Upcoming Law School Entrance Exams in Australia (Simple Guide for Students)

If you're thinking about becoming a lawyer in Australia, you’ll need to go to law school. But before that, there’s something important you need to know—some law schools want you to take an entrance exam. These exams help the school understand how well you can think, read, and solve problems. In this blog, we’ll explain the main law school entrance exams in Australia in a way that’s super easy to understand.

Even if you're still in school or just starting to plan, it's great to know what’s coming next. Let's go step by step.

What is a Law School Entrance Exam?

A law school entrance exam is a test that some universities ask students to take before joining their law program. It's not like your school exam with history or science questions. These tests mostly check:

• How clearly you can think

• How well you understand things you read

• How good are you at solving problems

Not all law schools in Australia ask for an entrance exam, but some do—especially if you're applying for graduate law programs.

Most Common Law School Entrance Exams in Australia

Here are the main entrance exams you should know about:

1. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

What is it?
LSAT is the most well-known test for law school, especially for graduate-level law degrees like the JD (Juris Doctor). It’s an international test, which means students from different countries, including Australia, take it.

Who needs it?
Many Australian universities require the LSAT if you’re applying for a JD program after your first degree.

Some of the universities that may ask for LSAT:

• The University of Melbourne

• The University of Western Australia

• Monash University (for some courses)

What does it test?

• Reading and understanding long texts

• Logical reasoning (spotting patterns and problems)

• Analytical thinking

Is it hard?
It can be challenging, but with practice, many students do well. It doesn't need any special legal knowledge—just clear thinking and good reading skills.

When is it held?
LSAT is usually held several times a year. In Australia, it’s offered in January, April, June, August, October, and November.

How to register?
You can register for the test at the official LSAC website: www.lsac.org

2. UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) – Just to be clear: NOT for Law

Some people get confused and think UCAT is for law school. But it's actually for students who want to study medicine or dentistry. So if you're aiming to be a lawyer, skip UCAT.

3. University-specific Entry Programs

Some universities in Australia don’t ask for the LSAT but have their own ways to check if a student is ready for law school. This could include:

• High ATAR scores (your final school exam results)

• Interviews

• Written tasks or essays

• Internal entrance exams

Let’s look at a few examples:

University of Sydney

For undergraduate law (combined with another degree), they usually look at your ATAR score. If you have a high enough score, you can apply directly—no separate entrance test is needed.

UNSW (University of New South Wales)

UNSW doesn’t need the LSAT for undergraduate law. Instead, they consider:

• Your ATAR

• Your co-curricular and extracurricular activities

• A personal statement

ANU (Australian National University)

ANU offers both undergraduate and graduate law programs. For the JD program, LSAT is not required, but strong academic marks in your previous degree are.

Bond University

Bond offers both a Bachelor of Laws and JD. They don’t ask for LSAT, but they might look at your grades, written applications, and sometimes an interview.

Upcoming LSAT Dates in Australia (2025)

Here’s a rough idea of when LSAT exams happen in Australia. Always check the LSAC website for the latest dates and deadlines.

• January 2025 – You’ll need to register by around December 2024

• April 2025 – Registration closes around March 2025

• June 2025 – Make sure to register by May 2025

• August 2025 – Register by July 2025

• October 2025 – The deadline is usually in September 2025

• November 2025 – Registration ends around October 2025

It’s always a good idea to register early. Spots can fill up quickly, and you don’t want to miss out. For the most accurate and updated information, check the official LSAC website.

Tips to Prepare for Law Entrance Exams

You don’t need to panic about these tests. But some preparation always helps. Here’s what you can do:

• Read a lot. Practice reading long passages and try to understand them.

• Practice sample questions. You can find practice tests online, especially for LSAT.

• Improve your logic skills. Try puzzles and games that make you think.

• Stay calm during the test. These exams don’t expect you to know law stuff. They just want to see how well you think and understand.

What If I Don’t Want to Take Any Test?

That’s okay too! Not all law schools in Australia ask for entrance exams. Some accept students based only on their school grades (ATAR) or previous university marks.

Just check the university's website or talk to someone in their admissions team to know what they need from you.

Summary: Entrance Exams for Law Schools in Australia

If you're wondering which Australian universities need entrance exams for law school, here's a quick breakdown in simple words:

• University of Melbourne – Yes, they ask for the LSAT if you're applying for the JD (Juris Doctor) program.

• University of Sydney – No entrance test is needed if you're applying for undergraduate law. They look at your ATAR score.

• Monash University – Sometimes they may ask for the LSAT, especially for graduate-level law programs like the JD.

• UNSW (University of New South Wales) – No LSAT required. They base your admission on your ATAR and a personal statement.

• ANU (Australian National University) – You don't need to take the LSAT, but they expect good grades in your previous studies.

• Bond University – No LSAT is needed. They use their own internal process, which may include reviewing your grades and other documents.

Need Help With Law Assignments or Exam Prep?

If you're already studying law or getting ready for law school, it’s okay to ask for help. Legal studies can be tough sometimes. You can visit getassignment.com.au for help with law assignments, essays, and study support. The site offers expert help that’s easy to understand and right for Aussie students.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a lawyer starts with the right plan. If you’re aiming for law school in Australia, check whether the university you like requires an entrance test like the LSAT or not. Then, get ready early. Read often, practise thinking clearly, and stay updated on test dates. And remember—it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.

Every big goal begins with one small step. Choosing the right exam is one of them.