[Part 2] All About CLAT: India's Most Complete Guide to the Common Law Admission Test, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
- CLAT Mentor Neeraj Sir
- Jul 17
- 10 min read
This is Part 2 of our comprehensive guide, "All About CLAT: India's Most Complete Guide to the Common Law Admission Test." If you haven't read Part 1 yet, we strongly recommend starting there first, as it covers the fundamentals of CLAT, including the exam overview, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation basics.
👉 Read Part 1 before continuing: All About CLAT: India's Most Complete Guide to the Common Law Admission Test, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
20. The Best Book for CLAT Preparation
Thousands of CLAT aspirants and toppers across the years have consistently recommended one book above all others for building the most critical skill in the new CLAT pattern:
Passage Based Questions for CLAT by Neeraj Kumar
This book stands apart because the entire new CLAT pattern revolves around passages. Every question in CLAT across all five sections is rooted in reading and interpreting a passage. Unlike textbooks that focus on theory and facts, Passage Based Questions for CLAT directly trains you in the one skill that CLAT actually measures: the ability to read a passage carefully and extract the right answer.
Toppers who have consistently ranked in the top 100 have pointed to this book as the closest simulation of the actual CLAT experience. The passage practice it provides is extensive, realistic, and deeply aligned with the exam format. If you read only one book for CLAT preparation, make it this one.
All About CLAT: India's Most Complete Guide to the CLAT Part - 2
Supplement with:
NCERT books for Class 11–12 (Polity, History, Geography, Economics) for static GK
A quality English newspaper (The Hindu / Indian Express) for current affairs and reading habit
CLAT Previous Year Question Papers (2019 onwards) for understanding the pattern
Official CLAT sample papers released by the Consortium (available on consortiumofnlus.ac.in)
21. How Many Mock Tests Should You Attempt?
This is one of the most searched questions and the answer is: quality over quantity, but quantity also matters.
Recommended Mock Test Count
Phase of Preparation | Frequency | Minimum Target |
Phase 1 (Month 1–4) | Sectional mocks 1-2 per week | 20-25 sectional mocks |
Phase 2 (Month 4–8) | Full-length mocks 2 per week | 20–25 full mocks |
Phase 3 (Month 8–12) | Full-length mocks 2-3 per week | 30–40 full mocks |
Final Month | Full-length mocks every 2–3 days | 10–12 full mocks |
TOTAL RECOMMENDED | 50–70 full mocks minimum |
The Golden Rule of Mock Tests:
A mock test not analysed is a mock test wasted.
After every full mock, your analysis should include:
How many questions did you get right in each section?
Which questions did you get wrong and why? (Misread? Didn't know? Silly mistake?)
Which questions did you spend too long on?
What pattern of errors is repeating?
What is your accuracy percentage? (Target: above 85% of attempted questions)
Do NOT attempt mocks for score-bragging. Attempt them to expose your weaknesses, track your progress, and simulate exam day pressure. A student who solves 50 mocks thoughtfully will always outperform one who solves 100 mocks carelessly.
22. CLAT PG All About the Postgraduate Law Exam
CLAT PG is the Common Law Admission Test for LLM (Master of Laws) programmes at NLUs.
CLAT PG Key Facts
Feature | Details |
Full Form | Common Law Admission Test Postgraduate |
Eligibility | LLB or equivalent (3-year or 5-year) with 50% marks |
Duration | 2 Hours |
Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
Total Marks | 120 |
Negative Marking | -0.25 per wrong answer |
Subjects Covered | Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, Property Law, Family Law, Company Law, Tax Law, Environmental Law, International Law |
PSU Use | CLAT PG scores are accepted by many Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment of legal officers |
How is CLAT PG different from CLAT UG?
CLAT PG is far more knowledge-intensive. Unlike UG where you don't need prior legal knowledge, PG tests deep understanding of substantive law subjects.
Constitutional Law carries the highest weight.
The passages in CLAT PG are drawn from legal judgments and academic legal texts.
23. Career After an NLU Degree, What Can You Become?
An integrated 5-year law degree from an NLU opens doors that few other undergraduate degrees in India can match. Here are the career paths available:
Career Options After BA LLB from an NLU
Career Path | What It Involves | Average Starting Salary |
Tier-1 Law Firm Associate | Corporate transactions, M&A, IPO work at top law firms | ₹15–22 LPA |
In-house Counsel (Corporate) | Legal work for a company or MNC | ₹12–20 LPA |
Litigation | Court-based practice trial courts to Supreme Court | Varies widely |
Judicial Services | State Judicial Service examinations | ₹50,000–₹80,000/month |
UPSC / Civil Services | IAS, IFS, IRS and other All India Services | Govt. pay scale |
Public Sector (PSUs) | Legal officer at ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, etc. | ₹8–15 LPA |
International Organisations | UN, World Bank, ICC, ICJ | High USD 50,000–80,000 |
LLM / Higher Studies | LLM from Oxford, Harvard, LSE, NUS | Opens global career |
Law Teaching / Academia | Faculty at NLUs and law schools | ₹8–15 LPA |
Policy and Think-tanks | Work with government bodies, research institutes | ₹8–14 LPA |
Legal Journalism | Law-specific media, legal news writing | ₹5–12 LPA |
The secret advantage of an NLU degree: Unlike most undergraduate degrees, a 5-year law degree is a professional qualification. You are eligible to practise before any court in India from Day 1 of graduation (after clearing AIBE). This professional identity combined with the NLU brand means opportunities open at a pace and scale unmatched in most other streams.
