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Law Admission Test

Your future success as a UNSW Law student reflects more than just your ATAR.

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Three law students walking in front of Law Building, walking towards the camera, greenary and reflections in glass of Law Building in background

The Law Admission Test (LAT) is a professionally designed and marked selection test developed to assessÌýyour critical thinking and analytical skills, problem-solving and ability to organise and express ideas.

UNSW Law & Justice has always been a destination of choice for students wanting to study Law. Demand is strong, places are limited and the ATAR can only tell us so much about applicants. WeÌýdevelopedÌýthe LATÌýto assess the skills directly relevant to studying Law at UNSWÌýandÌýexcelling inÌýyour future legal career.

If you’re aÌýdomestic applicant and would like to study the Bachelor of Laws at UNSW, you’ll need to sit the LAT.ÌýYour LAT score, in addition to your academic results, such as ATAR + adjustment factors, is used in our selection process to allow us to better differentiate between the many high-achieving applicants.

Watch the 2023 LAT Information Evening

The LAT encourages you to think like a real lawyer, compelling you to inform your judgments into arguments to persuade your reader.ÌýI think the LAT prefaced what studying law at UNSW would be like, in terms of the assessments and how the degree is taught.ÌýÌý

Angela Chen, Bachelor of Commerce/Law

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Frequently asked questions

General information

  • The entry requirements into the Bachelor of Laws fluctuate slightly year-to-year. The best indication we can give you is what was required for 2024 admission:Ìý

    2023 Lowest ATAR: 86.8*/85.65**Ìý

    2023 Lowest Selection Rank^: 94.25* + LATÌý

    2023 Median ATAR: 97.3*

    2023 Median LAT Score: 74

    *Based on a non-UNSW Gateway Early Conditional OfferÌýÌý

    **Based on a UNSW Gateway Early Conditional OfferÌý

    ^Selection Rank = ATAR + Adjustment FactorsÌý

    View more information about LAT results and what they mean for you.Ìý

  • The 2024 LATÌýisÌýon Monday, 30 September 2024. The LAT is offered once per year and results are valid for 2 years.

  • In 2024 the LAT will be offered at in-person testing venue in Sydney only. The exact test venue details will be released approximately 2 weeks prior to the test date.ÌýAs of 9 August, all in-person test places have now been filled.ÌýAlternatively, all candidates can take the test through remote proctoring at no extra cost.

    Remote proctoring is available to all candidates in 2024 at no additional cost. Remote proctoring involves the candidate sitting the test under live supervision using their own computer in a suitable location with internet connectivity.

  • Yes, you must register for the LAT via theÌý. Registrations for the 2024 LATÌýopen on Monday, 13 May 2024. On-time registrations close on Friday, 9 August 2024. Late registrations close on Sunday, 8 September 2024Ìý – a late fee applies.

  • The LAT consists of two questions requiring written responses. We encourage you to attempt the sample paper available on theÌý. Otherwise, no specific preparation is required.

  • The on-time registration fee for the 2024 LAT is $199 (GST inclusive). The registration fee covers online registration, materials required for the test and provision of test results. Late registration incurs an additional $50 fee.

    UNSW Law & Justice has waived the remote proctoring levy for all candidates in 2024.

  • Yes, the concession registration fee is $100 (GST inclusive). The remote proctoring levy will be waivedÌýfor all candidates in 2024.

    A concession registration fee is available if you hold a current Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card (both issued by Centrelink) or are listed as a dependent on a parent or guardian’s current Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.Ìý

    Please note that student cards, Medicare cards, transport concession cards, private health insurance membership cards and Community Service cards don’t make you eligible for concession. The concession registration fee is not available to overseas candidates.

  • Yes, you can sit the test more than once. Only your best LAT result will be considered for entry.

    Note: The LAT is offered only once per year and results are valid for 2 years.

  • When you apply through UAC, you should enter your most recent LAT registration number. Both LAT registration numbers are linked to your ACER account. ACER and UNSW have developed procedures to ensure both results will be considered for applicants who have sat the LAT more than once. We’ll use your highest LAT score in the admission process.

