The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) retains its 120-question, 120-mark, offline OMR format for the CLAT exam pattern 2027. The paper covers English Language, Current Affairs including GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs carry the highest weightage at around 25% (28–32 questions) each in the CLAT exam.
- The CLAT entrance exam is offline, comprehension-heavy, and carries negative marking. Candidates receive +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for an incorrect answer, and 0 for an unattempted question.
- English Language and Logical Reasoning each have 22–26 questions and contribute around 20% each.
- Quantitative Techniques is the smallest section, with 10–14 questions and about 10% weightage.
- With only one minute per question and a passage-heavy paper, success depends on fast reading, accurate comprehension, logical elimination, and effective time management, not just subject knowledge.
- The CLAT exam syllabus has shifted structurally over the years. From static, fact-recall testing to a comprehension-and-inference-based format across all five UG sections.
Also Read:
- CLAT Syllabus 2027: Download Free PDF, Check Syllabus, Weightage, Books and Preparation
- CLAT English Syllabus 2027: Subject-Wise Topics, Section Weightage and PDF Download
- CLAT General Knowledge Syllabus 2027: Subject-Wise Topics, Section Weightage and PDF Download
Key Summary
- CLAT exam pattern 2027 retains the 120-question, 120-mark format introduced in 2024, with +1 for every correct answer and -0.25 for every incorrect one.
- Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs including GK carry the highest weightage (~25% each) among all CLAT subjects, followed by English Language and Logical Reasoning (~20% each).
- Compared with the pre-2020 pattern, CLAT now emphasizes critical reasoning, contemporary legal issues, contextual GK, reading comprehension, and caselet-based Data Interpretation.
CLAT Exam Pattern 2027: Overview
The CLAT exam pattern 2027 runs as a single offline paper of 120 questions and 120 marks, completed in 120 minutes, with no calculator permitted.
- Since 2024, the CLAT paper pattern has stayed fixed at 120 questions, giving candidates roughly 60 seconds per question. It is double the time available under the pre-2020 pattern, which has 200 questions.
- The CLAT PG paper is built around two broad law-subject sections rather than the five-section CLAT UG structure, so PG aspirants prepare very differently from UG aspirants despite sitting the same exam window.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-and-Paper / OMR sheet-based) |
| Total Test Papers | 2 distinct papers Undergraduate (CLAT UG) and Postgraduate (CLAT PG) |
| Duration per Paper | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions per Paper | 120 Questions (all passage-based MCQs) |
| Total Marks per Paper | 120 Marks (1 mark per correct answer) |
| Sections per Paper | CLAT UG: English Language, Current Affairs including GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques (5 sections). CLAT PG: Constitutional Law and other core law subjects (2 broad sections) |
| Medium | English only |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 marks for every incorrect answer |
| Calculator | Not allowed in any form |
| Scribe Facility | Available for PwD candidates under Consortium guidelines, with 40 minutes of extra compensatory time |
| Papers per Student | 1 paper per candidate (either UG or PG, based on eligibility) |
Ques. What is the total marks in CLAT?
Ans. The total marks in CLAT are 120, with 1 mark awarded for every correct answer.
Ques. What is the CLAT exam duration?
Ans. Both CLAT papers run for 2 hours (120 minutes), covering 120 questions.
Also Read:
CLAT Exam Pattern 2027: What's New?
For CLAT 2027, the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has confirmed there is no structural change. The syllabus, sections, and 120-question format remain identical to the previous cycle.
Source: CLAT 2027 Official Syllabus
- CLAT exam has kept the same exam structure for four consecutive cycles now (2024–2027). Even though the structure is unchanged, question framing keeps shifting.
- Logical Reasoning has moved toward a hybrid model, blending critical-reasoning argument questions with analytical puzzles and decision-making sets. So, relying on a single logic type is no longer a safe strategy.
- The legal reasoning syllabus for CLAT has also evolved: Legal Reasoning questions increasingly test overlapping principles rather than simple, single-rule "Principle-Fact" application.
Ques. Has the CLAT exam pattern changed for 2027?
Ans. No. The Consortium has confirmed the syllabus, sections, and 120-question format stay the same as the previous year, though question framing within sections continues to evolve.
