CLAT is the Common Law Admission Test. It is an entrance examination that is held yearly in India to enable students desiring to join the undergraduate or postgraduate law programmes in Indian Law Schools. The examining body is the Consortium of National Law Universities, which designs and conducts the examination, which is, in effect, the gateway to the top law institutes nationwide. In current times, the competition for examinations as well as the seats in colleges has risen higher than ever. So, having a thorough grasp of the exam syllabus, requirements, registration system, and resources, preparing for CLAT is a must.
In this guide, you will find all the information you need to understand the CLAT exam, and also how you can apply for the test, what textbooks you have to possess, and how you can make use of the exam papers.
Who is Eligible to Apply for CLAT?
Eligibility for the CLAT examination depends on the nature of the course, which is either an undergraduate or postgraduate program.
Undergraduate Programmes (UG-CLAT)
- Examination Qualification:
For the post of applicants, the minimum qualification is Class 12 from any recognized board.
- Minimum Percentage:
- General, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, and OCI should have secured 45% marks in the qualifying exam.
- SC and ST categories should have a minimum of 40% marks.
- Age limit – There is no upper limit in age for the undergraduate CLAT.
- Appearing Students: Students who are appearing for their 12th exams are also allowed to apply if they meet the eligibility criteria by the end of the admission process.
For Postgraduate Programmes (PG-CLAT)
- Academic Qualification:
- A candidate must possess an LL.B or its equivalent degree in law from a recognized university.
- Minimum marks:
a. General, OBC, and such other categories must secure at least 50% marks.
b. SC/STs must secure at least 45%.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for this examination.
- Final Year Law students: Those in the final year of their LLB. Courses can also appear in the examination, but they will be subject to certain conditions.
FEE STRUCTURE
| Categories | State |
| General | 4000 |
| SC | 3500 |
| PWD | 4000 |
| Others | 4000 |
How to Register for CLAT?
The new procedure for the CLAT registration is an online process using this URL: https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in
Step-by-Step Guide for the Registration Process
- Access the Website: Visit the CLAT section on the portal available at the Consortium’s website.
- Begin the New Registration: Use a valid phone number and email address to create an account with a new password.
- Complete the Online Form: Provide your correct academic, personal, and contact details.
- Selection of Exam Centres: Choose the places where you want to give your exam.
- Upload Required Documents:
- A permit photograph
- One’s signature
- Category Certificate (if belonging to any)
- Payment of Application Fee:
- General/OBC and other categories: ₹4,000
- SC/ST/BPL category: ₹3,500
- Optional sample paper booklet: ₹500 additional
- Submit & Save Confirmation: Ensure all information is correct before submitting the form. Take a screenshot of the confirmation for further consultation.
Tip: The user is recommended to complete the user registration process well before the deadline to avoid last last-minute rush.
Syllabus Overview for CLAT
CLAT tests people’s comprehension skills, analytical skills, and reasoning, and even tests their legal aptitude. But for different levels of education, like undergraduate and postgraduate studies, the syllabus differs for the CLAT examinations.
UG CLAT Syllabus
The undergraduate paper is for two hours, consisting of 4 sections, each with 30 questions in each section.
- English Language Reading Comprehension
Word usage and vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Grammar, and Understanding the Tones and Meaning of Passages.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge
Historical Events on National (Domestic) Level /International, history, and politics, both. Legal and Constitutional Developments.
- Legal Reasoning:
Basic Legal Principles and Case-based Questions, Application of laws in hypothetical situations, Ethical and Logical Reasoning in Legal Contexts.
- Logical Reasoning:
Analytical puzzles and pattern recognition, Arguments and conclusion, Timelines and critical thinking.
- Quantitative Techniques:
Tables and charts consist of questions, ratios, and percentages (Math problems). A graph of quest ratio, percentage and grams, and words is considered.
PG CLAT Syllabus
This last type is a 2-hour appraisal that consists of 120 multiple-choice questions.
This focuses only on basic law issues, such as:
- Constitutional Law
- Jurisprudence
- Criminal law
- Law of obligations and contracts
- Family and property relations law
- Environmental law and international law
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Administrative and jurisdictional law
Note: An essay section concerning the construction of juridical responses has been deleted from the test in later editions. Now, it is solely a test by MCQs.
Role of Sample Papers in CLAT Preparation
Samples of past years’ papers can be identified as one of the most renowned and pivotal research books for the CLAT examination. They act as a facsimile of the actual exam and also provide hands-on experience of real exam-like conditions.
There are various reasons why CLAT aspirants should invest time in solving sample papers. Some of them are penned down as follows:
- Getting Acquainted with the Examination
The candidates look for sample questions to ascertain the type of questions that can appear in the CLAT exam, their structure, and their complexity.
- Exposure to Time Management
Practicing with strict guidelines assists you in increasing your ability to complete the examination in 2 hours, which becomes crucial as per the outcome.
- Unveiling the Areas of Weakness
Taking repeated mock tests allows the aspirants or students to pinpoint the sections or areas that require more attention and revision.
- Developing Efficiency
After continuous practice, the range of difficulties faced also decreases, and so do the chances of negative marking.
- Enhancing the PowerPoint
Solving a few mock papers aids in getting accustomed to them and reducing the anxiety on the day of the examination.
Availability of CLAT Sample Papers
- Official Consortium Website: Authorities must visit the official website, which is specially designed to offer free sample papers and yearbooks.
- Books and Guides: Arihant, Pearson, and Universal’s CLAT Guide, for example, have sample questions in their package. These publishers also have CLAT sample questions in their packages
- Online Portals: You can search several portals such as careers360, Shiksha, LegalEdge, etc, which offer free PDF and online mock tests for users.
- Coaching Institutions: Alternatively, students can consider preparing from coaching institutes like TIME, Career Launcher, IMS, etc., which provide different test series, and even some sectional mocks.
Strategies For Using Sample Papers
- Begin with 1-2 sample papers a week and work your way to 3-4 as the exam date approaches.
- Set up real test conditions: Plenty of no-no devices, no breaks, and the most important thing is that there is a sharp timer that sets a 2-hour exam time.
- Complete a review of all errors that occurred during a test, then answer the solved problems again.
- Consider keeping an error log, which will contain a summary of the errors made along with the sources that caused the questions with errors to be that difficult.
- Weak sections are particularly addressed by going back over the theory and working through corresponding problems.
Conclusion
Ace CLAT as a comprehensive exam, which is not simply about having law knowledge but an orchestrated game plan; in-depth practice is required to crack it, as the Test structure needs to be understood first. Barnstorm from your eligibility to proper registration details, key topics from each section, and sample papers, comprehensively practicing them will take you further. The preparation journey for CLAT is based on four pillars: qualification, registration, syllabus, and practice.
It is pertinent for all aspirants to adhere to discipline in the use of the right tools, especially if you are a first-time fellow who is looking forward to securing a seat in a top national law university.
The candidate is recommended to utilize all the study material available to enhance their learning. It is important to make sure that you are learning from a trusted source so that you can achieve high scores and get enrolled in your preferred institution.
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