JGLS Advises That LNAT-UK Score Will Be Combined With Academic Profile for Admission to Its 5-Year and 3-Year Law Programmes
Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) has confirmed its admission criteria for the 2026-27 academic year, mandating the LNAT-UK for its 5-year and 3-year law programs. Crucially, admission is holistic, combining your LNAT Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) score out of 42 with your overall academic record and profile. Aspirants must prioritize excellence in the LNAT's critical thinking and reasoning sections, as the essay is not required by JGLS. Secure your global legal education by registering for the LNAT and applying to JGLS now.

Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), one of India's top-ranked law institutions, has cemented its commitment to international academic standards by formally integrating the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT-UK) as the mandatory and exclusive entrance exam for admission into its highly sought-after 5-year integrated law programs (B.A./B.B.A./B.Com. LL.B. (Hons.)) and the 3-year LL.B. program, commencing from the 2026-27 academic year. This move underscores JGLS's focus on identifying candidates with the core intellectual aptitude—critical thinking, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning—required for success in a global legal career.
While the LNAT is the mandatory hurdle, JGLS employs a holistic admission process. The final selection is not solely determined by the test score but is a composite evaluation that rigorously combines the candidate’s LNAT-UK score with their overall academic profile. For aspiring lawyers, understanding the specific components of the LNAT that matter to JGLS—and how their high school or undergraduate performance contributes—is the key to a successful application. Importantly, JGLS has streamlined the process by explicitly stating that candidates do not need to attempt the LNAT's essay portion (Section B); only the score from the Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) section (Section A) is used for shortlisting and final admission.
I. LNAT-UK: The Mandatory Gateway and Scoring System
The LNAT-UK, a test traditionally used by prestigious UK universities like Oxford and LSE, is now the non-negotiable step for admission to JGLS. Aspirants must understand its structure and the specific part that JGLS evaluates.
- Mandatory Test: LNAT-UK is the sole entrance examination accepted for the JGLS 5-year and 3-year LLB programs. No other test scores (like CLAT, LSAT-India, etc.) are accepted for these flagship courses.
- Focus on Section A (MCQ): The LNAT is divided into two sections, but JGLS only utilizes the results of Section A.
- Section A Structure: Consists of 42 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) based on 12 argumentative passages. It tests reading comprehension and logical/critical reasoning skills.
- Duration: 95 minutes.
- Scoring: The final LNAT score is a number out of 42. This is the score that is directly factored into the JGLS admission decision.
- Essay Not Required: Candidates applying only to JGLS do not need to write the 40-minute essay (Section B). This significantly reduces the test preparation load and allows applicants to concentrate solely on mastering the 42 MCQs.
- Single Attempt Rule: Candidates can only attempt the LNAT-UK once during the 2026-27 admissions cycle. This underscores the need for focused, high-stakes preparation.
II. Holistic Selection: Academic Profile & LNAT Score Weightage
JGLS prides itself on its holistic selection process, which evaluates a candidate’s all-round potential, not just a single test score. This process combines performance in the LNAT with a review of a candidate's academic history.
- Academic Profile Review: The admission committee considers the following components of the candidate's academic record:
- Class X and Class XII Marks: High performance in the 10th and 12th standard (or equivalent) board examinations, showing consistency and commitment to studies.
- Minimum Eligibility: Applicants for the 5-year program must have passed the 10+2 examination with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (40% for SC/ST).
- Undergraduate Performance (for 3-year LLB): For the 3-year LL.B. program, the candidate's performance in their prior Bachelor's degree is assessed.
- The Composite Evaluation: JGLS uses the LNAT score to establish an Aptitude Merit List. Candidates on this list are then subject to the second layer of scrutiny, where their overall academic profile and personal statement are reviewed.
- Shortlisting: A good LNAT score (historically, scores above 15 out of 42 have been competitive in early rounds) is essential for shortlisting, but the final offer is made only after a satisfactory review of the academic background.
- Scholarship Consideration: LNAT scores play a crucial role in the determination of merit-cum-means scholarships offered by the university, with higher scores leading to potential fee waivers (up to 75% of tuition fees) based on parental income criteria.
III. Preparation Strategy: Mastering the Critical Skills
Since JGLS relies exclusively on the MCQ section of LNAT, preparation must be laser-focused on developing the critical aptitude skills tested in the 42 questions.
- Prioritise Aptitude Over Knowledge: The LNAT is not a test of legal knowledge or general knowledge. Aspirants must avoid rote learning and instead concentrate on skills:
- Logical Reasoning: Practice analyzing arguments, identifying assumptions, and detecting fallacies in complex texts.
- Reading Comprehension: Focus on understanding the central theme, structure, and intent of challenging, verbose passages within a strict time limit.
- Timed Practice: Given the 95-minute time limit for 42 passages, speed and accuracy are paramount. Candidates must regularly attempt full-length LNAT Section A mock tests to simulate exam conditions and manage time effectively.
- Identify Test Centres: The LNAT is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) offered at numerous centres worldwide, including over 40 centres in India. Candidates should visit the official LNAT website (lnat.ac.uk) to register and book a test slot at a convenient center.
- Strategic Application: JGLS operates multiple admission rounds (Early Admission, Regular Admission). Applying and taking the LNAT early, once the testing window opens (usually from September onwards), often increases the chances of securing a seat and scholarship, as a significant number of seats are filled in the early phases.
Conclusion
The decision by Jindal Global Law School to utilize the LNAT-UK as the mandatory entrance exam for the 2026-27 academic year aligns its admission process with global standards. Aspirants must recognize that success is a function of both a strong LNAT MCQ score and a robust academic track record. By focusing exclusively on the critical thinking and verbal reasoning tested in the LNAT's 42 questions and ensuring their academic credentials are in order, candidates can maximize their potential to secure a prestigious law degree at JGLS.
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