Are you interested in pursuing a career in law? Do you want to study in one of the prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) in India? If yes, then you should know about the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), which is the gateway to admission in 22 NLUs and other law colleges across the country.
CLAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Consortium of NLUs every year for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs. CLAT 2024 is expected to be held in May 2024, and the online application process will start from 1st July 2023. In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about CLAT 2024, including the eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation tips.
What is CLAT?
CLAT stands for Common Law Admission Test. It is a two-hour online test that evaluates the candidates’ aptitude and knowledge for studying law. The test consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from five subjects: English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. The test is conducted in English language only.
The CLAT score is used for admission to five-year integrated LLB programs (such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, etc.) and one-year LLM programs offered by 22 NLUs and other participating law colleges. The CLAT score is also accepted by some public sector undertakings (PSUs) for recruitment of legal officers.
Who can apply for CLAT?
The eligibility criteria for CLAT vary depending on the program you are applying for. Here are the basic requirements for UG and PG programs:
- For UG programs: You should have passed or appeared in the 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates). There is no upper age limit for applying.
- For PG programs: You should have an LLB degree or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST candidates). There is no upper age limit for applying.
How to apply for CLAT?
The application process for CLAT is completely online. You need to follow these steps to apply for CLAT 2024:
- Visit the official website of the Consortium of NLUs and register yourself with your email ID and mobile number. Application Form ( click here)
- Login with your credentials and fill the online application form with your personal details, academic qualifications, preferences of NLUs, and reservation category (if applicable).
- Upload the scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant documents as per the specifications given on the website.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 4000 (Rs. 3500 for SC/ST candidates) through online mode using credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Review your application form and submit it before the last date. Take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
What is the exam pattern and syllabus of CLAT?
The exam pattern and syllabus of CLAT are different for UG and PG programs. Here are the details of both:
- For UG programs: The test will have 150 MCQs from five subjects: English Language (28-32 questions), Current Affairs including General Knowledge (35-39 questions), Legal Reasoning (35-39 questions), Logical Reasoning (28-32 questions), and Quantitative Techniques (13-17 questions). Each question will carry one mark and there will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. The total duration of the test will be two hours.
- For PG programs: The test will have 120 MCQs from three subjects: Constitutional Law (40 questions), Jurisprudence (40 questions), and other law subjects such as Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR, etc. (40 questions). Each question will carry one mark and there will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. The total duration of the test will be two hours.
How to prepare for CLAT?
Preparing for CLAT requires a systematic and strategic approach. You need to cover the entire syllabus thoroughly and practice as many mock tests as possible. Here are some tips to help you ace CLAT 2024:
- Understand the exam pattern and syllabus well and plan your study schedule accordingly.
- Focus on improving your reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and analytical skills for the English Language section.
- Stay updated with the current affairs and general knowledge from various sources such as newspapers, magazines, websites, etc. for the Current Affairs including General Knowledge section.
- Develop your legal aptitude and reasoning skills by studying the basic concepts of law, legal terms, and landmark judgments for the Legal Reasoning section.
- Sharpen your logical reasoning and problem-solving skills by solving puzzles, syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations, etc. for the Logical Reasoning section.
- Revise the basic concepts of mathematics and data interpretation for the Quantitative Techniques section.
- Take regular mock tests and analyze your performance, strengths, and weaknesses. Identify your areas of improvement and work on them.
- Solve previous year papers and sample papers to get familiar with the difficulty level and question types of CLAT.
- Manage your time and speed well during the test. Attempt the easy and less time-consuming questions first and leave the difficult and lengthy ones for later.
- Avoid guesswork and negative marking. Attempt only those questions that you are confident about.
Conclusion
CLAT is a highly competitive exam that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. If you are aspiring to study law in one of the top NLUs or other law colleges in India, you should start your preparation as soon as possible. Follow the tips given in this blog and you will surely achieve your dream of becoming a lawyer.
We hope this blog has given you all the information you need about CLAT 2024. If you have any queries or suggestions, feel free to comment below. We wish you all the best for your CLAT 2024 preparation!