If you are applying for an undergraduate Law degree (LL.B.) at top UK universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, King's College London, Bristol, or Durham, taking the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) is a mandatory part of your application.
Missed deadlines can invalidate your university application, so mark these dates on your calendar.
Key LNAT Dates & Deadlines for 2026 Entry
| Deadline Event | Key Date |
|---|---|
| LNAT Registration Opens | 1 August |
| Testing Begins | 1 September |
| Oxford University LNAT Deadline | 15 October (Test must be sat on or before 15 Oct) |
| UCAS General Application Deadline | 29 January |
| Final LNAT Test Sitting Deadline | 25 January |
Understanding the LNAT Exam Format
The LNAT is a 2-hour and 15-minute test divided into two sections:
Section A: Multiple Choice (95 Minutes)
- 42 multiple-choice questions based on 12 argumentative passages.
- Tests comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference, and deduction skills.
- No legal knowledge required!
Section B: Essay Writing (40 Minutes)
- Choose 1 essay prompt from a choice of 3 topics.
- Tests your ability to construct a logical, well-structured argument under time pressure.
- Evaluated directly by university law admissions tutors (not Pearson VUE).
How to Prepare for the LNAT
- Practise Argumentation: Learn to spot assumptions, counter-arguments, and logical fallacies in news op-eds.
- Time Section A Strict Passages: Aim for roughly 7.5 minutes per passage and question set.
- Get Feedback on Essays: Use AI-assisted essay grading to evaluate clarity, counter-arguments, and structure in Section B.