If you are a law aspirant, you are probably already familiar with what is CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), the annual entrance exam for UG and PG law programs at leading law schools across India. Thousands of aspirants appear for the exam yearly, hoping to secure a seat in their dream NLUs.
You need to understand the CLAT 2025 exam pattern to prepare well and perform your best on exam day. Although the Consortium is yet to officially announce the CLAT exam pattern 2025, we have covered here the latest examination pattern till today.
This blog will closely examine the CLAT paper pattern and what you can expect from the examination. We will cover all the sections in the examination, the number of questions, the marking scheme, and the other important details that will help you effectively prepare for the exam.
Read on to get all the essential information about the CLAT exam pattern.
The Consortium of NLUs (National Law Universities) releases the exam pattern of CLAT each year, including the number and the type of questions asked in this law entrance test. Another key aspect of the CLAT exam pattern is that it mentions the weightage for every exam section.
Applicants must carefully review the CLAT exam paper pattern before preparing for the test. This helps them understand what type of question paper they can expect and the type and number of questions asked in the CLAT 2025.
There are several other things that an aspirant should be aware of, such as the language options available, the marking scheme, and the sections covered. An applicant can only understand such details through the CLAT exam pattern.
In short, the exam pattern of CLAT 2025 is the most important guide to help you study the topics according to their weightage. The pattern consists of 5 sections or subjects, including
However, the pattern of the CLAT exam for the post-graduate consists of 2 sections: Constitutional Law and other law subjects.
As per the recent updates of the new CLAT exam pattern, the total number of questions in the UG and PG exams is 120.
Applicants must understand the CLAT exam’s new pattern before appearing at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to understand the question paper.
Based on the previous year, the major highlights of the CLAT 2025 exam pattern are given below:
Particulars | Details |
CLAT Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
Exam Level | National Level |
Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
Exam Mode | Offline |
CLAT Medium | English |
CLAT Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
Number of Questions in CLAT | 120 |
Total Marks in CLAT | 120 |
Marks Per Question | 1 mark for every correct answer |
Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer |
Sections of Paper | The question paper will have 5 sections:
|
CLAT 2025 exam pattern is expected to remain the same as the CLAT 2024 exam pattern was changed. The Consortium will release the marking scheme for the CLAT 2025 exam soon.
Meanwhile, aspirants can refer to the marking scheme for UG and PG courses from the previous year below:
CLAT Marking Parameter | CLAT Marks Awarded |
Correct Answer | +1 |
Wrong Answer | -0.25 |
Un-attempted Question | 0 |
Note:
The CLAT exam evaluates candidates’ comprehension, reasoning skills, and abilities.
Candidates should note that each section carries a different weightage. Therefore, they need to devise their study plan accordingly.
The CLAT 2025 syllabus is divided into 5 sections. Look at the table below to know how many questions you may anticipate seeing on the CLAT exam pattern:
Sections | No. of Questions | CLAT Total Marks | Weightage |
English | 22-26 | 22-26 | 20% |
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28-32 | 28-32 | 25% |
Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 28-32 | 25% |
Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 22-26 | 20% |
Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10-14 | 10% |
Total | 120 | 120 | 100% |
The CLAT syllabus 2025 for UG contains all the important topics candidates must refer to prepare for the exam. The details of the topics as per the new CLAT exam pattern 2025 are tabulated below:
CLAT Exam Sections | CLAT Important Topics |
English Language |
|
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge |
|
Logical Reasoning |
|
Legal Reasoning | Indian Constitution –
|
Quantitative Techniques |
|
The CLAT post-graduate exam pattern 2025 may differ slightly from the undergraduate examination pattern as it includes the PG level topics, and applicants must be well-versed before starting their exam preparation.
Below is an overview of the CLAT exam pattern:
The table below gives an idea of the topic-wise weightage according to the official CLAT exam pattern for LLM:
Subjects | Number of Questions | CLAT Total Marks |
Constitutional Law | 60 | 60 |
Other Law | 60 | 60 |
Total | 120 | 120 |
The CLAT PG syllabus comprises of questions from the below topics:
Constitutional Law | Jurisprudence | Administrative Law |
Law of Contract | Torts | Family Law |
Criminal Law | Property Law | Company Law |
Public International Law | Tax Law | Environmental Law |
Labour & Industrial Law |
An analysis of the latest CLAT exam question paper suggests that the question paper’s difficulty level was easy to moderate.
