how to prepare for the lnat essay

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• LNAT Preparation: The Complete Guide

Last Updated: 27th May 2022

Author: Chloe Hewitt

• Admissions Test

Table of Contents

If you are applying for Law at Oxford, Cambridge, or other top universities, one of the biggest hurdles you will be faced with is the LNAT.

Unlike any test you have ever done before, ensuring you have effectively prepared for the LNAT will make all the difference when it comes to scoring highly.

But how can you prepare for the LNAT? This guide runs through each of the two sections of the LNAT, explaining the skills that will be required to succeed and the ways you can develop your understanding and improve your technique. Before we dive into Section A, let’s review the basics of the LNAT. 

What is the LNAT?

If you aren’t familiar with the LNAT, check out our LNAT Basics Guide before continuing, as you’re going to need to know how the LNAT is structured, how it is marked and why it is used. If you know about the LNAT already, here is a very quick recap.

The Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) is an entrance exam used by a consortium of UK universities to assess prospective undergraduate law students. The LNAT is used to supplement other selection procedures — your A-level results, personal statement, and admissions interview — not to test your knowledge of the law. Instead, the computer-based exam assesses critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

What is the structure of the LNAT?

The LNAT has a time limit of two hours and 15 minutes and is divided into two parts: Section A, a set of multiple-choice questions, and Section B, an essay writing task. These tasks are separated and each has a set time to complete, with 95 minutes to complete Section A and 40 minutes to complete Section B.

Effective LNAT preparation is crucial to achieving an offer, so let UniAdmissions guide you through it. 

The LNAT is a major part of your Law application, so make sure you’re ready for it with guidance from experts. Our LNAT Tuition Programme supports you through every aspect of the test through One-to-One Tuition, Live Courses, Comprehensive Materials and much more . 

Discover our LNAT Tuition Programme by booking a free consultation session by clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success .

LNAT Section A Preparation

In Section A, you will have 95 minutes to answer 42 multiple-choice questions based on 12 passages of text provided. This means that you’ll need to complete three to four questions per passage. There will be five possible answers to each question, but only one will be correct.

You do not need to have any particular knowledge to complete Section A. However, you must spend time preparing for LNAT Section A to know what to expect during the test. As part of your LNAT Section A preparation, it is also a good idea to practice the skills the admissions tutors are looking for applicants to demonstrate. It would be worth brushing up on these skills so you are confident when it comes to the test.

What does LNAT Section A test?

Section A is all about your comprehension and reasoning skills. The admissions tutors want to know that you can understand, analyse and interpret information. In the test, you will need to work out what the question is asking, pinpoint which part of the text is relevant, and choose the best answer from the multiple-choice answers provided. This will need to be done using the following:

• Comprehension
• Interpretation

The LNAT is also used to identify if students can understand different parts of a passage. An integral point to understand is what constitutes a good argument. These are:

Evidence : arguments based on opinions and value judgements are weaker than those based on facts and evidence.

Logic : arguments should flow and the constituent parts should fit well into an overriding view or belief.

Balance : a good argument should concede that there are other views and beliefs (counter-arguments). Creating a strong argument involves dismantling these ideas and explaining why they are wrong.

What do you need to know for LNAT Section A?

Here are a few key ideas that you will need to revise and prepare for before sitting Section A of the LNAT:

ARGUMENTS vs ASSERTIONS vs EXPLANATIONS

ARGUMENTS vs ASSERTIONS

 vs EXPLANATIONS

The following clip is from a UniAdmissions LNAT Live Course, in which our expert tutor explains how you can determine the differences between these three types of discussion within a passage:

PREMISE vs CONCLUSION

• A conclusion is a summary of the arguments being made and is usually explicitly stated or heavily implied.
• A premise is a statement from which another statement can be inferred or follows as a conclusion.

Hence, a conclusion is shown/implied/proven by a premise. Similarly, a premise shows/indicates/establishes a conclusion.

FACT vs OPINION

Sometimes you will be required to distinguish between a fact and an opinion.

• Fact is something that can be tested to be true or false.
• Opinion cannot be tested to be true or false.

CORRELATION vs CAUSATION

Just because two incidents or events have occurred does not mean that one has caused the other. For example:  “French people are known for having a glass of wine with dinner and they have a larger life expectancy than we do. Therefore, we should consume wine to be healthier.”

This argument is flawed. There are 2 events: (i) French people known for having wine and (ii) French people having a larger life expectancy. There is no suggestion in the extract that (i) wine is causally related to (ii) or that having wine actually leads to a longer life. Accordingly, in itself, the premises do not adequately support the conclusion – there could be other reasons such as diet or exercise.

How should I prepare for LNAT Section A?

1. Read a wide range of texts

As Section A assesses your ability to comprehend and analyse texts, it is important to improve your reading comprehension. You can do this by studying a variety of quality texts, such as news articles, academic journals, and literature, and then summarising the main points. Be sure to identify the tone and analyse the author’s argument.

2. Practice thinking critically

As you read these texts, you should check your understanding by asking yourself questions on their meaning, such as:

• Is the statement one of fact or opinion?
• Have you focused on the detail or jumped to a conclusion?
• Have you made a logical deduction about the information?
• Is there something in the statement that has been left unsaid?
• Is the statement supported by evidence?
• What is the writer’s attitude? For example, are they being serious or making a joke?
• Is the statement relevant or irrelevant to the question?

If there are ambiguities, they are assessing how well you cope with ambiguities. However, the solution is always in the passage somewhere. 

3. Practice your Time Management

Time management skills are crucial for the LNAT. With 95 minutes to answer 42 questions, that gives you roughly two and a quarter minutes to answer each question. In fact, many students find the most difficult part of the test is not answering all of the questions correctly, but doing so under its timed conditions and working at a steady pace.

Decide how long you want to spend on each passage of text and the multiple-choice questions. You have 95 minutes to complete Section A, therefore you could decide to spend 7 minutes reading each passage of text and then answer the connected questions. The remaining 11 minutes could then be used to go back over any questions you found difficult.

4. Understand the format of the test

It is essential to familiarise yourself with the format of the LNAT, including the types of questions that may appear in Section A. To do so, you should definitely take advantage of the official practice tests available, which will help develop your understanding of the test structure and the types of questions you may encounter on the day.

Extra LNAT Section A Tips

• Read the question carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked.
• Look for any keywords in the question and answer options before reading the passage of text.
• When you then go on to read the passage of text, look out for those keywords.
• Consider the questions listed above when deciding what a statement means and selecting your answer.
• Use a process of elimination to find the correct answer. By discounting the incorrect answer options, it helps to narrow down the answers until you are left with one.
• If you are unable to narrow the options down to just one, then go with your gut feeling when selecting an answer and come back to it later.
• No points will be deducted for an incorrect answer, so make sure you answer every question even if you are unsure.

One of the hallmarks of a good multiple-choice question is the inclusion of one or more answer options that are wrong but almost right. Questions like this are not tricks. They are there to test whether your powers of discrimination are fine-grained or coarse-grained. Work hard to find and eliminate them.

Boost your LNAT Score with expert support from UniAdmissions.

With our LNAT Tuition Programme, you will have complete guidance for both Sections of the LNAT, with regular tuition from an expert tutor and a whole suite of revision and practice resources to get yourself ready. 

Effective learning strategies are techniques and approaches that have been shown to enhance applicants’ learning and retention of new information . These 4 science-proof study techniques are designed to help you engage with your study materials more deeply, make connections between different concepts, and remember what you learn over the long-term to boost your LNAT preparation .

LNAT Section B Preparation

In this section, you will be presented with a choice of three essay questions, and you will be required to answer one of them in a well-structured, persuasive manner under a time limit of 40 minutes.

What does LNAT Section B test?

To answer Section B of the LNAT, you will need to have strong critical thinking and analytical skills, good writing skills and a strong command of written English. You need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly and coherently, structure your essay effectively, and present your arguments in a logical and persuasive manner.

Having a good knowledge of current affairs will also work in your favour. The admissions tutors really like to see interesting and creative arguments which are backed up by evidence rather than opinions. Focus on these skills in your LNAT Section B preparation.

1.Choosing your question

As mentioned, you have three options for your essay. We have a video snippet from our Law Programme in which our tutor Amy Gregg goes through the explanation of selecting the right question.

We’d recommend you take two minutes to read all the questions! While one essay might seem easy, you may find you run out of points and arguments. Using your time wisely will enable you to gauge how comfortable you are with a topic from your background knowledge.

2. Remember to Plan your essay

There are many reasons why you should plan your essay before you begin writing. These include:

• You don’t have much space so you need to make it count!
• It allows you to get your thoughts down on paper before writing
• You’ll write faster once you have a plan
• You run the risk of missing the point if you don’t plan

There’s no set period of time that should be dedicated to planning. This differs for everyone because everyone is different! You should spend as long as you want planning, provided you have enough time to legibly write your essay. As a rough guide, we’d recommend 5-10 minutes.

3. Learn how to structure your essay

It is important that your essay has a clear framework and logical progression, such as the following structure:

• Introduction: introduce the topic and give a brief outline of what you will discuss.
• Main argument: discuss the facts in favour of your position.
• Counter-argument: present arguments to the contrary.
• Conclusion: state what you believe and why.

You can then begin to structure your essay, including the way that points will be linked. At this stage, it is worth considering the balance of your argument and confirming that you have considered arguments from both sides of the debate. Once this general structure has been established, it is useful to consider any examples or real-world information that may help to support your arguments.

Finally, you can begin to assess the plan as a whole and establish what your conclusion will be based on your arguments. You can use a variety of methods to actually put your ideas down, whether this is a mind map, bullet points or PROs and CONs, use what is best for you.

4. Practise timed essay writing

Section B of the LNAT requires you to write a 500-750 word essay in 40 minutes, so it’s important to get used to writing under strict time constraints. To get started, we recommend working with the sample essay topics , focusing on building a compelling argument with a logical structure. It may be beneficial to begin writing without time constraints before gradually picking up the pace.

Never avoid writing about topics you do not know much about. This can be dangerous for your LNAT score in the exam if only topics you are uncomfortable with come up. If you need someone to look over some practice essay answers for the LNAT and provide any guidance, then ask our LNAT tutors to mark your essay .

5. Review top-scoring essays

The LNAT website not only lists sample topics, but provides top-scoring answers to certain questions, such as “Does it matter if some animal and plant species die out?”. It is strongly recommended to read through these, to gauge how you should present your argument and get an idea of what the examiners are looking for.

Writing an LNAT Essay

To give you an idea of what you should be trying to achieve with your LNAT Section B essay, we’ll do a brief worked example together. Consider the question: “Abortion should only be permitted in certain circumstances.” Discuss.

Introduction

Present a brief outline of what you will discuss. In this case, you should clearly define “Abortion” (e.g. the termination of a pregnancy). If you wish, you can highlight the key themes that will run through the essay, but keep it short!

You should have a bunch of points written down that you can call on for this section. Here are some points considering arguing for abortion we came up with during the planning stage:

In the event of a medical issue

Disability of the child

Sexual assault

The mother wants to give up the foetus

The mother is too young

You now have a choice of several points you can use, but you can’t go into detail for all of them! You should focus on the  quality  not  quantity  of points made. Choose the points from which you can make the most original contribution.

Once you have chosen your points, you should create a structure:

Paragraph 1: Disability of the child

Paragraph 2: Sexual assault

Paragraph 3: In the event of a medical issue

You should then write PROs and CONs of each point for each paragraph. Ensure you have a balanced essay that considers all points of view fairly. Thinking about all elements of an argument is important; thinking of alternative views can strengthen your argument for or against something.

