The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLU) for admission to various National Law Universities (NLUs) and other law colleges in India. The exam is designed to test the candidate's comprehension, analytical ability, and logical reasoning skills, and is considered one of the most competitive law entrance exams in the country.

The CLAT was first conducted in 2008, with the aim of providing a standardized and merit-based admission process to NLUs. The exam was introduced to replace the earlier process of individual universities conducting their own entrance exams, which led to inconsistencies and unequal opportunities for students. The CLAT exam is ranked based on the total marks scored by the candidate. The ranking is used to determine admission to NLUs and other law colleges. The top-ranked candidates are offered admission to their preferred institution.

Mode of Exam	Offline
Duration	2 Hours
Full Form	Common University Entrance Test
Official website	https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/
Conducting Body	Consortium Of NLUs
Language of Paper	English
Type of Questions	MCQs
Sections	5 (Reading Comprehension, General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques)
Total Marks	120
Negative Marking	+1 for correct answer; - 0.25 for wrong answer
Total Questions	Reading Comprehension = 20-25 Questions General Knowledge = 28-32 Questions Legal Reasoning = 28-32 Questions Logical Reasoning = 20-25 Questions Quantitative Techniques = 12-15 Questions
Annual Number of test-takers	More than 1,00,000
Exam Frequency	Once a Year i.e. in December
CLAT 2025 Date	1 Dec 2024
Application form fees	For General/OBC/PwD/NRI/PIO/OCI = Rs 4000 For ST/SC = RS 3500

Clat 2024 Date	3 Dec 2023
Timing of Paper	2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Students Appeared	Around 1,00,000 students
Total Centres	131 cities in 23 states and 4 union territories across the country.
Clat Final Answer key	https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2024/notifications/CLAT2024-FinalAnswerKey-Notification.pdf
Clat Result link	https://consortiumofnlus.ac.in/clat-2024/view-result.html
Cut Offs	Around 84-85 marks for tier 3 NLU

CLAT exam is a highly competitive entrance exam that tests a candidate's comprehensive knowledge and skills in various subjects. To succeed in the exam, it is essential to develop a strong foundation in English language and grammar, improve logical reasoning skills through practice exercises, stay updated on current affairs and general knowledge, and familiarize oneself with legal concepts.

Before 2023, it was held in the month of June. And recently in 2024 the exam pattern has been changed from 150 Questions in 120 Minutes to 120 Questions in 120 minutes. This Examination is not like JEE or NEET where you have to be bound to the syllabus, this examination tests your skills and aptitude and the exam is unpredictable but if a student is confident can ace the examination. From the past 3-4 Years, there has been a big change in question paper. In 2022, the paper was easy- moderate. In 2023, the paper was difficult. But in 2024, Students found the paper very easy.

Step 1: Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern:

The CLAT syllabus is vast, and it's essential to understand what's being tested. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, including the number of questions, time duration, and marking scheme. Focus on the topics that carry the most weightage and allocate your study time accordingly.

Step 2: Develop a Study Plan:

Create a study plan that suits your learning style and schedule. Break down your study material into manageable chunks, and set specific goals for each study session. Allocate time for each topic, and make sure you have sufficient time for practice and revision.

Step 3: Focus on English Language:

English language is a crucial section in CLAT, carrying 39 marks out of 150. Improve your reading comprehension by reading newspapers, articles, and books. Practice grammar and vocabulary exercises to enhance your language skills.

Step 4: Brush up on Logical Reasoning:

Logical Reasoning is another important section in CLAT, testing your analytical skills. Practice logical reasoning puzzles, syllogisms, and sequence-based questions. You can find plenty of resources online, including mock tests and practice materials.

Step 5: Stay Updated on Current Affairs:

Stay current with national and international news, politics, science, technology, sports, and culture. Read newspapers, magazines, and online resources to stay informed. This section is designed to test your general knowledge and awareness.

Step 6: Practice Mathematics:

Mathematics is a crucial section in CLAT, testing basic arithmetic operations, algebraic expressions, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and more. Practice math problems regularly to improve your calculation speed and accuracy.

Step 7: Improve Legal Reasoning:

Legal Reasoning is a challenging section in CLAT, testing your understanding of legal concepts and application of laws. Study the Indian Constitution, criminal law, torts law, contract law, and other relevant laws. Practice legal reasoning questions to improve your analytical skills.

Step 8: Practice Mock Tests:

Practice makes perfect! Take mock tests regularly to simulate the actual exam experience. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, and focus on improving your performance in weak areas.

Step 9: Time Management:

Time management is crucial in CLAT. Practice managing your time effectively during mock tests to ensure you complete all sections within the allotted time.

Step 10: Revise Regularly:

Revision is key to retaining information. Review all topics regularly, making sure you don't forget important concepts.

Step 11: Stay Motivated:

Staying motivated is essential during the long preparation period. Set small goals for yourself and reward yourself when you achieve them. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals.

Additional Tips

Stay healthy: Take regular breaks to maintain physical and mental well-being.
Manage stress: Engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga or meditation.
Seek help when needed: Don't hesitate to seek help from teachers or mentors if you're struggling with a particular topic.
Stay organized: Keep all your study materials organized and easily accessible.

Some books for CLAT exam

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
Analytical Reasoning (English) by MK Pandey
A New Approach to Verbal and Analytical Reasoning by Arihant
Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning by AP Bhardwaj
Objective Legal Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Pearson's
Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant Publications
Manorama Year Book by Manorama Publications
Objective General English 2023 by SP Bakshi
Objective General English 2024 by RS Aggarwal
The Pearson Guide to the CLAT by Pearson's
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis