How to prepare

The LNAT is designed to test your intellectual abilities rather than your knowledge about a particular subject. However, students are strongly advised to practise and prepare for the test.

 

There are no facts to learn in preparation for the test. However we strongly recommend you make use of our preparation materials which will help you concentrate on exercising the relevant parts of your brain, and on familiarising yourself with the test format.

The LNAT is a 2¼ hour test in two sections.

  • Section A consists of 42 multiple choice questions. The questions are based on 12 argumentative passages, with 3 or 4 multiple choice questions on each. You are given 95 minutes to answer all of the questions.
  • For Section B, you have 40 minutes to answer one of three essay questions on a range of subjects..

We do not recommend that candidates pay for coaching and we advise you to be sceptical about anyone’s claims to be able to help you do well in the test by coaching.

The LNAT Consortium has no connection with and does not endorse or recommend any preparatory materials provided by any other individual or organisation, whether commercially or free of charge. Any attempt to suggest that the LNAT Consortium makes any such endorsement should be reported to us so that action may be taken against the perpetrator.

Be aware that coaching organisations’ screen views of any preparatory test may not resemble the real LNAT screens.

Reading and Thinking

Candidates can prepare for the LNAT by exercising the relevant parts of their brain. This can be done by reading a quality newspaper (in English) every day. 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?)