Here you will bring together the points from the main body. You shouldn’t bring any new points into the conclusion, focus just on what you have previously spoken about. If you have summarised each point in the main body, then a shorter conclusion will suffice, and vice versa.

Extra LNAT Section B Tips

• The ideal LNAT essay is 500-600 words long. If you write less than this your essay will be too short to be evaluated properly and you are unlikely to do well.
• You should try and remove repetition, surplus words, and digressions. This kind of discipline will be rewarded.
• Do not sit on the fence or say that each side of the argument has a point unless you go on to say which point each side has. This is different from considering both sides and will come off as indecisive. 
• Your opinions do not matter, all the Admissions Tutors are interested in seeing is your ability to defend a position which may or may not be your own personal opinion.
• Do not try and impress with fancy words or elaborate style that have no substance. Be straightforward in your writing and your argument.

Practical Preparation for the LNAT

Preparing for the LNAT isn’t all about practising for the questions, however. There are some practical considerations to keep in mind, away from the content of the Admissions Test itself. You will need to ensure you are ready to attend the actual test, or else you may face complications before you even see the paper. 

Make sure to check the deadlines for the universities you are applying to and remember that test places get booked up quickly. Do not leave it until the last minute. It should go without saying, but you must ensure that your chosen universities actually require the LNAT first. Doing some research into how these unis use the LNAT will also help you set your expectations for the minimum you should achieve. 

If you are applying for Oxford or Cambridge, you will need to have sat the LNAT on or before 15 th October. If you are not applying to Oxbridge, you have until 25 th January.

Make sure to take photo identification and a printout of your confirmation email to the test centre with you. Arrive 20 minutes early, as if you are late, you may not be allowed to sit the test.

Ultimately, passing the LNAT test is a challenging but achievable goal, but by following these steps for your LNAT preparation, you can improve your chances of doing so and pave the way towards a rewarding future in Law.

What you have got to remember that the LNAT is your opportunity to demonstrate to the Admissions Tutors that you are capable of succeeding at an academically demanding subject. As long as you use your skills of deduction for the multiple-choice questions and argue coherently in your essay you are sure to do well. 

Remember, the LNAT is not designed to trip you up. Its purpose is to allow you to demonstrate the skills that are necessary for a career in Law. Following these tips and effectively preparing for the test will improve your chances of getting a good LNAT Score .

Looking to effectively boost your LNAT score?

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LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law)

What is the lnat, how do i register, when do i take the test.

• How do I get my results?

Practice materials

If you are applying for either  Law or Law with Law Studies in Europe , you will be required to sit the LNAT as part of your application.

The Law National Admissions Test (LNAT)  is a 2-hour 15-minute test divided into two sections.

Section A is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam consisting of 42 questions. The questions are based on 12 passages, with 3 or 4 multiple-choice questions on each. You are given 95 minutes to answer all of the questions.

You’ll be asked to read passages of text and answer questions that test your comprehension of them. Your answers to 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.

In Section B you will be given 40 minutes to write an essay from a list of three proposed subjects. This section is marked by the tutors at the college to which you apply, and this mark is taken into account as part of the selection process. The essay is your opportunity to show your ability to construct a compelling argument and reach a conclusion.

The LNAT isn’t designed to test your knowledge of Law or any other subject. Instead, it helps us to assess your aptitude for studying Law. 

Why do I have to take a test?

Most applicants to Oxford University have outstanding academic credentials. It can therefore be difficult for us to choose between so many well-qualified candidates, especially as applicants come from all over the world and take different qualifications.

Tests give us an extra piece of information for every student who has applied for a given course, wherever they are from. Considered together with the other elements of the application, this helps us to identify the very best candidates. However, there is no specific mark that will guarantee that you will be invited to interview.

The tests vary each year, and your test score will be considered alongside the scores of other students who apply for your course.

Do I have to pay?

The LNAT is administered by an independent company who charge candidates a fee of £75 to take the test in the UK or EU. If you are taking the test in a centre outside the UK or EU there is a fee of £120.

However, we do not wish the cost of sitting the test to be a barrier to doing so. An LNAT bursary scheme is available to candidates struggling to pay for their LNAT test. Test fees will be waived for UK/EU students in receipt of certain state benefits.

You must apply for a bursary before booking the LNAT. It could take at least a week to process a bursary application from the date of receipt so you should allow for this extra time when planning your LNAT booking.

For more information on applying for a bursary please read the detailed information about LNAT bursaries  on the LNAT website.

How are the tests designed and reviewed?

The LNAT is not run by Oxford University. The test is used by nine UK universities as part of their admissions process for undergraduate applications to Law.

The content of the LNAT is managed by the members of the LNAT Consortium (made up of six of those universities) and the test itself is administered by Pearson VUE, under contract to LNAT. A statistical report is produced each year for reviewing purposes and made publicly available.

Find out more about the LNAT . 

In order to register for the LNAT you must follow these steps: 

Step 1: set up an account on the LNAT website .

You can do this from 1 August in the year you intend to apply. There are further instructions on the information you will need to provide and how to do this are on the LNAT website . 

Step 2: register with a test centre. 

Unlike our other admissions tests, candidates sitting the LNAT normally do so in a registered test centre, rather than in their school or college. There are over 500 LNAT test centres around the world with 150 in the UK. 

To find your nearest test centres you can use the LNAT  live test centre locator . If you cannot find your country listed in the test centre locator or in the list of test centres scheduled to open soon, please  contact the LNAT Administrator .

Step 3:  book your test .

In order to meet our deadlines, you should register for the LNAT by 15 September and take the LNAT before 15 October in the year you apply.

You may take the test on any day when there is availability at your chosen test centre between those dates. The earlier you book, the more chance you have of getting an appointment on the day of your choice. You are therefore strongly advised to begin making arrangements as soon as possible.

Step 4:  pay for your test .

The LNAT must be paid for online in advance of your test, either via credit or debit card. If you do not have to an acceptable payment card, or live in a  country with credit card verification problems  you can apply for LNAT vouchers. 

Find out more about LNAT bursaries . 

Access arrangements

If you are normally entitled to access requirements in your exams (e.g. extended time for dyslexia, arrangements for impaired mobility, hearing or vision) you shouldn’t book your test online. Instead, you should follow Step 1 to register, then fill out an  Examination Access Requirements form , which you should submit, alongside appropriate documentary evidence, before booking your test.

Please note that while some examination access arrangements, such as extra time, can be verified and accommodated within a few days, others such as booking a reader recorder will take at least three weeks. Please allow for this extra time when planning to take your LNAT.

Once your request has been approved you will be given instructions on booking your test.

Visit the LNAT website for further information on access arrangements .

Candidates for the LNAT must take the test before 15 October in the year they apply, but not before the summer holiday of the year in which they apply. Please see below for a summary of the important dates and deadlines:

• 1 August – 15 September : register and book the LNAT. It is highly recommended to register and book by 15 September in order to secure an LNAT test date before the 15 October deadline. A delay in booking may mean applicants have to travel further to an available LNAT location.
• before or on 15 October : take your test. In order for your score to be considered by us, you must sit your test before or on 15 October.
• 15 October : deadline to submit your UCAS form

On the test day:

It is important that you arrive at the test centre at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of your test. Please note that on the day of the test, you must take a printout of your confirmation email and a  recognised form of photo-identification  (such as a passport). If you do not bring ID you will not be allowed to sit the test.

If you don't take the admissions test(s) required for your course, either because you didn't register or didn't attend on the test day, then your application will be significantly affected. Your UCAS form will still be viewed by our admissions tutors. However, as the admissions test forms an important part of our selection process it will be extremely difficult for your application to be competitive when viewed against other candidates who have fulfilled all the admissions criteria.

It is not possible to re-sit the LNAT once completed. If you were ill on the day of the LNAT please contact the Law faculty ( [email protected] ) and let them know, include your UCAS PID and LNAT registration number. If there was some form of disruption at the test centre you should ask for an incident number on the day of the test and contact the LNAT Consortium as soon as possible afterwards.

Read more information on the complaints procedure .

How do I get my results?     

Candidates sitting the LNAT will receive their results in mid-February.

All scores and essay will be made available to the faculty selection committee in time for them to make their shortlisting decisions in November, so candidates do not need to send their results to us separately.

Taking any type of test or exam can be stressful, but you can help build your confidence by doing a bit of preparation ahead of time.

You may also do better in the real test if you've had a chance to practise some sample or past papers, and got used to the format and timings of the admissions test you have to take.

Here are our top tips for preparing for the LNAT:

• Review the sample papers for the LNAT provided below. This will help you to feel familiar with the test paper and know what to expect. Make sure to have a look at the online simulation  too.
• Sit at least one past paper in test conditions. This is really important as it will help you get used to how much time to allocate to each question.
• Have a look at the LNAT website, which contains lots of useful information on how to prepare including hints and tips from former candidates and an LNAT preparation guide .

Don't worry if you find the past or specimen papers very difficult - they're supposed to be! All our tests are designed to stretch you further than you have been stretched before – most candidates will find them really hard.

Section A practice papers

The first section of the LNAT is a screen-based multiple-choice test of 42 questions. You may find it useful to familiarise yourself with the format of the test using  this online sample test . You may also like to attempt the following practice test papers which can be downloaded as PDFs. Remember you are given 95 minutes to answer all of the questions.

• Practice test paper 1
• Practice test paper 2
• Practice test commentary
• Practice test marking scheme

Section B essay questions

In the second section of the LNAT you will be given 40 minutes to write an essay from a list of three proposed subjects. Here are a few sample essay questions for you to think about. Remember that you get 40 minutes to write a maximum of 750 words – ideally about 500-600 words .  

• How should judges be appointed?
• Make the best case you can for public funding of the arts.
• Does it matter if some animal and plant species die out? 
• ‘It is right that students should contribute to the cost of their degrees.’ Do you agree?
• What disciplinary sanctions should teachers be allowed to use?
• ‘We must be prepared to sacrifice traditional liberties to defeat terrorism.’ Discuss.
• Should the law require people to vote in general elections?
• Should private cars be rationed? If so, how?
• What is ‘political correctness’ and why does it matter? 
• Make the best case you can for public funding of the arts
• Does it matter if some animal and plant species die out?
• What is 'political correctness' and why does it matter?

Further resources

You may wish to prepare by simply reading a good quality English-language newspaper. As you read, think about the issues being raised; what assumptions are being made? What information is being relied on to draw which conclusion? How would you frame a counterargument? This will help you to be aware of the world around you.

The LNAT essay topics will not be specifically about current affairs, and you will not be judged by what facts you know. But knowing how the world ticks, in general terms, will help you to write intelligently about a host of different topics.

We have listed some newspapers below worth considering. You can read the online versions (usually freely available, although registration may be required).

If you do read the online versions, remember to read the comment pieces as well as the news. (One question you might ask yourself: What exactly is the difference between news and comment? Is the contrast really apparent in practice?)

• The Economist
• The Financial Times
• The Guardian
• The Independent
• The Irish Times
• The New York Times
• The Scotsman
• The Sydney Morning Herald
• The Daily Telegraph
• The Washington Post

As part of your preparation you may also like to look at some materials on critical thinking. Here is a selection. Some of them include exercises that can help you develop your LNAT skills.

