LNAT MCQs Section A Explained – All About the LNAT – Part 4

Section A of the LNAT exam consists of the Comprehension based Multiple Choice Questions; and this is arguably the most important part of the LNAT.

Of the 2 hours and 15 minutes for the entire LNAT sitting, 95 minutes are allotted to section A.

This guide helps you understand Section A’s format and offers tips on preparing for the questions.

What Does Section A of the LNAT assess?

Section A checks if you have the essential skills needed to study law, such as:

• Comprehension skills – Understanding what you read
• Thinking creatively and reading between the lines
• Figuring out and interpreting evidence
• Telling the difference between facts and opinions

What Do the Questions in LNAT section A look like?

Section A has 12 long passages, which will be 400 – 700 words in length. (500 words in length). For each passage, you’ll answer 3 to 4 multiple choice questions with 5 options each.

6 passages x 3 MCQs + 6 passages x 4 MCQs = 42 MCQs in total.

Only one answer option will be correct.

The passages will cover various topics, like politics, history, science, law, education and technology, but they don’t test your knowledge of any specific area.

Instead, they test your ability to understand the meaning of the passage, the writer’s intentions, make inferences, deductions and identify the reasons for specific words or sentences.

The basic idea in section A is that all the answers will be strictly based on the information within the passage. No external knowledge is required or expected.

How Is LNAT Section A Scored?

Section A is the only scored part of the exam. Each of the 42 questions will carry 1 mark each – for every correct answer.

There’s no pass or fail. There is no negative marking, therefore the theoretical maximum possible score is 42/42.

LNAT universities use your score as part of your application.

How Do Universities Use Your LNAT Score?

LNAT universities look at your Section A score to see if you have good comprehension and reasoning skills.

They want to know if you can analyze, understand, and interpret texts, which are important for studying law.

Your score helps them decide who gets a spot in their law degree courses.

They especially use your score when comparing applicants with similar qualifications.

Types of Questions in LNAT Section A

The LNAT Section A has three common types of questions:

• Argument analysis questions
• Information analysis and interpretation questions
• Literary and verbal reasoning questions

Argument Analysis Questions
These questions check if you understand the arguments in the text. You might be asked about the writer’s argument, its strengths, or reasons for making it. To answer, you need to know what an argument is and how to break it down. Look at the premises and the reasoning, then decide if they’re strong or weak, and if the logic is correct. To find the right answer, eliminate the wrong ones through close reading.

Information Analysis and Interpretation Questions
These questions ask about what’s implied or assumed in the passage. You need to carefully read the text and focus on the facts instead of using your general knowledge. Try to understand the bigger picture and the writer’s intentions.

Literary Style Questions
These questions test your understanding of the words and phrases the writer uses and their overall argument. They check if you know unusual words and phrases. To prepare, read a variety of news articles and books regularly to improve your vocabulary.

For the complete list of question types in section A, check out this article: LNAT Question Types in 2024 and 2025

Each type of question tests different skills that are essential for success in the study of law.

Tips for Answering Questions

To get ready for Section A, read articles daily and think critically about them.

Ask yourself questions about the arguments, their basis, assumptions, and counterarguments.

When taking the exam:

• Don’t spend too much time reading the passage – remember you will have little more than 2 minutes per question.
• Consider reading the questions first to know what to focus on in the passage.
• Don’t rely on your general knowledge; the answer is always in the text.
• Pay attention to details, like the difference between “usually” and “always.”

In addition to the tips provided above, here are some more suggestions to help you prepare for and succeed in Section A of the LNAT exam:

• Practice time management: Since you have 95 minutes to answer 42 questions, practice answering questions within this time frame. Divide your time wisely, and try not to spend too long on any single question.
• Develop your critical thinking skills: Engage in activities that help you think critically, such as participating in debates, solving puzzles, or discussing complex topics with friends and family.
• Read a wide range of materials: Expose yourself to diverse topics and writing styles by reading newspapers, magazines, essays, and books from different genres. This will help you become more comfortable with various texts and improve your comprehension skills.
• Take practice tests: Familiarize yourself with the LNAT exam format by taking practice tests. This will help you understand the types of questions you may encounter and give you a better idea of how to approach them.
• Review your answers: After completing practice tests, go through your answers and analyze any mistakes you made. Understanding why you chose the wrong answer can help you avoid making the same mistake in the future.
• Stay up-to-date on current affairs: As LNAT questions often cover various topics, keeping up with the latest news and events can help you become more familiar with the subject matter and improve your ability to analyze and interpret information. However, all answers will be strictly based on the information stated, implied or deduced from the passage only.
• Stay calm and focused: On exam day, remain calm and collected. Anxiety can negatively impact your performance, so take a few deep breaths and remind yourself of your preparation.
• Use the process of elimination: If you’re unsure of an answer, eliminate the options you know are incorrect. This will increase your chances of choosing the right answer, even if you’re not entirely certain.
• Trust your instincts: If you’ve prepared well, trust your instincts and your understanding of the text. Avoid second-guessing yourself, as this can lead to unnecessary mistakes.

University specific details on how they use the LNAT for 2024 and 2025

In these series of articles (see links below), we have covered each university in depth. How do they use the LNAT scores? Do they consider the LNAT Essay? What was the minimum and average LNAT scores from among recent offer holders.

• University College London
• Durham University
• Kings College London
• University of Bristol
• University of Glasgow
• Oxford University
• Cambridge University
• London School of Economics

Remember that practice, preparation, and a focused mindset are key to success. Try LawMint’s Free LNAT Practice Test for additional practice – and purchase access to the full set to attempt 30 full length tests, with 360 passages and 1200 questions for extensive practice.