Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
What is the LNAT?
The National Admissions test for Law (LNAT) helps UK Universities to select applicants for undergraduate Law degrees. The test does not assess the applicant’s knowledge of law or any other subject. Instead, it helps universities assess their aptitude for the skills required to study law. It tests:
- Verbal reasoning skills
- Ability to understand and interpret information
- Inductive and deductive reasoning abilities
- Ability to analyse information and draw conclusions
The test consists of two parts: a multiple-choice test and an essay.
Who administers the LNAT?
The content of the LNAT is decided by the members of the LNAT Consortium. However, the test itself is administered by Pearson VUE, under contract to LNAT.
How do we use the LNAT?
The University of Glasgow uses the LNAT along with other admissions criteria, including academic qualifications in school and other exams and the personal statement and other information included in the UCAS application.
The LNAT format
The LNAT consists of two parts: a multiple-choice test and an essay and is 2 hours and 15 minutes in length.
Part One: Multiple choice exam (95 minutes)
The first part is a computer-based multiple-choice exam. You will be asked to read passages of text and answer questions that test your comprehension of them. There are 12 essays/articles with 3-4 multiple choice questions each. Your scores from the multiple-choice section of the test are checked by computer and a mark out of 42 is created. This is known as your LNAT score.
Part Two: Essay Writing (40 minutes)
For the second part you will be asked to write one essay. This essay is not marked by the test centre and does not contribute to your LNAT score, but it is your opportunity to show your ability to construct a compelling argument and reach a conclusion. Participating universities are free to use the essay as they wish.
Test Scores
The LNAT score based on the multiple-choice exam and the essay are made available to participating Universities first. Students do not receive their test results after the UCAS deadline.
University of Glasgow uses the LNAT test alongside academic qualifications and personal statement in order to admit students.
When should I sit the LNAT?
You should take the LNAT during the appropriate test cycle. For those seeking entry to the University of Glasgow in September of the current year, the test should be taken in the test cycle which begins in September of the previous year and runs to January of the current one. For those seeking entry to the University of Glasgow in September of next year, the test should be taken in the test cycle which begins in September of this year and runs to the January of next.
Do not sit the test early or your result will not be considered.
Before sitting the LNAT you must have registered with UCAS and have a UCAS personal ID number.
How and where do I sit the LNAT?
The test is taken at Pearson Vue test centres. Information on how to book the test may be found on the LNAT website.
Test fees are determined by the test centre location and not by place of residence or nationality: Current LNAT test fees.
Bursaries are available to cover the cost of the fee to those who meet the eligibility criteria: LNAT bursaries.
Test Preparation
There are no facts to learn and no lessons to revise in preparation for the test. Instead, you should concentrate on exercising the relevant parts of your brain, and on familiarising yourself with the test format.
- Familiarise yourself with the layout and format of test.
- Practice sample tests available online.
- Practice writing essays on subjects you are unfamiliar with.
- Read quality newspapers and keep up to date with current affairs.
Test Tips
Part One: Verbal Reasoning
- Don’t rely on what you know from other sources – you are being questioned on the passage itself.
- Only one answer is correct. If there are matters of degree, then the question is how you handle matters of degrees and detail. There are no trick questions.
- You can skip questions and mark them for review. You can answer the questions in any order, but you must answer them all before the essay section begins.
- There is not a great emphasis on speed. The test has been designed to allow you time to think.
- Read carefully and check your answer. Make sure you have answered the question.
Part Two: Essay
- Read ahead. The more you know about current affairs the greater chance you have of getting an essay you understand.
- Pick the right question. You should have some knowledge of the question. The test is not interested in your opinion so you may have to defend a position you do not personally agree with.
- Plan your essay carefully. Create a clear plan before you begin writing.
- Choose your words carefully. You should be concise and remove repetition, surplus words and digressions. Don’t try to impress using fancy words.
Can I apply for an exemption from sitting the LNAT?
Yes, in exceptional circumstances we will consider an application for an exemption.
We can only consider applications which relate to a failure or inability to sit the LNAT exam. You cannot apply for an exemption if you sat the LNAT but believe your performance was affected during the LNAT exam.
The following circumstances can be considered as justification for an exemption:
- You are an international candidate who has no access to an LNAT test centre
- An unforeseen emergency prevented you from attending the test
- Adverse travel conditions prevented you from attending the test
- Unreasonable travel costs mean it is too expensive to travel to an LNAT test centre
Other situations can only be considered if the circumstances are exceptional.
Please complete the UofG LNAT Test Exemption Form
Further Information
For example test papers and details of how to book your test please visit the LNAT website