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CLAT Exam Pattern 2027: Subject-wise Weightage
As the CLAT exam pattern is entirely structured as a comprehension-and-skill-based test, there is no fixed "chapter list"; instead, the CLAT exam subjects are weighted by section.
- Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs, including GK, have approximately equal weightage (~25% each), together making up half the CLAT UG paper.
- Quantitative Techniques remains the smallest CLAT subject by question count, with each of its 10-14 questions more time-consuming than the arithmetic questions that were asked before 2020.
- English Language and Logical Reasoning have held steady at 20% weightage each across recent cycles, making them the most predictable sections.
Source: CLAT 2027 Official Syllabus
| CLAT Subject/Section | Questions | Weightage | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | ~25% | Application of legal facts & provisions |
| Current Affairs including GK | 28–32 | ~25% | Contemporary news & background polity |
| English Language | 22–26 | ~20% | Reading comprehension & inference |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | ~20% | Critical arguments & analytical links |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | ~10% | Caselet-based Data Interpretation |
| Total | 120 | 100% | Duration: 120 Minutes |
Ques. Which CLAT subject carries the highest weightage?
Ans. Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs, including GK, are tied for the highest weightage, at roughly 25% each.
Ques. What is the legal reasoning syllabus for CLAT?
Ans. It covers application of legal principles and facts to passage-based scenarios — contemporary judgments, statutory amendments, and public policy issues rather than pure rule memorisation.
Also Read:
CLAT 2027 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
The CLAT marking scheme awards +1 mark for every correct answer and deducts -0.25 marks for every incorrect answer, with zero penalty for unattempted questions.
- The CLAT exam total marks have been cut by a large number since pre-2020, from 200 marks down to 120, while the negative-marking penalty per wrong answer has stayed at -0.25 throughout.
- As the total number of questions has been dropped while duration has stayed at 120 minutes, time per question has effectively doubled compared to the pre-2020 pattern.
| Year | Total Questions | Total Marks | Penalty per Wrong Answer | Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-2020 | 200 | 200 | -0.25 | 120 Mins |
| 2020–2023 | 150 | 150 | -0.25 | 120 Mins |
| 2024–2027 | 120 | 120 | -0.25 | 120 Mins |
Ques. What is the CLAT marking scheme for 2027?
Ans. +1 mark for a correct answer and -0.25 marks for an incorrect one; unattempted questions score zero.
Also Check:
- CLAT Sample Papers 2027: Last 5 Years PYQs PDF Download and Subject Wise Weightage
- How to Prepare for CLAT English: Important Topics, Tips, Books, Pattern
How to Reduce Negative Marking in CLAT?
Never guess blindly and use a strict elimination rule based on probability:
- If eliminated 0 options: Do not attempt. A blind guess carries a 25% chance of +1 and a 75% chance of -0.25, and that math works against you across a full paper.
- If eliminated 1 option: Avoid attempting unless you have a strong inclination toward one of the remaining three choices.
- If eliminated 2 options: Always attempt. At 50-50 odds, the expected value across many questions tips positive.
Use the three-pass strategy to apply this consistently rather than question-by-question:
- Pass 1 (0–80 mins): Solve only what you are 100% sure of; leave everything else blank.
- Pass 2 (80–110 mins): Return to two-option-eliminated questions and take the calculated risk.
- Pass 3 (last 10 mins): Stop solving. Use this time only to check OMR bubbling as rushed solving in the final minutes causes close to 40% of all silly mistakes.
CLAT Question Papers with Answer Key and Solution PDF
The CLAT past year question papers will help you understand the CLAT exam syllabus better.
CLAT Question Paper 2026
| CLAT Paper | Download PDF | Detailed Solution |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set A | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set B | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set C | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key Set D | Download | Check Solution |
CLAT Question Paper 2025
| CLAT Paper | Download PDF | Detailed Solution |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set A | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set B | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set C | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set D | Download | Check Solution |
CLAT Question Paper 2024
| CLAT Paper | Download PDF | Detailed Solution |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2024 Question Paper with Answer Key Set A | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2024 Question Paper with Answer Key Set B | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2024 Question Paper with Answer Key Set C | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2024 Question Paper with Answer Key Set D | Download | Check Solution |
| Year | CLAT Question Paper PDF | CLAT Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Check Here | Check Here |
| 2022 | Check Here | Check Here |
| 2021 | Check Here | Check Here |
| 2020 | Check Here | Check Here |
What Types of Questions Are Asked in the CLAT Exam?
