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CLAT Preparation

Exams after 12th

 1. What is CLAT?
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a non-statutory body created under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the convenience of the students seeking admission to various National Law Universities in the country. An entrance test is conducted to provide a list of candidates on the basis of ‘merit-cum-preference’ to each University for admission to their UG/PG programs, as per the eligibility, reservation and other criteria laid down under the respective statutes of the participating Universities. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), is an all India entrance examination, conducted on rotation by 17 National Law Universities (NLUs) for admissions to their Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate degree programs.

2.Who conducts CLAT?
The first CLAT Core Committee consisting of Vice-Chancellors of participating NLUs had decided that the test should be conducted by rotation in the order of their establishment. The first CLAT exam was conducted by NLSIU Bangalore in 2008, the ninth Common Law Admission Test (CLAT 2018) shall be conducted by Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab.

3. How to apply for CLAT?
Online forms are available on clat.ac.in from 1st January 2018 onwards. Normally forms are available in hard copy and online, however for the 2018 CLAT, forms will be available online only.

4. What is the Eligibility criterion for CLAT?
  1. Passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with the minimum of: -
    • Forty-five percent (45%) marks in case of candidates belonging to Unreserved/OBC/ (Specially Abled Persons) Categories and
    • Forty percent (40%) marks in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST Category
  2. Candidates who are appearing in the qualifying examination in April/May 2018 are also eligible for appearing in CLAT-2018 examination. However, they shall be required to produce an evidence of their passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission, failing which they shall lose their right to be considered for admission.
  3. No upper age limit is prescribed for appearing in CLAT-2018. *
    * Bar Council of India has come with a new circular which prescribed that, as per the clause 28 of the legal education rules 2008, the maximum age for seeking admission in the 5 years integrated program is 20 years. But this not finalized yet.
  4. For P G Programme
    1. LL.B. or equivalent degree in law examination with a minimum of 55% marks in case of Unreserved/OBC/ (Especially abled persons) categories and 50% marks in case of SC/ST category
5. Which are the Law Schools Participating in CLAT?
  1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
  2. National Academy of Legal Study and Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)
  3. The National Law Institute University, Bhopal(NLIU)
  4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)
  5. National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
  6. Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)
  7. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
  8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
  9. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (RGNUL)
  10. Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
  11. The National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
  12. National Law University Odisha, Cuttack (NLUO)
  13. National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
  14. National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJAA)
  15. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam (DSNLU)
  16. Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli (TNNLS)
  17. Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU)
6. How many seats are available in the law schools participating in CLAT?
 The details of seats as per CLAT 2018 information brochure is as below:

  1. NLSIU, Bangalore - TOTAL 80
  2. NALSAR, Hyderabad - TOTAL 99
  3. NLIU, Bhopal - TOTAL 120
  4. WBNUJS, Kolkata - TOTAL 125
  5. NLUJ, Jodhpur - TOTAL 115
  6. HNLU, Raipur - TOTAL 180
  7. GNLU, Gandhinagar - TOTAL 180
  8. RMLNLU, Lucknow - TOTAL 160
  9. RGNUL, Patiala - TOTAL 175
  10. CNLU, Patna - TOTAL 120
  11. NUALS, Kochi - TOTAL 120
  12. NLUO, Orissa - TOTAL 159
  13. NUSRL, Ranchi - TOTAL 120
  14. NLUJA, Assam - TOTAL 60
  15. DSNLU , Vishakhapatnam – Total 132
  16. TNNLS, Tiruchirapalli – Total 180
  17. MNLU, Mumbai – Total-50, General 25, SC 7, ST 3, OBC 9

7. What is the question paper pattern for CLAT Exams?
 Pattern for CLAT exam as below:

Total Marks

200

Number of multiple-choice questions of one mark each

200

Duration of examination

Two Hours

Subject areas with Weightage:

 

English including Comprehension

40 Marks

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

50 Marks

Elementary Mathematics (Numerical Ability)

