Difficulty Level of the CLAT Exam: A Comprehensive Analysis (Updated for 2025)
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance examination for admissions to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. The difficulty level of the CLAT exam varies based on different factors, including competition, syllabus coverage, time constraints, and question complexity.
Difficulty Level Analysis of CLAT Exam
The CLAT exam is moderately difficult to highly difficult, depending on a candidate's preparation level. Here is a detailed breakdown of the difficulty level of different aspects of the CLAT exam:
1. CLAT UG (Undergraduate) Exam Difficulty Level
The CLAT UG exam is generally moderate to difficult. It consists of five sections, and each section has a different level of complexity:
| Sections | Difficulty Level | Key Challenges |
|------------------------|----------------|----------------|
| English Language | Moderate | Vocabulary, comprehension, inference-based questions |
| Current Affairs & GK | Moderate to Difficult | Requires in-depth knowledge of recent events |
| Legal Reasoning | Moderate to Difficult | Complex legal principles and application-based questions |
| Logical Reasoning | Moderate | Critical thinking and analytical reasoning |
| Quantitative Techniques | Difficult | Data interpretation, problem-solving |
- Legal Reasoning & Current Affairs: These are usually the most challenging sections as they require critical analysis and prior knowledge.
- Quantitative Techniques: Although the level of mathematics tested is up to 10th grade, it is still time-consuming and tricky.
- Time Management: The pressure of solving 120 questions in two hours makes the exam difficult for many candidates.
2. CLAT PG (Postgraduate) Exam Difficulty Level
The CLAT PG exam is considered moderate to difficult, especially due to the subjective nature of legal reasoning and case laws.
| Sections | Difficulty Level | Key Challenges |
|------------------------|----------------|----------------|
| Constitutional Law | Difficult | Complex legal principles and amendments |
| Jurisprudence | Moderate | Theoretical legal principles |
| Contract Law, Criminal Law, International Law, etc. | Moderate to Difficult | Case laws, judgments, and application-based questions |
- Legal Interpretation: Candidates need a deep understanding of legal judgments and case laws.
- Extensive Syllabus: Requires a strong grasp of multiple branches of law.
- MCQ Format: The questions are often conceptual and require deep understanding rather than simple memorization.
Factors That Make CLAT Difficult
1. High Competition
- More than 80,000 aspirants appear for CLAT UG, and only around 2,000 seats are available in NLUs.
- For CLAT PG, the number of seats is even lower, making it highly competitive.
2. Unpredictability
- CLAT does not have a fixed pattern, and question types change every year.
- Newspaper reading skills are essential for excelling in the Current Affairs & Legal Reasoning sections.
3. Time Management
- Candidates have to answer 120 questions in 120 minutes (CLAT UG).
- CLAT PG has 120 questions in 120 minutes, requiring quick legal analysis.
4. Lengthy Passages
- The comprehension-based pattern means long and tricky passages, which take time to read and analyze.
- Some questions require deep legal interpretation, making it tough for candidates.
5. Requires Consistent Preparation
- CLAT is not an exam that one can crack in a few weeks; it requires at least 6-12 months of serious preparation.
Comparison of CLAT with Other Competitive Exams
| Exam | Difficulty Level | Competition | Key Challenge |
|------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
| CLAT UG | Moderate to Difficult | High | Time management, comprehension |
| CLAT PG | Difficult | Very High | Legal reasoning, case laws |
| AILET (NLU Delhi) | More Difficult than CLAT | Very High | Lengthy paper, tough legal reasoning |
| LSAT India | Easier than CLAT | Moderate | Logical reasoning-heavy |
| Judiciary Exams | Very Difficult | Extremely High | Subjective answers, legal drafting |
CLAT is tougher than LSAT India but slightly easier than AILET. However, the competition level is highest due to the limited seats in NLUs.
Conclusion: How Difficult is CLAT?
- CLAT UG is moderate to difficult, depending on preparation level. Candidates who practice comprehension-based legal reasoning regularly find it easier.
- CLAT PG is difficult due to the depth of legal knowledge required and the case law analysis questions.
- High Competition & Time Management make it one of the toughest law entrance exams in India.
- Consistent preparation for at least 6-12 months is required to crack the exam successfully.
Tips to Overcome CLAT Difficulty
- Read Newspapers Daily (The Hindu, Indian Express) for Current Affairs & Legal Reasoning.
- Practice Previous Year Papers to understand question patterns.
- Improve Time Management by attempting mock tests regularly.
- Focus on Legal Reasoning by reading important case laws & judgments.
- For CLAT PG, focus on Constitutional Law & Important Landmark Judgments.
Final Verdict
CLAT is a moderately difficult to highly difficult exam based on preparation strategy and competition. With structured preparation, strong reading habits, and time management, it is possible to crack CLAT with a good rank. 🚀