Welcome to our LNAT practice test guide. This specific verbal critical thinking test is used for entry to the legal profession.
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Our Practice LNAT Test Guide
Why?, Consider the skills a barrister needs when:
- Summarising the evidence of their case
- Questioning witnesses
- Stating their conclusions as clearly as possible to ensure that the jury understand every aspect of the legal case.
Similarly, the jury also has to use their critical thinking skills to balance all the evidence for and against the accused!
Register for the LNAT here
You must sit the LNAT as part of your application when applying to study at Oxford University to do a Law degree. Or Law with Law Studies in Europe.
Our free LNAT test practice downloads
- Here is our LNAT PRACTICE TEST 1 free download.
- REVIEW YOUR LNAT PRACTICE TEST 1 ANSWERS
- Here is our LNAT PRACTICE TEST 2 free download.
- REVIEW YOUR LNAT PRACTICE test 2 ANSWERS.
- Here is our LNAT PRACTICE TEST 3 free download.
- REVIEW YOUR LNAT PRACTICE test 3 ANSWERS.
- Here is our LNAT PRACTICE TEST 4 free download.
- REVIEW YOUR LNAT PRACTICE TEST 4 ANSWERS.
Our LNAT introduction
The LNAT:
- Is used by law schools, universitites and other legal training institutions. It’s used a san application sift – alongside other recognized academic qualifications.
- For example, universities use the LNAT to place students in appropriate undergraduate law courses based on individual LNAT scores.
- Assesses an capacity, of an individual for the critical reasoning skills needed to study law. Hence, knowledge of law does not form part of this test.
- Ensures universities have an efficient selection process; selecting the best applicants from a pool of highly qualified applicants to join them.
What does the LNAT consist of?
- The LNAT test comprises multiple-choice questions (section A) and an essay (section B).
- Marks are out of 42, usually called the LNAT score (LNAT, n.d)
- The second section requires each candidate to write an essay based on one of three provided subjects.
- LNAT scores here show the ability of a person to make a convincing argument and conclusion.
- Consequently, the score determines which undergraduate program is suitable for each respective candidate.
- The official LNAT preparation Website has LNAT Hints and some useful critical reasoning LNAT Preparation tips.
How best to use these LNAT revision materials to prepare for your LNAT exam?
This is the best place to find details of any changes in the process. It is also worthwhile to check the LNAT Onscreen.
There is also the site for the slightly different LSAT test for admission to Law Schools in the United States. Their official Website also has critical reasoning practice questions.
Why not try our premium LNAT test practice?
Introduction to LNAT Scoring
- The LNAT test comprises multiple-choice questions (section A) and an essay (section B).
- The computer checks the scores of an individual.
- Then determines marks out of 42, usually called the LNAT score (LNAT, n.d),
- The second LNAT section requires each candidate to write an essay based on one of three provided subjects.
- LNAT scores show the ability of a person to make a convincing argument and conclusion. Consequently, the score determines which undergraduate program is suitable for each respective candidate.
What type of questions are in the LNAT?
Here is a quick summary of what you need to demonstrate:
- Identifying statements which are not supported by any facts
- Separating facts from inferences and opinions
- Analysing the implications of a factual statement
- Making logical deductions from a passage of prose
Critical Reasoning Test Introduction
- Critical reasoning tests, such as the LNAT, ask you to identify assumptions, inferences and the points made within “overall” arguments.
- It does not assess any knowledge of laws or any legal ability.
- You need to answer 42 questions.
Critical reasoning is quite literally applying a critic’s eye (i.e. critical analysis) to verbal information. It encompasses the logical analysis of the following features of complex written arguments and viewpoints: assumptions; inferences; opinions; facts and interpretations.
The term “critical reasoning” might sound a bit intimidating, but it is a skill you can learn. With the right practice, most individuals can develop their skills sufficiently to pass this type of verbal critical reasoning test.
How to prepare for Critical Thinking tests
These are a learned skill. With the right training, most individuals who have an average or above the ability to learn can develop reasonable critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills include the ability to define a problem clearly, the ability to formulate and select relevant hypotheses and to judge the validity of inferences. A good grasp of these skills enables a person to ‘think on his feet’, to assess evidence and arguments and to communicate clearly.
