What is the LNAT?

The LNAT is the entrance examination run by an association of several UK-based universities to select undergraduate students for their law degree programme.

Structure

The LNAT is a two-part test scheduled for two hours. There is a section of multiple-choice questions lasting 80 minutes and a second section of essay-type questions which runs for 40 minutes. The section on multiple-choice consists of ten passages, each with three questions designed to gauge the reasoning skills of the student, which is a critical necessity for a legal career. 

The subjects covered in these cases are general and everyday knowledge topics; no special knowledge of law is involved. Results on this section are electronically assessed and passed on to participating universities.

The second segment provides several questions on a variety of topics of current interest meant to judge a student’s skills in writing and presentation of viewpoints in a simple and precise manner. The length should not exceed 600 – 700 words, since short and succinct answers are an important requirement. 

These papers are not evaluated by the service provider, but sent to the law schools to which the student has applied. The schools in turn will assess the content of answers provided based on their own selection and admission criteria.

Eligibility

Students are eligible to sit for the LNAT if they are preparing to start their undergraduate education and interested in taking up admission at a select list of universities which are part of LNAT in the coming year, or two years before, if taking deferred admission. 

Applications for these institutions must be made in the ordinary course of applying; appearing for the LNAT does not constitute an automatic admission confirmation. More details on the list of universities and schools subscribing to the LNAT, with their UCAS codes, are available at the LNAT website - http://www.lnat.ac.uk. The entrance test is open to all UK, overseas and EU candidates.

Preparation and Process

The most important requirement in preparing to sit the LNAT is a disciplined and methodical approach to studying. You should stay updated on the latest and current happenings around the world by reading a good newspaper, understand the opinions and viewpoints being put forward and try to form your own opinion on the matter. 

You should also brush up your knowledge and skills on a variety of general subjects. The idea is not to learn by rote and regurgitate facts in the test, but to think, analyse and logically reason the various sides and opinions on a given matter.

Practice tests and sample essay questions are provided by LNAT including suggested reading material, so one should scan through the website thoroughly. 

You can also make use of online tutorials where sample tests are available, but remember that these will usually involve spending some money. If you do not want to take that route, stay in top form by doing your homework diligently.

Test centres are provided at various locations in and out of the UK, so select a centre that is close to your place of residence or stay. Arrive early at the centre with photo identification and a copy of the test confirmation mail received from Pearson, and follow the instructions given by the centre staff. 

Application

Students wishing to appear for the LNAT must register online. This is a two-step process: first, create a web account which contains the user profile, and then, on confirmation of creation of the profile, book and pay for a test appearance. Detailed guidelines on registration and booking are available at the LNAT site – http://www.lnat.ac.uk.

Registration starts from 1 August, and UCAS applications from 1 September. Test sessions begin from 1 September onwards and it is recommended that you time your registration to have ample time to initiate the application process for selected schools or universities which have their own admission timetables. 

Test entrance fees for UK candidates is £ 40 and for others £ 60. Fees must be paid in full at the time of booking, else no place will be confirmed. UK/EU students who have special considerations for waiver of entrance fees can make use of a grant system provided to such candidates by LNAT.