LNAT vs LSAT: Which Better for Studying Law Abroad?

Do you want to pursue a law degree abroad in popular study destinations such as the UK, USA, Australia, or Canada? Are you aware of the tests required for taking admission to a law school in the respective countries? If not, then you’re at the right place. LNAT and LSAT are popular international tests required for taking admission to a law school abroad. Read the whole blog to know which is tougher in LNAT vs LSAT!

Comparison Parameters LNAT LSAT
Year Started November 3, 2004 February 28, 1948
Test Type Standardized Test Standardized Test
Purpose To get admission to Top Law Colleges in the UK To get admissions to Juris Doctor (JD) programs of law schools in countries such as the US, Canada, Australia
Test Duration 2 hours and 15 minutes 3 hours and 15 minutes
Test Score Validity  1 Year 5 Years
No. of Attempts 1 3 times in a year
Fee EUR 120 (INR 10,089) USD 200 (INR 15,017)

LNAT

LNAT or Law National Aptitude Test is an aptitude test that was adopted by 8 universities in the UK offering law programs in 2004. LNAT helps students understand if a law program is the right career choice for them or not. It is a general Aptitude Test and doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the law. It allows law schools/universities to understand if they are capable of succeeding in a law course or not.

LNAT Law National Aptitude Test
Test Type Standardized Test
Skills Tested Analytical Skills
Reasoning Skills
Verbal Skills
Interpretation
Reading Abilities
Purpose Admissions to Law Colleges in the UK
Duration 2 hours and 15 minutes
Score Validity Not valid after a year 
Score Range 42
Fee EUR 120 (INR 10,089)

LNAT Exam Pattern

The biggest difference in LNAT vs LSAT is the Exam Pattern. The LNAT tests the student’s following mentioned skills:

  1. Analytical Skills
  2. Reasoning Skills
  3. Verbal Reasoning Skills
  4. Interpretation Skills
  5. Reading Abilities

LNAT Exam questions fall under the following subject categories:

  1. Law
  2. Media
  3. Philosophy
  4. Politics
  5. Science
  6. Ethics
  7. Education

The LNAT Exam is divided into two sections: LNAT Section 1 and LNAT Section 2.  The following table depicts the division of the questions and the time allocated for the respective sections:

Section LNAT Section 1 LNAT Section 2
Allocated Time 1 hour, 35 minutes 40 minutes
Types of Questions MCQ Essay 
No. of Questions 42 3

Universities that Require LNAT Scores

The following universities require students to take the LNAT to pursue a law degree in the UK

  1. University of Bristol
  2. Durham University
  3. University of Glasgow
  4. King’s College London
  5. The University of Nottingham
  6. Oxford University
  7. University College London
  8. LSE London School of Economics and Political Science

LNAT Score Chart

The table below depicts the LNAT Score Chart to make it easier for you to understand the scoring system.

LNAT Score Range Out of 42
Average LNAT Score 23/42
Good LNAT Score 25-29

Average LNAT scores of Universities

University Average LNAT Score
Oxford University 29
University College London 28
King’s College London 27
University of Glasgow 25
LSE 29
Durham University 29
University of Nottingham 27 
University of Bristol 25

LSAT

LSAT or Law School Admission Test plays a vital role in a law school admission. The aim of an LSAT is to test out a student’s skills that are important for succeeding in the first year of Law School. 

LSAT Law School Admission Test
Test Type Standardized Test
Skills Tested Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Writing (unscored)
Purpose Admissions to Juris Doctor (JD) programs of law schools
Duration 3 hours and 15 minutes (excluding a 15-minute break)
Score Validity 5 years
Score Grade  120 to 180, in 1 point increments 
Countries accepting LSAT scores United States, Canada, Australia 
Fee USD 200 (INR 15,017)

Universities Accepting LSAT Scores

  1. Yale University
  2. Harvard University 
  3. Stanford University
  4. Columbia University
  5. University of Chicago
  6. McGill University
  7. University of Toronto
  8. University of New Brunswick
  9. Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
  10. University of Ottawa
  11. Queen’s University
  12. Ryerson University
  13. University of Saskatchewan
  14. Thompson Rivers University
  15. Western University
  16. The University of Melbourne

LSAT Exam Pattern

The LSAT assesses the student’s following mentioned skills:

  1. Logical Reasoning
  2. Reading Comprehension
  3. Analytical Reasoning
  4. Writing

*The Writing Section is unscored and it doesn’t contribute to the final score.

Skills No. of Sections Type of Questions Allocated Time
Logical Reasoning 2 MCQ 35 minutes 
Analytical Reasoning 1  MCQ 35 minutes
Reading Comprehension 1 MCQ  35 minutes
Writing (unscored) 1 ––  35 minutes

LSAT Score Chart

The LSAT Score Chart mentioned below depicts the average, good and low LSAT Scores. This may help you understand what scores are capable of getting admission to a law school in countries such as the USA, Australia or Canada.

LSAT Score Range 120-180
Average LSAT Score 151
Low LSAT Score Below 147
Good LSAT Score 160 or above

Highest LSAT Scores of Top Universities 

University Highest LSAT Score
Harvard University 173
Stanford University 171
Columbia University  172
University of Chicago  171
New York University 170 

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