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Thinking about taking the next step towards UNSW Law? The Law Admission Test (LAT) plays a pivotal role in securing your spot, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start, you’re not alone. As someone who scored in the 88th percentile on the LAT test as a 2024 HSC graduate, I’ve been in your shoes. I know how daunting it can feel, but trust me—it’s doable.
This blog is your roadmap to LAT success. I’ll walk you through everything from understanding what the LAT truly tests, to how I prepared effectively while juggling HSC studies, and the lessons I wish someone had told me before I started. Whether you’re in Year 11 or Year 12, there’s something here for everyone.
If someone had told me a year ago that I’d achieve a top score, I wouldn’t have believed them. Like many Year 12 students, I was balancing HSC pressures, extracurriculars, and the whirlwind of my final school year. I only discovered the LAT midway through Term 2, meaning I had to learn how to prepare quickly and strategically. But here’s what I learned: you don’t need to have a perfect plan to succeed—you just need to start.
In this blog, you’ll find:
A breakdown of what the LAT really tests
How I structured my study and preparation to fit alongside the HSC
The biggest lessons I learned (and what I’d do differently)
Practical tips to help you feel confident and ready on exam day
What is the Law Admission Test?
The Law Admission Test (LAT) is a test for undergraduate UNSW law students, used alongside your ATAR to determine eligibility for admission. Given the increasingly competitive nature of UNSW Law, it’s crucial to take the LAT seriously and aim for the highest score possible to enhance your chances. The exam lasts two hours and requires you to type both an analytical essay and a persuasive essay.
To register, visit the UNSW website, which directs you to ACER for payment and registration—early registration is recommended to secure standard pricing (registration generally opens in May). Be sure to remember your ACER login details, as they are required on the exam day, something which tripped up many people including myself.
Key Lessons I Wish I Knew Before Preparing for the LAT
The LAT is not a content test.
Unlike HSC subjects like English, the LAT doesn’t test your ability to recall content. There’s no syllabus to memorise, no quotes to learn, and no set texts to analyze. Instead, the exam challenges your ability to respond to unseen stimuli and construct concise, analytical, and persuasive essays. Think of it this way: the LAT is testing how you think, not what you know.
This was a revelation for me. Initially, I approached it like an English essay exam, but I quickly learned that LAT success comes from clarity, precision, and logic. As Louis Litt famously said, “You must be precise as the law is a precise endeavor.”
The value of consistent practice and feedback.
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone starting their LAT journey, it would be this: practice consistently and get feedback. Improvement in writing-based exams doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a process of trial, error, and refinement. Have your work reviewed by peers, teachers, or tutors to identify and address areas for improvement. For me, I made it a routine to turn in a practice LAT paper alongside my English essays once a fortnight to ensure I was receiving regular feedback. Don't be afraid to reach out to your peers, teachers, parents, siblings or anyone who may be able to read your work.
Time management during the LAT exam.
Two hours. Two essays. It might sound manageable, but trust me, the clock ticks faster than you think. Effective time management is your best friend on exam day.
Here’s what worked for me:
Plan before you write: Spend 5–10 minutes outlining your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion for each essay. A clear plan will save you from wasting time figuring things out mid-response.
Focus on quality over quantity: Markers don’t want to read pages of repetition. They value concise, well-supported arguments. Aim for clarity, not complexity.
Practice under timed conditions: This is non-negotiable. I found that simulating exam conditions at home helped me stay calm and on track during the actual test.
The importance of current events for LAT writing depth
I wish someone had told me earlier how important it is to stay informed about current events. LAT essay topics often revolve around ethical and societal issues—things like privacy, freedom of speech, or workplace fairness. Having a solid understanding of real-world examples gives your arguments depth and credibility.
For instance, I read an article about a worker being unfairly dismissed for using medical cannabis. That knowledge became incredibly useful during the LAT, where Task B asked us to explore the ethics of alcohol testing in the workplace—a topic with clear parallels. Staying up-to-date with news articles, law journals, or even trending hashtags can make all the difference when crafting a sophisticated response.
LAT Preparation and Resources
The best way to succeed in the LAT is to treat it as a whole subject entirely. This means dedicating weekly time to structured preparation, seeking feedback, and staying consistent. Here’s. Below is a summary of this journey based on my own experiences:
Initial Preparation:
I only found out about the LAT in Term 2 of Year 12, which left me scrambling to prepare. Despite the late start, I managed to score in the 88th percentile, thanks to careful planning and effective resource use. If you’re just starting out, the first step is to familiarise yourself with the exam format.
Review Past Papers: Head to the ACER website and download sample LAT papers. They give you a clear idea of what’s expected and the kind of stimuli you’ll need to respond to.
Understand the Marking Criteria: The LAT is not just about writing essays—it’s about writing essays that demonstrate precision, analytical depth, and structured thinking. Knowing what markers are looking for will shape your study approach. This is something the Premium Masterclass teaches really well.
Organise Your Resources: Set up folders (digital or physical) to keep your practice essays, feedback, and notes organised. This will make tracking your progress much easier.
My top five resources I used for preparation:
ACER Sample Questions.
ACER’s free sample and past papers are a great way to familiarise yourself with the LAT. Work through these under exam conditions to get comfortable with the format. Here are some links: Acer Sample 2023 LAT Paper, ACER Sample 2022 LAT Paper. You can also check out LAT Academy's free practice paper and free quiz, for more practice.
LAT Academy classes.
Attending the LAT Academy’s Platinum Masterclass was a turning point for me. I learned essay structures, key terminology, and persuasive techniques that I hadn’t fully grasped before. Plus, the personalised feedback on my practice essays helped me identify and fix weaknesses.
