CLAT Full Form, Exam Levels & Eligibility

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CLAT Full Form, Exam Levels & Eligibility

CLAT full form is Common Law Admission Test. This test is conducted by the  Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) for admissions to its 25 member institutions as well as many other private and government law schools and some public sector organizations. 

In a year, CLAT exam is conducted only once. In this blog post, we shall discuss the CLAT examination, its levels and the eligibility criteria.

What is CLAT Full Form?

CLAT full form is Common Law Admission Test. Conducted only once in a year, it is a national-level entrance exam for admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes at National Law Universities (NLUs) in India and other private and government law schools in India. 

The Consortium of National Law Universities is responsible for conducting CLAT. This consortium consists of 25 member institutions. The first ever CLAT exam was conducted in 2008. This test was introduced because students found it difficult to prepare for multiple, individual entrance exams for each NLU.

CLAT Exam Levels: UG vs PG

The CLAT exam is conducted at two separate levels, i.e., CLAT UG and CLAT PG. Below, we have explained both these levels. :-

• CLAT UG (Undergraduate) :- This level targets students who have passed their 12th grade education and want to enrol in 5-year integrated law programmes like BA LLB, BBA LLB or BCom LLB. The CLAT undergraduate exam assesses the aptitude of the candidates in key fields like English language, current affairs, legal reasoning, logical reasoning and quantitative techniques. 

• CLAT PG (Postgraduate) :- This CLAT exam level targets candidates who have already obtained their LLB degree and would like to pursue Master of Laws (LLM) program. In the CLAT PG exam, the candidates’ knowledge is assessed in undergraduate law subjects like jurisprudence, law of torts, criminal law, industrial law, law of contracts, constitutional law, environmental law, labour law, property law, etc.

Both UG CLAT and PG CLAT exams consist of 120 multiple choice questions. For each wrong answer, there is negative marking. The UG CLAT exam focuses more on aptitude and reasoning skills. 

On the other hand, the PG CLAT exams focus primarily on extensive legal knowledge of the candidates. Many people who take the PG CLAT exam are individuals who are already advocates or legal professionals.

CLAT Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for CLAT is provided below. :-

• To take the CLAT UG exam, the candidates must have a minimum of 45% marks in their 12th-grade examination or 40% if they belong to the SC/ST/PwD categories. Candidates who appeared in the qualifying exam in the same year can also apply for CLAT UG as long as they can provide proof of passing the 12th grade examination during the time of admission.

• There is no upper age limit to appear in CLAT UG/PG.

• For taking the CLAT PG examination, the minimum percentage requirement is 50% in LL.B. degree for general candidates. For the candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories, the minimum percentage requirement is 45%.

• The candidates must be Indian national or NRIs/NRI-sponsored candidates. Foreign nationals cannot take the CLAT examination.

• Individuals having a history of criminal convictions, academic misconduct or disciplinary action are not eligible for admission to any law school through CLAT examination.

• Each participating law school may have set forth additional eligibility requirements that a candidate must meet to be considered for admission in LLB/LLM course. 

Tips for CLAT Preparation

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the CLAT examination. :-

• Make sure you understand the latest syllabus and exam pattern carefully. Then, do the exam preparation accordingly.

• Create a study plan that suits your schedule and make sure you adhere to it. You must give each subject and topic enough time.

• To assess your preparation, you can solve sample papers and last 10 years’ question papers of CLAT. This way you will be able to check your strengths as well as weaknesses.

• You can take CLAT mock tests online on the edtech platforms.

• Make sure you stay updated with current affairs as well as the latest legal developments. By doing this, it will be easier for you to answer questions related to legal reasoning and general knowledge.

Conclusion

CLAT full form is Common Law Admission Test. It is taken by students aspiring to pursue law programmes in National Law Universities (NLUs) and other participating institutions in India. This test is conducted at two separate levels, i.e., (i) CLAT Undergraduate (UG) exam level, meant for those who want admission to 5-year integrated law programmes, and (ii) CLAT Postgraduate (PG) exam level, meant for those who want admission to LLM programmes. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is CLAT full form in law?

A. CLAT full form in law is Common Law Admission Test.

Q2. Which authority conducts CLAT in India?

A. The Consortium of National Law Universities is responsible for conducting CLAT in India.

Q3. When was the first CLAT exam conducted?

A. The first CLAT exam was conducted in 2008.

Q4. Can I take the CLAT test after passing 10th grade?

A. No, you cannot take the CLAT test after passing 10th grade. To take this test, you must have passed or be appearing for your 12th grade examination.

Q5. CLAT consists of how many marks?

A. CLAT consists of 120 marks. In the exam, there are 120 multiple-choice questions. Each question carries one mark. 

Q6. Is there negative marking in CLAT?

A. Yes, there is negative marking in CLAT. For each incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted from the total score.

Q7. Can a practicing advocate continue working full-time while pursuing a full-time LLM program?

A. Pursuing a full-time LLM is generally incompatible with continuing to practice law full-time. The reason for this is that full-time LLM requires attending classes. This course is designed for student commitment. Although some advocates may take a leave of absence or enroll in part-time/distance learning programmes to continue their profession, the standard full-time LLM course requires full-time study in a general scenario. 

Q8. Can I take the CLAT PG exam if I do not have an LLB degree?

A. No, you are not eligible to take the CLAT PG exam unless you hold an LLB degree. This degree is a mandatory requirement.

Q9. Can I give CLAT after graduation?

A. You can take the CLAT UG exam after Class 12. Graduates are also allowed to apply. However, if you are referring to the CLAT PG exam, you must have an LLB degree.

Q10. What is the difference between CLAT UG Exam and CLAT PG Exam?

A. The CLAT UG exam is required for admission to LLB programmes while the CLAT PG exam is required for admission to LLM programmes. This is the basic difference between them.

Q11. Can I give CLAT exam before 12th grade?

A. No, you cannot give CLAT before passing your 12th grade. 

Q12. Can foreign nationals give CLAT?

A. No, the foreign nationals cannot give CLAT.

Disclaimer: This blog is meant for educational purposes only. While we have made every effort to provide our readers with accurate and complete information in this post, we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. We encourage our readers to verify details via official and reliable sources. Information in this content should not be interpreted as professional, academic, business, financial or legal advice. 

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