Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is conducted by fourteen National Law Universities for admissions to the LL.B and LL.M programmes on an All India basis. CLAT specifies a specific exam pattern and syllabus for the entrance examination.

CLAT EntranceExamiantion Pattern

CLAT follows different examination pattern for admissions to its under-graduate (LL.B) and post-graduate (LL.M) degree programmes.

Pattern of CLAT exam for LL.B programme

CLAT paper for undergraduate degree programme is for 200 marks. It has to be completed in 2 hours time. It follows the multiple- choice, objective model. Candidates are required to choose the correct answer from among four choices. There is no deduction of marks for marking incorrect answers. Every question carries one mark each and there will be a total of 200 questions. Various subject areas like English including Comprehension, General Knowledge/ Current Affairs, Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning will be covered in the examination. Questions from each area are accorded specified weightage.

Pattern of CLAT exam for LL.M programme

CLAT paper for postgraduate degree programme is also for 200 marks. The paper features both objective type questions as well as short answer questions. The 100 multiple choice questions and 10 short answer questions are to be completed within a duration of 2 hours. The multiple choice questions are of one mark each while the short answer questions carries 10 marks each. Question pertaining to subject areas of law will be covered in the examination.

Syllabus of CLAT Exam

Syllabus of CLAT for admission to LL.B, is structured in a way to test a candidate’s aptitude and basic knowledge; while the syllabus of CLAT for admission to LL.M is more subject oriented.

Syllabus of CLAT exam for LL.B programme

Legal aptitude which has a weightage of 50 marks should be the focus of candidates. In this section, certain legal propositions (based on assumption or otherwise) will be put forward along with facts to which the proposition would have to be applied. This section does not require any prior technical/legal knowledge. If any technical/legal terms appear in the paper, it will be sufficiently explained. Higher marks in this section acts as the deciding factor for a candidates selection, in the event of a tie-break.

General Knowledge/Current Affairs is another section that carries a weightage of 50 marks. This section tests the candidate’s knowledge on current event and issues.

Mathematics section which tests a candidate’s numerical ability has a 20 marks weightage. Questions in this section will be asked from 10th class Mathematics. Candidates are required to have basic knowledge in elementary mathematics.

Comprehension passages and grammar test a candidate’s proficiency in English. Questions regarding understanding of the passage, vocabulary and meaning will be asked in this section. Questions under the grammar section include correcting incorrect grammatical sentences, filing blanks using appropriate words etc.This section carries a weightage of 40 marks.

Logical reasoning would include questions based on logical sequences, syllogisms, analogies, etc that requires a candidate to identify patterns, rectify illogical arguments and find logical links.

Syllabus of CLAT exam for LL.M programme

Syllabus of CLAT exam for admission to the LL.M programme is subject specific with questions covering areas in law like Law of Torts, Law of Contracts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory.