The LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) is an admissions test used by a group of leading universities to help select undergraduate law students. It does not test legal knowledge. It tests the skills a law degree demands: careful reading, verbal reasoning, and the ability to build a clear argument. If you are applying to one of the participating universities, sitting the LNAT is compulsory.
What the LNAT actually tests
Nothing you can revise facts for. The LNAT measures how well you understand and interpret written information, spot assumptions and flaws in an argument, and reach a reasoned conclusion. Two candidates with identical A-level grades can score very differently, which is exactly why universities use it — it shows something grades do not.
How the LNAT is structured
The test has two sections and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is sat on a computer at a Pearson VUE test centre.
| Section | Format | Time | Marked? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 42 multiple-choice questions based on 12 reading passages | 95 minutes | Yes — this is your LNAT score, out of 42 |
| Section B | One essay, chosen from three set questions | 40 minutes | Not scored by LNAT, but sent to universities |
Section A is where your numerical “LNAT score” comes from. Section B is not marked centrally, but your essay is sent to every university you apply to, so it still matters. One quirk worth knowing: the universities see your results before you do.
How the LNAT is scored
Your Section A answers are marked by computer and turned into a mark out of 42 — your LNAT score. There is no pass mark. Each university decides how much weight to give it and what counts as competitive, so the same score can be strong for one course and average for another. For a full breakdown of what different scores mean, see our guide to LNAT scores and university requirements.
Which universities require the LNAT?
As of the 2025–26 cycle, the following institutions require the LNAT for undergraduate law. Always confirm on each university’s own admissions page, as the list can change year to year.
| UK universities | Outside the UK |
|---|---|
| University of Bristol | O.P. Jindal Global University (India) |
| University of Cambridge | Singapore University of Social Sciences |
| Durham University | IE University (Spain) |
| University of Glasgow | |
| King’s College London | |
| London School of Economics (LSE) | |
| University of Oxford | |
| SOAS, University of London | |
| University College London (UCL) |
The Universities of Bristol, Durham, Oxford, Nottingham, King’s College London and UCL founded the LNAT Consortium that runs the test; other universities have since adopted it. A fuller breakdown is in our guide to universities that require the LNAT.
What does the LNAT cost?
| Where you sit it | Fee |
|---|---|
| UK & EU test centres | £75 |
| Test centres outside the EU | £120 |
| On certain UK/EU state benefits | £0 (bursary waiver — apply before booking) |
When do you take it, and how do you book?
You sit the LNAT in the autumn/winter before you start university — the testing window runs from early September to late January, and your deadline depends on where you apply (Oxford and Cambridge are earliest). You book through Pearson VUE after registering on the LNAT website. Our step-by-step guide to booking the LNAT walks through it, and the preparation timeline shows when to start.
How hard is it, and how do you prepare?
The LNAT is challenging because it is unfamiliar and strictly timed — just over two minutes per Section A question, with no going back once time runs out. You cannot cram for it, but you can absolutely prepare for it: the single most useful thing you can do is sit full papers under real timed conditions so the format and the clock stop being a surprise. See how hard the LNAT really is, then start with our free LNAT practice paper.
See where you stand — sit a full LNAT paper, timed and free.
LNAT FAQs
Is the LNAT an IQ test?
No. It is an aptitude test focused on reading comprehension and verbal reasoning for law, not a general intelligence test. It measures skills you use in a law degree.
Can you revise for the LNAT?
You cannot revise content, because it tests skills rather than knowledge. But you can prepare: reading challenging material and, above all, sitting full timed practice papers makes a measurable difference to your Section A pace and accuracy.
What is a good LNAT score?
There is no fixed pass mark. Broadly, an average is usually in the low-to-mid 20s out of 42, and competitive applicants to the most selective courses often score in the high 20s. Each university sets its own bar — see our score requirements guide.
Do Oxford and Cambridge require the LNAT?
Yes. Both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge require the LNAT for undergraduate law, along with several other leading universities listed above.