Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level competitive examination for undergraduate and postgraduate program admissions in 24 National Law Universities in India. Many affiliate universities also use the CLAT examination for admission.
CLAT acts as a pathway to several prestigious law universities. It has streamlined the student selection program for law colleges. Many competent students appear for the exam, and those who score more than their peers get into top NLUs. CLAT helps select academically strong students with a knack for the legal field.
Common Law Admission Test ( CLAT) was introduced in 2008 as a centralised examination for admission to law universities across India. From 1987 to 2007, there were only seven NLUs, each with its test. The first CLAT was an MCQ-based test and was conducted offline.
Subjects Covered
English Language
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Mathematics
Legal Aptitude
Logical Reasoning
Duration and Marking Scheme
1. The maximum mark for the examination is 120.
2. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes.
3. The exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions of one spot each.
4. There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.
5. Subject-wise marking scheme -
English Language
This section contains 450-word passages and aims to check your language skills and ability to comprehend the course.
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
This section contains 450-word passages and will be followed by questions to check your awareness of various aspects of current affairs and general knowledge.
Mathematics
This section contains short facts or textual representations of numerical information, followed by some questions.
Legal Aptitude
This section contains 450-word passages and will be followed by questions in which you must identify, infer, and apply various rules and principles in the course.
Logical Reasoning
This section contains 450-word passages and questions to check your logical reasoning ability.
Eligibility criteria for undergraduate programs (BA LLB):
Candidates from General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI categories should have passed 12th Grade or an equivalent examination with 45% marks (or 40% for the SC/ST category).
Age Limit
There is no age limit to appear for CLAT.
CLAT has the provision for reservation of categories Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes, Physically Disabled Candidates, State Quota (for the state in which the NLU is situated), NRI/Foreign National candidates, Kashmiri Migrants, and Candidates belonging to the North-Eastern States. NLUs provide 3400 seats, out of which 283 seats are reserved for NRI (Non-Resident Indian), NRI sponsored, OCI (Overseas Citizen of India), and FN (Foreign National) candidates.
· National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
· NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)
· 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)
· Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
· Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
· Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala (RGNUL)
· Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
· National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
· National Law University, Orissa (NLUO)
· National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
· National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA)
· Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam (DSNLU)
· The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli (TNNLS)
· Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
· Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur
· Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad
· HP National Law University, Shimla
· Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur
· DR.B.R.Ambedkar National Law University, Haryana
· Gujarat National Law University Silvassa
· National Law University, Tripura Agartala
In India, legal education is essential due to the institutionalisation of national law universities. They were established to improve the understanding of laws and legal skills and to encourage legal research. NLUs have uplifted private colleges and non-national law universities as the number of law aspirants is increasing, and other law schools are trying to achieve the standards set by NLUs to attract students.
1. The CLAT score, overall score, and section-wise score play a significant role in the selection process.
2. NLUs prepare a merit list based on the CLAT score, and candidates with higher scores are at the top of the merit list. The merit list serves as the basis of admission to the NLUs.
3. Seat allotment is done based on the ranks of candidates in the merit list and their preferred programs and NLU. Candidates with a higher level have a better chance of securing their preferred NLU.
English Language - Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin, Objective General English by RS Aggarwal, Barron's Pocket Guide to Vocabulary, The Pearson Guide to the CLAT by Pearson's, CLAT Guide by Tata McGraw-Hill
General Knowledge and Current Affairs - Lucent's GK, Manorama Year Book, Competition Success Review, India Year Book, and Pratiyogita Darpan. Also read leading newspapers like Hindu, Indian Express, and Hindustan Times.
Mathematics - Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal, Class 10th NCERT Textbook, Data interpretation by R.S Aggarwal, Elementary Mathematics with Numerical Ability by Prateek Jain, Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra
Legal Aptitude - Universal's CLAT Guide, Bare Acts of Indian Constitution, Legal Awareness and Legal Aptitude by AP Bhardwaj, LexisNexis Butterworths, Objective Legal Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal, Important Judgement That Transformed India by Alex Andrews George
Logical Reasoning - Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey, Analytical and Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, A New Approach to Verbal and Analytical Reasoning by Arihant, 501 challenging Logical Reasoning Practice book, Quantitative Aptitude ebook (ALL Parts Solved) by RS Aggarwal
Time management is crucial during CLAT preparation. Create a well-structured study plan that covers all the subjects, gives enough time for each subject, and makes achievable daily/weekly targets. To do well, stick to the program and take your time.
Solve enough sample papers and previous year's question reports to assess your preparation and to understand your strengths and weaknesses. In the starting phase, start by solving at least one sample paper weekly, gradually increasing the number in the last months. Taking mock tests is a great way to experience the exam and improve your time management skills. Speed and accuracy is the key, as there will be 120 questions, and you will have 120 minutes.
Stress and pressure arise due to self-doubts and comparisons with others. Do not compare yourself with others; appreciate your progress and work harder.
Create a proper study plan covering all subjects and stick to it. Make only achievable daily/weekly goals and practice the previous year's papers and mock tests.
To efficiently balance 12th-class exams and CLAT, create a study plan and stick to it to the core.
After clearing CLAT UG, several undergraduate law programs like BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.com LLB, and BSc LLB are available.
After clearing CLAT PG, options like Master of Law (LLM), Doctor of Law (LLD)/ PhD in Law, and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degrees are available.
1. Criminal Lawyer
2. Corporate Lawyer
3. Judicial Services
4. Legal Journalist
5. Legal Analyst
6. Civil Lawyer
7. Legal Advisor
8. Paralegal
9. Business Consultant
10. Intellectual property lawyer
11. Government lawyer
12. Legal Research and Academia
13. Legal Consultancy
The major update in the exam pattern is reducing the number of questions from 150 to 120 for the undergraduate examination.
CLAT has integrated technology by changing its mode of examination from doing pen and paper to computer based.
CLAT is a competitive examination that requires dedication and a well-prepared strategy. Create a proper study plan, practice enough mock tests, stay aware of the developments, and improve your speed of answering mathematics questions, and develop your ability to read and understand passages. Remember to stay focused and consistent in your preparation.
The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts CLAT.
It is advised to start preparing at least six months to one year before the exam.
Yes, you can take CLAT more than once.
After clearing CLAT, candidates can pursue courses like BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.com LLB, and BSc LLB.
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