CLAT vs SLAT: Key Differences, Colleges, and Difficulty

BY: CL-LST Team

Published on: 11 Jul 2025

Total Views: 1350

Most aspiring law candidates have heard about CLAT and SLAT as two law entrance exams. Differences between them can be classified into such sections as;

Exam Pattern
Colleges
Reach of the Exam

This blog will help you understand the differences between the two law entrance tests. Learn about CLAT vs SLAT based on their test patterns, accepted colleges, courses offered, and more.

Table of Contents

CLAT vs SLAT: Exam Pattern

The table below compares and contrasts the CLAT and SLAT examination patterns.

Features	CLAT	SLAT
Exam mode	Online	Online
Test Language	English	English
Total no. of questions	150	60
Test Duration	120 minutes	60 minutes
Negative marking	+1 for every correct answer, -0.25 for each incorrect answer.	No negative marking
Sections	Logical Reasoning Legal Reasoning Analytical Reasoning Reading Comprehension Current Affairs including General Knowledge	English Language Current Affairs including General Knowledge Legal Reasoning Logical Reasoning Quantitative Techniques
Types of Questions	Multiple choice questions	Multiple choice questions

CLAT vs SLAT Application Fees

The following table compares the application fees for CLAT and SLAT.

For all categories of applicants, the SLAT registration cost is 1950/-, which is non-refundable. You must additionally pay the program registration fee for each program in addition to the registration fee. The program registration cost is INR 1000/- (non-refundable and non-transferable).
The CLAT Registration cost, on the other hand, varies according to the candidate’s category. It is Rs. 4000/- for general category applicants. It is 3500/- for reserve category applicants.

CLAT vs SLAT: Participating colleges

Both CLAT and SLAT have different colleges participating. The list is given below.

SLAT 2026: Colleges and Seats

The colleges that accept SLAT results are listed, along with the seat intake for each.

Symbiosis Law School	Total Number of Seats
SLS Pune	300
SLS Nagpur	240
SLS Hyderabad	240
SLS Noida	300

CLAT 2026: Colleges

CLAT scores are accepted by 24 NLUs (National Law Universities) in India for admission into UG and PG law courses. The seat intake for each university is different. Candidates should check the website of the NLU for more information. In no particular order, given below is a list of 24 NLUs that accept CLAT scores.

NLU Name
National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)	National Law University Tripura, Agartala
National Academy of Legal Study & Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)	National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)	National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)	Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU)	Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU)
Gujarat National Law University, Silvassa	Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli (TNNLS)	Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam (DSNLU)
National Law University & Judicial Academy, Guwahati, Assam (NLUJAA)	National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
National Law University, Cuttack, Odisha (NLUO)	National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Rai, Sonipat (DBRANLU)	Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur (MPDNLU)
Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (MNLU)	Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU)
Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)	Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala (RGNUL)

Check the official website of the Consortium.

Which comes out tougher in CLAT vs SLAT?

A candidate’s first thought before appearing for the entrance exam is which one will be hardest to crack. When comparing the number of candidates per seat, CLAT is unquestionably more difficult than SLAT.

According to expert analysis based on how many candidates attend CLAT and SLAT, around 17 applicants fight for a single seat in CLAT. On the other side, around 130 individuals are fighting for a single seat at SIU.

When comparing the difficulty level of questions in SLAT versus CLAT, CLAT offers harder Legal Aptitude questions based on basic legal themes. To make it simpler for applicants, the CLAT has been updated by increasing the number of comprehensive types of questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Which one is the most difficult to crack? CLAT vs. SLAT?

Answer: When comparing seats, SLAT is somewhat more difficult than CLAT. When the syllabi are compared, the SLAT Syllabus is simpler than the CLAT Syllabus.

Question: Which is better to appear in, CLAT or SLAT?

Answer: Both tests are equally good because they both provide the potential to gain admission to famous NLUs. CLAT applicants, on the other hand, can get admission to 22 NLUs, whereas SLAT candidates can only gain admission to SIUs.

Question: Are the SLAT and CLAT syllabi and exam formats different?

Answer: The SLAT and CLAT exam patterns and syllabi differ. If a candidate is taking both of these tests, they must refer to the specific pattern and syllabus.

Question: Which is the best CLAT stream?

Answer: The arts/humanities stream provides a solid basis for CLAT preparation.

Question: What is the most challenging section in the CLAT exam?

Answer: The most difficult component of the CLAT test is the ‘Quantitative Techniques’ section, which deals with Mathematics or numerical skills.