Who uses critical reasoning skills?
Everyone uses these skills sometimes, but some job roles specifically require a high level of verbal critical reasoning. For example, many senior managerial and executive positions require you to assess evidence effectively and to communicate your position clearly.
Lawyers, in particular, need excellent critical reasoning skills. Barristers, for example, use critical reasoning to:
- Remain objective and not to be prejudiced by their own opinions.
- Analyze large amounts of verbal information to build a case for their client.
- Identify the different ways legal doctrine can be interpreted.
- Present their evidence in court and state their conclusion based on it.
A judge (or jury) will in turn use their critical reasoning skills to balance all the evidence for and against the accused and reach a verdict.
Journalists also need to have a high level of critical reasoning skills. When commenting on a current affairs debate, a journalist will typically present all sides of the argument. After careful thought, and backed up by evidence, they then commit their own analysis to the page.
LNAT SECTIONS
it is a 2-hour 15-minute test divided into two sections. The first LNAT section (Section A):
- is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam consisting of 42 questions.
- 12 passages, with 3 or 4 multiple-choice questions on each.
- 95 minutes.
LNAT Section B
In the second LNAT section (Section B):- 40 minutes to write an essay from a list of 3 topics.
- Marked by the tutors at your prospective college.
- This LNAT essay is in our opinion your best opportunity to demonstrate your superior critical reasoning abilities. And also your aptitude for studying Law.
What does taking the LNAT cost?
- The LNAT costs £50 (UK)
- And £70 (non-UK).
- Although there is also an LNAT bursary scheme – see LNAT bursaries here.
Why do I have to take the LNAT?
- Most applicants to Oxford University have outstanding academic credentials.
- Thus, it’s difficult for Oxford Colleges to differentiate amongst the many many applicants come from all over the world and take different qualifications.
- The LNAT pass mark, like the pass mark for school entrance tests such as the 11 plus, varies each year. This depends upon the diffficulty of the LNAT questions set that year. And, of course, on the standard (and to a lesser extent the number) of that year’s applicants..
- In fact, you also have to pass the Oxford College interview.
- Both methods in combination provide separate bits of info on a prospective student’s critical reasoning skills. And critical thinking potential.
How to Find a Specialized LNAT Tutor Online
- Hiring expert tutor to aid preparations for the LNAT test can significantly contribute to good scores.
- Several tutors usually advertise on online platforms to reach potential students.
- However, some individuals posing as tutors are not experts in LNAT and may mislead candidates.
- Therefore, applicants should know methods of identifying specialized tutors.
- It is essential to conduct background checks on a tutor before seeking his or her services.
- A potential tutor should have adequate experience in LNAT tests.
- Exceptional understanding of LNAT tests enables a tutor to give students helpful knowledge.
- Referral by comrades can connect an individual with a specialized tutor.
- Therefore, a candidate may inquire from other students receiving similar tutoring services and learn about their experience.
What is critical reasoning?
Critical reasoning is quite literally applying a critic’s eye (i.e. critical analysis) to verbal information. It encompasses the logical analysis of the following features of complex written arguments and viewpoints: assumptions; inferences; opinions; facts and interpretations.
The term “critical reasoning” might sound a bit intimidating, but it is a skill you can learn. With the right practice, most individuals can develop their skills sufficiently to pass this type of verbal reasoning critical reasoning test.
How do I take the LNAT?
- Pearson VUE usually provides the LNAT scores to universities on 20th October. Admission tutors of each university then use these scores as part of candidates’ application, Along with other admission criteria, universities use the LNAT test marks to select suitable students (LNAT, n.d).
- Therefore, universities can utilize LNAT in the best way that satisfies their admission requirements or policies.
- Notably, LNAT is not a replacement to A levels but used together with other criteria including formal qualifications, performance at interview, the information provided on the UCAS, and personal statement.
- Majority of law firms such as Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, and Hill Dickinson utilize Watson Glaser test when hiring legal professionals. It enables such firms to select individuals capable of critical reasoning that is.vital in legal careers.(The Lawyer, n.d).