• Alec Fisher,  Critical Thinking: An Introduction  (Cambridge University Press, 2001) 
• Roy van den Brink-Budgen,  Critical Thinking for Students  (How to Books, 2000)
• Nigel Warburton,  Thinking From A to Z  (Routledge, 2000) 
• Peter Gardner,  New Directions: Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking  (Cambridge University Press, 2006)  (mainly for those who have English as a second language)

YOU MUST TAKE THE LNAT IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR:

Law   Law with Law Studies in Europe

Oxford only admissions tests:

BMSAT CAT HAT MAT MLAT PAT Philosophy test TSA

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LNAT Sample Essays

• Updated on  
• Dec 3, 2022

LNAT or National Admission test for law is an aptitude test that is conducted across 89 universities in the UK before offering admissions into their law programmes . Due to an ever increasing competition, this test was developed by oxford university to solve the problems faced by institutes with respect to shortlisting candidates. LNAT is mandatory for both home as well as international students, applying for law courses in the UK . LNAT is a 130 minute long exam that consists of 2 sections; an MCQ type and an essay type. In this blog we bring you various practise questions that’ll help you ace your LNAT Sample essays.  

LNAT Sample Essays: Structure and Format

While writing the essay it is important to keep the following points in mind in order to write a well-structured essay.

• What – try to understand the motion that is put forward. Is the motion based on law, politics, economics or ethics? What exactly is being asked of you? While writing the essay you are required to display high levels of critical thinking which must be visible in your essay.
• Why – ask yourself why this question is being asked? What could be the purpose of such a statement? Provide evidence to suggest the accuracy or inaccuracy of the motion. Question why you are required to use certain terms, phrases or literary technique. Your analytical ability and persuasiveness will be put to test.
• How- how is this statement concluded and what are the practicalities of implementing it? What are the ways in which this can be challenged? How can it be enforced and monitored? You will be required to provide solid logical reasoning and demonstrate how your answer forms a conclusion.
• What if – another question you must ask yourself is about the alternatives you have provided in your essay. Are there any views to consider? What are the practical implications of the arguments you have put forth? Can those be challenges? If yes, how? Weigh in both the strengths and weaknesses of your argument.

Practise Questions 

Here are some of the best questions that can help you practise for LNAT essays: 

• What disciplinary sanctions should teachers be allowed to use?
• Make the best case you can for public funding of the arts.
• How should judges be appointed?
• ‘It is right that students should contribute to the cost of their degrees.’ Do you agree?
• Does it matter if some animal and plant species die out?
• What is ‘political correctness’ and why does it matter?
• Should the law require people to vote in general elections?
• We must be prepared to sacrifice traditional liberties to defeat terrorism.’
• Should private cars be rationed? If so, how?
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LNAT Sample Essay

Should the privacy of the accused be maintained in Criminal legal proceedings?

The criminal justice system is rooted on the principle that the suspect is innocent until proven guilty by the court of law. This principle is applicable whether the person is renowned in the public sphere, therefore making the case susceptible to prejudice or someone wholly anonymous. Therefore, I am of the opinion that wherever possible, the anonymity of the accused ought to be maintained. There are several reasons to believe so. Firstly and most importantly, the legal system ought to be free from biases and prejudices. Secondly, publishing the accused’s identity does not serve public interest. It would be a gross breach of an individual’s right to privacy when publishing the identity.

The nature of the legal process is a dialectic process; it is a rule of thumb that the prosecutor must prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.  the defence ought to cast doubt on the case of the prosecution or prove the defendant’s innocence. This process necessitates the gathering of evidence, familiarity with the facts pertinent to the case and precedents set by the previous cases. If a defendant’s anonymity is compromised that could potentially colour the legal proceedings with public prejudice. This would be antithetical to the very nature of legal process. 

A public bias is as dangerous as any other bias and can impact the legal proceedings in negative ways. Therefore there is the possibility that the disclosure of the accused’s identity can impact the objectivity of the court. The accused only ought to be tried by the court and not by the media. 

To elaborate on the 2nd issue, the publishing of the accused identity can be extremely counterproductive and in general unhelpful to the public interest. Media trials can be extremely dehumanizing which apart from affecting the trial can additionally impact the accused life if found to be innocent.  

Most importantly, an individual’s right to privacy has been recognized as a fundamental right. A man acquitted 100 times is the same as a man once or never prosecuted at all, but seldom do the larger public view the situation from a legal perspective. The person may never escape the humiliation and public prejudice of having once been accused. 

In conclusion, I’d like to reiterate the importance of maintaining anonymity in a case of criminal accusation. It is a fair argument that the public at large ought to know the argument of the criminal who threatens their safety and security, however the principles of law dictates that a person is innocent until proven guilty. By abiding by this view, we can maintain the objectivity of the court and preserve the dignity of the accused.

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This was all about LNAT essay questions. We hope this blog has given you a brief Idea as to how to go about your essay. In case you need additional guidance in navigating various aptitude tests and exams, get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu today! Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

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YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE

The Definitive Starter Guide To The LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) 2024

Written by: Matt Amalfitano-Stroud

If you are thinking about taking the LNAT, this article is for you! We’re going to be covering both basic information that teaches you about the LNAT and more in-depth explorations of each LNAT section, as well as example questions and essay structures. 

LNAT BASICS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Before you get started with your LNAT preparation, here’s some key information about the exam. You’ll learn what the LNAT is, why it is used, who needs to sit the exam and more. Let’s jump right in:

Let’s start with the absolute basics shall we…

What is the LNAT?

The LNAT is an admissions test, taken on a computer, used by some universities to shortlist candidates for their undergraduate Law degree programmes and their interviews, including both Oxbridge Universities.

The test is designed to test your reasoning, ability to comprehend a text, evidence-based reading and writing skills. The LNAT does NOT test your legal knowledge and you are NOT expected to have any .

What is the LNAT's Structure?

The LNAT has a simple structure as it consists of two sections, Section A and Section B. 

Section A includes multiple-choice questions based on 12 text passages , with three to four multiple choice questions each. There are 42 questions in total.

Section B requires you to write one essay . You will be given three proposed prompts , of which you will choose the one option which suits you best.

This tables sums up what you can expect to see in the LNAT: 

LNAT Structure

Why is the LNAT used?

The LNAT is used as an admissions requirement as it provides universities with a fair and objective tool to assess their candidates.

It tests the students’ intellectual ability without requiring any prior legal knowledge and it helps them differentiate applicants by measuring their critical reasoning skills which are essential to any Law student.

How Much does the LNAT Cost?

Applicants will need to pay a fee in order to sit the LNAT . The fees are as follows: 

LNAT UK Fee

Lnat international fee.

This fee will be paid during your registration for the test and is paid via any major credit or debit card. If you’re unable to pay in this method, you can also purchase an LNAT voucher via cheque or bank transfer. 

Candidates who will struggle to pay this fee and are currently collecting certain state benefits will be able to apply for the LNAT Bursary online. You can find out more on the link provided. 

How to Register for the LNAT?

To register for the LNAT, you need to create an account on the Pearson VUE Portal , the organisation responsible for running it. After setting an account up on their website, you will receive an email confirmation together with further instructions about how to book your place for the LNAT. This will include providing details of your location and, at the end of the process, payment. 

Bear in mind that many students take the LNAT each year, so it is best to sign up for the test as early as possible, to make sure you will get to take the test at the centre you want on your preferred date.

Where is the LNAT held?

There are over 5,500 LNAT test centres around the world with 150 in the UK . It is better to regularly check the status of the centre you want to take the test at to make sure they are fully functioning, as centres may close for certain periods of time. 

Which Universities Require the LNAT?

There are 11 Law Schools in the UK and 2 International Universities that require their applicants to sit the LNAT. No exceptions are made in this process, so all applicants must sit the exam. 

UK LNAT Universities

• University of Bristol
• Durham University
• King’s College London
• University of Nottingham
• University of Cambridge
• University of Glasgow
• LSE London School of Economics and Political Science
• University of Oxford
• University College London (UCL)

International LNAT Universities

• IE University, Spain
• SUSS Singapore University of Social Sciences

Please note that 2022 was the first year that the University of Cambridge will require the LNAT for their law course. In previous years, Cambridge has used an in-house admissions test called the Cambridge Law Test (CLT). This test has since been discontinued in favour of the LNAT.

Key LNAT Dates

As the LNAT is a computer-based test, you have the flexibility of taking it pretty much whenever you want before or after having submitted your UCAS application. However, there are two important aspects you need to keep in mind.

Firstly, make sure to check if the universities you are applying to have set a deadline for students to take the LNAT.  If you are applying to start university in September/October 2024, the timelines for Oxford and other universities, according to the official website, are the following:

Oxbridge Universities

As Oxford and Cambridge have their deadlines set earlier than the other universities, it is really important that you prepare for, book and take the test as soon as possible, before October 15th.

All Other Universities

Note that it would be very sensible to double-check everything with the universities you apply to as a precaution. Missing an important deadline will be the breaking point of your application, so it’s never a good idea to leave things to chance.

If you are an international student submitting a late application you may be allowed to sit the exam by 31st July 2025, but this is highly dependant on the individual arrangements of the university.

How hard is the LNAT?

The LNAT is quite a difficult exam. It tests a variety of skills under time pressure, so preparation and practice are essential if you aim to achieve a good score.

There key skills that you will need to prepare are your deduction and verbal reasoning skills . You’ll be answering questions about fairly complex pieces of writing , so you need to be able develop a deep understanding of writing and reasoning techniques in order to perform well. 

As for the essay writing, many of these skills will transfer over , but with the addition of being required to express your own ideas instead of reading someone else’s. 

How is the LNAT scored?

Your LNAT score represents the score achieved in Section A of the test. The maximum score is 42 , as each question is marked with one point. A computer will check your answers in Section A and it will generate your LNAT score which will be made available to universities .

The essay written in Section B will not be scored separately and won’t affect the overall score in any way. This is due to nature of essay marking, as this process cannot be automated.

Instead, it will be sent to the universities you applied to for them to evaluate alongside the other elements of your application . The weight and nature of which different universities handle essay marking can vary greatly, so be sure to research if your chosen universities place importance on Section B or not .

You can find out everything you need to know about LNAT Results in The Definitive Guide to your LNAT Score.

When/How are LNAT Results Released?

Within 24 hours of sitting the LNAT, Pearson VUE will make your LNAT score and essay available to download by your chosen universities. They will see your score before you do as candidates are emailed their results twice a year , depending on when they sat the test. If you took the LNAT on or before January 26th , you will receive your result in mid-February , otherwise you can expect to get it as late as mid-August . The results will be sent to you via the email address you provided during registration.

What is a Good LNAT Score?

Your score is based purely on the multiple-choice section of the exam. This section contains 42 questions , each of which is worth one mark.

LNAT scores vary from year to year and so what a good score is changes depending on the average achieved in that cohort . Also, different universities have different requirements. For example, what a score that might be good enough to secure a place at King’s College London might not be enough for University of Oxford .

The average scores achieved by candidates in the past five years are as follows:

From this data we can see that the average LNAT results across the these years have formed an up-and-down pattern , with scores peaking in the 2019 application cycle . Overall however, applicants are generally scoring higher than they did five years ago. 

Preparing for the LNAT can be tough, let Exams.Ninja help you through it!

With the LNAT Preparation Platform , you’ll gain access to a comprehensive collection of revision notes, strategy guides and expert tutorials to teach you everything you need to know about picking apart a passage and writing a flawless argument!

LNAT SECTION A

The first section of the LNAT is the multiple choice section, where you will have to answer questions about different written passages relating a wide variety of topics. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about this part of the test!