CLAT gives you about 60 seconds per question, but much of this time is spent reading and understanding the 10,000–12,000 words of passage text in the paper.
- The CLAT English syllabus has dropped standalone grammar and vocabulary questions almost entirely; 100% of English questions are now passage-based, testing tone, viewpoint, and inference over rule recall.
- Logical Reasoning has changed from traditional puzzle-style topics (blood relations, coding-decoding, clocks) to critical reasoning built around premises, conclusions, and argument strength.
- Quantitative Techniques has narrowed from broad Class 10-level arithmetic to almost exclusively caselet-based Data Interpretation, in the CLAT exam pattern
Type of questions asked from each section of the CLAT exam:
- Principle-Fact Application
- Applying legal principles to new factual situations
- Identifying how changes in facts or rules affect the legal conclusion
- Interpreting legal provisions and arguments
2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge
- Questions on national and international current affairs
- Legal and constitutional developments
- Government policies and schemes
- Historical/static GK related to current events
- Questions based on news passages and contemporary issues
- Reading comprehension
- Main idea and central theme
- Inference-based questions
- Author's tone and purpose
- Vocabulary in context
- Meaning of words and phrases used in the passage
- Identifying assumptions
- Strengthening or weakening arguments
- Identifying premises and conclusions
- Drawing logical conclusions
- Evaluating arguments
- Analytical reasoning based on relationships, patterns, or syllogisms
- Data Interpretation (DI)
- Caselet-based numerical questions
- Graphs, charts, and tables
- Percentages
- Ratios and proportions
- Averages
- Profit and loss
- Basic arithmetic applications
| Section | Pre-2020 Pattern | Current Pattern (2024–2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Reasoning | Static concepts (Torts, Negligence, Contracts, IPC basics); Simple Principle-Fact format | Supreme Court judgments, statutory amendments, constitutional issues, public policy; Passage-based application |
| Logical Reasoning | Syllogisms, blood relations, series, coding-decoding, clocks | Critical reasoning: assumptions, premises, conclusions, strengthening/weakening arguments |
| Current Affairs & GK | Static GK and one-liner facts (capitals, currencies, dates, awards) | Passage-based current affairs on constitutional developments, geopolitics, government schemes |
| English Language | Standalone grammar, error spotting, cloze tests, idioms, synonyms/antonyms | Reading comprehension: tone, main idea, inference, vocabulary in context |
| Quantitative Techniques | Class 10 arithmetic: Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Algebra, Permutations & Combinations | Caselet-based Data Interpretation: percentages, ratios, proportions, averages |
Also Read:
What Is the Difficulty Level of CLAT?
As per Reddit discussions, candidates consistently describe CLAT as manageable on paper but unpredictable in the exam hall, which is also visible across recent CLAT UG cohorts.
- Unlike NEET or JEE, CLAT has no fixed syllabus in the traditional sense, so candidates from the 2026 cycle mentioned being caught off guard when a section leaned analytical instead of the critical-reasoning style they had prepared for.
- In past years, toppers often credited mock test practice as the decisive factor, not just reading material.
- Students say that the exam is highly competitive and one mistake can cost hundreds of ranks. The content wasn’t hard, but the execution under time limits was the real challenge.
Source: Reddit
Also Check:
CLAT Exam Pattern Vs AILET Exam Pattern 2027
While both CLAT UG and AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) are national-level law entrance exams in India, they differ significantly in structure, timing, and how they test your skills.
- CLAT is entirely passage-based, focusing heavily on your reading and comprehension speed. AILET relies more on analytical depth, mixing short-form logic puzzles and direct knowledge with passages.
- CLAT is conducted exclusively for most NLUs, while AILET is conducted specifically for NLU Delhi.
Section Differences between CLAT and AILET
CLAT and AILET have the following section-wise differences:
- English: CLAT focuses on long, passage-based comprehension, while AILET combines shorter passages with direct grammar, vocabulary, and syntax questions.
- GK & Current Affairs: CLAT tests contextual current affairs with background knowledge; AILET relies more on direct recall and static GK.