24. CLAT 2027- Key Dates, What to Expect & Major Changes
If you are preparing for CLAT 2027, here is everything you need to know.
CLAT 2027 Expected Schedule
Event | Expected Date |
Expert Committee Reforms Announced | 2026 (ongoing) |
Official Notification | July 2026 |
Registration Opens | August 1, 2026 |
Registration Closes | October/November 2026 |
Admit Card | November 15, 2026 |
CLAT 2027 Exam | December 6, 2026 (Sunday) |
Exam Time | 2 PM to 4 PM |
Result | December 2026 |
Counselling Begins | January 2027 |
Major Pending Changes for CLAT 2027
The Consortium of NLUs has constituted a high-powered Expert Committee, chaired by Justice Indu Malhotra (Retd.) to suggest medium and long-term reforms for CLAT, to be effective from CLAT 2027. The committee includes eminent legal academics from:
University of Oxford (Prof. Dev Saif Gangjee Co-Chair)
London School of Economics (Prof. Tarunabh Khaitan Co-Chair)
Columbia Law School
University of Cambridge
BML Munjal University
Possible changes being reviewed:
Paper pattern and question quality improvements
Syllabus refinement
Better alignment with international legal education standards
Potential changes to the PG syllabus
Advice for CLAT 2027 aspirants: Prepare based on the current (CLAT 2026) pattern until the official notification is released in July 2026. Do not delay preparation waiting for changes the core skills of reading, reasoning, and comprehension will remain central regardless of the specific format.
25. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the full form of CLAT?
A: CLAT full form is Common Law Admission Test. It is India's national-level law entrance exam for admission to 5-year LLB and LLM programmes at National Law Universities (NLUs).
Q: Who conducts CLAT?
A: CLAT is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities, a registered society comprising all participating NLUs. The Permanent Secretariat is at NLSIU Bengaluru. The official website is consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
Q: When is CLAT conducted every year?
A: CLAT is conducted once a year, every first Sunday of December, from 2 PM to 4 PM. CLAT 2026 was held on December 7, 2025. CLAT 2027 is expected on December 6, 2026.
Q: Is CLAT conducted online or offline?
A: CLAT is conducted in offline mode pen and paper. You will be given an OMR sheet or answer booklet. There is no online/computer-based mode for CLAT.
Q: How many attempts are allowed in CLAT?
A: There is no limit on the number of attempts for CLAT UG or CLAT PG. You can appear as many times as you want, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Q: Is there an age limit for CLAT?
A: No. There is no upper age limit for either CLAT UG or CLAT PG.
Q: Can students from Science or Commerce stream apply for CLAT?
A: Absolutely yes. Students from any stream Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible for CLAT UG. There is no stream restriction.
Q: How many NLUs are there in India?
A: There are 27 National Law Universities in India as of 2026. Of these, 25 participate in CLAT counselling. NLU Delhi and NLU Meghalaya do not participate in CLAT.
Q: Does NLU Delhi accept CLAT score?
A: No. NLU Delhi conducts its own exam AILET (All India Law Entrance Test). If you want to study at NLU Delhi, you must separately appear for AILET.
Q: What is the total marks of CLAT exam?
A: CLAT is out of 120 marks, with 120 MCQs carrying 1 mark each. There is a negative marking of -0.25 per wrong answer.
Q: What is a good score in CLAT?
A: Here is a rough score-to-NLU guide:
Score | Expected NLU Access |
105+ | NLSIU, NALSAR (top 100 ranks) |
95–105 | Top 5 NLUs (NALSAR, WBNUJS, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU) |
85–95 | Top 10 NLUs (HNLU, RMLNLU, NLIU, MNLU Mumbai) |
75–85 | Mid-tier NLUs (NUALS, CNLU, NLUO, NUSRL) |
65–75 | Newer NLUs; private colleges accepting CLAT |
Below 65 | Private/state law colleges through CLAT |
Q: Is there any interview after CLAT?
A: No. There is no interview, group discussion, or personality test for admission through CLAT. Admission is entirely based on your CLAT score and rank, along with your category and preferred NLUs.
Q: How many times is CLAT conducted in a year?
A: CLAT is conducted only once per year. There are no re-tests or multiple sessions.
Q: What is the difference between CLAT UG and CLAT PG?