Section A of the LNAT requires you to answer a collection of 42 multiple-choice questions based on a total of 12 short passages within 95 minutes . These passages are taken from a large variety of writers and do not adhere to any specific theme or subject. Basically, these passages could be about anything!

Due to this, the questions you will be asked are not based on content knowledge , so you won’t need to have prior knowledge of any specific subject going into the test. The majority of these questions will also have nothing to do with law , so legal knowledge is not being tested in the LNAT. 

Instead, Section A is essentially a comprehension test that challenges your ability to read and understand a piece of writing . Before we delve deeper into what the exam actually tests, let’s find take a look at the basic information you need to know.

LNAT Section A Structure

Section A of the LNAT is pretty simple in it’s layout and structure , but let’s quickly run through the basics of what you can expect on the paper.

Number of Questions

Number of passages.

This image shows an official online sample of the LNAT and provides a good idea of how the real test will look on the day. 

Your typical LNAT passage will be between 2 and 6 paragraphs long and will typically take up as much space as you see on the image, if not a bit more . You should be aware that some source state that the LNAT passages are weighed by difficulty , meaning passages will get harder as you get further into the test.

What Skills and Abilities are Tested in Section A of the LNAT?

Section A of the LNAT  aims to highlight candidates with strong  deduction and verbal reasoning skills . The questions will require you to demonstrate your ability to think about what you read, so a deep understanding of a written material is a must. You will need to be able to quickly identify the key issues in a passage, any arguments made, and to use logic and deduction to distinguish between facts, assumptions , or opinions expressed.

Section A actually has two general types of questions spread throughout:

Argument and Analysis Questions

These questions relate to any points or arguments that the author is trying to make with their writing. These questions may ask you to examine an individual paragraph or the the passage as a whole in order to determine the author’s intentions or views .  

Literary Style Questions

These questions will require you to understand literary elements used by the author, be it words, phrases or writing techniques . You will usually need to determine factual information rather than the writer’s own opinions for these questions.

Some of the skills you’re going to need to learn/practice for Section A of the LNAT include:

• Comprehension
• Interpreting texts
• Construe and identify arguments

There’s a lot more to learn about this, so we recommend you check out our full LNAT Section 1 Guide to learn more about the different question types, the types of skills you will need and tips for how to effectively prepare for and take on Section 1!

How Should I Approach Section A?

As we’ve said before, you’ve got 95 minutes to complete this section of the LNAT. While that seems like a long amount of time at first, you’ve got to factor in all the reading you’ll need to do, as well as saving some time at the end to double check everything . So what’s the best way to tackle this?

1. . You definitely need to take the LNAT one passage at a time . Each passage will have a lot of elements at play so the worst thing you can do is try to read everything at once and then try to answer all the questions with what you can remember.   

2. When starting each set of questions, you’re going to need to first read the passage in full . Advice for some similar exams is to not read the full passage and skip straight to the questions , but the passages in the LNAT are much more challenging, so trying to pick out details without understanding the whole passage is going to be too difficult for most people. 

3. You may wish to read the questions briefly before you read the passage , as you will be able to highlight important areas as you read. While not essential, it could certainly save you some time .   

4. When you’re ready to start answering questions, you need to make sure you highlight keywords . You can then search for these words in the text and determine your answer by analysing the relevant exert .  

How exactly should you allocate your time within the 95 minutes you have to complete this section? 

Passage Reading:  2 Minutes Per Passage = 22 Minutes/95 Minutes

Answering Questions: ≅90   Seconds per Question = 63 Minutes/95 Minutes

Double Checking Answers:  10 Minutes/95 Minutes

This isn’t the definitely correct amount of time to spend overall but it’s useful to know how long everything should take when time is split equally .  You may be able to breeze through some questions in under a minute while other could leave you stuck for two minutes or more . 

One thing to remember is not to linger too long on a question if you really aren’t getting. You’ll be better off moving on and getting marks for the questions afterwards rather than using all your time on the one question you don’t know. If you have time to go back and try again at the end , then that will always be the best option!

Prepare by Reading

Probably the most useful tip for the LNAT is to read as much as you can before the test, and to think critically about the points raised, arguments made, issues addressed. 

Reading newspapers can greatly help you stay informed about current affairs, technology developments. It will also come in handy when preparing for Section B , which requires you to write an essay.

Reading accurate, high-quality articles is also important as this will help you build vocabulary and get used to the formal style of LNAT Section A passages. So The Sun probably isn’t your best bet for this!

The Best Newspapers to Read for the LNAT

The Guardian

The Economist

Financial Times

The New York Times

The Independent

Each publication has articles written on a broad range of topics so it would be helpful to cover as many and as diverse areas as you can. After reading an article, you can also test your understanding by asking yourself:

• What are the main points raised?
• What facts are presented?
• What assumptions are made?
• What is the conclusion?
• What are the arguments made? Are they strong and persuasive or rather weak and easy to rebut?
• What assumptions aare made?
• What are the arguments made? Are the strong and persuasive?

Let’s take what we now know about LNAT Section A and put it into practice! 

This is  practice questions for the LNAT, along with fully worked solutions for each of the question stems. The passages are quite long but that’s the format of the exam so we’ve left it as you’d find it on the day .

If you find these questions helpful for practicing, you’re going to want to check out LNAT.Ninja , which features over 350 LNAT practice questions with worked solutions , along with expert tutorials and past papers taken in realistic LNAT exam conditions!

LNAT Practice Passage 1: Car Ownership

In 1989, when the environment was briefly top of the UK national agenda, a group of Chinese planners came to London. Many of the people who met them wanted to know how the country had managed to get so many citizens to ride bicycles – something the British authorities were unable to do. The Chinese were perplexed. “You don’t understand”, said one. “In 20 years time, no more bicycles. All cars.” That prediction is being realised. Beijing’s roads, once kerb-to-kerb with bikes, are now choked with cars. In terms of traffic, noise and air pollution, Shanghai could be Lagos or Cairo.

City after Chinese city is widening its roads, building flyovers and underpasses to cater for the increasing number of cars. The fastest automobile explosion the world has ever known is underway across the world’s most populous country. The bike, just a generation ago the transport of choice, is being driven off the street.

Last year, the Chinese reportedly bought four million new cars. Auto numbers there, says the World Bank, are now doubling roughly every four years. Commentators suggest that the country’s 1.3bn people will have more cars than the US within 25 years. Even now, the world’s leading carmakers are spending billions on setting up plants, vehicle prices are dropping precipitously, and the car has become the object of the new consumer’s dreams.

It is a similar story throughout the developing world. For the first time, more than one million new cars were sold in India last year, and the automobile industry there is growing at a rate of about 20% a year. The car fleets of Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and Nigeria are growing at similar rates.

But compared to the West, these numbers are as nothing. Private car ownership in the US is about 745 vehicles per 1,000 people, with slightly lower rates in Europe. There may be one car for every 2.4 British people, but only eight Indians and Chinese in 1,000 so far have a car.

Transport, says the Energy Saving Trust, accounts for 26% of all Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest growing source of global emissions. While the US is by far the greatest source, figures released this month by the European Environment Agency figures show emissions are still rising in Europe, making it unlikely that EU countries, as a bloc, will meet their Kyoto target.

Transport in developing countries, however, could exceed those in the industrialised world within five years.

Three years ago, US energy secretary Spencer Abraham suggested that there would be 3.5bn motor vehicles by 2050, almost four times as many as there are today. Unless there is a dramatic switch away from inefficient petrol and gas-driven cars towards biofuels, hydrogen, solar and clean electric power, this growth will be an impossibility. At the simplest level, there will not be enough oil. At the moment, oil supplies and refinery capacity can only just meet world demand from 795m vehicles.

Andrew McKillop, author of The World’s Final Energy Crisis, calculates that China, India and other developing countries will never be able to achieve the vehicle “saturation” ownership levels of the US. “There is simply no prospect of China, India, Malaysia, Brazil, Turkey, Iran, Ukraine, Mexico and other emerging car Sample Test 1 18 producers being able to achieve US, west European, Australian or Japanese rates of car production and ownership,” he says. “At current consumption rates, the estimate of 3.5bn motor vehicles would increase world oil consumption by about 70%.” In fact, the petrol used to fuel a car is the very end of a massive industrial process that requires oil at every point. Each car requires up to the equivalent of 55 barrels of oil, and runs on tyres that are about 40% oil by weight, often on tarmac (oil-based) roads. The real volume of oil needed to equip the world with cars is much higher than expected. “Not only is an explosion of the world car fleet a serious threat to the global environment,” McKillop says, “but through its impact on oil demand, it will become a threat to international stability.”

LNAT Practice Question 1

According to the passage, why will car ownership in emerging countries not be able to reach Western levels?

A. There will not be enough oil.

B. People will not be able to afford the increasing costs of ownership.

C. It would be too much of a threat to international stability.

D. It would be too much of a threat to the global environment.

E. There is already an energy crisis.

The correct answer is A.

To answer this type of question you can first cross out answers which are barely mentioned, or not even at all. You then must focus on what the passage actually says: ‘’At the simplest level, there will not be enough oil. At the moment, oil supplies and refinery capacity can only just meet world demand from 795m vehicles.’’ – this part of the passage essentially gives you the answer you need – the lack of oil.

LNAT Practice Question 2

What is the main cause of the problem posed by cars today?

A. The car fleets of Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and Nigeria.

B. The level of car ownership in the US.

C. 20% growth in the car industry in India.

D. The level of car ownership in EU countries.

E. Four million new cars in China.

The correct answer is B.

You can first identify the problems posed by cars today as they appear in the passage and then decide which one is the ‘main’ one, as asked by the question. The text does mention developing countries first, but then it goes on to say how the issue is bigger in the West (Europe and the US). If you pay attention, you notice that the passage states how Europe has slightly lower rates than the US, which gives you the answer you are looking for.

LNAT Practice Question 3

Which of the following, according to the passage, is a fact?

A. Last year the Chinese bought four million new cars.

B. Within 25 years there will be more cars in China than the US.

C. The EU countries will not meet their Kyoto target.

D. China, India and other developing countries will never be able to achieve the vehicle ownership levels of the US.

E. 3.5bn motor vehicles would increase world oil consumption by about 70%.

The correct answer is E.

To answer this question, you need to make the distinction between fact, opinion, assertion, or mere speculation. Therefore, you need to go back to the passage and check if the answer option is in fact someone’s opinion. For instance, A cannot be a fact because of the word ‘reportedly’, option B can be crossed out as it is clearly the opinion of ‘’commentators’’, C because of ‘unlikely’. Option D is in contradiction with the part ‘’Transport in developing countries, however, could exceed those in the industrialised world within five years.’’ and there is no other evidence to suggest that it might be a fact.

There’s a lot more to learn, so let Exams.Ninja teach you everything you need!

You’ll have access to over 20 fully comprehensive tutorials teaching you every technique you could possibly need for the LNAT. Plus, you can practice your skills with hundreds of practice questions and a realistic exam simulator!  Access practice questions and mock exams today by creating a free account!

LNAT SECTION B

Section B is very different from what we’ve looked at, you could even consider it to be the exact opposite! You’ll be in the writers seat for this section, so let’s take a look at what you need to know to write a successful LNAT Essay!

Section B requires you to write an essay within 40 minutes . Depending on where your skills lie, that may sound super easy ro super difficult! However, while the task is designed to be challenging, it’s also test that shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who has the necessary skills to earn a place in law school. 

The 40 minute deadline is quite tight, but you’re not being expected to write 50 page comprehensive report either! The word limit for your essay is 750 words , although an essay around the 600-700 words mark will be perfectly acceptable for the LNAT.