- Logical Reasoning: CLAT emphasizes arguments, assumptions, conclusions, and inference; AILET has a larger section covering critical + analytical reasoning.
- Legal Reasoning: CLAT has a separate Legal Reasoning section focused on applying legal principles to facts, while AILET integrates analytical reasoning topics such as blood relations, coding-decoding, arrangements, and syllogisms.
| Feature | CLAT UG Pattern | AILET UG Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Total Marks | 120 marks | 150 marks |
| Total Questions | 120 questions | 150 questions |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Time per Question | 1 minute | 48 seconds |
| Question Type | Passage-based MCQs | Mix of passages, independent MCQs, and logic-based questions |
| Negative Marking | −0.25 for every wrong answer | −0.25 for every wrong answer |
| Mathematics | Yes — Quantitative Techniques (~10% of paper) | No Quantitative section |
Also Check:
CLAT 2027 Preparation Tips
Cracking CLAT 2027 comes down to building reading stamina, inferential logic, and precise risk management. Since the paper is 120 questions in 120 minutes, the focus is to process dense passages quickly without losing marks due to negative marking.
Phase 1: Foundations & Habit Building
- Read editorial sections of papers like The Hindu or The Indian Express for at least 45 minutes daily, and practice summarising the author's core argument in two sentences.
- Build a working understanding of core legal concepts like the Law of Torts, Law of Contracts, Criminal Law, and the Indian Constitution, without memorising section numbers.
- Shift from analytical/mathematical logic toward critical reasoning: premises, conclusions, assumptions, and strengthening/weakening arguments.
Phase 2: Sectional Mastery & Topic Tests (Months 4–5)
- Practice 2–3 caselet-based Data Interpretation sets daily, focusing on percentage change, ratio distribution, and averages calculated without a calculator.
- Follow one reliable monthly current-affairs compilation, prioritising major policy bills, international treaties, and constitutional amendments.
Phase 3: Full-Length Mock Strategy (Final 2 Months)
- Take full 2-hour mocks strictly between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, the standard CLAT exam slot, to train peak alertness for that window.
- Keep a mistake notebook that separates concept gaps from reading traps, and spend roughly double the time analysing a mock as you did attempting it.
- Apply the three-pass attempting strategy in every mock:
- Certainty-zone questions first,
- 50-50 eliminations second,
- Ambiguous questions left untouched.
As per the video, divide preparation across English, Current Affairs & GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques, rather than focusing only on Legal Reasoning. Preparing these topics increases exam preparedness.
CLAT Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques. What is CLAT exam?
Ans. CLAT, or the Common Law Admission Test, is the centralised entrance exam for admission into National Law Universities across India, for both undergraduate (CLAT UG) and postgraduate (CLAT PG) law programmes.
Ques. What is the CLAT exam pattern 2025 vs the CLAT exam pattern 2027?
Ans. Both follow the same 120-question, 120-mark, 120-minute format with -0.25 negative marking; the Consortium has confirmed no structural change for 2027.
Ques. What are the CLAT exam subjects?
Ans. CLAT UG covers English Language, Current Affairs including GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. CLAT PG covers Constitutional Law and other core law subjects.
Ques. What is CLAT PG and how is it different from CLAT UG?
Ans. CLAT PG is the postgraduate entrance paper for LLM admissions, structured around two broad law-subject sections rather than the five-section CLAT UG format, though both share the same 120-question, 120-mark pattern.
Ques. What is the CLAT English syllabus?
Ans. It is entirely reading-comprehension-based passages of 300–450 words testing tone, main idea, inference, and vocabulary in context, with no standalone grammar or vocabulary questions.
Ques. What is the legal reasoning syllabus for CLAT?
Ans. It tests application of legal principles — supplied within the passage itself — to contemporary judgments, statutory amendments, and public-policy scenarios, rather than requiring prior legal knowledge.
Ques. Where can I find the CLAT syllabus 2025 PDF download?
Ans. The Consortium of National Law Universities publishes the official syllabus PDF on its website each cycle; the 2025 and 2027 syllabi share the same five-section CLAT UG structure.
Ques. Is CLAT considered a common law admission test for all NLUs?
Ans. Yes, CLAT is the single common law admission test used by 22+ National Law Universities in India for centralised admissions.
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