example, comparing IB grades against A Levels.

LNAT Universities: Which Universities Require The LNAT?

There are 11 LNAT universities; 9 are based in the UK and two are overseas. 8 of the 9 UK-based LNAT universities are Russell Group Unis (SOAS is the exception), and 4 of them (King’s, LSE, SOAS and UCL) are in London.

UK LNAT Universities:

University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
Durham University
University of Glasgow
King’s College, London (KCL)
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
University of Oxford
University College London (UCL)
SOAS University of London

Note that the University of Nottingham appears to have dropped their LNAT requirement for the 2024 academic year entry.

International LNAT Universities:

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), Singapore
IE School of Law, Spain

See how each university uses your score in our guide to LNAT universities .

What LNAT Scores Do I Need?

Your LNAT score is made up of a mark out of 42 for Section A, but you won’t get a formal score for the Section B essay.

The average score last year was around 22, but it’s worth noting that the average score for people accepted into LNAT universities was much higher (e.g. closer to 27/28 for Oxbridge). It’s important to set yourself goals for the scores you’ll need based on the universities you want to apply to.

LNAT 2024 – 2025: Exam Dates

See important dates for September 2025 entry below, but make sure to check with your chosen universities for any potential changes (or on the official LNAT page ).

Check out our LNAT Registration page for further details on dates, how to register and finding a test centre.

Here are the key dates you need to bear in mind if applying for 2025 entry:

General LNAT Dates

1st August 2024: UCAS and LNAT registration opens

1st September 2024: LNAT tests begin (you can sit them from now onwards)

Mid-September 2024: UCAS applications can be sent off from now onwards

Most UK university applicants (see exceptions below):

20th January 2025: Register and book a test by this date

25th January 2025: Sit the LNAT by this date

29th January 2025: Submit your UCAS form by this date

Bristol and Durham applicants:

Same as above (‘most UK university applicants’) but with the LNAT being extended to 29th January (final date to complete)

Oxford and Cambridge applicants:

15th September 2024: Register and book a test by this date

15th October 2024: Submit your UCAS form and sit the LNAT by this date (applies to both)

King’s College London, LSE and UCL applicants:

31st December 2024: Sit the LNAT by this date

Normal UCAS submission date applies

LNAT Preparation: Top Tips

To prepare for the LNAT you should start by familiarising yourself with the test. The test is made up of two sections, requiring different skills, so it’s important to prepare for both the multiple-choice questions and the essay.

You can use our LNAT practice test questions to help you practice completing the exam under timed conditions.

You can work on your test skills and approach with our LNAT workshops or a self-paced online LNAT course . If you want to work on specific skills or target areas of weakness, our one-to-one tutoring can help you prepare.

There are also more general preparations you can start doing – for example, understanding current affairs is very useful when approaching the LNAT (particularly section B). Reading the news regularly (this could be either political news or more towards the commercial awareness side of things that solicitors are often tested on further down the line) from a reputable news source such as The Guardian, Financial Times or Economist is a great starting point.

Many of the skills you are developing through your own studies will also be generally relevant here – for example if you chose humanities subjects for your A Levels , pay close attention to the idea of essay structure and think about how to implement that in section B of the LNAT.

