CLAT vs MH CET Law: Which is more Difficult?

BY: CL-LST Team
Published on: 15 Mar 2025
Total Views: 655

Aspiring lawyers in India often face a crucial decision: Which law entrance exam should they go for? After all, there’s an enormous sea of them to take in India. Sticking to the topic, in a battle between CLAT vs MH CET Law, which is better? 

Both have their advantages, and it comes down to individual preference and the importance of a few things: 

  • Difficulty of sections
  • Reach 
  • Pattern Differences
  • Cut-offs and more.

Let’s look at both exams and their differences and difficulty levels

What is CLAT?

CLAT, also known as the “Common Law Admission Test,” is a national-level entrance test in India used by 24 National legal Universities (NLUs) for admission to their undergraduate and postgraduate legal programs by the Consortium of National Law Universities. 

CLAT is used to assess candidate eligibility and selection for legal courses such as:

  • LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws)
  • 5-year Integrated LLB
  •  LL.M. (Master of Laws)
  • Other relevant programs are provided by participating NLUs.

The CLAT test measures a candidate’s aptitude for studying law, including their command of the English language, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, mathematics, and general knowledge. The exam is extremely competitive and is typically taken by those wishing to pursue a career in law.

NLUs utilize CLAT results to assign places to candidates in their respective law schools. The CLAT test style and content may change slightly from year to year, but it typically covers topics related to legal aptitude, reasoning, and current affairs.

Also Check – CLAT 2025 Revised Result

What is MH-CET Law?

The Maharashtra Common Admission Test for Law (MH-CET Law) is a state-level admission test held in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is created primarily for individuals interested in pursuing undergraduate law courses (LL.B.), such as:

  • 5-year Integrated LLB (Dual Degree)
  • 3-year LLB

The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell conducts the MH CET Law, which is overseen by the Maharashtra Government. The test serves as a gateway to admission into Maharashtra law universities’ three-year LL.B programs and five-year integrated LL.B programs.

The test measures applicants’ abilities in a variety of areas, including legal thinking, logical and analytical reasoning, general knowledge, and fundamental mathematics. MH-CET Law shares a syllabus with other law entrance tests to assess a candidate’s aptitude to flourish in legal studies and become a competent legal practitioner.

CLAT vs MH-CET Law: Differences

The table below shows the differences between the two exams.

Details CLAT MH-CET Law
Exam Level CLAT is a national-level test that is accepted by several National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. MH-CET Law is a state-level test designed exclusively for admission to law courses and universities in Maharashtra.
Participating Institutions CLAT scores are accepted by NLUs all around the nation, including NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad MH CET Law scores are only valid for law schools and universities in Maharashtra.
Courses Offered CLAT offers students five-year integrated LL.B programs as well as postgraduate LL.M courses. MH CET Law offers students both three-year and five-year integrated LL.B programs.
Sections CLAT includes these sections.

 

  • English Language
  • Legal Reasoning
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Current Affairs and GK
  • Mathematics 
MH CET Law includes these sections.

 

  • Legal Aptitude
  • Current Affairs and GK
  • Logical Reasoning
  • English Language


Basic Mathematics (For 5-year LLB)

Eligibility Criteria CLAT eligibility standards vary widely amongst NLUs. However, candidates must have finished their 10+2 grade with a minimum percentage. The Maharashtra State CET Cell establishes the MH-CET Law qualifying standards, which require applicants to have finished their 10+2 education from a recognized board.
Exam Date CLAT is typically conducted in December. CLAT 2025 was conducted on 1st December 2024. MH-CET Law is usually held in April and May for 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB.
Official website The official website for CLAT is consortiumofnlus.ac.in The official website for MH-CET Law is cetcell.mahacet.org

CLAT vs MH CET Law: Exam Pattern

Knowing the exam pattern of both exams is also crucial to understanding their difficulty level. The exam patterns are given below.

CLAT Exam Pattern

Exam Features Details
Exam mode Computer-based test mode / Online proctored
Exam Level National-level exam
Test medium English
Type of questions Multiple choice questions
Test duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
Total Questions 120 questions
Total marks 120 marks
Negative Marking 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer.

MH-CET Law Exam Pattern

Exam Features Details
Exam mode Online, Computer-based test (CBT)
Exam Level State-level exam (Maharashtra)
Test medium English and Marathi
Type of questions Multiple choice questions
Test duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
Total Questions 120 questions
Total Marks 120
Negative Marking No negative marking

CLAT vs MH-CET Law: Difficulty Level

Whether CLAT or MH-CET Law is more challenging is a matter of opinion and may differ according to different viewpoints and experiences.

Comparing the exams 1-on-1 would make CLAT more difficult than MH-CET Law because of the unpredictable exam pattern and difficulty of questions. That’s not all, though, as there are many other things to take into consideration. Some of the reasons why CLAT is more difficult are listed below.

CLAT Reason for Difficulty

  • Competition: CLAT is a highly competitive national-level examination recognized by major National Law Universities (NLUs) throughout India. CLAT might be difficult due to the tight competition for a restricted number of places.
  • Complexity: CLAT legal reasoning questions and logical reasoning difficulties in the CLAT might be challenging. These questions frequently demand that applicants think critically and effectively utilize their analytical skills.
  • Question Pattern: CLAT is well-known for its varied question pattern, which measures a variety of abilities such as English fluency, legal reasoning, logical thinking, general knowledge, and mathematics (for some NLUs). This diversity might be difficult for applicants who need to succeed in several areas.

MH-CET Law: Reasons for Simplicity

  • State-Level Focus: The MH-CET Law is a state-level test created exclusively for admission to law schools in Maharashtra. The competition may be less severe than for CLAT, a national-level test.
  • Curriculum: Sections of the MH-CET Law curriculum comprise Legal Aptitude, General Knowledge, Logical and Analytical Reasoning, and English. While these sections cover the same topics as the CLAT, the overall difficulty may be regarded to be significantly lower.
  • Limited Scope: Because the MH-CET Law is only applicable in Maharashtra, candidates may not have to compete against candidates from all over the country, potentially lessening competition difficulty.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. CLAT vs MH-CET Law: Which is more difficult?

Ans. Both exams are quite difficult. However, question and level-wise CLAT is regarded as harder to pass than the MH-CET Law.

Q. What are the syllabus differences between the two exams?

Ans. CLAT and MH-CET Law both have the same number and types of sections. CLAT has more complex questions as it’s a national-level exam.

Q. Is the Maharashtra CET Law exclusively for Maharashtra students?

Ans. No, candidates outside of Maharashtra can also apply and take the MH-CET Law exam.

Q. How long does the MH-CET Law and CLAT exam last?

Ans. Both exams have the same time limit, 2 hours.

Q. CLAT vs MH CET Law, which is more prosperous?

Ans. CLAT is the gateway to multiple law institutes around India, as well as the converted NLU, which are the apex of law education in India. While MH-CET only grants admission to law schools in Maharashtra, it can also propel your career to great heights.


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