Eligibility

  • All domestic applicants* who wish to study aÌýBachelor of LawsÌýdouble degree at UNSW need to sit the LAT^,Ìýincluding those:Ìý

    • enrolled in their final year of secondary schooling (Year 12 HSC or equivalent)Ìý
    • who have already completed their secondary schooling, e.g. those on a gap year
    • who are currently studying at another university and wish to apply to transfer to UNSW Bachelor ofÌýLawsÌý
    • inÌýYear 11 who wish to sit the LATÌýbeforeÌýYear 12 (their HSC year). Your resultsÌýareÌývalid for two years – so if you sitÌýthe LATÌýin 2024, yourÌýresults will be considered by UNSW for admission in 2026.Ìý

    International students are not eligible to sit the LAT.Ìý

    *Domestic applicants include Australian citizens and permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens.ÌýInternational students are not eligible to sit the LAT.ÌýÌý

    ^Domestic applicants that aren’t required to sit the LAT as they’re assessed under multiple other criteria include:Ìý

    • Indigenous students undertaking theÌý

    • Ìýstudents applying for an early conditional offerÌý

    • current UNSW students applying forÌý.ÌýÌý

  • Yes, unless you received an offer to study law in 2024 and have deferred it to 2025 or sat the 2023 LAT.

  • No, only students applying to study one of our Bachelor of Laws double degrees are required to sit the LAT. If you’re applyingÌýfor the Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws double degree, you’ll need to sit the LAT.Ìý

  • Yes, you must sit the LAT and will be assessedÌýbased onÌýboth your LAT and academic results.ÌýWe only considerÌýthe academic results of yourÌýuniversity studies if you’ve completed at least one full-time year in your degree (note: shorter periods of study are not added together) and weight university studies and secondary studies inÌýa 50:50Ìýratio. Transfer applicants generally require a distinction average or above in their university studies and a secondary rank (ATAR or equivalent) in the high 90s to be competitive.Ìý

  • No, UNSW Internal Program Transfer (IPT) applicants willÌýonlyÌýbe assessed on their UNSW results.

  • If you’re eligible to participate in theÌý, you’re not required to sit the LAT to apply for an early conditional offer. LAT results won't be used to assess your Gateway early conditional offer application. However, you can register for and sit the LAT if you'd like to retain the option of entry to LawÌý& JusticeÌýthrough the LAT admission process.

  • ÌýNo.ÌýIf youÌýhaven’tÌýreached YearÌý11,Ìýyou’re not eligible to sit the LAT. This includesÌýif you'reÌýin Year 10 or lowerÌýandÌýstudying subjects at Year 11 level or higher.

Preparing for the LAT

  • UNSW Law & Justice doesn’t recommend or endorse any commercially available courses offering LAT preparation. Commercial preparation courses could provide misleading information and advice to candidates. The LAT assesses your ability to generate your own ideas and express yourself through writing. Therefore, the most appropriate preparation for the LAT is to continue with your existing high school or tertiary study and exam preparation,Ìýwhich should include practisingÌýformal written expression.

  • No. The LAT is designed to assess your skills rather than your knowledge. YouÌýwon't require any previous study of the law. HSC Legal Studies or similar courses won't impact your performance in the LAT.

  • The LAT assesses your aptitudes and skills in thinking critically,ÌýanalysingÌýmaterial, andÌýorganisingÌýandÌýexpressing ideas. The LAT doesn’t require any knowledge specific to law.

Sitting the LAT

  • In 2024 you can complete the LAT via remote proctoringÌýif you won’t be able to attend the test centre in Sydney. You must apply for remote proctoring as part of the LAT online registration process.Ìý

    Remote proctoring involves sitting the test online with  under live supervision using your computer in a suitable location with internet connectivity. Remote proctoring is only available on the main test day and candidates must select remote proctoring as part of the online application process for the LAT.

