How Oxford Uses the LNAT

The University of Oxford is the most prominent user of the LNAT, and for many candidates, Oxford is the primary reason they are sitting the test. Understanding how Oxford uses both Section A and Section B in its admissions process is crucial for any Oxford applicant.

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Oxford's Law Course at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Course name	Law (Jurisprudence) — BA
UCAS code	M100
Duration	3 years
College system	Yes — you apply to a specific college (or make an open application)
Application deadline	15 October (UCAS)
LNAT deadline	Typically early October (before UCAS deadline — check LNAT website for exact date each year)
Typical A-Level offer	AAA
Interviews	Yes — all shortlisted candidates are interviewed

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How Oxford Uses Section A

Oxford uses your Section A score as one component of its shortlisting process. Section A helps Oxford decide which applicants to invite to interview.

Shortlisting at Oxford

Oxford receives significantly more applications for Law than it has interview places. The shortlisting process narrows the field from several thousand applicants to a smaller pool of candidates who will be interviewed.

Section A scores form part of this shortlisting decision, but they are not the only factor. Oxford also considers:

• GCSE results
• Predicted A-Level grades
• The UCAS personal statement and reference
• Section B essay

What Score Do You Need?

Oxford does not publish an official minimum LNAT score or threshold. However, based on publicly available data and reports from candidates:

Metric	Approximate Value
Typical successful applicant score	28–32
Score likely to be competitive for shortlisting	27+
Score below which shortlisting becomes unlikely	Below 24–25 (though not impossible)
Average score of admitted students	Approximately 29–30

Important: These figures are approximations based on candidate reports and publicly available information. Oxford does not publish official score thresholds, and the competitive score varies from year to year.

Does a High Section A Score Guarantee an Interview?

No. A very high Section A score (e.g., 35+) significantly increases your chances of being shortlisted, but it does not guarantee an interview. Oxford considers the whole application. A candidate with a very high LNAT score but a weak personal statement or poor GCSEs could still be rejected at the shortlisting stage.

Conversely, a candidate with a slightly lower LNAT score (e.g., 25–26) but an outstanding personal statement, excellent GCSEs, and a strong Section B essay may still be shortlisted.

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How Oxford Uses Section B

Oxford reportedly places significant emphasis on Section B. This distinguishes Oxford from many other LNAT universities, which tend to focus primarily on Section A scores.

Why Section B Matters to Oxford

Oxford's teaching method is the tutorial system, which involves one-on-one or small-group discussions between students and tutors. Success in this system requires:

• The ability to construct and defend arguments
• The capacity to engage with opposing viewpoints
• Clear, precise expression of complex ideas
• Intellectual curiosity and engagement with the wider world

Section B tests all of these qualities. An essay that demonstrates strong argumentative skills signals that a candidate is likely to thrive in the tutorial system.

What Oxford Looks for in Section B