CLAT Exam Pattern Highlights

Below is a table providing all the important CLAT Exam Pattern highlights.

Category

Details

Duration of the test

120 minutes (2 hours)

Mode

Offline mode

Type of Questions

Multiple Type Questions (MCQs)

Number of Questions

120

Test Sections

  1. English Language
  2. Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
  3. Legal Reasoning
  4. Logical Reasoning
  5. Quantitative Techniques

Marking scheme

Total marks: 120 marks

Objective questions will each carry 1 mark. 0.25 marks to be deducted for an incorrect answer.

Language

English

CLAT Exam Pattern: Section-wise breakdown

The exam is conducted in offline style, with 120 questions divided into five sections. The coverage of the CLAT exam pattern is elaborated on in each section below.

English Language

The English Language section will assess applicants' English competence using comprehension passages. Students will be assigned passages of roughly 450 words apiece, which might be fiction/nonfiction, contemporary/historical, and so on.

Candidates will be questioned on their comprehension of the passage and its major idea, as well as the definitions of terms used in it. Candidates will need to understand the major topic stated in the passage, as well as any counter-arguments offered in the passage.

Some of the important English Language topics are given below.

  • Vocabulary - Homonyms, Word definitions, Analogies, Synonyms, and Antonyms.
  • Proficiency - Idioms and Phrases, One-word substitution, Sentence improvement & rearrangement, Fill in the blanks with suitable words, Subject-Verb Agreement, Conditionals, Nouns, Pronouns, Articles & Conjunction, Adjective, and Determinants
  • Usage Errors - Grammatical mistakes- tense, voice, preposition usage, speech errors, Correct Spelling, Spotting errors, Inappropriate word usage
  • Comprehension - Several questions will be posed in response to the passage presented. It is advisable to first go through the questions first and then read the passage. Doing this will help them to point out the answers and gather information relating to the questions.
CLAT: English Language Guide

Current Affairs, including General Knowledge

The Current Affairs and General Knowledge section includes 400-450 word passage-based questions on current affairs, including national and international news, static general knowledge, and other pertinent topics. Reading newspapers regularly, particularly those including bills, judgments, or legal information, should aid in preparation for this portion.

Some of the important Current Affairs, including General Knowledge topics are given below.

  • Politics - Modern, World, Ancient, and Medieval history.
  • Geography - Economics (Indian Economy Overview, Five-Year Plans, Indian Tax Structure, and Indian National Income.)
  • Science and Technology - Environment & Ecology
  • General Science - National & International current relevant topics
  • Books and Authors - Environment
  • Industries - Major Industries in India
  • Agriculture - Awards and Achievements
CLAT: Current Affairs Guide

Legal Reasoning

Legal Reasoning contains extensive sections that deal with legal concepts terminology, or both. Candidates should take a proactive approach and attempt to tie legal challenges to traditional legal principles. The portion will have around eight 250-word texts followed by a series of questions about each passage.

Some of the important Legal Reasoning topics are given below.

  • Torts
  • Contracts
  • Criminal Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • International Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Family Law
  • General Legal Principles
CLAT: Legal Reasoning Guide

Quantitative Techniques

The Quantitative Technique or Maths section will include short sets of facts or propositions, graphs, or other textual, pictorial, or diagrammatic representations of numerical information, followed by a series of questions. The questions will be in the form of Data Interpretation i.e. candidates will be expected to derive knowledge from the supplied text and respond appropriately.

Some of the important Quantitative Techniques topics are given below.

  • Mensuration - Areas, Volumes
  • Commercial Mathematics - Loss and Discounts, Percentage, Partnership, Interest, and Profit
  • Modern Mathematics - Permutation & Combination Probability, Clocks & Calendars
  • Data Interpretation - Graphs, Charts
  • Arithmetic - Number system, H.C.F, and L.C.M, Logarithms, Functions, Simplification, Ratio and proportions, Time and Work, Average Fractions, Decimals, Roots and Indices.
CLAT: Quantitative Techniques Guide

Logical Reasoning

Candidates must critically evaluate the pattern of reasoning and determine how conclusions may depend on the supplied premises to flourish in this part. You'll have to make assumptions based on the text and apply them to various circumstances. Creating parallels and linkages, identifying inconsistencies, and evaluating the efficiency of arguments.

The logical thinking portion is designed to assess the candidate's ability to recognize patterns and logical relationships, as well as to correct erroneous arguments. The questions would be based on a text of 300 words.

Some of the important Logical Reasoning topics are given below.

  • Statement & Arguments
  • Assertion – Reason
  • Syllogism
  • Number test
  • Direction and distance test
  • Coding and Decoding
  • Blood Relationships
  • Ranking
  • Analogy

CLAT Eligibility Criteria

Any candidate who has completed the 10+2 or equivalent examination is eligible to apply for the CLAT 2025 exam. There is also no age limit to take the exam, nor is there any restriction on how many times you can attempt CLAT.

Tie-break Rules

In case two students have the same CLAT score after taking the test, there will be a tie-breaker round that uses the following condition:

  • Candidates with higher grades in the legal reasoning section will be ranked higher in the selection process.
  • Following a second tie, the older candidate will be given preference over the other.
  • A computerized drawing of lots will determine how the candidates will be ranked if a tie cannot be broken in the first round

Note: Candidates who pass the Class 12 exam in April/May 2024 and meet the CLAT eligibility can also take the exam. However, such applicants must present their qualifying examination certificate at the time of admission, otherwise, their admission will be revoked.


Suggested Reading: How to Prepare for CLAT 2025?

Free Resource: CLAT previous year question papers | LST Freezone

Latest: CLAT 2024 Exam Analysis


CLAT Exam Pattern: Section-wise weightage

Often, the student focuses on mastering only a few sections and neglects others. However, all sections have a certain weightage, and not being able to score well can hinder the selection/cut-off procedure. Below is a table highlighting the number of questions and weightage of each section.

Section

Number of questions

Weightage (in percent)

English Language

22-26

20%

Current Affairs, including General Knowledge

28-32

25%

Legal Reasoning

28-32

25%

Logical Reasoning

22-26

20%

Quantitative Techniques

10-14

10 %

Total

120

100%

CLAT 2025: Admit Card

The consortium of NLUs will provide the CLAT Admit Card at least 15 days before the exam date, which is projected to be in the last week of November 2024. Once available, the CLAT admit card may be obtained from the official website.

Steps to download CLAT Admit Card 2025

Step 1: Go to the exam's official website, https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in

Step 2: Select CLAT 2025 (not available yet) and log in by providing your registered mobile number and password.

Step 3: Once logged in, on the top right of the screen, click the Download Admit Card link.

Step 5: Save the admission card PDF file to your device.

Step 6: Print at least two-to-three copies of the admission card on A4 paper for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

CLAT exam will be conducted in offline, pen-paper-based mode.

Yes. The exam will consist of brief excerpts followed by a series of multiple-choice questions.

No, applicants are not permitted to take breaks or leave the exam hall while taking the CLAT exam. Candidates will be permitted to drink water, eat, or use the washroom only before or after the exam.

The CLAT exam is only available in English. The question paper will be in English, and the official authorities have not yet specified any other media for writing responses in the exam other than English.

No, the CLAT Exam Pattern is typically the same. If there are any new revisions, the conducting body will inform them on the official website in advance.