What Is the LNAT?

The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is the pivotal entry assessment for aspiring law students in the UK. This exam is integral to the admissions process of prestigious law schools, complementing other selection criteria such as A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) and personal interviews. The significance of your LNAT score varies across institutions, reflecting each school's unique admissions framework.

Crucially, the LNAT aims to transcend academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, focusing instead on evaluating the essential aptitudes for succeeding in law studies and practice. It does not test legal or subject-specific knowledge. Instead, the LNAT focuses on:

  • Advanced verbal reasoning skills
  • The ability to make logical inferences and deductions
  • Skill in distinguishing between facts, opinions, and speculative statements
  • The capacity to identify relevant versus irrelevant information
  • The discernment of strong versus weak arguments

Spanning two hours and fifteen minutes, the LNAT meticulous structure includes two computerised sections: a series of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and a written essay. While the test is digital, candidates are provided with pen and paper for note-taking, ensuring a comprehensive test-taking experience.

Whether you're tackling LNAT multiple-choice questions, formulating arguments for your LNAT essay, or navigating through LNAT practice questions under timed conditions, thorough preparation can significantly impact your performance and, by extension, your law school application.


Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

The first section consists of 42 questions based on 12 argumentative passages, with three to four questions each. This part is 95 minutes long (1 hour and 35 minutes). A computer checks the answers and generates your LNAT score. The highest possible mark is 42.

Each question has only one correct answer and relies solely on the passage. Any other information you may have on the subject is irrelevant, and you do not need to pay attention to it. Some questions will be straightforward, but others may seem more ambiguous. The test assesses how well you cope with different situations and knowledge quality, but the answer is always in the passage. Note that you should not guess or speculate. Thus, keep this in mind to help you focus when you doubt a question.

When you choose an answer, make sure it is the best choice out of all other options. Sometimes, one of the answer choices will be very close to the correct answer but not quite there. Attempt to deduct difficult questions only when you cannot find the answer or run out of time since you do not lose points for wrong responses.

Verbal Reasoning: Multiple Choice Sample Question

Explicit multiple choice questions are seen when you can easily answer the question since it is explicitly stated in the text. Examples of this is when you answer questions such as, 'in what year…?', 'what is another name for…?' or 'how many…?'.

 

Try it:

Menai Bay is a conservation area south-west of Zanzibar, Africa. It is home to a number of famous sea-life species, including a variety of birds, fish and dolphins (including bottlenose dolphins and humpback dolphins). There are also two species of whales during the whale season from June to November. Dolphins, and in particular the friendly bottlenose dolphins which are present throughout the year, have become a major tourist attraction. Tourists go out in fishing boats to see these dolphins, and often jump into the water to swim with them. Though friendly in nature, dolphins can sometimes be surrounded by up to 20 boats chasing after them, and this can cause them stress, particularly when they are feeding or nursing. Thus, the main focus of the African marine conservation project is to monitor the dolphins and human-dolphin interaction.

Which one of the following is NOT true regarding the dolphins? 

A) They are present all year round

B) They are especially friendly when fed

C) They are friendly to tourists

D) They can be found in Zanzibar

Answer & Explanation

✔️ The correct answer is (B) - "They are especially friendly when fed"

The passage mentions that bottlenose dolphins are ”present throughout the year”; thus distracter (a) is eliminated.

It also states that the dolphins are friendly and that tourists are often able to swim with them; therefore distracter (c) is also eliminated.

Since the passage deals with a conservation area in Zanzibar, it is also true that dolphins can be found there.

(b) is the correct answer because the passage states otherwise: "Though friendly in nature, the dolphins can sometimes be surrounded by up to 20 boats chasing after them, and this can cause them stress, particularly when they are feeding”.

💡Tip: These questions evaluate your comprehension of written text and short passages. Attempt to identify details within the passage, such as language or information, that directly answer the question.


Section B: Essay

Once you have completed the first section, you will have to perform an essay writing task. You will have 40 minutes to choose and discuss one subject from a list of three.

The essay aims to see how well you can make an argument. You will need to ensure you have a strong reason supporting your statements. Notice that the assessment does not require you to know everything about the topic you will be writing about. The LNAT test essay section questions your logic, not facts. You can make as many assumptions as you feel compelled to do. But keep in mind that you should not contradict yourself. You should also state your assumptions clearly so that any potential reader can easily follow your arguments and reasoning.

These essays are usually about 500-600 words -no more than 750. It is important to note that considerably shorter essays will not result in high scores and longer ones can potentially be completely ignored. A word counter will be available on the screen as you are typing to help you track your progress. Make sure to use proper language and that your arguments are clear and well-structured.

💡Tip: Plan your essays ahead of time. This allows you to know what topics you will address and attempt to make and how to connect them concisely with a clear introduction, middle argument, and conclusion.

Dive Deeper into Your Preparation: Explore our additional Free LNAT Practice Questions and enhance your practice!  

Applying for the 2024 student programmes? Get a glimpse of useful information for future Law Vacation Schemes or gather information for your future career at one of the Magic Circle Law Firms* to help you land your internship!

*The term ‘Magic Circle’ famously stands for the 5 most prestigious corporate law firms in the UK legal market: Allen & OveryClifford ChanceLinklatersFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Slaughter & May


LNAT Test Results

Candidates may only sit the test once in a September-to-June cycle, and any results you obtain will not be considered from one year to the next.

Unlike the multiple-choice questions section, the LNAT essay is sent directly to the universities you have chosen to apply to only 24 hours after you finish the test. Consider that if you took the test in January 2024, you will receive your LNAT score in early February. If you take the test later in the year, you will most likely receive your results in early July. It is important to note that some universities have their deadlines and require you to take the test very early in the testing cycle. They will not consider your application if you take the test later in the year.


Which Law Schools Use the LNAT?

Category Law Schools
UK Undergraduate Law Programmes University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
Durham University
University of Glasgow
KING'S College, London
The University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
SOAS University of London
UCL Faculty of Laws
Non-UK Universities Maynooth University
IE University

How Can I Prepare for the LNAT Test?

As recommended on the official LNAT website, becoming familiar with the question types and the overall structure of the test can significantly enhance your performance. Understanding precisely what to expect is invaluable, as it reduces the element of surprise. The less nervous you are during the test, the easier it will be to concentrate and perform to the best of your ability. Moreover, practising tasks similar to those you'll encounter in the test will hone the skills it assesses.

Our pack includes a dedicated LNAT-style test, complete with explanations and tips, and additional verbal reasoning questions that reinforce the test's key concepts. Regular practice with LNAT multiple-choice questions and familiarization with the test's format will help you achieve your best possible results.

Ready to embark on your LNAT preparation journey?

Explore our range of LNAT practice tests, glean insights from LNAT past papers, and enhance your test-taking strategy with expert LNAT prep advice. Start your path to law school with confidence, armed with the knowledge and skills to achieve a praiseworthy LNAT score.

More Free Practice

We at JobTestPrep find the assessment tests world highly diverse and fascinating. If you are looking to deepen your knowledge in the aptitude tests world, or you want some extra practice before your test, we've got you covered!

Check out these fantastic free practice tests (all are completely free):

Free Aptitude Test | Free Psychometric Test | Free Numerical Reasoning Test | Free Verbal Reasoning Test | Free Cognitive Test | Free Critical Thinking Test | Free Abstract Reasoning Test | Free Spatial Reasoning Tets | Free Personality Test | Free Inductive Test | Free Mechanical Reasoning Test  

 

 

All trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with JobTestPrep or this website.