Information for Candidates

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• Information for Candidates

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Why do we need the LNAT?

• LNAT Universities are likely to receive 2,000
  applicants for 140 places.

• Thats 13 applicants for every place!

• And most of the applicants have got good grades
  at A level.

• So, how are the universities going to ensure that
  their decisions are fair?

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Why do we need the LNAT?

• They could

pull the names out of a hat
sell lottery tickets
or use the LNAT.
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So does the LNAT replace A levels?

• No!
• The LNAT is one part of the admissions process.

Your academic qualifications remain central to
the admissions process.
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If the LNAT doesnt replace A levels, what does
it do thats different?

• To succeed on a demanding law course you need
  good academic qualifications. But you also need-

Analytical and reasoning skills
Good powers of comprehension and interpretation
The ability to construct a logical argument
Attention to detail
Inductive and deductive skills
A good command of written English
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If the LNAT doesnt replace A levels, what does
it do thats different?

• A levels or their equivalent on their own cannot
  demonstrate that you have the ability and
  potential to succeed on a demanding academic law
  course.

• The LNAT is the only test designed specifically
  for law to test that you have the necessary
  skills.

• The LNAT is a test of your intellectual
  abilities, not your knowledge.

• The LNAT is a fair and objective way of measuring
  your ability to study law.

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Whats fair about having to take another test?
People apply to study law with very different
qualifications, and everyones experience is
unique.

• Whatever your age

• Whatever your educational background

• Whether you live in the UK or abroad -

The LNAT is a way of measuring abilities and
aptitudes that is the same for all, and fair for
all.
And, the LNAT is carefully designed and monitored
to ensure that it does not disadvantage any group
of candidates.
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What is the LNAT?

• The LNAT is

A 2 hour, on-screen test in 2 parts
Part 1 multiple choice a series of passages
with questions on each 80 minutes
1. What is the writers main argument? (a) The
word freedom has different meanings. (b) Freedom
in education is especially important. (c) Freedo
m to is better than freedom from. (d) Words
such as freedom should be used carefully.
(e) Freedom is a meaningless word.
Part 2 a short essay 40 minutes
Make the best case you can for public funding of
the arts.
There are two main worries about public funding
of the arts. One is that
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What does the LNAT screen look like?
All of the test is taken on a computer, which
times the test for you.
You can take a full guided tour of the test
screen on the LNAT web site. You will also find
instructions on how to use the screen.
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How is the LNAT marked?

• Multiple choice section marked electronically
  out of 30 (your LNAT score).

• Essay section not marked, but passed on to
  university admissions tutors to read.

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Which universities use the LNAT?
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How do universities use the LNAT score?

• The weight placed on the LNAT score varies from
  university to university.

For each university, the LNAT is part of a
well-rounded admissions policy which takes into
account-

• your academic qualifications

• your school/college report and

• your personal statement.

You can find out about each universitys
admissions policy by visiting their websites.
Links are available on the LNAT website.
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How do universities use the essay?
This also varies from university to university.
It may be used

• as the basis for discussion at an interview

• to help decide on borderline cases or

• as a comparison with your personal statement and
  school or college report.

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How do I send my LNAT results to my chosen
universities?

• You dont we do it for you!
• When you register for your test, you select the
  LNAT universities to which you are applying.
• Your LNAT score and essay are made available to
  those universities, usually the day after you
  take the test.
• If you change your university choices, you can
  easily update them via the LNAT website.

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When do I get my results?

• That depends on when you take the test.
• If you take the test on or before 15 January
  2010, you will receive an email notification of
  your LNAT result on 31 January 2010.
• If you take the test after 15 January 2010, you
  will receive your LNAT result by email within 5
  working days of the last test date (which is 30
  June 2010).
• However, you should check the LNAT website in
  case these deadlines change.

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But
I dont know the first thing about law!

• Ive never taken an on-screen test!

Where do I go to take my test?
How do I book my test?
How do I prepare for my test?
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Dont panic!

• You will find all the answers you need on the
  LNAT website www.lnat.ac.uk

And you dont need to know anything about law.
The LNAT tests your intellectual ability, not
your knowledge of any particular subject.
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When should I take my test?

• LNAT registration starts on 1 August.
• LNAT testing starts on 1 September.
• For full information on deadlines see the LNAT
  website.

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How many times can I take the test?

• Once!

You must take your test in the same admissions
cycle that you make your UCAS application.
Testing starts in September and ends in June.
Results cannot be carried over from one year to
the next.
If you take the test twice, the later result will
be invalid.
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Where do I take my test?
You take your test in a specialist test centre.
Every candidate in the UK and overseas sits the
test under similar conditions.
You can take a virtual tour of a test centre on
the LNAT website.
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How do I book my test?

• You book and pay for your test on line at the
  LNAT website.
• One test fee covers your applications to up to 5
  LNAT universities.
• When you book you can choose the test centre and
  appointment time most convenient to you.

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What if I cant afford the fee?

• You can apply for an LNAT Bursary.

If you qualify, LNAT will pay the whole of the
fee for you.
You do not have to pay first and claim your money
back later.
For details of who is eligible, conditions of
issue, and an application form visit the LNAT
website.
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What if I have special access requirements?

• If you have a disability, we will do our very
  best to provide appropriate facilities for your
  test.
• Facilities may include-

• Extended time

• A reader recorder

• A customised package to meet your individual
  requirements

• If we confirm that we cannot meet your
  requirements, you can apply to individual LNAT
  universities for exemption from the LNAT.

You will find full details on the LNAT website.
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Preparing for your test

• You could pay someone to coach you but we dont
  recommend it.

• There is no evidence that coaching helps.

• All the information and advice you need is
  available free of charge on the LNAT website.

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Preparing for your test

• On the LNAT website you can-
• Find guidelines on what sort of reading and
  thinking you should practise.
• Find a list of useful books about critical
  thinking.
• Find links to recommended quality daily
  newspapers.
• Read our hints and tips on answering both
  multiple choice and essay questions.
• Take a timed practice test, and see the answers
  with commentary.

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And finally

• Remember that all the information and advice you
  need can be found on the LNAT website

www.lnat.ac.uk