Birmingham Law School

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• Birmingham Law School

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The Law National Admissions Test

• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• University of Cambridge
• University College London
• Durham University
• University of Exeter
• Glasgow University
• Kings College London
• Manchester Metropolitan
• Nottingham University
• Oxford University

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Preparing to sit LNAT

• Read quality newspapers
• Think about issues raised
• What assumptions are being made?
• What info is being relied on to draw conclusions?
• Think about arguing against the article

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Read Newspapers Good ones!

• The Daily Telegraph
• The Guardian
• The Independent
• The Irish Times
• The Scotsman
• The Times
• Online - Read comment as well as news

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Techniques needed to read Law

• Speed reading
• Pick out key issues in an argument
• Scan for keywords
• Reference
• Indexing

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What is in the test?

• It is 2 hours long
• You will sit alone in a booth at test centre
• You will have a pc and whiteboard with pen (for
  planning)
• 80 minutes to do the 30 multiple choice questions
• 40 minutes to write a 500 word essay from a
  choice of 5 topics
• If you have special needs please highlight this
  at registration extra time can be given

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Multiple Choice

• Skim/speed read passages first
• Go back and read slowly
• Think carefully about each sentence
• Note key words and phrases on whiteboard
• Take everything at face value - read what is
  there do not read into anything

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Multiple Choice continued.

• The questions are always about the passage
• Ignore what you know from outside
• There is only one right answer
• All questions have been thoroughly checked
• There are no trick questions!

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Multiple Choice continued

• Two answers might be hard to choose apart
• This is part of the purpose of the test
• We are trying to establish your ability of
  discrimination
• Do not leave blanks always guess if you cannot
  decide!

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Multiple Choice continued.

• You can skip around within the multiple choice
  section
• But you do need to do them all within the 80
  minutes
• Once this time is up you have to move onto the
  essay and cannot go back
• Pace yourself there is plenty of time!

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Essay tips

• You do not need data about the topic
• We are not looking for your opinion
• We want to see if you can defend a position
• It doesnt have to be your own personal position
• Can you form an argument? You do not have to
  believe in the argument

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Essay tips continued..

• Try to keep to 500-600 words
• You have lots of time
• Think about what to write
• Organise your thoughts
• Compose and edit
• Avoid repetition, surplus words and digressions
• Use your whiteboard to plan!

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Essay tips continued..

• Dont sit on the fence
• If both sides have a point show this
• Dont try to impress with fancy words
• Be simple and straightforward
• Use paragraphing!
• You will be using a keyboard

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Sample Essay Questions

• Does it matter if some animal and plant species
  die out?
• "It is right that students should contribute to
  the cost of their degrees." Do you agree?
• What disciplinary sanctions should teachers be
  allowed to use?
• "We must be prepared to sacrifice traditional
  liberties to defeat terrorism." Discuss.
• Should the law require people to vote in general
  elections?
• Should private cars be rationed? If so, how?
• What is 'political correctness' and why does it
  matter?
• Some essay answers/examples on the website

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At Birmingham what do we want to see from your
test?

• See a high score in multiple choice questions
• Well constructed argument in essay
• INTRO - FOR AGAINST CONCLUSION
• Good spelling and grammar are essential
• Write well and show self confidence
• KEEP ESSAY SIMPLE!

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Practice Practice Practice!!!

• Sample questions and essays online at
  www.lnat.ac.uk
• Do not pay anyone to practise for the test!
• Read your quality newspapers every day!
• We get your results a few days after you have sat
  the test will not make decision until we have
  the test result

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Why we use LNAT at Birmingham

• Minimise applications
• Another selection tool
• Identifies skills we want
• Objective comparison
• Place students who miss the grade
• www.lnat.ac.uk

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Who must take the test?

• LNAT is mandatory
• All Home/EU applicants
• All Overseas applicants
• Anyone applying to
• Law, Law with Business, Law with French Law
  with German
• www.lnat.ac.uk

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When can I sit the test?

• 1st September to 30th
• Take it before 15th January in line with UCAS
  application
• Overseas applicants have until 30th June to apply
  and sit the LNAT test
• www.lnat.ac.uk

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Where and how much?

• 150 High Street test centres throughout the UK
• The test fee for Home/EU 40
• Bursaries will continue to be available (website
  for details)
• www.lnat.ac.uk

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What is the registration Process?

• Register from 1st August
• All registration is online
• Payment methods MasterCard/Visa/Amex/debit cards
• If no credit card you can write to address on
  website and a voucher will be sent to you which
  enables you to register fully online
• Go to www.lnat.ac.uk to register

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How we make decisions..

• We review the WHOLE application
• Good personal statement
• Good academic reference
• Good LNAT score and well written essay with
  structure
• Offer invite into school for our Applicant
  Visit Day

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Useful contacts and websites

• Joanne Thacker Admissions and Recruitment
  Officer, Birmingham Law school
• J.thacker_at_bham.ac.uk
• www.lnat.ac.uk
• www.law.bham.ac.uk
• law_at_bham.ac.uk

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