If you are aiming for a law career, you should be familiar with one entrance exam: CLAT. To brief you about this shortly, consider this as your entry to the top law universities for LLB and LLM programs. As a law aspirant, one should be informed about this entrance test. This blog will be your complete beginner-friendly guide to the CLAT exam, covering everything from eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and age limit to preparation insights by the top CLAT coaching classes in Hyderabad.
What is CLAT Exam?
The Common Law Admission Test, commonly known as CLAT, is a centralized national-level entrance exam for admissions to 24 (out of 26) reputed National Law Universities (NLUs) across India (except the Delhi and Meghalaya ones). These exams allow for NLU admissions to the following programs:
- 5-year Integrated LLB (UG)
- 1-year LLM (PG)
Note: This guide is broadly focused on UG aspirants.
The exam is organized and administered by the Consortium of NLUs, a legal education entity under the Bar Council of India (BCI).
CLAT Exam Pattern (UG)
A quick overview of the exam structure will give you a clear picture of the exam. All the exam questions are paragraph-based, with each paragraph followed by 5-6 questions.
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks |
| English Language | 22-26 | 22-26 |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28-32 | 28-32 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 28-32 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 22-26 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10-14 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
Marking Scheme: Each correctly answered question gets you one positive mark. However, each wrong answer deducts 0.25 marks from your total score. The score can range from -30 to 120 marks. You only have 2 hours to complete the exam.
CLAT Syllabus 2026 (UG)
The questions in the CLAT exam are split across five subjects. Almost all subjects feature questions derived from 450-word passages provided in the question paper itself.
Below is the official section-wise breakdown:
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar & vocabulary-based questions
- Inference & central idea questions
Pro tip: Master reading the passages in max 5-7 minutes.
Current Affairs Including General Knowledge
- Contemporary events of significance from India and the world
- Arts & culture
- International affairs
- Historical events of continuing significance
Pro tip: Be updated with news, journalistic sources and other non-fiction writing.
Legal Reasoning
- Inference of legal principles
- Application of legal principles
- Dynamicity of legal principles
This is the highest weightage section — scoring well here boosts your rank.
Logical Reasoning
- Argument, Premise & Conclusion Recognition
- Analysis of Reasoning Patterns
- Inference
- Logical puzzles
Quantitative Techniques
- Derivation, inference & manipulation of numerical information
- Application of basic mathematical operations
CLAT Exam Eligibility (UG)
The Consortium of NLUs’ website states the eligibility criteria for UG aspirants clearly:
- The CLAT age limit has no upper bound, and candidates can pursue it at any age.
- Candidates who have passed in 10+2 or an equivalent examination with a minimum of:
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- 45% of marks for General/OBC category students or
- 40% of marks in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories.
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- Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination in March/April 2026 are also eligible to apply.
(Production of qualifying evidence necessary)
CLAT vs Other Law Entrance Exams — Quick Comparison
| Feature | CLAT | AILET | LSAT—India | SLAT |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of NLUs | NLU Delhi | Pearson VUE/LSAC | Symbiosis University |
| Programs Offered | LLB + LLM | LLB + LLM | LLB + LLM | LLB |
| Seats | ~3000+ across NLUs | ~120 (UG) | Varies (Private Law Colleges) | ~1080 (Symbiosis Law Schools) |
| Exam Style | Passage-based MCQs | Passage + analytical heavy | Critical thinking-based | Mixed aptitude |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | High (very competitive) | Moderate | Easy–Moderate |
| Attempts Allowed | Once a year | Once a year | Multiple cycles | Once a year |
| Best For | NLU aspirants | NLU Delhi aspirants | Students preferring private universities | Symbiosis campuses |
How to Prepare for CLAT
12-Month Study Plan (Ideal for Class 11 or early Class 12 students)
Months 1–3:
- Build reading habit (newspaper + RCs)
- Foundation in English and reasoning
Months 4–6:
- Start solving CLAT-level passages
- Begin sectional tests
Months 7–9:
- Weekly mock tests
- Strengthening Legal Reasoning
Months 10–12:
- Daily mock + revision
- GK polishing
- Quant drills
6-Month Crash Plan (For repeaters or fast learners)
- Months 1–2: Learn the basics + complete syllabus
- Months 3–4: Strict sectional practice
- Months 5–6: Full-length mocks + analysis
Mocks and analysis take the priority here—even 2-hour study sessions should include them.
CLAT Application & Counselling Process
How to register for the CLAT exam?
- Register on the Consortium website
- Fill form + upload documents
- Pay fees
Counselling:
After results, you participate in online counselling rounds for seat allocation.
Conclusion
No doubt, the CLAT exam is among the hardest entrance exams in India. But with extensive knowledge, a clear understanding, and proper structure, you can easily navigate your preparation journey. This blog will be the single comprehensive guide you will need to ace the 2026 CLAT exam. The next steps are simple: begin early, practise consistently, attempt regular mocks, and get ahead of thousands of aspirants. If you want to streamline your complete CLAT preparation, consider CLAT coaching classes in Hyderabad like AKS IAS for a stronger and more confident start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is CLAT difficult for beginners?
CLAT is moderate in difficulty but highly competitive. Regular reading, solving passages, and mock practice makes it manageable.
How many seats are there in NLUs through CLAT?
Around 3,000+ UG seats, depending on the year and NLU reporting.
Does CLAT require prior knowledge of law?
No. CLAT tests legal reasoning, not legal facts — beginners can learn easily.