Timetable organisation.
I'm sure you’ve heard this numerous times throughout High School, but I'm going to say it again: effective timetable and study organisation is crucial for success! I found myself juggling the HSC, LAT, and extracurriculars, all while trying to stay active in the gym and socialise with my mates to stop myself going crazy. During such times, using google calendar was an effective way for me to plan out my week and allocate time for all areas of study and life.
News websites for current affairs.
As mentioned previously, staying updated on news and law journals in your free time enhances your exposure to potential LAT topics. I recommend allocating some time weekly to reading articles, this could be on the way to school or before bed. You never know if an article you read could be related to a question in the LAT exam! You can check out this blog on opinion editorials that gives you links to relevant LAT newspapers to read.
Palm Cards.
These were a lifesaver for revising key terms and ideas from the LAT masterclass. Carrying a small stack of cards meant I could sneak in quick study sessions while waiting for a haircut or during school breaks. If physical cards aren’t your thing, you can create a digital version using apps like Quizlet.
Preparing for the LAT: From Practice to Exam Day
The LAT is not a test you can cram for—it’s about building skill over time. The best way to prepare is through practice exams, combined with consistent feedback and reflection. this process:
Practice Makes Perfect
When I began preparing for the LAT, I started with untimed practice exams. This allowed me to focus on mastering the fundamentals:
Using high modality and persuasive language confidently.
Applying structured essay frameworks from my LAT masterclass.
Developing well-thought-out arguments without the pressure of the clock.
As I gained confidence, I transitioned to timed practice exams under real exam conditions. By doing so, I trained myself to write effectively within the two-hour limit. This progression—untimed to timed was significant as it allowed me to focus on quality first and speed second.
Additionally, seeking feedback, whether from a peer, sibling, or LAT tutor, is crucial for improvement in order to identify shortcomings to work on in your preparation.
By dedicating time each week for practice exams and feedback, I was able to balance LAT prep with my HSC studies. If needed, it’s fine to take a break during busy exam periods such as HSC trials, as long as you resume your practice afterward. Below is an example of my weekly study plan in the lead up to the LAT and HSC:
Ideally, aim to complete at least one practice exam per week, reflecting on it and seeking feedback. As the LAT exam approaches, increase the number of practice exams to ensure thorough preparation. Check out LAT Academy's
Exam day
Like any exam, you will feel nervous on the day. For me the atmosphere of entering a large building alongside various other UNSW law candidates was nerve racking, however it is important you stay calm and focus on doing your best. After checking in you’ll receive instructions and will be escorted to the exam room. Once everyone signs into the computers with their ACER account, you'll have two hours to complete both questions.
Key Exam Tips:
Use your time wisely: Allocate one hour per question, including 10 minutes for planning. I spent this time outlining my introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Stay calm: As nervous as you may be, try to stay calm to avoid silly mistakes.
Read the question clearly: Ensure you are attacking the question correctly and firmly supporting your claims with logical reasoning and reference to the stimulus.
Be concise: Avoid repetition and overly complex language; markers value concise and clear responses that reflect how a lawyer would write. Having a clear plan will help you avoid such mistakes.
Post exam
For me, I typically always leave exams feeling unsure of how I did, however it is important to remember that stressing over how you felt you went won't change anything. The next step is to ensure you've added UNSW to your UAC preferences and provided your LAT student number. Marks are usually released in late November, including your score and percentile rank, which shows how you performed compared to other candidates.
Mistakes I Made (and How You Can Avoid Them)
Not starting in Year 11
You can sit the LAT in both Year 11 and 12, with your best mark being considered. I highly recommend Year 11 students attempt the exam in both years to increase their chances of achieving a high mark. However, for those like me who are starting in Year 12, it’s never too late to begin preparing and ace your LAT.
Hesitating to attend a LAT masterclass
I made the mistake of hesitating to attend a LAT tutoring service, this hindered my progress as the key techniques and concepts I learnt at the LAT masterclass changed the way I practiced writing for the LAT, rendering my previous efforts somewhat ineffective. To avoid this I highly recommend you enrol in a LAT class as soon as possible if you're serious about excelling in the LAT and taking advantage of all the opportunities available.
Not utilising support networks around me earlier
There are many teachers and peers around you who may be willing to support you in your LAT journey. I personally did not utilise such support networks until close to the exam, preventing me from receiving all the potential feedback and support that was available. Avoid this pitfall by accessing such support as early as possible.
Closing thoughts
The LAT may seem daunting at first, but with the right preparation, mindset, and determination, it is absolutely possible to excel. Remember, the LAT is not just a test of your writing ability but also your ability to think critically and communicate effectively—skills that will serve you far beyond the exam itself. Whether you’re starting early in Year 11 or beginning your preparation in Year 12 like I did, every bit of effort you put into this journey will contribute to your growth and readiness. Stay consistent, seek support when needed, and most importantly, believe in your ability to succeed.
No matter the outcome, tackling the LAT is a commendable accomplishment that reflects your dedication to pursuing a challenging and rewarding career path. To all future LAT students: you've got this, and I wish you the very best on your journey.
Written by: Zane Al-Salih
Zane Al-Salih offers invaluable insights into LAT preparation as a recent high school graduate and a top performer in the LAT exam, achieving an impressive 88th percentile. A proud attendee of the LAT Academy Premium Masterclass, Zane draws from his firsthand experiences to provide practical advice for students at all stages of their LAT journey. Currently pursuing a degree in Law and Arts while working part-time as a paralegal, Zane embodies a genuine passion for the legal field and a commitment to helping others succeed.