    For more details on remote proctoring, visit theÌý.Ìý

  • Remote proctoring involves sitting the test online with under live supervision using your computer in a suitable location with internet connectivity. Remote proctoring is only available on the main test day.

    In 2024 you can complete the LAT via remote proctoring at no additional cost if you won’t be able to attend the test centre in Sydney. You must apply for remote proctoring as part of the LAT online registration process.

    Candidates must select remote proctoring as part of the online application process for the LAT. For more details on this process, please visit the .

  • If youÌýhave a disability or medical condition that might interfere withÌýyour ability to sit the test in the standard manner,ÌýpleaseÌýapply for reasonable adjustments online viaÌýyour ACER account as soon as possible after registration.ÌýRequests need to be submitted by no later thanÌý 6 September 2024.

    Please see theÌýÌýof the ACER LAT website for more details.Ìý

  • If you're prevented from sitting the test due to genuine and significant unanticipated illness or misadventure, you can apply to sit the LAT on an alternative date. ACER reviews each application on its merits and notifies applicants of the outcome. In the case of a significant unanticipated illness, detailed medical justification from a registered health professional is required – and in the case of misadventure, a statutory declaration is required.

    The alternative test date in 2024 will be scheduled approximately one week after the main test date. For more details, please visit the section of the ACER LAT website.

LAT Results

  • LAT results are released in late November.Ìý

    You’ll receive a percentile rank and LAT score on yourÌýstatement ofÌýresults. Your percentile rank indicates how you performed in relation to all other candidates who sat the LAT in the same year. Your LAT score is theÌýmark you receivedÌýon the test.ÌýÌý

    There’s no pass or fail mark for the LAT. We often receive enquiries from students when the LAT results are released as they’re worried that their LAT score was much lower than they expected. Because entry to UNSW LawÌý& JusticeÌýis so competitive,Ìýstudents who sit the LAT are often used to getting results at school in the 90s. When they receive a LAT score of 65 orÌý70, they’re understandably upset and confused.ÌýÌý

    As the LATÌýis attempted by a very small subset of all students, and this subset is likely to be made up of very high achievers, LAT scores shouldn't be viewed in the same way as a result of an HSC course. A score of 70 or 80ÌýinÌýtheÌýLAT isn’t like an HSC mark of 70 or 80. The median LAT score for 2023 entry was 74. UNSW LawÌý& JusticeÌýdetermines the lowest acceptable score from year to year, whichÌýwill vary depending on the applicant pool.Ìý

  • Your percentile rank isn’t used to assess you for admission to UNSW Bachelor of Laws double degrees; your LAT score is what we’ll combine with your academic results in the selection process.

    A percentile rank indicates how you performed in relation to all other candidates who sat the LAT in the same year. For example, a percentile of 42 indicates that your overall LAT score is equal to, or better than,Ìý42 per cent of candidates who sat the LAT in the same year as you.

  • Each LAT writing piece is examined and marked by two expert assessors. Results are only released after careful calculation and checking. LAT results areÌýfinalÌýand no appeals are allowed.

Law Admission Test (LAT)

LAT registrations open on Monday 13 May 2024Ìýand close on Sunday 8 September 2024.

2024 key dates

Registrations open:Ìý
Monday, 13 May

UNSW LAT Info Evening:Ìý
Wednesday, 15 May

Standard registration close:Ìý
Friday, 9 August

Late registration close:Ìý
Sunday, 8 September (additional charges apply)

Test Day:Ìý
Monday, 30 September

Results Released:Ìý
Friday, 22nd November

ACER LAT officeÌý

Contact for enquiries regarding test registration,ÌýfeeÌýpayment, remoteÌýproctoringÌýprocedures, special testing arrangements, and any other test administration matters.

E:Ìýlat@acer.edu.au
W:Ìý

UNSW Sydney

Contact for information aboutÌýLAT information sessions, admission and general information on applying to study Law at UNSW Sydney.ÌýÌý

T: 1300 UNI NSW (1300 864 679)Ìý