Scoring System

Understanding how the LNAT is scored is essential for setting realistic targets and interpreting your results. The scoring system has two distinct components — one for each section of the test — and they work very differently.

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Section A Scoring

How It Works

Section A scoring is straightforward:

• There are 42 multiple-choice questions
• Each correct answer scores 1 mark
• Each incorrect or unanswered question scores 0 marks
• There is no negative marking
• Your raw score is the total number of correct answers, reported as a whole number from 1 to 42

Key Point: Because there is no negative marking, there is absolutely no reason to leave any question unanswered. Even a random guess gives you a 25% chance of being correct.

Score Distribution

The LNAT publishes anonymised data on score distributions each year. Here is a typical distribution:

Score Range	Approximate Percentage of Candidates	Interpretation
1–14	~10%	Well below average
15–18	~15%	Below average
19–21	~25%	Slightly below average to average
22–24	~25%	Average to above average
25–27	~15%	Above average
28–30	~7%	Strong
31–42	~3%	Exceptional

The average (mean) score is typically around 21–22 out of 42. However, the average among successful applicants to the most competitive universities is significantly higher.

What Constitutes a "Good" Score?

A "good" score depends entirely on where you are applying:

Target University Tier	Typical Competitive Score
Oxford, Cambridge	27+ (ideally 29+)
UCL, KCL, LSE	25+
Bristol, Durham, Glasgow	23+
SOAS	22+

Important Caveat: These figures are approximate and vary from year to year. Universities do not publish official cut-off scores, and a strong score alone does not guarantee an offer — it is one component of a holistic assessment.

When You Receive Your Section A Score

You will see your Section A score immediately after completing the test, displayed on the screen at the Pearson VUE test centre. Your score is also sent automatically to the universities you listed during registration.

The score cannot be appealed or remarked (since it is computer-marked with objectively correct answers).

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Section B Scoring

How It Works

Section B scoring is fundamentally different from Section A:

• Your essay is not scored or marked by the LNAT itself
• Instead, your essay is made available electronically to each university you applied to
• Each university reads and assesses your essay according to its own criteria
• You will not receive a numerical score for Section B from the LNAT

This means your essay may be evaluated differently by different universities. One university might focus on the quality of your argument, while another might prioritise your writing style and clarity.

How Universities Assess Section B

Although the specific criteria vary, most universities assess Section B essays on: