Top 5 Tips to Ace the LAT

So you’re looking to study law at the University of New South Wales? Smart move! We’ve been there, done that, and can help you totally ace the law admission test and secure your spot at UNSW.

Here are our top 5 tips.

1. Deconstruct like a pro

No, we’re not referring to deconstructed desserts… although we wish we were. What we mean is, you must look at the parts of the question individually and identify what is important.

But what is important, you ask? It is:

The instruction words. These are the verbs in the question. Some common examples are discuss, explain and analyse.

The topic words. This provides the main topic or focus of the question.

The limit or boundary words. These define the scope of the question and the scope of your response.

Make sure you deconstruct the question prior to putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

2. Think critically. Think like a lawyer

A lawyer must look at information and arguments with a critical lens. Our job is to find gaps and deficiencies in evidence and claims for the benefit of our clients.

That is why your critical thinking skills are assessed as part of the LAT. In the LAT, you’ll be asked to look at a range of stimulus material and question, analsyse and evaluate that material. You’ll be asked to come up with your own conclusion based on that material and demonstrate your critical thinking skills by developing a written response.

3. Be persuasive, be be persuasive

Lawyers are master negotiators and we’re trained to be persuasive in everything we do. That includes where we are negotiating outcomes with the counter-party or making an argument in court.

In the LAT, you’ll have to come up with your own persuasive piece of writing on a particular topic. That will include referencing stimulus material, coming up with an appropriate format for your response and making arguments presenting a particular point of view.

4. Structure, structure, structure

You can make the most critical or persuasive arguments, but that won’t get you far if they’re unstructured and not easily readable. Structuring your responses is therefore a key skill.

5. Sign up to one of our Accelerator Programs

You have very limited shots to take the law admission test - usually just two. Why not set yourself up in the best way you possibly can?

How? By signing up to one of our Accelerator Programs. During our programs, we show you how to deconstruct questions, think critically, write persuasively and structure your response. We go through practical examples and tasks and provide individual feedback to each of our students.

Don’t wait until its too late. Sign up now!