A: CLAT UG is for students who have completed Class 12 and want to join a 5-year integrated LLB programme. CLAT PG is for law graduates who want to pursue an LLM (Master of Laws) at NLUs.
Q: How many mocks are enough for CLAT?
A: Aim for a minimum of 50–70 full-length mock tests in your entire preparation journey. The quality of analysis after each mock is far more important than the number of mocks attempted.
Q: Is coaching necessary for CLAT?
A: Coaching is not mandatory for CLAT. Many students have cracked CLAT through self-study. However, structured guidance, access to good mock tests, and expert mentorship can significantly accelerate preparation. The decision depends on your self-discipline, available resources, and target rank.
Q: Which is better CLAT or AILET?
A: Both exams target slightly different things. CLAT gives you access to 25 NLUs across India. AILET gives access to NLU Delhi, which is the second-ranked law school in India. If NLU Delhi is your dream, prepare for both. AILET is generally considered slightly more difficult due to fewer seats (approximately 100 UG seats) and a different question style.
Q: What are the career options after a degree from an NLU?
A: An NLU degree opens careers in Tier-1 law firms, in-house corporate counsel roles, litigation, judiciary, civil services (UPSC), public sector undertakings, international organisations, academic research, legal journalism, and higher studies (LLM abroad). Average starting packages at top NLUs range from ₹14–20 LPA.
Q: Which NLU has the best placements?
A: Based on average placement package and consistency, NALSAR Hyderabad, NLU Delhi (AILET), NLSIU Bangalore, and WBNUJS Kolkata consistently top placement charts. For CLAT-based admissions, NALSAR and NLSIU offer the strongest placement outcomes.
Q: When does CLAT registration open?
A: CLAT registration typically opens in July–August each year and closes in October–November. For CLAT 2027, registration is expected to open on August 1, 2026.
Q: What is the CLAT registration fee?
A: ₹4,000 for General, OBC, EWS candidates. ₹3,500 for SC, ST, PwD, BPL candidates. Payment is done online only.
Q: Is CLAT difficult?
A: CLAT is challenging not because the syllabus is impossibly vast, but because of intense competition (over 90,000 students for ~4,000 seats) and because it demands a specific skillset: fast reading with high comprehension. With focused preparation starting 12–18 months before the exam, CLAT is absolutely crackable.
Q: How long does it take to prepare for CLAT?
A: Ideally, 12–18 months of focused preparation gives you the best foundation. However, dedicated students have also cracked CLAT in 6 months of intensive preparation. The key variables are: your current reading speed, English proficiency, and time available per day.
Q: What is the selection rate for CLAT?
A: With approximately 72,000+ UG candidates appearing and around 3,900 UG seats, the overall selection rate is approximately 5–6%. For top NLUs, the effective competition ratio is closer to 1 in 200–300.
Q: What is CLAT counselling?
A: After CLAT results are declared, the Consortium conducts an online counselling process in 3–5 rounds. You register on the counselling portal, fill in your NLU preferences in order, pay a security deposit of ₹50,000, and are allotted a seat based on your rank, category, and preference. After each round, you can choose to Freeze (keep the seat), Float (participate in the next round for a better NLU), or Exit (withdraw from the process).
Q: How many rounds of counselling does CLAT have?
A: Typically 3 to 5 rounds of counselling are conducted. After Round 3 (as of CLAT 2026), most seats in top NLUs are filled. Later rounds primarily cater to mid and lower-tier NLUs and candidates in the AIR 3,000–9,000 range.
Q: What is domicile quota in CLAT?
A: Many NLUs reserve 25–50% of their seats for students who are domiciled (permanent residents) in the state where that NLU is located. For example, RMLNLU Lucknow reserves seats for UP domicile students, CNLU Patna for Bihar domicile students, and so on. Domicile students may find it easier to get into their home-state NLU at a lower rank than the All-India cutoff.
Q: When was the first CLAT conducted?
A: The first CLAT was conducted on 11 May 2008 by NLSIU Bangalore, covering 8 NLUs. A total of 10,773 candidates appeared.
Q: Can I prepare for CLAT in Class 11?
A: Yes, and it is strongly recommended. Starting preparation in Class 11 gives you the most critical advantage: time. You can build your reading habit gradually, cover static GK thoroughly, and arrive at Class 12 with only current affairs and mocks left to crack. Many top rankers begin in Class 10 or early Class 11.
Final Word- What CLAT Truly Demands
CLAT is not a test of how much you know. It is a test of how well you think. The Consortium designed it this way because this is exactly what lawyers do every day: they read complex documents, extract key principles, apply them to new situations, and make arguments under time pressure.
The students who crack CLAT are those who read widely, think carefully, and practise consistently. There is no shortcut, but there is a clear path.
Start reading today. Pick up a newspaper. Read an editorial. Think about why the author made that argument. Do it every day for the next year. And then sit for CLAT.
The best NLU in India could be your classroom.
Updated: April 2026
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