Is the LNAT harder than the UCAT?
Not in every way. The UCAT is faster: 184 questions in 111 minutes, down to 23 seconds a question. The LNAT is deeper: 42 questions on 12 long passages in 95 minutes, about 136 seconds each with the reading, then a 40-minute essay.
Feel the LNAT pace for yourself
One timed passage with its questions, marked straight away. No account needed.
Side by side
| LNAT | UCAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Law at 9 UK universities | Medicine and dentistry |
| Questions | 42 multiple choice, then 1 essay | 184 multiple choice in 4 subtests |
| Test time | 135 minutes | 111 minutes, plus 6.5 of instructions |
| Time a question | About 136 seconds, reading included | 30 s VR, 63 s DM, 43 s QR, 23 s SJT |
| Maths | None | Quantitative Reasoning, with an on-screen calculator |
| Writing | One essay from 3 questions, 40 minutes | None |
| Score | Out of 42; the essay is not scored | 900 to 2,700, plus a Situational Judgement band from 1 to 4 |
| Fee | £75 at UK and EU centres, £120 at other centres | £70 in the UK, £115 outside it |
Where the LNAT is harder
- Long arguments on any topic, read closely: two answers often look right and one word decides.
- The essay: a clear argument in 40 minutes, read by the universities you apply to.
- High scores are rare. Oxford's 2,115 applicants averaged 24.94 of 42; its offer holders averaged 30.48.
Where the UCAT is harder
- Speed: Verbal Reasoning gives 30 seconds a question, Situational Judgement 23.
- Four different skills in one sitting: reading, logic, numbers and judgement.
- Scores are scaled, so you are measured against everyone who sits it. The 2025 average total was 1,891.
Which will feel harder for you?
Worked example Two students
Sam reads quickly but loses marks when two options look alike. Ada reads slowly and carefully and rarely picks a wrong option, but often runs out of time.
Why this works: Sam will find the LNAT harder: it rewards slow, exact reading of close options. Ada will find the UCAT harder: its pace leaves no time to reread.
Why the tempting route fails: Calling one test harder for everyone ignores that they test different weaknesses: precision against speed.
Questions people ask
Is the LNAT harder than the UCAT?
Neither is harder in every way. The UCAT is faster, with 184 questions in 111 minutes. The LNAT asks for closer reading of 12 long passages and adds a 40-minute essay.
Does the LNAT have maths?
No. The LNAT is reading and argument only. The UCAT has a Quantitative Reasoning subtest.
Is there a pass mark for the LNAT or the UCAT?
LNAT has none: it gives a score out of 42, and each university decides how to use it. The UCAT gives scaled scores and a band, and each university decides how to use them.