Below are the section-wise details of the CLAT exam pattern:
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) includes a system of negative marking for incorrect answers:
The Common Law Admission Test exam pattern is important for several reasons:
Remember, consistency and perseverance are key in CLAT preparation. It’s a journey that tests not just your knowledge but also your endurance and dedication.
How Many Questions are There in Each Section of the CLAT Exam?
The number of questions in each section can vary. Generally, the English Language and Logical Reasoning sections have around 28-32 questions each, Legal Reasoning about 35-39 questions, Current Affairs including General Knowledge 35-39 questions, and Quantitative Techniques 13-17 questions. However, these numbers are subject to change, so it’s best to refer to the latest exam notification for accurate details.
What is the Marking Scheme for CLAT?
In CLAT, each correct answer is awarded 1 mark, while 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. There are no marks deducted for unattempted questions.
Has There Been Any Recent Change in the CLAT Exam Pattern?
Yes, there have been changes in recent years. The most notable change was a shift in focus towards comprehension-based questions.
Are There Any Descriptive Questions in CLAT?
As of the latest pattern, CLAT consists of objective type questions.
What is the Time Duration of the CLAT Exam?
The CLAT exam is conducted over 2 hours (120 minutes).
Is There a Sectional Time Limit in CLAT?
No, there is no sectional time limit in the CLAT exam. Candidates can attempt any section at any time within the overall time limit of 2 hours.
How Often is CLAT Conducted?
CLAT is conducted once a year.
What is the Best Way to Prepare for the CLAT Exam Pattern?
The best way to prepare is to understand the exam pattern thoroughly, practice past year CLAT papers, take CLAT mock tests, and focus on each section. Time management and strategy are key to tackling the exam effectively.
Can I Choose the Order of Sections While Attempting the Exam?
Yes, candidates can choose the order in which they want to attempt the sections. There is no pre-defined order set by the exam.
What Types of Questions Can I Expect in the Legal Reasoning Section of CLAT?
The Legal Reasoning section generally includes principle-based questions and legal passages. You’ll be asked to apply principles to factual situations or analyze legal issues presented in the passages. It tests your legal aptitude, logical skills, and understanding of legal propositions.
Is There Negative Marking in the CLAT Exam?
Yes, there is negative marking in CLAT. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted. It’s important to answer carefully to minimize the loss of marks through negative marking.
Are Calculators Allowed in the Quantitative Techniques Section of CLAT?
No, calculators or any other electronic devices are not allowed in the examination hall. The Quantitative Techniques section is designed to test your basic mathematical skills, and calculations need to be done manually.
How Should I Prepare for the Current Affairs Section?
To prepare for the Current Affairs section, regularly read newspapers, follow credible news websites, and stay updated with the latest events globally and nationally. Focus on understanding rather than just memorizing facts.
Can I Skip Questions and Answer Them Later During the Exam?
Yes, in CLAT, you can skip questions and return to them later within the allotted 2-hour time frame. It’s a good strategy to first answer the questions you are sure about and then go back to the more challenging ones.
What is the Difficulty Level of the CLAT Exam?
The difficulty level of CLAT can vary each year. Generally, it ranges from moderate to challenging. The key is thorough preparation and practice to comfortably navigate through the exam irrespective of its difficulty level.
Is There Any Age Limit for Appearing in CLAT?
There is no upper age limit for CLAT.
How Many Attempts Can I Make for CLAT?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CLAT. As long as you meet the CLAT eligibility criteria, you can appear for the exam multiple times.
What are the Maximum Marks in the CLAT Exam?
The maximum marks for the CLAT exam are 120.
Is There a Passing Mark in CLAT?
CLAT does not have a specified “passing mark” in the traditional sense. Admission to law schools is based on the rank or merit list generated from the scores of all candidates. The higher the score, the better your chances of securing admission to a top law school.
What are the Qualifying Marks for CLAT?
There are no predefined qualifying marks for CLAT. Candidates are ranked based on their scores, and admissions are offered based on this ranking and the availability of seats in various participating institutions.
Conclusion
Law aspirants must understand the new CLAT exam pattern and syllabus to prepare effectively. They should prioritize their time and focus on the weak sections. With the right preparation strategy and understanding of the CLAT exam pattern, law candidates can perform well and secure a seat in their desired law school.