Average LNAT score
About 23 to 25 out of 42. In 2025-26, Oxford's 2,115 law applicants averaged 24.94 and UCL's averaged 23. Their offer holders averaged about 30, so a competitive score sits well above the average.
Averages by university
| University, cycle | All applicants | Offer holders |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford, 2025-26 | 24.94 | 30.48 |
| UCL, 2025-26 | 23 | 30 |
| Durham, 2022-23 | 23.9 | 26 |
These are Section A scores out of 42. LNAT does not mark the essay: each university reads it.
Read your score
Worked example Where does 27 sit?
Priya scores 27 out of 42 and is applying to Oxford and Durham.
Why this works: 27 is above both universities' applicant averages (24.94 and 23.9) and above Durham's offer-holder average of 26, but below Oxford's offer-holder average of 30.48.
Why the tempting route fails: Calling 27 'good enough everywhere' ignores that Oxford's offer holders averaged over 30, and that an average is not a cut-off.
Move your score
- Log every wrong answer by type: inference, assumption, main idea.
- Fix the most common type with untimed passages.
- Then re-sit a full timed section.