Study Notes: How CLAT Works — Exam Pattern & NLUs
Understanding the CLAT Exam
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is India’s most prestigious law entrance examination, conducted annually by the Consortium of National Law Universities. It serves as the gateway to 22 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India, including NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NLU Delhi.
Exam Pattern (CLAT 2027)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 | 22-26 |
| Current Affairs & GK | 28-32 | 28-32 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 28-32 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 22-26 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10-14 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
Key Facts
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Marking: +1 for correct, −0.25 for incorrect
- Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper) — changed from online since CLAT 2023
- Eligibility: 12th pass with 45% (40% for SC/ST). No upper age limit for UG CLAT.
Top NLUs by CLAT Ranking
- NLSIU Bangalore — consistently ranked #1
- NALSAR Hyderabad — excellent placement record
- NLU Jodhpur (NLUJO) — strong moot court culture
- NLU Delhi — uses AILET, not CLAT (separate exam)
- GNLU Gandhinagar — rising rapidly in rankings
Preparation Timeline
Most successful candidates begin 12-18 months before the exam. However, focused 3-6 month preparation can also yield results if you have strong fundamentals. The key is consistent daily practice — aim for at least 3-4 hours of dedicated CLAT prep daily.
💡 CLAT Gurukul Tip: Start with understanding the exam, then build section-wise skills, and finally integrate everything with full-length mocks. This course follows exactly that approach over the next 5 days.