When applying to a university law programme, you may be required to take the LNAT. The LNAT can be perplexing; it’s probably unlike any other test you’ve taken before. So, in this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the LNAT. From the test itself to registration, difficulty, practise, and how to achieve the best results. This LNAT FAQs Guide falls into four sections.
- General (what the LNAT is and why you should take it).
- Registration (how to register, key dates, and when you should book your test)
- Scores (what the sections are made up of, what constitutes a good score, and how important your score is)
- Preparation (how to prepare for the LNAT) (How to hit top marks and prepare yourself on test day).
General – LNAT FAQs
What is the LNAT, exactly?
The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is a legal aptitude test. The test is in two sections: part A (42 multiple choice questions) and part B (28 multiple choice questions) (an essay). Section A has a time limit of 95 minutes, while section B has a time limit of 40 minutes.
Why should I take the LNAT?
If you wish to go to a law school, several universities require you to take the LNAT. You may find out if your university requires the LNAT by visiting their admissions page on their website and find out different LNAT scores for unis. Or you can read our blog post about which universities require the LNAT. You can also book a free consultation with our expert LNAT tutors to see how we can support you in your LNAT preparation.
When do I need to take the LNAT?
For most universities, you must take the LNAT before mid-January, and for Oxford and Cambridge applicants, you must take it before mid-October. You must take the LNAT during your admissions cycle. This means that if you submit your UCAS application in October 2024, you must take the LNAT by mid-January 2025.
Click here for LNAT Registration Dates and Deadlines
Where do I take the LNAT?
You take the LNAT at a local test centre; this is usually done in person with Pearson VUE. Once registration opens you will be able to check the location of your nearest test centre. This is usually done on preference according to where you stay.
Registration – LNAT FAQs
When do I need to book the LNAT?
LNAT registration opens in August. It is best to get your test booked as soon as possible as good dates and times usually get booked very fast. As soon as it opens you can get your test booked in. The LNAT conducted with Pearson VUE usually lets you reschedule the test free of cost if for any reason you want a different date. However, it is recommended to stick to a particular date and work your way towards this time, building a strong work ethic with a tight timeframe can help achieve this!
I’ve done the LNAT before, do I need to take it again?
Yes, the LNAT is only valid for one admissions cycle. So you’ll have to retake it every time you apply to university. You won’t be able to utilise your previous exam results. The LNAT can also be used only for 5 universities when you apply through UCAS in that same admissions cycle.
What date should I pick for my LNAT test?
To begin, if you are an Oxbridge applicant, make sure to book before mid-October, and if you are a non-Oxbridge applicant, make sure to book before mid-January. You can choose any date you like, but it’s ideal to choose one when you won’t have too much going on in the week or two leading up to the test. This will allow you to revise and concentrate on the exam. It’s probably better to schedule the test just after a half-term, so you’ll have a week or two to complete your final preparation. Also, avoid days that coincide with your school mocks; you don’t want to be focusing on mocks and LNAT at the same time.
Scores – LNAT FAQ’s
What is the LNAT out of?
Section A is out of 42, Section B is a percentage (so out of 100%)
What is a good LNAT Score?
The percentage varies depending on the university and the year, but the average is just over 50%. For a detailed breakdown of average LNAT Scores for each Section for each university, see our blog post on LNAT Scores, but in general, you should aim for 26 for Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Glasgow, 28 for UCL, KCL, and Durham, and 29 for Oxbridge.
Is the LNAT a difficult test?
Yes! The LNAT is a difficult test; the average is usually low, so doing well in comparison to your peers is more crucial, and you shouldn’t expect to achieve a ridiculously high percentage. Tips on how to increase your LNAT score can be found in the LNAT FAQ’s preparation section as well as the rest of the website.
How well do I need to do in the essay section?
The LNAT Section B is weighted differently at different universities. In our blog post ‘LNAT Scores Guide,’ we break down universities and how much they care about the essay. The good news is that the examiners in the LNAT do not expect you to write a University first-class grade essay; typically, you just need to score between 50 and 60% on the section. Clarity, consideration of many arguments, nuanced distinctions, and consistency are all vital.
Can I fail the LNAT? What happens if I get a really bad score?
Most Universities do not have a cut off ‘fail’ score, so there is no real mark which counts as a ‘bad’ score, and don’t forget that the average is very low. If you don’t do your best on the LNAT, try not to worry, there are plenty of other parts to the admissions process that the University will consider and you shouldn’t be ruled out purely based on your LNAT.
If I do well on the LNAT will I definitely get into my top university choice?
No, the LNAT is only one component of the admissions process, and universities take your application into account as a whole. A high LNAT score will put you ahead of the competition, but you must also do well in other aspects of the application, such as the personal statement, references, school grades, and any interviews you are required to participate in.
What LNAT score do I need for Nottingham University?
The average LNAT score for Nottingham is around 25. Note that this may vary depending on the year and how many applicants there are. This is around the same LNAT score for Durham, where they will be looking for a score of around 24.
What LNAT score do I need for Bristol University?
The average LNAT score for Bristol is also around 25. Please refer to their website for more detials and up-to-date information.
Preparation – LNAT FAQ’s
How hard is the LNAT?
This question will all depend on how much you prepare in advance and practise LNAT questions. The LNAT is thought to be hard, as rather testing your content knowledge, it requires use to use your analytical and problem solving skills.
How long does it take to prepare for the LNAT?
This is not a one-size-fits-all answer and will depend on your circumstances. You will likely be studying for your A-Levels alongside studying for the LNAT. It is best to balance your studies and start LNAT preparation as soon as you can so you don’t find yourself needing to cram in the practise in a short timeframe.
How do I prepare for section A of the LNAT?
Section A preparation is all about practise, therefore try to complete as many practise questions as possible. You should be able to recognise the most prevalent question kinds and compile a skills bank to assist you in dealing with them. More LNAT Section A grade boosters can be found in our post “10 Tips LNAT Section A.” It is recommended to use our LNAT textbook for your preparation.
How do I prepare for section B of the LNAT?
Reading professional articles in newspapers, journals, and books can help you enhance your essay writing skills. Try to figure out what makes the writing convincing and effective, and incorporate that into your own writing. Look at sample essays and use them to criticise your own writing, looking for spots where your argument may be clearer or where a rival argument could have been explored.
Click Here for LNAT Sample Essays
How do people do well on the LNAT?
LNAT is a combination of inherent ability and practise. You will perform better if you are familiar with the test process and popular question kinds. It’s also critical to become acquainted to the LNAT test’s time constraints; the best candidates will have completed a number of timed mock examinations, this ensures that they cope with time pressures in the actual exam with confidence!
Can you get tutoring for the LNAT?
Yes, you certainly can. Law Mind offers 1 on 1 LNAT tutoring with sessions to assist you overcome the Multiple Choice Questions and enhance your essays and skills if you need particular guided support with the LNAT.
How do I get used to the online test format?
You will not be allowed to highlight or alter the questions on the LNAT because it is an online test, but you will be provided a small whiteboard to take notes on. Make sure you take the two mock tests on the LNAT website to get acquainted to the online format. They are in the same style as the exam on the day.
Click Here for LNAT mock tests
How should I prepare myself on test day?
Stay cool on exam day and review the typical question types and strategies you learned during your mock practise. Prepare all of your documents (a list will be provided to you after enrollment; consult the LNAT website for more information), eat something before the test because it is a long one, and do your best.
If you need support on any aspect of your law school application, from the law personal statement to the LNAT, our expert LNAT tutors are on-hand to support you with tailored lesson plans and personalised feedback.
