ABOUT Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
The LNAT is a computer-based standardised test used by universities to help them select students for their undergraduate law courses.
The exam doesn’t test knowledge of law or any other subject. Instead, it helps universities assess students’ aptitude for the skills required to study law.
The members of the LNAT Consortium manage the content of the LNAT. The test itself is administered by Pearson VUE, under contract to LNAT.
The LNAT helps universities make fairer choices among the many highly qualified applicants who want to join their undergraduate law programmes. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as the UCAS application and academic qualifications.
Why choose the LNAT
Students applying to undergraduate law programs at universities that require the LNAT should take the test. Specifically, students in their final year of secondary school (or equivalent) or those who have already completed secondary education and are applying for undergraduate law programs at participating universities should take the LNAT. The LNAT is used by these universities to assess a student’s aptitude for law and to help make admissions decisions.
Test structure
The test consists of two sections, A and B.
Section A
Section A contains 42 multiple-choice questions. The questions are based on 12 argumentative passages, with 3 or 4 multiple-choice questions on each. You will be given 95 minutes to answer all of the questions.
You’ll be able to review your answers at any time during the 95 minutes, but you will not be able to return to the multiple-choice section once you begin Section B.
Section B
In section B, you will have 40 minutes to answer one of the three essay questions on a range of subjects to demonstrate your ability to argue economically and to come to a conclusion. You will need a good command of written English.
Scoring on LNAT
LNAT Section A is scored out of 42 points, encompassing a range from 0 to 42. A strong performance in Section A can lay a solid foundation for your overall LNAT score.
What’s the score you should aim for?
- King’s College London (KCL) typically looks for scores around 27.
- The bar is set a bit higher at University College London (UCL) and Durham, where scores of around 29 are typical.
Scoring the Essay:
While it’s officially not scored, the essay is a critical piece of your application, and different universities may have varying approaches to reviewing and assessing it.
The evaluation criteria for LNAT Section B are as follows:
- Attention to the Question: Your ability to address the essay prompt effectively.
- Critical Judgement: Your capacity for analytical thinking and critical reasoning.
- Distinctions: How well you distinguish and elaborate on key points.
- Clarity: The clarity and coherence of your writing.
- Relevance: The relevance of your arguments and examples to the essay topic.
- Sustained and Focused Treatment of Issues: Your ability to maintain a focused and in-depth discussion.
- Awareness of Multiple Lines of Argument: Whether you consider and explore various perspectives on the issue.
WHY CHOOSE BACK BENCHERS?
Students aiming to attend leading law schools in the United Kingdom benefit from early preparation for the LNAT. Registration opens on 1 August, and testing begins on 1 September.
We offer:
- 18 classes (1.5 hours each) covering reading comprehension and essay writing.
- 15 full-length tests with structured feedback.
- Training designed to sharpen critical thinking and analytical writing.
- Flexibility in one-on-one or batch formats.
LNAT Mythbusters
The LNAT is about legal knowledge.
The LNAT tests critical thinking and reading skills, not law content.
You can prepare with law textbooks.
Preparation focuses on practice tests, logic, and reading comprehension, not memorisation.
Only UK universities accept the LNAT.
The LNAT is accepted mainly in the UK, but a few international law schools also use it.
There is negative marking.
No, you don’t lose points for wrong answers.
LNAT is extremely long.
The test is about 2 hours 15 minutes long.
You can take the LNAT multiple times in a year.
You can only take the LNAT once per admission cycle.
Scores are shared automatically with all law schools.
You must select which universities receive your LNAT score.
The essay doesn’t matter.
Many universities weigh the essay heavily in admissions decisions.
LNAT is the only factor in law admissions.
Universities also look at grades, personal statements, and references.
The LNAT is available year-round.
The LNAT has a set testing window each year (usually September to January).
LNAT is harder than SAT/ACT.
It’s different — it measures logical reasoning, not general academics.
Preparation guarantees a top score.
Practice helps, but LNAT also tests natural reasoning and time management.
All UK law schools require the LNAT.
Only a select group (like Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College London, etc.) requires it.
Scores are sent to students immediately.
You get your multiple-choice score right away, but the essay is sent to universities, not to you.
International students don’t need the LNAT.
If your chosen university requires LNAT, all applicants — domestic and international — must take it.