The LNAT: A Guide

What is it?

The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) is a subject-specific aptitude test for students applying to study Law. The test is used by several universities, including the University of Oxford.

Does it apply to me?

The LNAT is taken by applicants to all Law courses at the University of Oxford. The University of Cambridge no longer use the LNAT, preferring instead to use the Cambridge Law Test.

When is it?

Registration for the LNAT opens at the start of August, with testing taking place from the start of September. While for most universities the final deadline to take the LNAT is mid January, for Oxford applicants it is mid-October.

It is worth checking the LNAT website for exact deadline dates for this year.

What do I have to do?

The LNAT is a computer-based exam lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. It is a test of your verbal, inductive and deductive reasoning and your ability to understand, interpret and analyse information, and draw conclusions. The test is comprised of two sections:

SECTION A – This section consists of 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 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.

For more information and past papers, please visit the official LNAT website.