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COMMENTS

Sample essays
As part of your preparation you may also like to look at some materials on critical thinking. Here is a selection. Some of them include exercises that can help you develop your LNAT skills. A. Fisher, Critical Thinking: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press 2001) ISBN 0521009847. R. van den Brink-Budgen, Critical Thinking for Students ...
The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
Cambridge will use both sections of the LNAT to assess applicants. The first section consists of 42 multiple choice questions relating to 12 argumentative passages over 95 minutes. The second is an essay in response to one of three possible questions in 40 minutes, for a total examination time of two hours and 15 minutes.
Practice tests
The system has 'cut', 'copy', 'paste', 'undo' and 'redo' functions (using the buttons above the essay pane). There are no other word-processing functions, eg no spell check. The system has a built-in word count at the bottom of the essay pane. The recommended maximum length for an LNAT essay is 750 words.. Ideally you should ...
National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT)
You need to register for the test by 15 September 2024. For your LNAT results to be sent directly to us, you must indicate that you plan to apply to the University of Cambridge as part of the LNAT registration process. The assessment can be taken at any LNAT test centre. There are over 500 test centres around the world with 150 in the UK.
LNAT Essay Examples 2024
In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at LNAT essays, including some examples, structure, format, word limit, scoring, questions, mark scheme, and essay writing tips. Also included below is a comprehensive LNAT Essay Question Bank, with 90 essay questions or prompts - each linked to model or sample essay for that question.
LNAT Scores: What is a Good Result?
With results varying between the different LNAT universities, a good LNAT score for Oxford is generally higher than other universities. According to Oxford University's LNAT data for 2021/2022, the average score for candidates accepted onto an Oxford law course was 27.03 for multiple choice questions and 63.52 for the LNAT Essay section.
LNAT Essay: Section B of the LNAT
Writing the LNAT Essay. The following tips can help you write a compelling LNAT essay: Introduction: The introduction should be brief and clear. It should introduce the topic and provide a thesis statement that outlines the argument you will make in the essay. Structure: The essay should be well-structured and organised.
Ace the LNAT Series: The Essay (My Format + Example)
Welcome to the Ace the LNAT Series! Today we shall break down the LNAT Essay, and go through an example together. I will also teach you the format I used in ...
Preparation guide
The guide will: explain what the LNAT is used for and the benefits of taking the test. help you to prepare for sitting it by explaining which skills and abilities you should try to demonstrate. give you advice from LNAT examiners and students on how to approach LNAT's multiple choice and essay questions. give you sample questions along with ...
LNAT Essay: Top 6 Tips
The LNAT essay section throws you into a world of diverse topics, demanding the construction and articulation of a strong argument. Within the 40-minute time frame, you must craft an essay that resonates with each university requiring the LNAT.This section acts as a litmus test, allowing universities to evaluate crucial skills in prospective law students.
LNAT for Cambridge University BA (Hons) Law Admission 2024 and 2025
Cambridge University started using the LNAT from 2022, for the 2023 entry. Average LNAT score for International (non-UK) domicile offer holders for 2024 entry (2023 application year) was : MCQs - 30.35. Essay - 7.79. Average LNAT score across all offer holders for 2024 entry (2023 application year) was : MCQs - 29.43.
LNAT Preparation: The Complete Guide
The ideal LNAT essay is 500-600 words long. If you write less than this your essay will be too short to be evaluated properly and you are unlikely to do well. ... If you are applying for Oxford or Cambridge, you will need to have sat the LNAT on or before 15 th October.
LNAT Oxbridge Application Resources
The LNAT is taken on a computer and is made up of two sections: The first section is multiple choice, consisting of 42 questions which are to be answered in 95 minutes. The questions in this section will be around a series of texts (12 texts, to be precise), for each of which there will be 3-4 questions. The second section of the test is a 40 ...
| Guides
The LNAT is a 2 hour 15 minute test in two sections: multiple-choice questions based on passages of text, and an essay. Section A: The first part is a computer-based multiple-choice exam. You'll be asked to read passages of text and answer questions that test your comprehension of them. Your scores from the multiple choice section of the test ...
Tips for LNAT essay? : r/6thForm
If you have time at the end, go back and skim read it, rewording the longer and less concise sentences. I've found myself occasionally finishing a few minutes early and being able to do that, and it really helps. 4. Award. Ill-Ad-8507. • 2 yr. ago. this was helpful! i'm taking mine on the 11th for cambridge 😢. 1. Award.
Hints and tips
Our ideal LNAT essay is 500-600 words long. If you write much less than this your essay will be too short to be evaluated properly and you are unlikely to do well. But a very long essay will also put you at a disadvantage. This panel of text (from the top of the page to the word "disadvantage on the left) is already about 600 words long.
Mastering the LNAT 2024: Proven Strategies and Tips for Acing the Law
What is the LNAT Test? Like with many subjects, Oxford and Cambridge require a good score in an admissions test for a candidate to be considered for a place on their Law course - this is the Law National Aptitude Test, frequently called the LNAT. However, unlike some other subjects, the LNAT is also required by many other prestigious institutions across the country, such as the University of ...
LNAT University and Score Requirements
Please note that the LNAT guidelines on essay length emphasise that economy of expression is important and that the ideal LNAT essay length is about 500-600 words. University of Cambridge Cambridge is relatively new to the LNAT (starting for 2025 admissions cycle) having moved away from the CLT.
LNAT Universities
At the University of Oxford, LNAT essays were anonymised, scored and a comparison process was used to categorise applicants. ... In 2021, the University of Cambridge replaced its Cambridge Law Test with the LNAT test, reducing the burden on applicants to take multiple tests if they applied to other LNAT universities. This follows LSE adding the ...
LNAT Revision: Top Resources To Ace Your LNAT Exam
The LNAT is an entrance exam required as part of your application to study law at many of the top universities in the UK and abroad. The LNAT is a 2 hour 15 minute exam split into two sections. LNAT Section A features 42 multiple choice questions (95 minutes) and LNAT Section B features an essay chosen from a choice of three (40 minutes).
LNAT Past Papers
How to access LNAT past papers. To get access to the LNAT practice papers, all you need to do is enter your email here. Access to the papers will be sent to you and you can download them to your device. The LNAT has been running since 2004, making it one of the longest-running admissions tests still in use in the UK.
LNAT Results Explained [2024]
The University of Cambridge has only recently adopted the LNAT as its law admissions test. Previously, there was a specialised exam called the Cambridge Law Test, used exclusively by the university. However, in the 2022 application cycle for 2023 Entry, the CLT was replaced with the LNAT.
LNAT Guide
The LNAT is split into two sections: Section A: 42 multiple-choice questions, much like a driving theory test, which count towards your final LNAT score. The questions are based on 12 argumentative passages, with 3 to 4 multiple-choice questions each. Section B: 3 essay questions to choose from - you must answer 1.

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