LNAT (UK) 2025/26 Late Slot Booking Windows May Apply at Some Universities

The primary registration window for the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is nearing its final phase for the 2026 intake. While high-demand universities like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, and UCL have already concluded their testing periods, other institutions still offer limited opportunities for slot booking. International applicants and late UCAS submitters are encouraged to check the specific availability at Pearson VUE centers, as some universities may accept scores from tests taken as late as July 2026 for overseas students.

On this Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) Consortium has issued a reminder regarding the final stages of the current testing cycle. While the most competitive UK law programs traditionally require tests to be completed by mid-October or December, a "late slot" booking window remains accessible for a specific subset of applicants. This extension is primarily designed to accommodate international students and those applying through the UCAS late application process, which remains open until June 30.

The administration has clarified that while the standard deadline for most UK-based candidates falls on January 20, the availability of test centers varies significantly by region. Students who have not yet secured an appointment are urged to utilize the global network of Pearson VUE centers to find remaining openings before the mid-winter cutoff.

1. Late Deadlines and International Flexibility

For the 2025/26 cycle, the LNAT operates on a rolling schedule. Although the "Equal Consideration" deadline for UCAS is January 29, the LNAT-specific deadline for booking and sitting the exam varies across the participating consortium members.

• International Applicants: Some universities allow international students to sit the LNAT as late as July 25, 2026, provided they have submitted their UCAS forms by the June 30 cutoff.
• Limited Availability: The LNAT network often sees a surge in demand during January; candidates are advised that if local centers are full, they may need to travel to neighboring cities to find an open slot.
• University Discretion: It is the responsibility of the applicants to confirm with their chosen law school if a late score will be accepted, as institutions like Oxford and Cambridge do not permit any testing beyond October.

2. Slot Booking and Fee Protocols

Securing a late appointment in the 2026 cycle requires a two-step digital process. Candidates must first create an LNAT profile before they can access the live calendar of the testing network.

• Registration Threshold: To guarantee consideration, most universities require students to have registered and booked their slot by January 20, 2026.
• Payment at Booking: The LNAT fee—currently £75 for UK/EU centers and £120 for international locations—must be paid at the time of booking to finalize the deadline entry.
• Rescheduling Policy: Within the late window, applicants can reschedule their test once without an additional fee, provided the change is made at least 48 hours before the original appointment.

3. Conclusion

The 2025/26 LNAT cycle is rapidly approaching its domestic conclusion. As of January 17, only a few days remain for the majority of UK applicants to secure their test appointments. The LNAT network is currently operating at high capacity, and the upcoming January 20 deadline represents the final chance for many to meet the requirements of their law school offers. While certain universities offer flexibility for late international entries, the general rule remains: earlier is better. Candidates who fail to sit the test within their assigned window risk having their applications marked as incomplete, effectively ending their journey toward a UK law degree for the 2026-27 session.