What is the pass mark for the LNAT?

If you’re preparing to take the LNAT soon, you’ll probably be wondering what sort of score you need to pass. The good news is that there’s no pass mark for the LNAT, so you won’t be automatically rejected from your dream universities based on a low score. 

What is the LNAT?

LNAT stands for the Law National Aptitude test, and is a way for universities to assess whether students have the skills necessary to succeed in law. It aims to assess transferable skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, in order to avoid giving students who have previously studied law an unfair advantage.

Firstly, candidates have 95 minutes to read a selection of passages and answer 42 comprehension questions. There’s then an essay task, where candidates have 40 minutes to plan and write an essay. Candidates are given three essay questions to choose from, which ask you to give your opinion on current affairs such as terrorism and tourism.

How is the exam marked?

The multiple choice section is marked by a computer, and you’ll receive a mark out of 42, based on how many questions you got correct. The essay portion is not marked by the test centre, but the universities you're applying to will still get to review it.

What is the pass mark for the LNAT?

There is no pass mark for the LNAT, which means that doing badly doesn’t mean you’ll be automatically rejected from the universities you’re applying to.

At the same time, doing well in the LNAT doesn’t mean you’ll be guaranteed admission. Universities take many things into account when assessing your application, such as your predicted grades and any work experience you have.

If there’s no pass mark, what score should I be aiming for?

All of the universities who require the LNAT have published the average LNAT score of their accepted applicants. This average varies between universities. For instance, UCL’s average LNAT score in 2019/2020 was 27, while the LNAT score for Durham was 24.7 for the same year. To work out what score to aim for, look at all the universities you're applying to and try to aim for the highest average score.

How can I prepare for the LNAT?

Ways you can prepare for the LNAT include: completing LNAT practice tests available online, reading opinion articles and critically reflecting on the author’s arguments, and reading up on current affairs.

It’s also important to remember basic comprehension tactics such as avoiding making assumptions, reading the questions carefully and remembering to devote time for essay planning.

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