UK test prep
What Is LNAT and Which Law Schools Require It?
LNAT is used by several leading UK law schools. Learn the format, participating universities, deadlines and law applicant preparation strategy.
By Oxbrivy Editorial Team. Reviewed by Oxbrivy UK admissions testing desk.
Quick answer
The LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) is a 2¼-hour test used by leading UK law schools, including Oxford, Cambridge, KCL, LSE, UCL, Bristol and Durham. It has 42 multiple-choice questions on 12 argumentative passages (95 minutes) and one essay (40 minutes). It tests reasoning, not legal knowledge. For 2027 entry, Oxford and Cambridge applicants must sit it by 15 October 2026; most other universities accept it until 25 January 2027.
Key takeaways
- Section A: 42 multiple-choice questions on 12 passages, in 95 minutes. Section B: one essay from a choice of three, in 40 minutes.
- The LNAT tests comprehension, reasoning and argument. No legal knowledge is needed.
- Oxford and Cambridge: register and book by 15 September 2026 and sit by 15 October 2026.
- KCL, LSE and UCL: sit by 31 December 2026. Bristol and Durham: book and sit by 13 January 2027. Other universities: book by 20 January and sit by 25 January 2027.
- You can take the LNAT only once per admissions cycle, and every university you apply to sees the same result.
- The fee is £75 at UK and EU test centres and £120 at centres elsewhere, including India (2025–26 fees; check LNAT for updates).
Oxbrivy practical ranking
Use this as a starting point, then personalise it with your budget, profile, and course.
Course-level test requirement
Best for: Checking the official course page, UCAS listing, and test provider requirement before shortlisting.
Watch out: Do not assume every course at the same university uses the same test.
Deadline risk
Best for: Registering early for UCAT, LNAT, UAT-UK tests and Oxbridge-linked assessments.
Watch out: Several deadlines fall before or close to the UCAS October deadline.
Shortlist balance
Best for: Balancing test-heavy medicine, law, economics, engineering, science and Oxbridge choices with realistic alternatives.
Watch out: A shortlist made only of high-test-risk choices can fail because of one missed deadline or weak test day.
LNAT format: what is on the test
The LNAT is a computer-based test taken at Pearson VUE test centres, with centres in India and many other countries.
Section A has 12 argumentative passages with three or four multiple-choice questions each, 42 questions in total, and you have 95 minutes. The questions test whether you can follow an argument, identify assumptions, and draw valid conclusions. Once you move to Section B you cannot go back.
Section B gives you 40 minutes to write one essay from a choice of three questions. You are expected to argue economically and reach a clear conclusion. The essay is not marked by LNAT but is sent to your universities, which assess it themselves.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Section A | 42 multiple-choice questions on 12 passages, 95 minutes |
| Section B | One essay from a choice of three, 40 minutes |
| Total time | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Scoring | Section A scored out of 42; the essay is assessed by each university |
| Attempts | Once per admissions cycle |
| Fee | £75 at UK/EU centres; £120 elsewhere (2025–26) |
Which law schools require the LNAT?
Participating UK universities include Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, King's College London, LSE, SOAS and UCL. Some universities outside the UK also use the LNAT. Check the list on the LNAT website, because participating universities can change between cycles.
The LNAT is required for law and some law-related courses at these universities. It is not needed for law courses at universities that do not participate.
LNAT dates and deadlines for 2027 entry
Registration opened on 1 August 2026 and testing began on 1 September 2026. Your deadline depends on the universities you are applying to, so plan around the earliest one.
| Universities | Book by | Sit by |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford and Cambridge | 15 September 2026 | 15 October 2026 |
| KCL, LSE and UCL | Before your test date | 31 December 2026 |
| Bristol and Durham | 13 January 2027 | 13 January 2027 |
| All other participating universities | 20 January 2027 | 25 January 2027 |
| Late applications only | Before your test date | 31 July 2027 |
How to prepare for the LNAT
Start six to eight weeks before your test. Read quality opinion writing daily (editorials and long-form articles) and practise summarising each argument in two sentences: the claim, and the main reason given for it.
For Section A, use the free official practice tests on the LNAT website under timed conditions. You have a little over two minutes per question, including reading time, so practise reading actively rather than re-reading.
For Section B, practise planning an essay in five minutes: a clear position, two or three reasons, a counter-argument you answer, and a conclusion. Aim for about 500–600 words of focused argument rather than covering every angle.
Oxbrivy Document Suite can help you shape essay arguments and your law personal statement together, so the two tell a consistent story.
Frequently asked questions
What is the LNAT?
The Law National Aptitude Test, a 2¼-hour test of reasoning and argument used by leading UK law schools. It does not test legal knowledge.
Which universities require the LNAT?
In the UK: Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, King's College London, LSE, SOAS and UCL, plus some universities outside the UK.
Can I take the LNAT more than once?
No. You can sit the LNAT only once per admissions cycle, and all your universities see the same result.
What is a good LNAT score?
Section A is scored out of 42. There is no pass mark; universities look at your score alongside your essay, grades and personal statement, and the most competitive law schools typically see higher scores from admitted students.
Can I take the LNAT in India?
Yes. The LNAT is taken at Pearson VUE test centres, including centres in India. The fee outside the UK and EU was £120 for 2025–26.
Sources and review note
This public guide is intended for student education. Visa, fee, scholarship, and work-rights rules can change quickly, so Oxbrivy verifies current official sources before giving personalised advice.
- LNAT test format
- LNAT fees
- UCAS admissions tests overview
- UCAS dates and deadlines
- UCAT 2026 test dates
- UCAT eligibility
- UCAT FAQ
- UCAT universities
- UCAT test format and scoring
- UCAT preparation resources
- LNAT what is LNAT
- LNAT dates and deadlines
- LNAT who uses the test
- LNAT when to take the test
- UAT-UK overview
- UAT-UK key dates
- UAT-UK registration
- UAT-UK TMUA
- UAT-UK ESAT
- UAT-UK preparation resources
- University of Oxford admissions tests
- University of Oxford admissions timeline
- University of Cambridge admission tests and assessments
- University of Cambridge dates and deadlines
- University of Cambridge ESAT page
- University of Cambridge TMUA page
- University of Cambridge STEP page
- Oxford law admissions FAQ
- Google Search Central helpful content guidance
Student visa guides
Documents, fees, funds and interview tips, checked against the official source.
Scholarships to look at
Each award links to the funder’s own page, with the eligibility and deadline facts we could confirm.
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