You will be given a choice of three essay prompts , which could be a lot of different things . You may be asked to answer a specific question about a topic. You may be given a statement and asked if you agree with it or not. Or you may just be given a piece of information and told to “Discuss” . This amount of variety also spreads to the question topics which, just like Section A, could be about hundreds of topics!

There’s no “best” option to choose here. All prompts are marked as equals and the section will not affect your LNAT score as it will be separately assessed by the universities you applied to. So in the end, the choice comes down to which prompt you believe you could write the best essay about.

Which Essay Prompt Should I Choose?

Before we answer this question, let’s take a look at some previous essay prompts featured in the LNAT:

• How should judges be appointed?
• Make the best case you can for public funding of the arts.
• Does it matter if some animal and plant species die out?
• In a Western society arranged marriages should no longer be tolerated. Discuss.
• ‘It is right that students should contribute to the cost of their degrees.’ Do you agree?
• The internet and instant communication technologies are profoundly changing our world for the better. Do you agree?
• What is your response to the view that the purpose of education is to prepare young people for the world of work?
• What disciplinary sanctions should teachers be allowed to use?
• ‘We must be prepared to sacrifice traditional liberties to defeat terrorism.’ Discuss.
• Should the law require people to vote in general elections?
• Should private cars be rationed? If so, how?
• What is ‘political correctness’ and why does it matter?

In the exam, you should always choose a prompt that you are comfortable with , one which allows you to build an argument around it and gives examiners the chance to see that you are able to take a stance on a topic. Choosing a something that you know nothing about won’t let you fully explore what you’re writing about, leading to an underwhelming essay .  

However, it’s also not always be as simple as picking the topic you know the most about . The best way to approach the LNAT essay is to pick the prompt that interests you the most . It’s more than likely this topic will also be one you know a lot about, but having that interest will create a genuine drive to create the best quality essay you can. 

With that being said, you must also ensure you actually understand what the prompt is asking from you in order to deliver an essay that actually answers the question . For example, an essay discussing the tolerance of arranged marriages in western society isn’t going to benefit from an in-depth analysis of the process behind arranged marriages (at least not in an LNAT essay). Remember, you’ve only got 750 words , so you’re writing needs to satisfy what the prompt is asking .

You can see that some of these prompt have two different questions or discussion points included in them. For example, “Should private cars be rationed? If so, how?” 

If you’ve chosen to take on a prompt like this, it’s important not to forget about either part the question . Ideally, each question would have an equal amount of space dedicated to them , but sometimes that may not be possible or necessary. 

At the end of the day, as long as you’ve responded to both parts of the prompt , your essay will have answered the question properly.

How to Approach LNAT Section B

Approaching this essay will likely be much different from essays you’ve written in the past. This will all be because of the limitations in place. 

Firstly is the 40 minute time-limit. 40 minutes to write a full, high-quality essay is tough, but it’s definitely manageable.

Secondly is the word count limit . 750 words is not a lot to create a truly comprehensive argument, but that’s not what the LNAT is asking of you . The point of this essay to demonstrate your verbal reasoning and cognitive skills more so than your ability to create a definitive answer to the question. Therefore, your essay needs to be smaller in scale , focusing on one or two points that are explored and discussed effectively . 

The biggest sacrifice in an LNAT essay is your chance for extensive planning . Of course, you absolutely should not go head first into the essay without even a basic structure. Doing this will guarantee that your essay is messy an incohesive.  

It is recommended that you spend up to 5 minutes of you time on the planning phase. During this time, you will be able to do the following:

• Briefly note all the different potential views and factors of the topic
• Choose the best point/s to base your essay on.
• Create a paragraph-by-paragraph structure

Once you have a clear idea about what you want to write about and how you will construct your argument, it will be much easier for you to write the essay . You’ll be able to get straight into writing as you won’t need to be thinking too much about your topic or structure . Also, you will have cut all the fat out of the essay before you even began writing, so completing your essay within the allocated word count will be much easier. 

How To Plan & Write LNAT Section B Essay

Essay Prompt: DNA testing should be made compulsory. Discuss.

Introduction

Decide which stance you want to take (in favour/against compulsory DNA testing) and signpost your view on the matter.

Set the background (use the information you already know, do not try to make up facts!)

Points you could include:

• Compulsory DNA registration is a controversial topic;
• the creation of a DNA database raises concerns: this information could be used in ways that threaten people’s individual privacy and rights
• In my opinion, DNA registration would not play such a significant role in making justice, so the disadvantages posed by implementing this measure would outnumber the advantages.

Opposing argument : As a Law student, it is important to see both sides of an argument, so your essay should ideally include arguments that support the opposing view. You can include this either at the very beginning and then dismiss them in the rest of your essay, or before the conclusion.

• Compulsory DNA testing is a major advance in policing and is effective in tracing people who are suspected of committing a crime
• This method can facilitate the procedure and diminishing the probability to wrongly imprison individuals
• However, in my view, the system is not foolproof and this could result in miscarriages of justice. Relying solely on DNA samples does not guarantee the reaching of a just verdict.

Your argument: You should aim to build a cogent argument and make use of facts, statistics, examples. In the actual exam you might not know precise numbers, so relying on general principles, examples, or approximating statistics can help you make your case.

• Collecting DNA samples from every individual and storing them indefinitely amounts to an interference within the meaning of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
• Creating a database means including confidential information not only about people convicted of serious crimes who might pose a threat to society, but also about those who have never done something illegal or immoral.
• This would fail to respect human dignity and would treat people as potential offenders, thus leading to a loss of trust among citizens. Therefore, this significant shift in expanding the database from convicted murderers or rapists to persons who have merely been arrested blurs the line between guilty and not guilty, hence undermining the presumption of innocence.
• Moreover, DNA databases also shift the burden of proof because people with records on them may be required to prove their innocence if a match occurs between their DNA profile and a crime scene DNA profile at some point in the future.

Second argument: If you have more examples of principles clashing (national security vs. individual privacy for instance) make sure to include those as well in another paragraph.

• anyone who can access an individual’s forensic DNA profile can use it to track the individual and their relatives
• A DNA database could be easily misused by Governments or anyone who can infiltrate in the system
• We know from history how paper-based databases of individuals’ records have been a powerful force in facilitating oppressive regimes and genocide, from the Nazis and the Stasi to Rwanda (another example which you can draw on from general knowledge)
• Thus, DNA databases significantly shift the balance of power from the individual to the state (always state your conclusion to answer the question asked)

Make sure you have enough time to write a conclusion! It is very important to respect the structure of the essay.

• To conclude, DNA is undoubtedly a valuable tool in criminal investigations and has helped to catch the perpetrators of some very serious crimes, including rapes and murders.
• However, in addition the problems raised by the introduction of such a measure are of grave nature and so render the apparent advantages unpersuasive
• Problems raised: concerns about privacy and rights, difficulties in collecting relevant and useful crime scene DNA, the costs and practical difficulties associated with collecting and keeping reliable computer records of DNA profiles.

LNAT Section B Tips

Once again, pre-reading is essential here: the more you read, the better you will do in the exam!

Plan & write as many essays as you can, on a variety of topics to get comfortable writing about diverse topics. All the newspaper’s you’ve accumulated through your Section A practice will come in handy for inspiration . 

Time Yourself

Once you’ve gotten a few practice essays done, it will be time to practice under strict exam conditions. This is to make sure you will be able to plan & type your essay in 40 minutes . It is probably best to try and do this at least a couple of times before the exam .

Spell and Grammar Check

Re-read the answer to check if you have accidentally misspelt or omitted any words . One small error isn’t likely to affect your essay’s quality, but multiple small mistakes build up in the end, so it’s best to take the time to check while you can.

This should give you a good start to your LNAT Section B preparation! However, there’s even more to learn about how you can tackle you LNAT essay. So for even more info , tips and example essays , check out our Definitive Guide to Section B of the LNAT!

And there you have it – a definitive guide to preparing for and doing well in the LNAT exam! We hope this has helped you understand the exam.

Here are a few closing tips from us:

• Prepare as much as you can! We recommend you plan out your preparation at least six months in advance. Check out our Preparation Timeline  for some inspiration!
• Practice tests within the exam time limit.
• Always make sure you understand the reasoning behind an answer-choice in Section A!
• Ask for help from peers, mentors or family if you're stuck or have any questions.

LNAT Deductive Reasoning: Deducing Arguments in the LNAT

Lnat preparation: your 6-month lnat preparation timeline, lnat section a: your guide to assumptions in questions, lnat section b: your guide to the second section of the lnat, lnat section a: your guide to the first section of the lnat, lnat results 2023 – the definitive guide to your lnat score.

Do you need extra support with your LNAT preparation? Exams.Ninja provides you with all the help you’ll need!

The Exams.Ninja LNAT Preparation Platform is an easy and fun way to combine all of your LNAT prep together in one place. You’ll get unlimited access to:  

Training Temple – check out fantastic tips and revision notes , along with a selection of tutorials created by experts!

Practice Dojo – Test your LNAT skills with over 350 practice questions from Section A and Section B of the test. Each answer comes with a fully worked solution to guide you when you don’t understand.

Exams Arena – Take a realistic mock exam with our LNAT past papers . You’ll get an estimated result every time to help you track your progress for the real thing! Best of all, you can retry them as many times as you like !

Sign up today to try the LNAT Preparation Platform for free!

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Sample LNAT Essay and Advice

Introduction.

The Essay forms an important part of the LNAT. Students often underestimate it, yet certain Universities place quite a considerable emphasis on the Essay in the admissions process. Head over to our Guide about LNAT Universities & Required Scores to find out more (we recommend paying attention to the official LNAT Essay mark scheme as released by University of Oxford).

Having said that, performing well in your Essay will be of great advantage to your application. The tutors are looking for candidates who possess a high level of written skill, since the study of Law revolves around delivering exceptional written arguments. Furthermore, law exams are famously known for consisting of hours dedicated to writing essays in a summative format.

To write a great essay, you need to practise under timed conditions, be well-versed on various topics, and continually analyse your performance. In particular, you should consider the following suggestions:

Be concise and succinct

Be persuasive, sample lnat essay, question: should people accused of a criminal offence retain anonymity.

“The Criminal Justice System is predicated on the supposition of innocence until guilt is proven in a court of law. This principle applies whether the defendant is known to the public and hence subject to public prejudices, or wholly anonymous prior to the alleged offence. I believe and shall argue that, wherever possible, the anonymity of the accused ought to be persevered. My reasons for thinking so are several; that the legal process must be as free from bias as is feasible; that the public interest is not served by the publishing of the accused’s identity and that the right of the individual to privacy would be breached in the publication.

First, one must consider what is the nature of the legal process; it is a dialectic process in which the prosecutor must prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt; the defence must either cast doubt on the case of the prosecution or prove the defendant’s innocence outright. This will require the gathering of many articles of evidence and an extensive familiarity with the facts pertinent to the case, as well as the stipulations of the law and the precedents set by previous cases. It would be antithetical to the very nature of the legal process to allow public prejudice to colour the legal proceedings, as it potentially would in the case that the defendant’s anonymity was compromised. A beloved darling of the people would excite a general clamour in his or her defence; a public pariah would arouse the most damning of execration.

A public bias is no less heinous than any other sort of bias and it could be argued that in magnitude it far outweighs the others. Thus, the objectivity of the court, which must be assumed a priori, can only be degraded by the general knowledge of the accused’s identity and can never be served by it. The accused ought only to be tried by a court and never by mob or media.

