Common Law Admission Test also known as CLAT is conducted by seven of the best law institutes of India. It is conducted on national level. Those who wish to pursue there career in law can enroll for this entrance exam. Once an individual clears this exam he/she is eligible to study in one among the seven best institutions of law in India.

Structure and Syllabus of Common Law Entrance Test- CLAT

The duration of Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is 120 minutes. 200 multiple choice questions are included in this exam. Breakup of the same is show below. The paper will be strictly corrected and there are negative markings for every wrong answer.

• Elementary Mathematics: 20 questions
• General English: 40 questions
• General Knowledge/Current Affairs: 50 questions
• Legal Aptitude: 45 questions
• Logical Reasoning: 45 questions

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates who have cleared 10+2 with 50% marks or its equivalent and also those who are currently doing can apply.
• Candidates coming under reserved category and having 45% marks are also eligible.
• The age limit should not exceed 20 years for candidates coming under general category and 22 years for reserved category before July of that year
• Candidates should submit a copy of their passed certificate as a proof by October 1st of the following year of CLAT. Those who have not passed will not be given admission.

How to Apply?

Application forms of CLAT can be purchased from State bank of India, designated branches of Indian Bank and also from 11 selected National Law Schools. Forms can also be downloaded from official the website: www.clat.ac.in

Forms can also be obtained by postal system. One needs to send demand draft of Rs 400/-to CLAT office with a request for the form. Register number has to be mentioned with the signature of the candidate behind the demand draft. A copy of other important certificates should also be enclosed with the demand draft.

How to fill the Form?

On purchase of CLAT Information Brochure, an OMR Application Form will also be given. One should read all the informations very carefully and then proceed to fill up the application form. Only HB pencils are allowed for darkening the circles. Application forms will be checked with a help of scanning machine therefore stray marks are not allowed. Any wrong information may restrict you from attending the exam. Therefore rules and other requirements should be followed very carefully.

Important Dates

• CLAT Exam will be conducted by first week of May, 2012
• Application Forms will be available from January first week, 2012
• Receipt of complete application forms should be submitted by first week of April, 2012
• Declaration of results will be by last week of May, 2012

List of CLAT centers

• Bangalore
• Bhopal
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Cochin
• Gandhinagar
• Guwahati
• Hyderabad
• Jaipur
• Jodhpur
• Kolkata
• Lucknow
• Mumbai
• New Delhi
• Patiala
• Patna
• Raipur

Colleges Accepting the CLAT Score

• NLSIU, Bangalore
• NALSAR, Hyderabad
• NLIU, Bhopal
• NUJS, Kolkata
• NLU, Jodhpur
• HNLU, Raipur
• GNLU, Gandhinagar
• CNLU, Patna
• RMLNLU, Lucknow
• RGNLU, Patiala
• NUALS, Kochi
• Christ College/University, Bangalore
• West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
• ILS Law College, Pune

Contact Address for the CLAT

• The Convenor (CLAT- 2010), The National Law Institute University, Kerwa Dam Road, Bhopal-462 044 (M.P),
• Tele: (0755)-2696965 /70/71
• Fax: (0755)-2696972
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Web: www.clat.ac.in

Reference Books for CLAT

• CLAT Common Law Admission Test by Mazumdar Rituparna
• CLAT Guide by RPH Editorial Board
• Common Law Admission Test [CLAT] by HemaRaman
• Common Law Admission Test by Lal and Mishra.
• Comprehensive Book of English Grammer by Dr. B. B. Jain
• Grammar by Wrenn and Martin
• Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning by Panel of Experts
• Practice Papers for CLAT by Gaurav Mehta
• Study Package for CLAT & LLB Entrance Examinations by AP Bhardwaj

Coaching Centers for CLAT

• GOYAL ACADEMY
• INNOVATIONS
• Institute of Judicial Study (IJS)
• PIYUSH LAW ACADEMY

Study Plan

One of the methods would be to have a systematic approach. First and foremost would be to cultivate the habit of reading newspapers. It will not only improve one’s English vocabulary but also improve general knowledge. If you are a constant visitor on sites related to law it will also be very helpful. You can also get all the latest information related to law through these websites.

One should also be able to think logically about how matters and decision are carried out in court. In order to score better marks one should do well in mathematics. Important topics where one should put in more efforts are algebraic formulas, percentage and profit and loss. Daily exercise and working out of previous years question papers will also be of great help. It would automatically increase one’s accuracy and speed. A book consisting of last16 years of question paper was introduces by The National Law School India University. This can also be practiced to have a better result.

How and Where To Get the Results?

Results will be published on official website of the Common Law Admission Test; http://www.clat.ac.in/result.php by entering the register number in the column specified candidates can get their results.

CLAT Cutoff

• The cutoff may vary according to the institute where the candidates are seeking admission.
• Overall cutoff = 130+
• NLS Bangalore =  160+
• NALSAR Hyderabad =  152 – 160
• NUJS Kolkata =  145 – 152
• NLIU Bhopal =  140 – 145
• NLU Jodhpur =  138 – 145

Score Validity

The CLAT score is valid for a period of one year.