CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is the centralized entrance exam for admissions to 24 National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. Since the 2020 syllabus revision, CLAT has shifted from a fact-recall format to a comprehension-intensive test. If you are preparing for CLAT 2025, understanding the new format and reading strategy is the first step.
CLAT 2025 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 | ~24 |
| Current Affairs and GK | 28-32 | ~30 |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | ~30 |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | ~24 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | ~12 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
Marking: +1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong. Duration: 2 hours.
The New CLAT Format: Reading Comprehension at Its Core
Post-2020 CLAT is a reading comprehension exam at its heart. Every section is passage-based. Legal Reasoning passages present legal principles and factual scenarios — you apply the principle to answer questions. English passages test inference and vocabulary. GK passages cover current affairs developments.
This means vocabulary lists and law fact-memorisation are less useful than they once were. The skill being tested is your ability to read quickly, understand precisely, and apply reasoning to what you've read.
Section-Wise Strategy
English Language
Passages are literary or analytical in nature. Questions test inference, tone, vocabulary in context, and summary. Read The Hindu editorial or Mint opinion pieces daily — this builds reading speed and vocabulary naturally. Aim for 20+ correct out of 24.
Current Affairs and GK
Passages cover recent legal, political, or social events. You need to track current affairs actively for 10-12 months before CLAT. Recommended sources: The Hindu, Indian Express, and a dedicated CLAT current affairs module from any major coaching platform. Focus on: Supreme Court judgments, constitutional amendments, international treaties, economic policy.
Legal Reasoning
No prior legal knowledge is required — the passage gives you the legal principle. Questions test application. The skill to develop is: reading the principle precisely, identifying the relevant facts in the scenario, and applying the principle mechanically without assuming external legal knowledge.
Logical Reasoning
Passage-based analytical reasoning. Tests critical reading, argument analysis, and inference. Practice with LR sections from previous CLAT papers (2020 onwards) and LSAT-style practice sets.
Quantitative Techniques
Class 10 level maths — ratios, percentages, averages, basic statistics. Usually graph or table-based. 10 correct out of 12 is a strong target. Do not over-invest here.
NLU Rankings and CLAT Cutoffs
| NLU | CLAT Rank Required (General) |
|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Under 70 |
| NLU Delhi (via AILET, not CLAT) | Separate exam (AILET) |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Under 200 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Under 400 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Under 700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is CLAT 2025?
CLAT is typically held in December for the following academic year. Check the CLAT Consortium official website for the confirmed 2025 date.
Is coaching necessary for CLAT?
Not mandatory but helpful for structured current affairs tracking and mock test practice. Many self-study aspirants crack CLAT with consistent reading and practice.
What is the CLAT score needed for NLSIU Bangalore?
NLSIU (NALSAR equivalent) requires an overall score above 105-110 out of 120 in most years. Only the top 70 ranks qualify.
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