Prepare for the LNAT with British Side’s LNAT Preparation Course. Develop the critical thinking,
verbal reasoning, reading comprehension and essay-writing skills required for UK law applications.
Established in 2004, the LNAT serves as an additional assessment tool used by nine UK universities
to distinguish among highly competitive applicants. It does not replace traditional qualifications like
A Levels or GCSEs but is considered alongside them, with each university weighing the test scores differently,
such as the University of Bristol, which bases 25% of its admissions decision on the exam.
The test features a multiple-choice portion designed to evaluate critical thinking and verbal reasoning skills
essential for studying law, and while candidates cannot study curriculum content for it, structured and organised
preparation can significantly improve scores.
The Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) is a 2-hour 15-minute, computer-based examination required by select
UK universities for prospective law students. Administered digitally at designated testing centres, the exam
features individualised question sets to accommodate flexible, rolling testing schedules booked online by the applicant.
A 95-minute segment consisting of 12 reading passages and 42 questions. It evaluates analytical critical
thinking, detail extraction, macro-level reading comprehension and the ability to deconstruct complex arguments.
A 40-minute writing task requiring candidates to select and answer one prompt from three available choices.
This section measures the candidate’s capacity to formulate logically coherent, structured and persuasive
written arguments.
Section A is multiple choice. In the exam, you will be presented with 12 passages and 42 questions, with
approximately 3–4 questions per passage. There is a total of 95 minutes, and you cannot use any of Section B
for Section A.
The aim of this section is to test: Comprehension, interpretation and deduction.
Five options per question; single correct answer choice; utilise systematic process of elimination;
rule out visibly flawed options; set a strict limit on challenging problems; preserve time for later questions;
postpone highly difficult passages; revisit skipped items at the end.
• What unstated assumption is being made?
• Which of the following is an assertion?
• What is the main idea in the passage?
• What is the main argument of the passage?
• Which of the following is an argument in favour of…?
• What is meant by…?
• What conclusion is reached by the author?
• Which of the following weakens or strengthens the writer’s argument?
While individual preferences vary regarding test-taking methods, skimming the questions prior to reading the
text can streamline your focus toward key details during your initial read, ultimately saving valuable time.
It is highly recommended to test this method on a few practice passages to determine if it suits your personal
study style.
Should you complete the multiple-choice questions before the 95-minute limit expires, keep in mind that any
remaining time cannot be transferred over to Section B. The 95-minute block belongs exclusively to Section A,
meaning your best course of action is to utilise any leftover time to review challenging items or double-check
areas where you felt uncertain.
Section A does not assume or require any background knowledge. Consequently, having prior familiarity with legal
concepts, case law, or current news events is entirely unnecessary to succeed.
Scoring Metrics: Performance is quantified on a fixed 42-point scale.
Annual Variance: Mean cohort scores fluctuate annually based on exam difficulty.
No Negative Marking: Incorrect or omitted responses do not incur point penalties.
Strategic Implication: Candidates should execute educated guesses on unresolved questions.
Institutional Marking: Essays are forwarded directly to universities for independent assessment.
Core Competencies: The task evaluates structured persuasion, logical reasoning and balanced discourse.
Linguistic Standard: Responses must demonstrate a high mastery of clear, cogent English.
Academic Relevance: This section mirrors the extensive writing requirements found in undergraduate law programmes.
The LNAT employs a system of positive marking, meaning there are no penalties for incorrect choices, and you
will not lose marks for making a mistake. Consequently, if you are unsure of how to answer a question, it is
always best to make a guess.
Since each question offers five potential choices, a completely random guess gives you a 20% probability of
being right. If you do have to guess, try to rule out a few incorrect options beforehand, as this will
significantly increase your likelihood of selecting the right answer.
Duration: 40 minutes
What will you be tested on? Your ability to write an essay under timed conditions,
your writing technique and your argumentative abilities.
In Section B of the LNAT, candidates are asked to write an argumentative and persuasive essay. You will be
presented with a choice of three open-ended prompts and must choose exactly one to answer within a strict
40-minute time limit.
Candidates are strictly prohibited from retaking the Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) multiple times within
a single, ongoing university application window. The specific numerical score and essay performance achieved
during your initial test sitting will remain permanently attached to your academic profile for the entirety of
that academic year’s admissions cycle.
Consequently, because you are limited to a single examination attempt per year, it is absolutely paramount that
you undergo comprehensive, disciplined preparation beforehand to ensure your performance on test day accurately
reflects your maximum potential. Conversely, if you choose to reapply to universities during a completely separate,
subsequent admissions year, you are required to sit the LNAT once again. LNAT results do not carry over across
different academic cycles; therefore, you must retake the examination, and only the fresh scores generated from
this newer assessment sitting will be transmitted to your chosen universities for evaluation.
You can familiarise yourself with the LNAT format and question style by accessing the official LNAT sample test.
Practising with sample questions can help you better understand the structure of the exam before your test day.