20 Marks

Legal Aptitude

50 Marks

Logical Reasoning

40 Marks

For every wrong answer there is negative marking of 0.25 marks.
In case of equal marks secured by candidates, the procedure to break the tie will be as per the following order:
  1. Higher marks in the section of legal aptitude in CLAT-2018
  2. Higher age
  3. Computerized draw of lots

8. What is the syllabus for CLAT?
Syllabus for CLAT exam as below:

Scope and coverage of questions under different subject areas:

  • English including comprehension-
    The English section will test the candidates' proficiency in English based on comprehension passages and grammar. In the comprehension section, candidates will be questioned on their understanding of the passage and its central theme, meanings of words used therein etc. The grammar section requires correction of incorrect grammatical sentences, filling of blanks in sentences with appropriate words, etc.

  • General Knowledge and Currents Affairs-
    As far as general knowledge is concerned; the candidates will be tested on their general awareness including static general knowledge. Questions on current affairs will test candidates on their knowledge of current affairs.

  • Mathematics-
    This section will test candidate's knowledge on elementary mathematics, i.e. maths taught up to Class X.

  • Legal Aptitude-
    This section will test candidate's interest towards study of law, research aptitude and problem solving ability. Questions will be framed with the help of legal propositions (described in the paper), and a set of facts to which the said proposition has to be applied. Some propositions may not be "true" in the real sense (e.g. the legal proposition may be that any person who speaks in a movie hall and disturbs others that are watching the movie will be banned from entering any movie theatre across India for one year). Candidates will have to assume the "truth" of these propositions and answer the questions accordingly.

  • Logical Reasoning-
    The purpose of the logical reasoning section is to test the candidate's ability to identify patterns, logical links and rectify illogical arguments. It will include a wide variety of logical reasoning questions such as syllogisms, logical sequences, analogies, etc. However, visual reasoning will not be tested.

9. Top law colleges in India are as below:

  1. National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University, (NALSAR)
  2. National Law School of India University (NLSIU)
  3. Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi
  4. The W.B. National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) West Bengal
  5. National Law Institute University (NLIU) Bhopal
  6. Gujarat National Law University Gujarat
  7. Symbiosis Society's Law College Pune
  8. National Law Institute University Jodhphur
  9. I.L.S. Law College Pune
  10. Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
  11. Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
  12. Amity Law School, Noida
  13. Christ College of Law, Bangalore
  14. Government Law College Mumbai
  15. Army Institute of Law (AIL) Mohali
  16. University College of Law, Bangalore University Bangalore
  17. School of Legal Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
  18. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) Patiala
  19. Tamilnadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai
  20. Faculty of Law, Jamia Millia Islmia, Delhi
  21. Faculty of Law, Osmania University, Hyderabad
  22. Faculty of Law, ICFAI University (ICFAI Law School) Dehradun
  23. National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi
  24. Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies, Bangalore
  25. Faculty of Law, University of Kolkata, Kolkata

Another similar infos

CLAT 2017 Exam Pattern
Total Marks: 200
Number of Questions: 200
Duration: 2 hours
Marking:There is system of negative marking and for every incorrect answer 1/4th marks will be deducted

CLAT Structure

English (including comprehension)

40 marks

Elementary Mathematics

20 marks

General Knowledge/Current Affairs

50 marks

Logical Reasoning

40 marks

Legal Reasoning

50 marks


The list of 18 participating NLUs are:

  1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU).
  2. National Academy of Legal Study & Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR).
  3. National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU).
  4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS).
  5. National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ).
  6. Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU).
  7. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU).
  8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU).
  9. Rajiv Gandhi National Law University, Patiala (RGNUL).
  10. Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU).
  11. National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS).
  12. National Law University Odisha, Cuttack (NLUO).
  13. National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL).
  14. National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam, Guwahati (NLUJAA).
  15. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam (DSNLU).
  16. Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli (TNNLS).
  17. Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU).
  18. Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU)

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