Second, any action by a public body, such as the police or the judiciary, ought to be in service of the public interest. It is in the public interest to seek the perpetrator of a crime, as it is to punish those found guilty and to publish their names so that they may be known as criminals to the public whom they have offended. It is hard to see how the publication of an accused person’s identity can serve the public good. In the event that they are innocent, the accused will be forever the subject of suspicion in certain quarters and may suffer reprisals from members of the public who are not satisfied by the outcome of the trial. In the event that the accused is guilty, then their guilt will be published and the public will thereby learn all of the relevant details. This is not to suggest that criminal cases ought to be tried in secret courts; persons with an intimate connection either to the accused or the victim ought to be entitled to observe the proceedings, in which case the preservation of anonymity becomes a matter of individual conscience.

Third, the individual who has been accused must be afforded the general right to privacy. Legally speaking man acquitted a hundred times is as innocent as a man acquitted but once or never prosecuted at all, but the public rarely considers criminal matters from a legal perspective; if it were so, then courts would hardly be necessary. It is precisely because certain elements of the public are quick to judge and often liable to punish unjustly that a legal system is required in order to provide due process and to prevent the miscarriage of justice. The circumstances of a crime may excite unease and discontentment in many and a person may never escape the taint of having once been accused of a crime of which they were never guilty. In some cases, suspects have been killed prior to their trials; most notably, perhaps is Lee Harvey Oswald, thanks to whose death we may never know the true circumstances of the terrible crime of which he stood accused.

In conclusion, I reaffirm the importance of anonymity in the case of a criminal accusation. For whilst the public is entitled to know the identity of criminals who threaten their security and against whom the state has levied punishment, it is imperative that we presume the defendant to be innocent until guilt is confessed or proved. Upon this principle we may hope to preserve the objectivity of the court and the dignity of the accused.”

There is no exhaustive list that will allow you to write amazing essays. It is truly the case of ‘practice makes perfect’ (and being widely read!). So maybe you are tempted to write an answer to this sample LNAT Essay Question?

Well, Arbitio allows you to do just that: we have developed an Essay Writing Simulator that accurately recreates the LNAT exam environment and provided you with 20+ Questions on a variety of topics reflective of the LNAT curriculum. The Model Answers to each Essay Question will help you see what good essay writing is all about, with some salient points you may wish to adopt into your argumentative arsenal. The subscription includes Essay Marking Service, where one of our tutors will deliver detailed feedback on an essay of your choice.

UCL Faculty of Laws

LNAT Advice and Guidance

Find out more about the LNAT and how to prepare for the test

Book your LNAT test here.

Don't forget - All applicants to UCL Laws Undergraduate Programmes must take the LNAT  alongside their UCAS application.

All applicants to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL Laws must take the LNAT alongside the UCAS application. You must take the test  no later than  31 December 2023 (some universities have earlier deadlines).

Please note that applicants who register for the LNAT just before the registration deadline may experience difficulties obtaining an available test slot by 31 December 2023 due to high demand. We recommend registering and booking the test as early as possible to avoid this problem.

If you do not take the LNAT by the 31 December 2023 deadline, your application will be regarded as a late application, and therefore we will not be able to consider you for a place on one of our LLB degree programmes in the relevant admissions cycle, even if your original application was submitted by the UCAS deadline of 31 January 2024.

Test Centres

You can register to take the LNAT at a test centre near you: the LNAT has 500 test centres in 165 countries around the world.

If you are unable to take the LNAT because there are no test centres in your home country, or your local test centres are closed due to an enforced lockdown relating to COVID-19, please contact [email protected] before 31 December 2023 and include your UCAS ID number so we can make appropriate checks. We will be able to provide an alternative test if you are unable to book a test at an official test centre.

LNAT bursaries

LNAT have a bursary system under which they waive the test fee altogether for those in receipt of certain state benefits in their country of residence. This applies to UK and EU applicants only, sitting at UK and EU test centres only.

For more information please visit the LNAT bursaries website .

Reasonable adjustments

If you require special arrangements for the LNAT please follow the instructions on the LNAT website well in advance of the deadline. If you are struggling to get a test arranged, please get in touch with us ahead of the LNAT deadline.

Extenuating circumstances

Before the test If you feel unwell (mental or physical) before your test, we suggest that you reschedule your test rather than sitting your LNAT examination. If you decide to take the test when you are unwell, we will have no way of knowing how you would have done if you had not been unwell and will therefore not be able to take into consideration your circumstances.

To confirm, if you attend the exam you are declaring you are fit to do so and the mark you achieve will stand. You will not be permitted to receive any additional consideration from UCL Laws relating to that assessment unless you fall into the category below.

During the test If there is an incident while you are sitting the test (e.g. a fire alarm or you suddenly fall ill), the test centre will do what it can to minimise the disruption (and to let you finish your test if you are well). The incident will be logged and you will be given an incident number by the test centre staff. Once you have your incident number you need to contact the LNAT Consortium at once so that the incident can be investigated and, where appropriate, a resit test offered (please request a resit if your test was negatively affected).

If you were unable to continue with your test due to a sudden illness, you will need to request an approved resit from LNAT. We will then disregard your first attempt and use your resit score, even if your original score is higher than your resit.

More information on test day problems can be found on the LNAT website .

About the LNAT

The LNAT measures the reasoning skills at the heart of legal education, including:

• comprehension
• interpretation

The LNAT is a two-part test. The first part includes multiple-choice questions based on passages of text, and the second part requires you to answer one of three essay questions. The LNAT is a computer-based test and lasts for two hours and 15 minutes.

When you have completed the test, your scores from the multiple-choice section are checked by computer, and a mark out of 42 is created. This mark is known as the LNAT score. Your LNAT score and your essay will be sent to participating universities, including UCL. Your results from the LNAT are then used to supplement your university application and demonstrate your aptitude for studying undergraduate law.

You are advised to familiarise yourself with the style and the format of the test before you take it. The LNAT website provides lots of resources and information to help you prepare for the test and what to expect.

• Find out more about how to register and book a test on the LNAT website .

LNAT Guidance from UCL Laws 

Our top tips for preparing for the LNAT

1)  The test is designed to provide an assessment of a candidate’s potential for studying law. You should read the information available on the LNAT website , including the ‘ Guide to Preparing for the LNAT ’.

2) Practise, practise, practise.

• The best way to improve at anything is to practise, and the LNAT is no different. You are only allowed one attempt at the LNAT, so the more practise you do now the better prepared you will be. Start with small steps now.

3) The LNAT must be completed at a test centre, and this will be an unfamiliar place, using unfamiliar software. One of the best things you can do to familiarise yourself beforehand in order that you’re able to perform as your best without being unsettled by the environment is to use the official LNAT test simulator . This will familiarise you with the real LNAT as it will appear on screen during your LNAT test. You’ll be able to practise navigating the screens, ensuring you:

1) Don’t make any mistakes in navigation (such as ending the test too early!),

2) That you’re comfortable using the navigation so that you don’t need to spend time and your precious mental energy figuring it out on the day, and

3) Feel familiar with the environment and are therefore able to relax, as it’s something you’ve seen before.

That way you will be able to perform well in the test itself.

• As well as practising to learn about the test structure itself, you can also benefit from practising the individual components of the test, namely the multiple choice question section (95 minutes) and the essay component (40 minutes).
• The multiple choice section is divided into 12 sub sections; each sub section has between 3 and 4 questions giving 42 questions in total. Each question has only one correct answer.
• Improve your ability to read and comprehend complicated passages of text, at test speed..
• Get an understanding of how much time you need to allocate to answer the questions within the time limit.
• Be able to pace yourself and your reading time appropriately so that you don’t run out of time at the end.
• It’s better to have time to consider and answer all of the questions, than taking too long at the start and not having the time to properly consider the later questions.
• Don’t forget that if you are really struggling on a question, that it is OK to leave it and return at the end if you have time. Don’t let getting stuck on one question deflect your concentration from answering the others or dent your confidence. You are not expected to get full marks in this test.
• Don’t overanalyse the questions – they are not there to trick you. Do think carefully about every word in the question. What are you being asked? The answer is in the text.  

4) The LNAT essay provides a choice of three essay questions, you must select and answer one.

• The LNAT as a whole is designed to assess your verbal reasoning skills. Skills which are essential to the successful study of law.
• Verbal reasoning skills include comprehension, interpretation, analysis, synthesis, and deduction.
• The LNAT questions are based on short passages of text that you are given during the test.
• There is no subject-specific revision you can do for the LNAT questions. However, the passages of text will fall into these seven general categories: law, philosophy, politics, media, science, ethics, and education.In fact, relying too much on your own prior knowledge can be a false friend in this kind of assessment. Do not rely on what you know from other sources in answering the multiple-choice questions. The questions are always only about the passage itself. If there is something in the passage you disagree with or know to be incorrect, that does not matter, treat the passage as true for the purposes of the test.
• Once again, there is no prior knowledge of these areas that is required to be able to do well in the test, but a general awareness of current affairs is recommended, both by UCL and by the LNAT itself.

LNAT Essay Guidance

• Comprehensiveness and accuracy;
• Clarity of argument and expression;
• Integration of a range of arguments;
• Insight into the theoretical issues.
• ‘Read ahead – The more you know about current affairs, the greater the chance you will have of getting essay questions you understand and have some prior knowledge and familiarity with.
• Read a broadsheet newspaper. The advice provided on the LNAT website is worth repeating:

As you read -

• Think about the issues being raised;
• What assumptions are being made?
• What information is being relied on to draw which conclusion?
• How would you frame a counterargument?

Reading a quality daily newspaper will help you to be aware of the world around you. The LNAT essay topics will not be specifically about current affairs, and you will not be judged by what facts you know. But knowing how the world ticks, in general terms, will help you to write intelligently about a host of different topics.

• We have listed some newspapers below worth considering. You can read the online versions (usually freely available, although registration may be required). If you do read the online versions, remember to read the comment pieces as well as the news. (One question you might ask yourself: What exactly is the difference between news and comment? Is the contrast really apparent in practice?)
• The Economist
• The Financial Times
• The Guardian
• The Independent
• The Irish Times
• The New York Times
• The Scotsman
• The Sydney Morning Herald
• The Daily Telegraph
• The Washington Post

Pick the right question – Identify which question you have lots of knowledge about, not necessarily the one that you feel most strongly about. You will need to argue different points of view so make sure you have enough information to make a balanced discussion. Make sure you fully understand the question; if you don’t, pick another question.

• Plan the structure of your essay – You will only have 40 minutes, so before you start writing, think about what points you want to make and how you will create a concise, balanced argument on your chosen topic. Make sure the structure of your essay is logical and progresses in a structured way.
• Plan your time – A common mistake is for students to spend too much time on writing their introduction or making a single point. Allocate time to planning the essay structure, writing the introduction, middle, conclusion and to checking your work.
• Make your essay stand out – Consider what supporting evidence your argument has and how it can be used to best effect. Try not to be obvious and give ‘middle of the road’ bland answers. Instead, try to ‘think outside the box’ and demonstrate creativity in your arguments. Could the question itself be flawed?
• Evaluate any flaws or potential implications in the points you make. Don’t just give opinions – Without having an in-depth knowledge of a subject, it is easy to fall into the trap of using opinion to argue, rather than giving evidence. The essay is not looking for your assertions, but how you can build a case using the evidence you have available.’
• Practise writing essays under timed conditions on a computer, prior to sitting the test. Ask your teachers to set questions for you!

