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CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is the entrance exam for the five-year integrated law programmes, such as the B.A. LL.B., at most National Law Universities, and for their LL.M. programmes. It is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities, usually in December, and tests reading comprehension and reasoning rather than prior legal knowledge. Students from any stream can take it.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Common Law Admission Test |
| Conducted by | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Used for | Five-year integrated LL.B. (UG) and LL.M. (PG) at participating National Law Universities |
| Sections | English, current affairs, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, quantitative techniques |
| Mode | Pen and paper |
| Usually held | Once a year, around December |
Official source: Consortium of National Law Universities. Always confirm dates, fees and eligibility there before you apply.
What CLAT is used for
CLAT UG is used for admission to five-year integrated law degrees such as the B.A. LL.B., BBA LL.B. and B.Com. LL.B. at the participating National Law Universities. Some other universities and institutions also accept CLAT scores. National Law University Delhi does not use CLAT. It admits through its own exam, AILET.
Who can take it
Students from any stream who have passed Class 12, or are appearing for it, can take CLAT UG, subject to the minimum marks set by the consortium. Check the current notification for the exact requirements.
What it tests
CLAT UG is built around reading passages. Each passage is followed by multiple-choice questions in five areas:
- English language: comprehension and inference
- Current affairs, including general knowledge: based on news and events
- Legal reasoning: applying principles given in the passage to facts, without needing prior legal knowledge
- Logical reasoning: arguments, assumptions and conclusions
- Quantitative techniques: basic mathematics applied to data in a passage
How to prepare
- Read every day. Editorials and long-form articles build the reading speed CLAT rewards.
- Follow current affairs and keep short notes on major events.
- Practise passage-based questions in every section, since that is how the exam is set.
- Take full-length mock tests to manage time across a long paper.
- Start in Grade 11 if you can. Reading habits take time to build.
Careers this exam leads to
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know law to take CLAT?
No. The legal reasoning section gives you the principles inside each passage and asks you to apply them. It tests reasoning, not memorised law.
Can Science or Commerce students take CLAT?
Yes. CLAT is open to students from all streams who meet the eligibility requirements.
Which National Law University does not use CLAT?
National Law University Delhi admits students through its own exam, AILET, instead of CLAT.
When should I start preparing for CLAT?
Many students begin building reading habits in Grade 11 and move to focused practice and mock tests in Grade 12. Steady daily reading matters more than a short, intense burst.
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