CAPP critical reasoning test – Introduction
The Capp Critical Reasoning Test assesses your problem solving and decision making.GMAT critical reasoning test
Your first step is to read the question before reading the argument. Know which type of question you are going to have to answer, and read the argument with that question in mind. The eight broad categories of GMAT CR questions are- Weaken the argument. Or find the flaw.
- Strengthen the argument.
- Find the assumption.
- Draw inference, or conclusion.
- Structure of the argument, including boldface structure questions and dialogue structure questions.
- Paradox questions.
- Evaluate the conclusion
Our Practice Critical Reasoning Test Book
- Passing Verbal Reasoning practice test book. This is regularly featured in Amazon’s top ten study guide. It includes a section on LNAT and other critical thinking tests.
- Infact, our Passing Verbal Reasoning Test Practice book reached Number One when the publisher Pearson offered it for free (throughout the UK’s first 2020/21 lockdown).
So, what’s critical thinking?
When you “think on your feet” and when you have to decide which of the online reviews to believe you are using critical thinking (or critical verbal reasoning). The terms might sound a bit scary, but critical thinking skills are a learned skill. With the right practice most individuals who have a learning mentality, can develop sufficient critical thinking skills to pass this type of verbal reasoning test.
More specifically, you use these skills whenever you try to win a argument by focusing on your own argument and point of view. It is your critical thinking skills that allow you to tear apart other people’s arguments and use of facts/opinions. In fact you probably have used exactly these skills when accusing someone of ignoring the facts and just giving their own opinion.
Critical reasoning skills allow you to consider different perspectives on an issue, and to perceive the logical consequences of reading or hearing someone’s argued position. this could be in conversation, what you hear on TV or the radio, and/or written emails/books/articles. You need to reason verbally with this information in order to get to the key points of an issue. To determine what is fact, from what is an opinion or an assumption.
How does the LNAT critical thinking test work?
In many job roles that require verbal reasoning skills one of the specific abilities required is that of critical reasoning. The critical reasoning skills that are key to many senior managerial and executive positions require you to assess evidence effectively and to communicate your position clearly.
Critical thinking tests and verbal reasoning tests are high-level analytical tests that assess how you think about and process verbal information. These tests are used – typically in addition to a verbal reasoning test – for graduate and managerial assessment. Within certain professions where verbal dexterity is needed to interpret complex verbal information (e.g. the legal profession’s LNAT critical thinking test – see case study below) critical thinking tests are more commonly found.
What skills does the LNAT test?
- Critical verbal reasoning is quite literally applying a critic’s eye (i.e. critical analysis) to verbal information. It encompasses the logical analysis of the following features of complex written arguments and viewpoints: assumptions; inferences; opinions; facts and interpretations.
- Now the passage is likely to be longer and comprise of more complex written material then the verbal reasoning test formats presented in this book. Again, as with a verbal comprehension test, some questions will ask the candidate – just as a verbal comprehension test does – whether a statement is True or False.
- However there is a much wider variety of other types of critical reasoning question, including the analysis and interpretation of arguments, assumptions, inferences and deductions.
- There are plenty of excellent LNAT-specific practise testing books available – in addition to the practice test materials that are available on the official website. Self-directed and disciplined practice is likely to prove more fruitful than paying for an LNAT coach.
Test-taking tips for passing your LNAT
There follows some elementary points that are hopefully easy for you to remember. The practice question section will also give you a feel of the type of text that you will need to understand in a critical reasoning test. Such practice, together with your raised awareness of what to expect, can certainly improve your performance in most critical thinking tests. Unfortunately, there isn’t any secret formula for passing this type of verbal reasoning test.
The LNAT specifically asks you to use different types of logical reasoning to “test” the accuracy and the interpretation presented in the passage of a particular topic. Read the passage quickly the first time to get a feel for the main points. Then read the passage a second time more carefully, mentally noting the key content of each paragraph.
LNAT sample questions
– How are individual’s opinions, counteracts and factual evidence expressed.
– Is there one or more argument? One or more conclusion?
– Look out for any assumptions and consider which specific pieces of information are being used to make a conclusion.
– Is each piece of information reliable? Would you draw the same conclusion yourself.
– What additional information would you need to frame a counterargument?
Even more top LNAT tips !
