WHAT IS CLAT?

Name of the exam: CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

Clearing CLAT: Enables candidates to get admission into under graduate or post graduate law courses

Examination pattern: Written exam (multiple-choice questions)

Negative marking: Yes

Number of exams: Two – one for undergraduate law course and the second for post graduate law

course

Age criteria: Below 20 years of age on 1 July

What is CLAT?

Common Law Admission Test or CLAT is an all India entrance exam conducted for people aspiring to

pursue law courses – undergraduate (Legum Baccalaureus – LLB) and post graduate (Legum Magister

– LLM). The exam is conducted by National Law Universities on a rotational basis. There are 14

National Law Universities:

National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)

Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)

Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)

National Law University, Odisha (NLUO)

National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA)

National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)

National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)

Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)

National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (RGNUL)

National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)

National University of Study 6 Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)

The first CLAT exam was held in 2008. Since then, every year one institute takes the onus of conducting

CLAT.

Educational qualification For LLB

A candidate should have cleared his 10+2 or obtained a equivalent certificate from a recognized board.

He should have scored a minimum of 45 percent marks as aggregate. Candidates who have appeared

for 10+2 exam can also apply subject to conditions.

Educational qualification For LLM

For LLM, a candidate should have LL. B/B. L. Degree or an equivalent degree from a recognized

University with not less than 55% marks in aggregate.

Exam pattern

For LLB

Total marks: 200

Total number of questions: 200

Duration of the exam: 2 hours

Subject Marks

English including comprehension 40

General Knowledge (GK)/ Current Affairs 50

Elementary mathematics (Numerical Ability) 20

Logical Reasoning 40

Legal Aptitude 50

Total marks 200

For LLM

Total marks: 150

Duration: 2 hours

Topics Marks

Long essay type descriptive questions that cover Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence 100 marks – 4

questions of 25 marks each

Multiple-choice questions that cover all compulsory law subjects prescribed by the Bar Council of India

for the Under-Graduate Course except Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence 50 marks – 50 questions

of 1 mark each

Tie-Breaking for LLB

When two candidates score equal marks, then the tie is usually broken in this manner:

Higher marks in the section of legal aptitude

Higher age

Computerized draw of lots

Tie-Breaking for LLM

When two candidates score equal marks, then the tie is usually broken in this manner:

Higher marks in the Long Essay Type Descriptive Questions

Higher age

Computerized draw of lots

Preparing for CLAT

English

This test will assess the candidate’s proficiency in English. It will comprise comprehension and

grammar. In the comprehension section, the candidates have to exhibit clear understanding of the

passage and answer questions accordingly. In the grammar section, a candidate will be asked to spot

wrong sentences and correct them, will be asked to apply correct grammar usage at identified

sections, will be asked word meanings, fill in the blanks, and the like.

Preparing for CLAT- English

To prepare for English, you can begin by strengthening you grammar by going back to the basics and

understanding them once again.

It will be a good idea to start reading an English newspaper and English magazines on a regular basis.

Try to learn few new words every day, including their synonyms and antonyms. This will help you in

understanding the comprehension thoroughly

Solve as many past questions as possible and also take the numerous English tests that are available

online and in the process develop your own mechanism to solve the questions

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

In this test, the candidate will be assessed for his knowledge in current affairs and their general

awareness.

Preparing for CLAT – GK and Current Affairs

Keep yourself abreast with the latest happenings within India and around the world

Browse through the latest GK books so that you are well-equipped for the GK section

Refer to past question papers, see the pattern of the occurrence of the questions and prepare

accordingly

Attempt as many mock tests as possible. There are many available online.

Reading news papers and watching news regularly will also help in preparing for this section

Mathematics

This test will cover elementary Mathematics – Mathematics taught till class X. It carries 20 marks and

if you prepare well, you can score full marks.

Preparing for CLAT – Mathematics

Refer to past question papers and see which topics are being repeated. Prepare them first and then

move on to the other topics

Clear your concepts thoroughly. Once you have a clear concept of the topics, it will be easy for you to

answer them

Have a methodology in place that you don’t take more than a minute to solve one question

Legal Aptitude

This test will assess the candidate on how inclined he is towards law, his expertise in research and his

ability to solve problems. The questions will include legal principles that have to be applied to certain

situations. The candidate will have to judge the situation and come up with an apt conclusion or

solution.

The score in legal aptitude will be used to break the ‘tie.’ By ‘tie,’ we mean when two or more students

score equal marks, then the score in this section will be used to decide the better of the two. So, it is

important that you score well in this section.

Preparing for CLAT – Legal Aptitude

Refer to past question papers and solve as many problems as possible

Understand the question thoroughly and come to a logical conclusion

Try to time yourself when you are attempting this section so that you know exactly how much time is

to be spent on each question

Logical Reasoning

This test assesses the candidate’s ability to think logically, identify patterns, spot correct arguments

and the like. It will comprise questions from syllogism, analogies, logical sequence, and the like.

Preparing for CLAT – Logical Reasoning

Refer to past question papers so that you have an idea as to what to expect in the exam

Refer to logical reasoning books and solve as many problems as possible

Take as many online tests as possible

Learn tricks and short cuts to solve the problems easily

Have a time-management strategy in place so that you are able to attempt each question and not

leave out any. The strategy will also focus on how much time you need to devote to each question.