What is a Good Score on LNAT for the Academic Year 2025-26?

The LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) exam scores are crucial for getting admission into one of the top universities in the UK. Therefore, securing good LNAT scores becomes important. Before preparing for the LNAT exam, you need to be aware of the average LNAT scores and what scores you require you get admission to a university. Although there is no universal passing mark, each university sets its own score. In this blog, we have explained everything you need to know about a decent score in the LNAT exam that will get you through the admission door.

LNAT Exam Pattern and Scoring

As an aspiring law student, you need to learn about the exam pattern and the maximum scores for each section. This will help you understand a good LNAT score. The LNAT exam is a multiple-choice exam consisting of 42 questions. It has 2 sections- Section A (Paper 1) and Section B (Paper 2). The scores you obtain will only be for paper 1. The total duration of the paper will be 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Section	Content	Time	Scoring	Purpose
Section A	42 MCQs across 12 argumentative passages	95 minutes	0–42 • no negative marking	Tests argumentative comprehension and logical reasoning. Score = LNAT score.
Section B	Write one essay from three prompts	40 minutes	Not centrally scored—marked by each university	Evaluates clarity, argument structure, critical thinking, and engagement with issues.

You will only receive the Section A scores. There is a proper scale to analyse the section A scores. On average, students secured 21/42 in Paper 1.

LNAT Section B: The Essay That Matters

The Section B scores are not given to the applications. The paper is sent directly to the university. The respective university will verify the paper as per its criteria. The scores don’t add to your 42-point tally. Nevertheless, a good LNAT score (Paper 2) is important for the following reasons:

1. Universities like Oxford and UCL assign 40% weight to the final essay. Therefore, scoring a good score in paper 2 is essential for admission to Oxford.
2. Universities like Bristol also give decent importance to the scores obtained. Bristol University consider 40% of the scores you obtained. Durham, Glasgow, and King’s have also added it to their evaluation criteria.
3. However, the London School of Economics is likely to ignore the scores secured in paper 2. They will consider the paper 2 scores occasionally. For example, if you are a non-traditional applicant.

Also Read: What is LNAT? Law National Aptitude Test in the UK [A Guide]

LNAT Average Score 2025

The average LNAT score is provided below. We have also added the typical offer benchmark of these universities for a better analysis. The scores are for Paper 1 and are out of 42 points.

S.No	University	Avg. Score (Offer Holders)	Typical Offer Benchmark
1	Oxford University	31.0	29+
2	Cambridge University	30.1	29+
3	University College London	27.4	27+
4	King’s College London	29.9	27+
5	London School of Economics and Political Science	26.4	27+
6	Bristol University	25.0 (2022 data)	25+
7	Durham University	26.0	27+
8	Glasgow University	Offer median ~23	18–19 lower bound
9	Nottingham Trent University	N/A (does not require LNAT)	N/A

Note: LNAT is not mandatory for admission to Nottingham Trent University.

LNAT Good Score for Top Universities: Most Asked 

Law applicants mostly ask score-related questions regarding top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Bristol. This is because these universities are the most prestigious for admission. Now that you have understood the average LNAT score, let’s solve any additional queries you might have:

University & Score Insight	Recommended Score
What LNAT score is required for Oxford?	Aim for 29+ to be shortlisted; 30–31+ significantly boost your chances.
What is a Good LNAT score for Oxford?	An excellent score is around 31/42, putting you in Oxford’s top applicant tier.
What is a Good LNAT score for Cambridge?	Competitive applicants score 30+; the average offer-holder score is 30.1.
What is the Average LNAT score for Bristol University?	The average for offer-holders is 25; scoring 25+ aligns with successful applicants.
What is the Average LNAT Score for UCL?	UCL offer-holders average 27.4; aim for 27+ to be in the safe zone.
What is a Good LNAT Score for LSE?	LSE candidates average 26.4; scoring 27+ makes you more competitive.
What LNAT score do I need for Kings?	You need a score of 27. Securing 29 makes it easy for admission.

What is the Highest Score on the LNAT?

The maximum score you can obtain on the LNAT examination is 42. However, no one has ever secured this score. The closest highest score ever obtained is 39 for the University of Cambridge, and 37 for Oxford University admission. The common top scores obtained are estimated to be around 38. Students who secure more than 35 in the LNAT examination already have a strong profile, as the score is outstanding.  Therefore, it is not necessary to score 37-39.

What LNAT Score Do I Need?

The average LNAT score in the UK is 21. Most students secure this score. If you secure more than 25 out of 42, you will qualify for admission to most Russell Group Universities. If you intend to target admission to Oxford or Cambridge, you need to secure more than 27. Ideally, students who secure more than 31 points get admission to Oxford. Your essay scores are considered depending on to university.

Also Read: LNAT Exam Dates 2026: Key Timelines for UK Law Applicants

Which Universities Require High Scores, and Which Are Worth Considering?

The most popular universities, like Durham University, King’s College London, and University College London, are competitive. These universities typically require you to secure at least 27-28 for admission. It is worth noting that these universities do not hold interviews. Therefore, your LNAT scores play a very significant role in the admission process. 

Therefore, some of the universities that are worth considering for admission are Birmingham University, Nottingham University, SOAS, and Glasgow University. Even Bristol University is worth considering. You will still need to secure a higher-than-average grade for admission. Nevertheless, these universities may also accept scores around 25. If you are not solely relying on LNAT scores for admission and believe you have a strong profile, you can apply.

To learn how to smash the LNAT for Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and Durham University admission, watch this video:

LNAT Score Validity

Securing an LNAT good score is important because you can only give the exam once per cycle. You cannot retake the test. Moreover, your exam results are only valid for that admission cycle. This means that the LNAT score validity is constrained to one admission cycle.

Also Read: Study in UK 2025: Requirements, Scholarships, Top Universities, and More

When Are LNAT Results Released?

Most universities receive the LNAT test scores within 24 hours of you taking the exam. However, the results are published as per the standard criteria. The results publication for tests taken in 2025 are provided below.

Criteria	Details
Tests Taken On or Before 26 January 2025	Results released to candidates in mid-February 2025
Tests Taken After 26 January 2025	Results released to candidates in mid-August 2025

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