Mastering LNAT Section A: Reading Between the Lines
Location: Online (LNAT is provided at accredited test centres worldwide).
Program timeline: The LNAT has numerous testing dates throughout the academic year, and aligns with law university application timelines.
Costs: prices vary by country, e.g., £75 in the UK, and £120 international.
Applying criteria: Students applying to undergraduate law degree programs at LNAT partner universities.
Application deadlines: Different universities have different deadlines; check law school application details for specifics.
Brief:
LNAT Section A is an essential step of the Law National Admissions Test, which is required for applying to selective undergraduate law programs. LNAT Section A asks you to convey a variety of skills relevant to reading and critically analyzing passages across different subject areas that you will encounter as a legal scholar. Section A requires the US student to answer 42 multiple-choice questions based on 12 argumentative passages. Focus is on comprehension, levels of inference, and critical responses that you will encounter or need throughout your studies as a law student.
What is LNAT Section A?
Section A of the LNAT contains 42 multiple-choice questions, with each question related to one of 12 passages. The passages were selected to cover a wide variety of subjects such as politics and history, to science and technology; you will not need any expert knowledge of any particular field. Instead, the LNAT focuses on whether you can:
Understand and analyse written arguments.
Identify the assumptions and implications in supporting arguments.
Distinguish between facts, opinions, and reasoning.
Read ‘between the lines’ to identify what is suggested rather than explicitly stated.
Key Skills Assessed
Understanding and Analysis
Retrieve useful information and principal ideas from dense text
Break down arguments into premises and conclusions
Evaluate how well (and logically) the arguments are made
Inference and Assumptions
Identify what the author assumes (but is not stating directly)
Identify the logical gaps from statements to conclusions
Identify the overarching themes or general points referenced repeatedly throughout the passage
Distinguishing Literary Elements
Differentiate between arguments (which persuade), assertions (statements of fact), and explanations (reasons behind facts)
Analyze the use of language, tone, and style to interpret meaning
Types of Questions in Section A
Argument Analysis
What it tests: Understanding of argument structure and logic
Example task: Identify the main conclusion or flaw
Information Analysis:
What it tests: Ability to infer and interpret implied meanings
Example task: Spot an unstated assumption
Literary/Verbal Reasoning:
What it tests: Comprehension of vocabulary and stylistic choices
Example task: Explain why a word or phrase was used
Strategies for Success
Read each passage carefully: Don’t skim, details matter.
Use process of elimination: Rule out obviously incorrect answers to narrow your choices.
Focus on the text: Base your answers solely on the information given, not on outside knowledge or assumptions.
Practice regularly: Read a variety of non-fiction texts and attempt sample LNAT questions to build speed and accuracy.
Review your answers: Use the allotted time to double-check your reasoning before moving to Section B.
By preparing for LNAT Section A, high school students develop advanced reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and argument evaluation skills. These are foundational abilities for success in law school and beyond, as well as for excelling in academic and professional environments that demand critical reasoning.
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