Although the exam has two sections, only one of them contains points that count towards your final LNAT score. Section A of the test, the multiple choice questions, is marked out of 42, while the essay, section B, is used to assess your essay writing ability and receives no formal grade.
In cases where your total score is lower, the essay may be the very thing that wins over the university admissions department, so it’s good to brush up on your essay skills before you sit the exam.
There is no formal pass mark for the LNAT. Each university values a different average LNAT result which tends to change each year.
As mentioned above, average LNAT scores vary from year to year. Below is a table with LNAT results statistics for the past few years.
| Previous Years | Score (/ 42) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 (/ 30) | 26.6% |
| 2008 | 16.7 (/ 30) | 55.5% |
| 2010 | 17.7 | 42.1% |
| 2012 | 21.3 | 50.7% |
| 2013 | 21.1 | 50.2% |
| 2014 | 22.3 | 53.1% |
| 2015 | 22.9 | 54.4% |
| 2016 | 17.9 | 50% |
| 2017 | 19.9 | 47.4% |
| 2018 | 23 | 54.8% |
What’s considered a good LNAT score changes depending on the average score for the year. Considering that there are no official score cut off points, LNAT exam results are assessed by universities holistically.
You should aim for a result of 27 or above to ensure you have the best possible chance of getting a place at your preferred university. But be aware that there are no score guarantees.
Since the scores expected vary between universities, a good LNAT score for Oxford University for example, is generally different from a good LNAT score for Nottingham. See below for more information on scores for specific universities.
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The below statistics will give you an idea of what you should be aiming for for each university that requires you to take the LNAT exam. Please only use these as reference points, as they may vary for your admissions cycle.
| University | Academic Year | Score for Successful Applicants | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LNAT Score for Oxford | 2017/2018 | 27 | Oxbridge applications website |
| LNAT Score for Glasgow | N/A | 22 | University website |
| LNAT Score for King's College | 2016/2017 | 25.17 (lowest LNAT score for an offer holder was 17) | Freedom of Information request |
| LNAT Score for Nottingham | 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 | Mid 20s | Freedom of Information request |
| LNAT Score for UCL | 2017/2018 | 26 | UCL website |
The above data was taken from the university websites and freedom of information requests. There is no official data for SOAS and Bristol, Durham at present.
Read our LNAT preparation page for top tips on boosting your LNAT result >>
LNAT scores are released in two batches throughout the year. Those who took the LNAT before 20 January 2019 received their results in mid February 2019. If you take the test after this date, you receive your LNAT scores in early August 2019.
If you get a low LNAT score, it’s not the end of the world! While you may not get a place at your preferred university, you can look at other options such as non-LNAT universities or deferring entry to the following year.
Go back to the main LNAT page >>
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