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When Should I Start With My LNAT Preparation?

Thinking of taking the LNAT soon? Check out our guide on factors to consider before starting your LNAT preparation.

LNAT Preparation

• Find out how far in advance you need to prepare
• Discover how to maximise your preparation time
• Explore test taking techniques to boost your score

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As a sixth form student planning to apply to a law university in the UK, you face the challenge of the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT). To maximise your chances of success, it is important to start preparing well in advance. In this article, we will explore the reasons why early preparation is essential and provide an overview of effective strategies for tackling the exam.

What is the LNAT?

The LNAT is a two-hour computer-based test designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude for studying law. It consists of two main sections: multiple-choice questions based on passages of text and an essay question. The exam aims to evaluate critical thinking skills, comprehension, analytical reasoning, and the ability to construct a persuasive argument.

Why Should You Prepare in Advance?

Early LNAT preparation has significant tangible benefits: 

Ample Time for Skill Development

Starting early allows you to develop and refine the critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills required for the LNAT. With more time on hand, you can focus on understanding the concepts and practising different question types.

Reduced Exam Anxiety

Early preparation helps alleviate exam anxiety and stress. By giving yourself sufficient time, you can approach the exam with greater confidence, knowing that you have adequately prepared and are familiar with the test format.

Comprehensive Coverage of Exam Content

Beginning early ensures that you have enough time to cover all the sections of the LNAT in a thorough manner. This includes honing your reading and comprehension skills, strengthening your essay writing abilities, and practising the multiple-choice section.

Opportunity for Targeted Improvement

Early preparation allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses through practice tests and diagnostic assessments. This insight enables you to target specific areas for improvement and allocate more time and resources accordingly.

Flexibility for Incremental Learning

Starting early provides the flexibility to learn at a gradual pace. You can break down the preparation into smaller, manageable study sessions, allowing you to absorb the material more effectively without feeling overwhelmed.

Access to Additional Resources

Early birds often have an advantage in accessing a wider range of study materials, including textbooks, online resources , practice books, and preparatory courses . These resources can enhance your understanding and offer valuable practice opportunities.

Better Chance of Acceptance

While not statistically proven, starting LNAT prep early may be associated with higher acceptance rates into law programs. Early preparation gives you an edge over candidates who begin later, as you have invested more time and effort into developing the necessary skills and knowledge required for the exam.

How Early Should You Start Preparing?

Given below is a timeline and factors to consider when thinking when and how to prepare for the LNAT:

Understanding the Exam

Begin by familiarising yourself with the structure and content of the LNAT exam. This will help you gauge the level of preparation required and plan accordingly. The exam assesses critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, which may require dedicated practice.

Study Availability

Consider your academic schedule and workload. If you’re in your final year of A-levels or studying for important exams, it may be wise to focus on your current studies and start LNAT preparation afterwards. Balancing your priorities ensures that you give adequate attention to both your ongoing studies and LNAT revision.

Starting Early

Generally, it is advisable to begin LNAT preparation at least six to eight months before your desired university application deadline. Starting early allows you to allocate sufficient time for learning, practice, and improvement. It also helps alleviate stress and prevents last-minute cramming.

Personal Readiness and Aptitude

Evaluate your own preparedness and existing knowledge. If you feel confident in your critical thinking skills and have a solid foundation in subjects such as English, it may be possible to start preparing closer to the six-month mark. However, if you need to enhance your analytical abilities or strengthen your English language proficiency, starting earlier will be beneficial.

Learning Style

Different individuals require varying amounts of time to grasp and apply new concepts. Reflect on your learning style and adapt your study plan accordingly. Some may need more time to internalise information and practice effectively.

Study Plan and Progress Monitoring

Develop a structured study plan that covers all the sections of the LNAT exam. Allocate time for concept understanding, practice questions, and atleast one full-length lnat practice test. Regularly monitor your progress to identify areas of improvement and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Seeking Guidance

Consider whether you would benefit from professional guidance or preparation courses. If you feel that you need additional support or want to enhance your understanding of LNAT-specific strategies, enrolling in a reputable LNAT preparation course can be advantageous. These courses provide expert guidance and access to comprehensive study materials.

Trial and Error

Keep in mind that everyone’s learning pace and needs are different. It may take some trial and error to find the right balance between your current academic commitments and LNAT preparation. Be adaptable and willing to adjust your timeline as you progress.

Test Taking Preparation

Preparing for the LNAT isn’t just about mastering the content; it also requires attention to your mental and emotional well-being. Recognising and addressing the psychological challenges that candidates may face is crucial for optimal performance. Let’s explore techniques to manage test anxiety, build resilience, and maintain motivation throughout your LNAT preparation journey.

Understanding Test Anxiety

Begin by acknowledging that test anxiety is normal and experienced by many candidates. Recognise the signs, such as racing thoughts, restlessness, or physical discomfort, and remind yourself that it’s a common response to a high-stakes exam.

Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

 Incorporate deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques into your study routine. Take intentional breaks to engage in activities like meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga. These practices can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and enhance focus.

Setting Realistic Goals

Break down your preparation into manageable goals. Setting realistic and achievable targets not only boosts your confidence but also reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. Celebrate small victories along the way to maintain motivation.

Creating a Support System

Surround yourself with a supportive network of family, friends, or study buddies who understand the demands of the LNAT. Engage in discussions, share concerns, and seek encouragement when needed. A strong support system can alleviate stress and provide a sense of belonging.

Taking Care of Yourself

Prioritise self-care during your preparation. Maintain a balanced lifestyle by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in physical activity. Taking care of your well-being positively impacts your cognitive functioning and emotional resilience.

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Your future journey into law.

After passing the LNAT, as a prospective law student, you will embark on a series of steps to pursue a successful career in the legal field.

Firstly, you will need to complete your undergraduate degree, typically a qualifying law degree (LLB) or a non-law degree followed by the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). During your studies, it is essential to maintain a strong academic record and actively engage in extracurricular activities related to law, such as joining a law society or participating in moot court competitions.

After completing your degree, the next milestone is securing a Training Contract , which is the mandatory professional training required to become a solicitor. Training Contract deadlines vary among law firms, but they typically fall between the second and final year of your undergraduate studies or during the GDL. It is crucial to stay informed about the application deadlines and requirements of different law firms to ensure you don’t miss out on opportunities.

In addition to Training Contracts, mini-pupillage opportunities are valuable experiences for aspiring barristers. Mini-pupillages provide insight into the daily life of a barrister and allow you to observe court proceedings and engage in legal research. The application process for mini-pupillages usually involves submitting a CV and a cover letter directly to chambers.

Key Takeaways

Starting early is crucial for success in the LNAT. Early preparation not only allows you to become familiar with the exam format but also helps in developing the necessary skills and boosting your confidence. Factors such as personal aptitude, study availability, and learning style should be considered when determining the ideal time to start preparing. By implementing effective strategies, such as understanding the test, building core skills, regular practice, developing essay writing skills, and seeking guidance, you can maximise your chances of achieving a competitive score on the LNAT.

Remember, the LNAT is a challenging exam that requires time, effort, and dedication to excel. Starting early and following a well-structured study plan will give you the edge you need to stand out among other applicants. By investing in your preparation and focusing on developing the necessary skills, you’ll increase your chances of securing a spot in a prestigious law program in the UK.

So, don’t wait until the last minute. Begin your LNAT preparation journey today and set yourself up for success. Good luck!

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Lnat preparation: top tips to easily boost your lnat score.

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10 LNAT tips you should read for TOP grades on the LNAT exam

If you are preparing for the LNAT , here are 10 things you must know for top grades on the exam. It can be a confusing test to get your head round, and it is certainly a very difficult test. These 10 tips break the exam down for you, and give you simple and quick hacks to help you turn your score around and feel more confident going into the exam …

LNAT Tips 1. Small changes lead to big improvements

Every small thing you do to help you prepare will lead to big improvements in your final mark, so, whilst you might not feel like your practice is improving your score now, stick with it and you will see that it was worth it in the end.

Here is a little list of small things and handy LNAT tips that you can do today to get that top score on test day …

• Start reading newspapers , articles and journals so you know what good writing looks like
• Create a list of common question types and things you can do to tackle them
• Do a test with a timer next to you, and move on at exactly 8.5 minutes per passage
• Write an essay on your favourite topic and one on your least favourite topic, compare them and work out how you can get better at writing about topics you dislike

LNAT Tips 2. Start early

The earlier you start the better , you don’t need to jump straight into full timed mock exams but it is never too early to familiarize yourself with the test format, question types and essay topics. Especially, you should widen your reading, head to the non-fiction area of your library and see if you can find a book on the common and current debates in Science, Politics, Law, Media and Education. Or, if books aren’t your thing, take a look at an online newspaper or watch a TED Talk on YouTube whilst you get ready for school. This way, by the time it comes to the exam you will be equipped with a much better understanding of the LNAT essay topics .

LNAT Tips 3. Identify common question types and patterns – build up a bank of question tackling skills

The more you practice, the more you will release that the LNAT test involves certain question types which repeat. This is great news! It means you can build up a bank of question types that you are familiar with, and write down the tricks you use to tackle those specific questions.

Here are a few ideas …

• Main Point Questions: Take another look at the intro and conclusion of the passage, these usually give you an idea of the author’s main point
• Argument Questions: Cover up the answer options and write down what you think the answer is first, then pick the answer option which is most similar to what you wrote down
• Which of the following can be inferred Questions: Think about what the author has said and use it to jump to the next step, this is likely to be the inference
• Essay Questions: Imagine you are making your argument to a friend, what would they say? How would they criticise your points?

4. Think about the question from a new angle

With essays, it is important to nail the basics. This means a clear essay with some strong arguments which are introduced with topic sentences and developed in your paragraphs. It also means making sure that your paragraphs are always relevant to your argument, and that you are not straying away from your point. Once you think you have nailed those essay basics, it is time to get on to some top mark tricks. The best one is to think about the essay from a new angle – this means extending the scope of the essay and thinking about why it is important or how it could be tackled in a totally new way. Take this example …

5. Teach somebody else!

The best way to learn is through teaching , so grab your mum, dad or just a cuddly toy, and talk them through the different LNAT Question types, how to tackle the LNAT essays, and your best LNAT tips. This will help you think about the exam as a whole, and will make sure that all your knowledge and skills are right at the forefront of your mind on test day.

Timing is a killer in the LNAT. You can be brilliantly skilled, but, if you don’t get through the paper you are going to struggle to get a top mark. This is especially true when we remember that the LNAT is a multiple choice test, leaving an answer blank means you have 0% chance of getting the question correct, guessing gives you a 20% chance and if you can rule a few answer options out you are heading towards 50% (the average LNAT score!). In the weeks before the exam, you need to be practicing under time conditions , being strict with yourself so that you move on, find the questions you have the most chance of answering correctly and get to the end of the paper.

LNAT Tips 7. Confidence, don’t stress!

The LNAT is really hard, and you are unlikely to get your best score until right up to the days before the exam. This can be deflating and it is easy to give up early on if you don’t see score improvements. Please don’t give up , the skills you are learning in practice now will eventually turn into score improvements, even if you can’t see it yet. Stay confident, you should be impressed with yourself for preparing for such a difficult test, and remember that the LNAT averages are low, and your score will be considered along with lots of other parts of your application. A confident and calm candidate will always do better than a stressed candidate – so give it your best shot!

