If you've searched for "LNAT past papers", you've probably noticed something: there aren't any, at least not in the way there are for A-levels. The LNAT Consortium doesn't publish papers from real test sittings. What it does publish is a small set of official practice materials, and most of them are more than 15 years old.
We've sat the real LNAT ourselves, and the honest truth is that the official practice materials no longer fully match the test you'll take. They're still worth doing, but you need to know their limits. This guide lists every official resource, explains how it differs from today's LNAT, and shows you how to use it without being misled by it.
Are there official LNAT past papers?
No. Unlike many school exams, the LNAT does not release the papers candidates actually sat. Instead, the official LNAT website offers:
- An online tutorial that shows you how the on-screen test works
- An online sample test, an on-screen simulation of the LNAT
- Two downloadable practice test papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
- A commentary explaining the answers to the practice papers
- A marking scheme with the correct answers
- Sample essays for Section B, on a separate page of the LNAT website
These are the only official LNAT practice materials. Be cautious of any website offering "real" or "leaked" LNAT past papers: they are not official.
How the official papers differ from today's LNAT
This is the part most LNAT guides leave out. The official practice materials haven't kept pace with the test:
- Answer choices: questions in today's LNAT have four answer options. The official practice papers have five. That changes how you eliminate wrong answers, and it means your practice-paper score doesn't translate directly into a real LNAT score.
- Age: the downloadable practice papers were written in 2010. The passage topics and writing style reflect that.
- The real test feels different. Having sat both the official sample test and the real LNAT, we found the real exam noticeably different from the official practice material. Don't assume that doing well on the official papers means you're ready.
So use the official materials to learn the skills the LNAT tests: finding the main conclusion, spotting assumptions, and judging what follows from an argument. Don't use them to predict your score. For what the real questions are like, read What LNAT Questions Are Really Like: Insights from Someone Who's Sat the Test.
Where to find the official LNAT practice materials
Everything is on the Practice tests page of the official LNAT website.
1. The online tutorial
Start here. The tutorial walks you through the controls and features of the on-screen test, including new functionality introduced from 2026. The LNAT Consortium recommends reviewing it before trying the sample test, and certainly before your test-centre appointment.
2. The online sample test
An on-screen simulation of the LNAT that runs in your browser on any computer. It's the best way to get used to the on-screen layout before test day. You can take it as many times as you like, but the questions don't change, so your first attempt is the most useful. In our experience, the real test differs from it, so treat your result as practice rather than a prediction.
3. Practice test papers 1 and 2 (PDF or RTF)
Two complete practice papers you can download, print and work through. They date from 2010 and use five answer choices per question, while today's LNAT uses four. They're good practice for the reasoning skills involved, but not for timing on screen or for predicting your score.
4. Commentary and marking scheme
The marking scheme gives you the correct answers; the commentary explains the reasoning behind them. Reading the commentary carefully is where most of the learning happens, especially for questions you got wrong or guessed.
A quick reminder of the LNAT format
- Section A: 42 multiple-choice questions based on argumentative passages, in 95 minutes
- Section B: one essay chosen from three topics, in 40 minutes
Timing is the biggest challenge in Section A: you have roughly two and a quarter minutes per question, including reading time for each passage. Practising under timed conditions matters as much as practising the questions themselves. For the essay, see our LNAT Section B essay guide.
How to use the official papers: a step-by-step plan
With so few official papers, and none in the current format, it pays to use them in the right order.
- Do the online tutorial first. Learn the controls so they don't cost you time later.
- Take the online sample test under real conditions. Time yourself strictly and don't pause. It gives you a first sense of where you stand, but remember the real test may feel different.
- Review every question, not just the ones you got wrong. Use the commentary to check your reasoning on correct answers too. A correct guess is still a weakness.
- Spend a few weeks building skills. Work on the question types and passage topics that tripped you up before using up more official material.
- Take Practice Paper 1, then Paper 2, timed. Focus on your reasoning rather than your score, since these papers use five answer choices.
- Keep a mistake log. Note the question type (main conclusion, assumption, inference, strengthen or weaken, and so on) and why you went wrong. Patterns appear quickly. Our guide on how to analyse your LNAT practice test results shows you how.
What to practise once you've used the official papers
Most students work through the official materials long before test day, and because they're outdated, you'll need more practice, ideally in the current four-option format and under real time pressure.
- Mock tests in the current format. Lexcello's Featured Tests use four answer choices per question, matching today's LNAT: 42 questions in 95 minutes.
- More full-length practice. Timed, 42-question papers are the best way to build stamina and pacing. Try our free LNAT practice test and our full LNAT mock test series, with answer explanations and performance analytics. These use five answer choices, like the official papers, so they're ideal for building reasoning and speed.
- Practice by subject. If certain passage topics slow you down, drill them specifically with our LNAT practice questions by subject: law and justice, politics and government, and science and technology.
- Daily critical reading. Read opinion pieces and long-form articles from quality newspapers and ask of each: what is the main conclusion, and what does the argument assume?
- Timed essay practice. Write at least a few Section B essays in 40 minutes before test day.
Frequently asked questions
Are LNAT past papers available?
No. The LNAT Consortium does not publish papers from real test sittings. The official practice materials are an online sample test, two downloadable practice papers, a commentary and a marking scheme, all linked from the official LNAT website.
Are the official LNAT practice papers still worth doing?
Yes, for building skills, but with caution. They date from 2010 and use five answer choices, while today's LNAT uses four, so your score on them won't translate directly. Use them to practise reasoning, and use up-to-date mock tests to judge your readiness.
Is the real LNAT like the official sample test?
Not entirely. Having sat both, we found the real LNAT noticeably different from the official practice material. The sample test is useful for learning the on-screen layout, but don't treat your result as a prediction of your real score.
Where can I find LNAT practice questions with answers?
The official practice papers come with a marking scheme and a commentary explaining the answers. Lexcello's practice tests also include detailed explanations for every question.
How many practice tests should I do before the LNAT?
There's no magic number, but most well-prepared candidates take all the official materials plus several full-length timed mocks, reviewing each one carefully. Reviewing your mistakes matters more than the number of tests you take.
Can I take the LNAT sample test more than once?
Yes, there is no limit. But because the questions stay the same, only your first attempt gives you a genuine score, so save it until you're ready to sit it properly.
Lexcello is an independent test preparation service and is not affiliated with the LNAT Consortium. LNAT® is a registered trademark of LNAT Consortium Ltd. Always check the official LNAT website for the latest information.