- Improving the speed with which you can digest complex prose will help your test performance.
- Focus on the core of the argument and its supporting evidence, together with the author’s stance on the issue.
- Expect that each passage contains at least two sides from the “undecided debate” of a contentious issue.
- Whilst you need to absorb the test passages as efficiently as possible, that does not mean that you need to rush your answers. Quite the opposite since there will be many different question formats. Some questions will be relatively easy. For other more involved questions you will need to allow yourself more time.
- Double check that you are 100% clear on what the question is asking for.
- Take care when interpreting the meaning of complex words.
- Look out for any words that imply something absolute, such as “always”, “never”, “all”. Do not confuse these with similar words or phrases that are not so definitive (e.g. “almost always, most of the time, invariably” and “often”) and the weak forms (e.g. “sometimes”, “some of the time” etc).
Get familiar with the LNAT question formats
Following on from the above point you need to understand the development of an argument. In particular what points are relevant to a specific argument and what points are irrelevant.
Familiarise yourself with how journalists write comment and Opinion articles online or in the broadsheet newspapers.
You may need to take your test online or to take your test in paper and pencil format.
The most useful preparation that you can do is to try some of the practice question tests presented in the next section.
There are 3 broad types of critical thinking question in this practice test section. Firstly, Interpretation-type questions, for example:
– Which sentence best summarizes the passage
– Identify the word that could be substituted for another in the passage.
– Which of the following words is the most suitable replacement for the word ” “? |
– All of the following phrases suggest ” “, except for which one? |
– What is meant by the term ” ” as it is used in the first paragraph? |
– The passage includes which one or more of the following facts about ” “? |
LNAT summary questions
Secondly, summary-type questions.
For example:
– Which of the following are included within the term ” “? |
– What is the main point that the passage is making? – Which of the following best summarizes the second paragraph? |
– Which is the most accurate summary of what the author means by ” “?
– The main point of the second paragraph is to illustrate what?
– Which of these does not form part of the passage’s discussion of ” “?
Thirdly, there are a wide range of other types of question format which occur in different types of critical verbal reasoning tests. When completing tests such as the LNAT if you are applying to law school (the LSAT or the GMAT in the United States then you will need to understand terms such as inferences, assumptions, opinions and deductions.
Who uses the LNAT’s critical reasoning skills?
Just as a lawyer will review all the documented verbal information, so a newspaper reader will need to analyse such a Comments article, asking themselves:
– What are the differences in the points being made?
– Which points are assumptions, facts or opinions?
– Is each point a valid one?
– What is presented as fact and what is presented as (the author’s) opinion?
– What conclusions can be drawn from the facts?
– Does the overall conclusion follow on from the evidence and facts presented?
This last question almost defines logical deduction or deductive reasoning; the critical reasoning from linking one or more general statements, or premises, to make a logically certain conclusion. It’s important to clarify at this point the difference between deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning (inference).
- Inductive reasoning (inference); Induction is based on what is probable or what is likely to be true from true premises.
- Deductive reasoning; deduction is based on what must logically follow from true premises. Deductive reasoning links premises with conclusions.
Critical reasoning involves the use of inductive and/or deductive reasoning in arguments. If the form of a deductive argument is valid and the premises are true, it is logically impossible for the conclusion to be false.
Any good criminal lawyer has to:
– Be objective and not to be prejudiced by their own opinions or any knowledge outside of their current case.
– Critically analyse a large amount of information to reach valid conclusions that build a case for their client.
– Identify whether legal doctrine can be interpreted differently.
In fact, the type of language and vocabulary used in a verbal reasoning test should always be equivalent to the job or course that is being applied for. Thus the need for the LNAT examination – see Case Study section.
Our other critical thinking skills test practice
- Firstly, our critical thinking tests.
- Secondly, our LNAT test practice.
- Thirdly, our Watson Glaser Test practice and Watson Glaser Test prep guide
- Then next our Thinking Skills Assessment practice.
- Plus also, passing TSA.
- Finally, our Evaluate your strategic thinking quiz
School Entrance Tests‘ recommends Rob Williams Assessment‘s LNAT test practice.
Critical Thinking Test Watson Glaser practice
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