LNAT Tips 8. Mock tests

You should take full mock tests before your exam, this helps you …

• Get used to the online test format
• Work on how you are going to keep within time limit
• Familiarize yourself so you are less stressed in the exam
• Get used to sitting down and focussing for an extended period of time

If you have a question book you can use it to create mock tests, then, close to your exam date, you can head to the LNAT website and do their 2 mock tests which are formatted in the same way as the exam will be on test day.

LNAT Mock Test – Click Here

LNAT Tips 9. Ask for feedback

It can be hard to know how strong your essays are, it is not like the multiple choice section  where there is a correct and incorrect answer. To improve your essays you need to get feedback, so take your essay to someone, tell them what it’s for and how much time you have to write it, and then ask them to really critique it and find any flaws they can. Also, get their perspective on the question, what kinds of things might they have said that you didn’t consider.

People to ask for feedback-

• Teachers (English, Politics, Law, History, Geography teachers might be best but any teacher will be able to help you)
• Family Members

• Friends (Make sure to tell them to be mean, you want to know how to improve!)
• Yourself (Put the essay away for another day, when you come back to it, imagine you are an examiner and think about what you would critique)

LNAT Tips 10. Look for clues

The LNAT is not about knowledge it is about skills . One of those skills is inference, being able to work something out from the information you are given, a bit like a detective! So, if the LNAT question asks you for the meaning of a word and you don’t know it, use the text to work it out. Take a look at the words around the text, and the author’s argument in the passage, and pick the word that fits best in the context.

So that’s all the tips we have for the LNAT Exam. We wish you all the best in the exam and there’s lots of help available throughout the internet. If you’re interested on something personalised, be sure to check out our 1-1 LNAT Tutoring. We have expert LNAT tutors who have scored in the top 5% of the LNAT and have a wealth of advice they can give you. Here is more information about this: LNAT Tutoring

Preparation – LNAT FAQ’s

Q – how do i prepare for section a of the lnat.

A- LNAT Section A preparation is all about practice, you should do as many practice questions as you can. You should be able to start to recognise the most common question types, and draw together a skills bank to help you tackle common questions. See our post “10 Tips LNAT Section A” for more LNAT Section A grade boosters.

Q- How do I prepare for section B of the LNAT?

A – You can improve your essay skills by reading professional articles in newspapers, journals and books. Try to identify what makes the writing persuasive and effective and include it in your own work. You should look over sample essays and use them to critique your own work, try and spot places where your argument could be clearer or where you could have considered a counter argument. LNAT – Practice test https://lnat.ac.uk/how-to-prepare/practice-test/

Click Here for LNAT Sample Essays

Q- How do people do well on the LNAT?

A – LNAT is about natural skill, but it is also about practice. The more familiar you are with the test process and common question types the better you will perform. It is also really important to get used to the time pressure of the LNAT test, best candidates will have done a good number of timed mock tests.

Q- Can you get tutoring for the LNAT?

A – Yes you can. If you would like specific guided help with the LNAT, LawMind offers 1 on 1 LNAT tutoring with sessions to help you tackle the Multiple Choice Questions and improve your essays and skills.

Q – How do I get used to the online test format?

A – The LNAT is an online test, and you will not be able to highlight or edit the questions on screen, but you are given a little whiteboard to make notes. To get used to the online format, make sure to take the two mock tests on the LNAT website, which are in the same format as the exam will be on the day.

Click Here for LNAT mock tests

Q- How should I prepare myself on test day?

A – On test day, stay calm, take a look over the common question types and strategies you have learnt in your mock practice. Get all your documentation ready (a list will be given to you after registration, see the LNAT website), have something to eat as it is a long test, stay calm and confident and do your best.

Click Here for LNAT Test Day Information

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LNAT Essay Questions

What is the lnat essay, how do the universities assess the essay, tips to prepare for the lnat essay task, example lnat essay questions.

In Section B, you are asked to write one essay in 40 minutes from a list of three proposed subjects. This is designed to test your ability to construct a compelling argument and articulate it in a clear and persuasive manner. The subject matter typically covers topical issues in society, politics, philosophy, or ethical debates.

The essay should demonstrate a strong understanding of the subject matter and a critical approach to the issue. This includes the ability to weigh different viewpoints, provide relevant examples or evidence, and derive a reasoned conclusion. Clarity of expression, good grammar, and correct spelling are also important.

The specific criteria can vary among universities, but commonly, they look for the following in the essay:

• Argumentation : Can you construct a coherent, persuasive argument? This includes your ability to present your points logically, use evidence effectively, and address counter-arguments or alternative viewpoints.
• Understanding of the Topic : Do you demonstrate a clear understanding of the issue at hand? This can be shown through your discussion of the subject matter and the points you choose to raise.
• Critical Thinking : Are you able to think critically and analytically about the issue? This includes your ability to scrutinize different viewpoints and question assumptions.
• Clarity of Expression : How well do you express your ideas? This includes your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and general use of English.
• Organization : Is your essay well-organized? A clear introduction, logical progression of ideas, and a strong conclusion are signs of a well-structured essay.

Remember, the LNAT essay is not just about your knowledge of the topic, but rather how you apply that knowledge in formulating a balanced, reasoned argument.

It's important to note that universities will use the LNAT score in conjunction with other factors (such as academic performance, personal statement, references, and interview performance, if applicable) to make a decision about your application.

Understand the Test

Brush up your writing skills, practice critical thinking, keep up with current affairs, plan your essay, practice under test conditions, revise and review, understand different perspectives, don’t sit on the fence, proofread your work.

Remember, the most effective preparation is consistent and regular practice over time. Don't expect to perfect your skills overnight. Start preparing as early as possible, and work on improving steadily.

LNAT does not release the exact questions that have appeared on past tests. However, here are some hypothetical examples of the type of essay prompts you might encounter. These questions typically require you to take a stance on a controversial or moral issue, presenting an argument that justifies your position.

• "Should a democratic society tolerate speech that promotes hatred or incites violence?"
• "Is it justified for a government to restrict civil liberties in the name of national security?"
• "Is capital punishment ever morally justifiable?"
• "Should governments have the power to regulate content on social media platforms?"
• "Is it ethical to use animals in medical research?"
• "Are governments justified in imposing strict measures to combat climate change even if such measures may negatively impact economic growth?"
• "Is there a moral obligation for wealthy nations to assist poorer ones?"
• "Is it necessary for society to impose limitations on scientific research and why?"
• "Does the right to privacy outweigh the public’s right to know?"
• "Do the benefits of artificial intelligence outweigh the potential risks?"

Remember, in your response, you should develop a clear argument, consider and address counter-arguments or alternative viewpoints, provide relevant examples, and draw a reasoned conclusion.

For more help with writing high scoring LNAT essays and for more LNAT section B practice questions have a look at our LNAT course... click here .

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• What is LNAT? - The Law Nat...

What is LNAT? - The Law National Aptitude Test

On this page, topics covered.

The Law National Aptitude Test helps you understand if Law is the right career path for you, and it helps Universities check that you will be able to succeed on a law course. It does not test your knowledge on law. Instead, it is a test of your verbal reasoning skills; a test of your ability to understand and interpret information; a test of your inductive and deductive reasoning abilities and a test of your ability to analyse information and draw conclusions.  It is a two part test: multiple choice questions based on passages of text and an essay. 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. 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.  In the second part of the test you will be asked to write one essay from a list of three proposed subjects. This section 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.  Both your LNAT score and essay are made available to the participating universities. These are then used to supplement your university application and show your aptitude for studying undergraduate law. The LNAT must be taken by all applicants (UK, EU and overseas) to undergraduate law programmes at University of Bristol, Durham University, University of Nottingham and etc.  You must take the test in the UCAS year in which you are applying to university. You can only sit the test once in the cycle (September to June), and results cannot be carried over from one year to the next. After that date, within 24 hours of finishing your LNAT, Pearson VUE will make your LNAT score and essay available for download by your chosen university or universities. They will see your score before you do. Each university’s admissions tutors will then refer to the candidate’s score as part of their application. The candidate’s LNAT score and the essays will be used by each university in the way that best suits its own admissions system. The LNAT does not replace ‘A’ levels or their global equivalent but is used in conjunction with formal qualifications, the information on the UCAS or other application form, the candidate’s personal statement and, in some cases, performance at the interview. There is no fixed weight to the LNAT and different universities will utilise the LNAT in different ways. The use of LNAT essays varies and is dependent on each participating university’s admissions policy. Some universities may use it, for example, as the basis for interview questions. Others may compare it with the personal statement and school/college report on UCAS forms, or use it as a means of distinguishing between borderline candidates.

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Guest Essay

I Don’t Write Like Alice Munro, but I Want to Live Like Her

By Sheila Heti

Ms. Heti is the author of the novels “Pure Colour,” “How Should a Person Be?” and, most recently, “Alphabetical Diaries.”

It is common to say “I was heartbroken to hear” that so-and-so died, but I really do feel heartbroken having learned about Alice Munro, who died on Monday.

As a writer, she modeled, in her life and art, that one must work with emotional sincerity and precision and concentration and depth — not on every kind of writing but on only one kind, the kind closest to one’s heart.

She has long been a North Star for many writers and was someone I have always felt guided by. We are very different writers, but I have kept her in mind, daily and for decades, as an example to follow (but failed to follow to the extent that she demonstrated it): that a fiction writer isn’t someone for hire.

A fiction writer isn’t someone who can write anything — movies, articles, obits! She isn’t a person in service to the magazines, to the newspapers, to the publishers or even to her audience. She doesn’t have to speak on the political issues of the day or on matters of importance to the culture right now but ought first and most to attend seriously to her task, which is her only task, writing the particular thing she was most suited to write.

Ms. Munro only ever wrote short stories — not novels, though she must have been pressured to. She died in a small town not too far from where she was born, choosing to remain close to the sort of people she grew up with, whom she remained ever curious about. Depth is wherever one stands, she showed us, convincingly.

Fiction writers are people, supposedly, who have things to say; they must, because they are so good with words. So people are always asking them: Can you say something about this or about this? But the art of hearing the voice of a fictional person or sensing a fictional world or working for years on some unfathomable creation is, in fact, the opposite of saying something with the opinionated and knowledgeable part of one’s mind. It is rather the humble craft of putting your opinions and ego aside and letting something be said through you.

Ms. Munro held to this division and never let the vanity that can come with being good with words persuade her to put her words just everywhere, in every possible way. Here was the best example in the world — in Canada, my own land — of someone who seemed to abide by classical artistic values in her choices as a person and in her choices on the page. I felt quietly reassured knowing that a hundred kilometers down the road was Alice Munro.

She was also an example of how a writer should be in public: modest, unpretentious, funny, generous and kind. I learned the lesson of generosity from her early. When I was 20 and was just starting to publish short stories, I sent her a fan letter. I don’t remember what my letter said. After a few months, I received a handwritten thank-you note from her in the mail. The fact that she replied at all and did so with such care taught me a lot about grace and consideration and has remained as a warmth within me since that day.

She will always remain for me, and for many others, a model of that grave yet joyous dedication to art — a dedication that inevitably informs the most important choices the artist makes about how to support that life. Probably Ms. Munro would laugh at this; no one knows the compromises another makes, especially when that person is as private as she was and transforms her trials into fiction. Yet whatever the truth of her daily existence, she still shines as a symbol of artistic purity and care.

I am grateful for all she gave to the world and for all the sacrifices she must have made to give it. I’m sorry to be here defying her example, but she was just too loved, and these words just came. Thank you, Alice Munro.

Sheila Heti is the author of the novels “Pure Colour,” “How Should a Person Be?” and, most recently, “Alphabetical Diaries.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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