How to Prepare for CLAT Exams

FAST FACTS

Name of the exam: CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

Clearing CLAT: Enables candidates to get admission into under graduate or post graduate law courses

Examination pattern: Written exam (multiple-choice questions)

Negative marking: Yes

Number of exams: Two - one for undergraduate law course and the second for post graduate law course

Age criteria: Below 20 years of age on 1 July

What is CLAT?
Common Law Admission Test or CLAT is an all India entrance exam conducted for people aspiring to pursue law courses - undergraduate (Legum Baccalaureus - LLB) and post graduate (Legum Magister - LLM). The exam is conducted by National Law Universities on a rotational basis. There are 14 National Law Universities:

• National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
• Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
• Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
• National Law University, Odisha (NLUO)
• National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA)
• 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)
• National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad
• Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (RGNUL)
• National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
• National University of Study 6 Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)

The first CLAT exam was held in 2008. Since then, every year one institute takes the onus of conducting CLAT.

Educational qualification

For LLB

A candidate should have cleared his 10+2 or obtained a equivalent certificate from a recognized board. He should have scored a minimum of 45 percent marks as aggregate. Candidates who have appeared for 10+2 exam can also apply subject to conditions.

For LLM

For LLM, a candidate should have LL. B/B. L. Degree or an equivalent degree from a recognized University with not less than 55% marks in aggregate.

Exam pattern

For LLB

Total marks: 200

Total number of questions: 200

Duration of the exam: 2 hours

Subject	Marks
English including comprehension	40
General Knowledge (GK)/ Current Affairs	50
Elementary mathematics (Numerical Ability)	20
Logical Reasoning	40
Legal Aptitude	50
Total marks	200

For LLM

Total marks: 150

Duration: 2 hours

Topics	Marks
Long essay type descriptive questions that cover Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence	100 marks - 4 questions of 25 marks each
Multiple-choice questions that cover all compulsory law subjects prescribed by the Bar Council of India for the Under-Graduate Course except Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence	50 marks - 50 questions of 1 mark each

Tie-Breaking for LLB
When two candidates score equal marks, then the tie is usually broken in this manner:

• Higher marks in the section of legal aptitude
• Higher age
• Computerized draw of lots

Tie-Breaking for LLM

• When two candidates score equal marks, then the tie is usually broken in this manner:
• Higher marks in the Long Essay Type Descriptive Questions
• Higher age
• Computerized draw of lots

Preparing for CLAT

English

This test will assess the candidate's proficiency in English. It will comprise comprehension and grammar. In the comprehension section, the candidates have to exhibit clear understanding of the passage and answer questions accordingly. In the grammar section, a candidate will be asked to spot wrong sentences and correct them, will be asked to apply correct grammar usage at identified sections, will be asked word meanings, fill in the blanks, and the like.

Preparing for CLAT- English

• To prepare for English, you can begin by strengthening you grammar by going back to the basics and understanding them once again.
• It will be a good idea to start reading an English newspaper and English magazines on a regular basis.
• Try to learn few new words every day, including their synonyms and antonyms. This will help you in understanding the comprehension thoroughly
• Solve as many past questions as possible and also take the numerous English tests that are available online and in the process develop your own mechanism to solve the questions

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

In this test, the candidate will be assessed for his knowledge in current affairs and their general awareness.

Preparing for CLAT - GK and Current Affairs

• Keep yourself abreast with the latest happenings within India and around the world
• Browse through the latest GK books so that you are well-equipped for the GK section
• Refer to past question papers, see the pattern of the occurrence of the questions and prepare accordingly
• Attempt as many mock tests as possible. There are many available online.
• Reading news papers and watching news regularly will also help in preparing for this section

Mathematics

This test will cover elementary Mathematics - Mathematics taught till class X. It carries 20 marks and if you prepare well, you can score full marks.

Preparing for CLAT - Mathematics

• Refer to past question papers and see which topics are being repeated. Prepare them first and then move on to the other topics
• Clear your concepts thoroughly. Once you have a clear concept of the topics, it will be easy for you to answer them
• Have a methodology in place that you don't take more than a minute to solve one question

Legal Aptitude

This test will assess the candidate on how inclined he is towards law, his expertise in research and his ability to solve problems. The questions will include legal principles that have to be applied to certain situations. The candidate will have to judge the situation and come up with an apt conclusion or solution.

The score in legal aptitude will be used to break the 'tie.' By 'tie,' we mean when two or more students score equal marks, then the score in this section will be used to decide the better of the two. So, it is important that you score well in this section.

Preparing for CLAT - Legal Aptitude

• Refer to past question papers and solve as many problems as possible
• Understand the question thoroughly and come to a logical conclusion
• Try to time yourself when you are attempting this section so that you know exactly how much time is to be spent on each question

Logical Reasoning

This test assesses the candidate's ability to think logically, identify patterns, spot correct arguments and the like. It will comprise questions from syllogism, analogies, logical sequence, and the like.

Preparing for CLAT - Logical Reasoning

• Refer to past question papers so that you have an idea as to what to expect in the exam
• Refer to logical reasoning books and solve as many problems as possible
• Take as many online tests as possible
• Learn tricks and short cuts to solve the problems easily
• Have a time-management strategy in place so that you are able to attempt each question and not leave out any. The strategy will also focus on how much time you need to devote to each question

Useful link

Official website of CLAT (http://www.clat.ac.in/ )

CLAT Help line number: 011-40360360

Useful books

• Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) by Student Aid Publications
• Model Test Papers For CLAT & LL.B by A P Bhardwaj
• CLAT 2013 Common Law Admission Test by Expert Compilations
• CLAT And LLB Entrance Examination: Study Package by A. P Bhardwaj

Last Updated on : January 19, 2016