Full marks on LNAT??

Q Does the introduction of the LNAT mean that A levels and other qualifications will now be ignored by admissions tutors in the participating Law Schools?
A Not at all. The LNAT is not intended to determine the entire admissions decision. It will simply provide a further element of information in selecting the most intellectually able applicants who have the strongest potential to succeed in studying law.

Q How will the LNAT results be used in the future?
A It is intended that the LNAT test score and essay answers will simply be treated as elements in the larger admissions decision made by the Colleges, along with the information in the applicant’s application papers and his or her performance in interview.

Q How will the Cambridge Colleges use the test in the 2004-2005 admissions cycle?
A Colleges will pilot the LNAT in this first year of its operation. Colleges will make their initial admissions decision in the normal way, independently of the LNAT numerical score. The score will then be examined as a check on that decision, which might be reviewed in the light of it.

Why an admissions test for law?

The test is designed to provide an assessment of an applicant’s potential for law degree courses. It is not a replacement for A levels or other equivalent qualifications. It will be used as an additional piece of information for admissions decisions alongside A levels, GCSE results and the other information available to law schools on an applicant’s application form, as well as, where applicable, the applicant’s performance in interview.

How will the test be used by Cambridge University?
In Cambridge, the decision to admit applicants is made by the Colleges, rather than by the University Law Faculty. Many Colleges already use aptitude tests as one element in their admissions decisions for law applicants. In that respect, their decision to offer the LNAT will not greatly change their present approach to admissions.

Cambridge received 1,400 applications for about 230 places for law this year, from very academically able students. This test will assist in making the process of admission fairer for all our applicants. Colleges will pilot the LNAT in its first year of operation, that is the 2004-05 admissions cycle. Although all applicants applying for law will be expected to take the LNAT, it is expected that Colleges would make their initial admissions decision in the normal way, independently of the LNAT numerical score. The score would then be taken into account as a check on that decision, which might be reviewed in the light of it.

In Cambridge, it is not intended that the LNAT should be a substitute for the admissions interview. Even after the LNAT has been introduced, an applicant’s performance in interview will remain an important part of the College’s admissions decision, along with the information in the applicant’s application papers. The LNAT numerical score is not intended to determine the admissions decision. Rather, it will provide a further element of information in selecting the most intellectually able applicants who have the strongest potential to succeed in studying law.