There is no universal good LNAT score and no overall LNAT pass mark. Section A gives a raw score out of 42, but universities compare that result with the current applicant field and use it alongside other evidence. Section B is sent separately and may be important even though it does not add to the score out of 42.
The safest interpretation is: a higher score strengthens an application, but no score guarantees an interview or offer, and the same score can be used differently by different universities.
Figures in this guide are historical reference points from official university publications. They are not 2027 cut-offs or predictions.
How the LNAT Score Works
- Section A contains 42 multiple-choice questions.
- Each correct answer earns one point.
- Wrong answers do not lose marks.
- The reported score is a raw total from 0 to 42.
- Section B does not contribute to the numerical score.
- There is no LNAT pass or fail mark.
The LNAT Consortium sends both the Section A score and essay to selected participating universities. Each university decides what weight to give them, and that policy can change between admissions cycles.
What Is a Good LNAT Score?
In simple numerical terms, 21 is half of the available marks. The University of Bristol's current FAQ says a candidate has “done well” if they answer over 50% correctly, but it also says Bristol has no minimum LNAT score and compares applicants with the cohort in their year.
For the most selective courses, recent official offer-holder averages published by Oxford and UCL have been around 30. That does not make 30 a cut-off. An average is neither the lowest accepted score nor a guaranteed successful score, and admissions decisions use more than Section A.
A useful way to read a practice score is:
| Practice range | Sensible interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below 21 | Diagnose accuracy and pacing weaknesses; do not treat this as a final outcome |
| 21–24 | A foundation around or above half marks; continue targeted improvement |
| 25–29 | Potentially competitive in many contexts, but university and cohort matter |
| 30+ | Strong performance relative to recent published averages, never a guaranteed offer |
These bands are ExamPrepIQ study guidance, not official thresholds. Practice-paper difficulty and repeat exposure also affect the meaning of a score.
Official Historical LNAT Data
| University | Official published evidence | What it does and does not mean |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford | For the 2025–26 admissions round, the average Section A score was 24.94 for all 2,115 applicants, 29.37 for shortlisted applicants and 30.48 for offer recipients | Cohort averages, not cut-offs for 2027 |
| UCL | In academic year 2025/26, UCL reports an average of 23 across scores received, 30 for offer holders and 27 for contextual offer holders | UCL explicitly says no score guarantees an offer |
| Bristol | Current guidance says over 50% is “done well” and states that there is no minimum score requirement | A broad reference point; applicants are compared with their year |
| LSE | For 2027 entry, LSE says there is no set minimum multiple-choice score | Section A forms part of a holistic assessment, not a stand-alone decision |
Sources: Oxford Law Admissions Report 2025–2026, UCL applying and entry requirements, Bristol Law undergraduate FAQs and LSE undergraduate entry requirements.
Oxford LNAT Score
Oxford's official 2025–26 report provides unusually useful context:
- all applicants' average Section A score: 24.94
- shortlisted applicants' average: 29.37
- offer recipients' average: 30.48
- all applicants' internally marked essay average: 62.38
- shortlisted applicants' essay average: 64.59
- offer recipients' essay average: 65.21
Oxford used LNAT multiple-choice and essay results in its shortlisting process alongside contextualised GCSE information where available. Applicants without a contextualised GCSE score were ranked separately using the two LNAT components, with individual adjustment for their educational record.
Do not convert Oxford's internal essay marks into a universal Section B scale. The essay is not given a central LNAT score, and another university's marking method may be different.
UCL LNAT Score
UCL says it has no fixed minimum score. It reviews previous applicant averages and sets a benchmark threshold for the current admissions cycle before applications move to academic consideration.
For 2025/26, UCL publishes:
- average of LNAT scores received: 23
- average for candidates who received an offer: 30
- average for contextual offer holders: 27
UCL then has an admissions tutor mark the essay and says Section B carries considerable weight. Academic history, motivation, extracurricular activity, the reference, Section A and the essay all contribute to the decision. UCL explicitly warns that no score guarantees an offer.
LSE LNAT Score
LSE's 2027-entry policy states that there is no set minimum score. For most applicants, LSE currently uses the multiple-choice score and does not consider the essay; it reserves the right to assess Section B, including for applicants with non-traditional or less familiar qualifications.
LSE uses Section A alongside academic history, contextual information, the reference and personal statement to distinguish between highly qualified applicants. That makes an unofficial “LSE cut-off” especially misleading.
Bristol LNAT Score
Bristol says applicants have done well if they answer over half of Section A correctly. It also says:
- there is no minimum accepted score
- the score is compared with other applicants in the same year
- the essay is marked by Bristol staff
- LNAT is used alongside the academic record
“Over 50%” is therefore an accessible performance description, not an automatic admissions threshold.
Cambridge LNAT Score for 2027
Cambridge requires the LNAT for Law for 2027 entry and will use it both to help decide interview invitations and in final selection. Cambridge says both sections will be used and the essay will be marked centrally at Cambridge.
Because this is a new Cambridge LNAT cycle, there is no previous Cambridge LNAT offer-holder average for applicants to treat as a 2027 benchmark. Any website claiming a guaranteed Cambridge cut-off before the cycle concludes is speculating.
King's, Durham, Glasgow and SOAS
Official current pages confirm LNAT requirements or use but do not provide a simple, guaranteed public cut-off for 2027 applicants:
- King's College London requires relevant applicants to sit by 31 December and assesses a competitive application as a whole.
- Durham University requires LNAT for its undergraduate Law application; check the current course and admissions policy for how evidence is considered.
- University of Glasgow uses LNAT alongside academic qualifications and the rest of the application.
- SOAS makes the requirement depend on qualification type and may consider promising optional performance from other applicants.
Do not substitute forum anecdotes, tutoring-company estimates or old Freedom of Information tables for a current university policy.
Does the LNAT Essay Matter?
Yes, but not equally everywhere. Section B has no central score, so a candidate can have a strong Section A result and still submit an essay that affects the overall assessment.
- Oxford marks and uses the essay in shortlisting.
- Cambridge will mark the essay centrally for 2027 entry and use both sections.
- UCL says the essay carries considerable weight.
- Bristol marks essays internally.
- LSE says most applicants' essays are not currently considered, but reserves the right to use them in specified circumstances.
Prepare for both sections unless every university you are applying to explicitly says otherwise.
How to Set a Practice Target
- Take an official paper under the full 95-minute limit.
- Record your score and error categories.
- Aim to improve repeatable skills rather than chase a single number.
- Use an unseen official test near the end of preparation.
- Treat 30 as a demanding performance target informed by recent Oxford and UCL averages, not as a universal cut-off.
- Continue essay work even when Section A improves.
Our six-week LNAT preparation plan links directly to the official papers. For dates and participating-university rules, use the LNAT 2027 exam guide.
You can use ExamPrepIQ LNAT practice for additional timed practice and indicative essay feedback after the official samples. ExamPrepIQ results are study data, not official LNAT scores or admissions predictions.