LNAT

Structure

Overview

The LNAT is the most widely used admissions aptitude test for UK law schools; it does not test legal knowledge but rather critical reading, inferential analysis and argumentative writing skills. Regardless of background, scores can be significantly improved through systematic training.

Format

Published format

Section A: 42 MCQ (12 passages × 3–4 questions, reading comprehension & inference); Section B: 1 essay from 3 prompts

Format guidance

Section 1: 42 multiple-choice questions (read 12 passages, each with 3–4 inference/comprehension questions, 95 minutes); Section 2: choose 1 question(s) from 3 topics and write a short essay (40 minutes).

Structure

Structure Details

Section A is a double test of speed and accuracy: 12 academic passages, each 500–700 words long, with 42 questions in total, averaging 2.2 minutes per question. The Section B essay is marked directly by Oxford and other institutions (some institutions do not use Section B).

Scoring

Section A: raw score/42, converted to a mean score for reporting. Oxford usually expects Section A to be above 28–29 (about 67%). Section B is scored independently and marked by the target institution itself.

Preparation tips

Key Tips

▸The LNAT does not test legal knowledge — do not revise legal content; focus on reading comprehension and logical analysis.
▸Speed is extremely critical in Section A: each passage is recommended to take 7–8 minutes (including reading); do not exceed the time limit.
▸First skim to find the main idea of the passage, then go back to find the evidence for the answer—do not read closely sentence by sentence.
▸Section B writing is marked like Oxford: clear arguments with specific evidence are stronger than mediocre analysis that tries to cover everything.
▸The LNAT can be taken at designated test centres; students from mainland China can book a Pearson VUE test centre within China.

Registration and results

Registration & Results

Registration windowRegistration and booking usually open in early 8 each year

How to registerAfter registering via lnat.ac.uk, book the test at a Pearson VUE test centre. For Oxford, it must be completed by mid-10; the deadlines for other institutions are later.

Test datesChoose your own test centre and date after registering (Oxford requires it before mid-10)

Results datesScores for Part A (multiple choice) are usually reported to candidates around 2 month of the following year; Part B (essay) is marked by the target institution itself

How to access resultsSome of the A scores are fed back via lnat.ac.uk; the essay is sent to the institution with the application materials.

Official registration ↗Official results information ↗

Dates and arrangements change. Check the current official information before registering.

Official registration ↗Official sample questions ↗