The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a centralized entrance examination conducted in India for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at various National Law Universities (NLUs) and other affiliated law schools. The exam is administered by the Consortium of National Law Universities.

Key Aspects of CLAT:

1. Purpose: CLAT serves as a gateway for students seeking admission to:
   • 5-year integrated undergraduate law programs (BA LLB)
   • Postgraduate law programs (LLM)
2. Eligibility Criteria:
   • Undergraduate Programs:
     • Candidates must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum percentage (usually 45% for general category and 40% for SC/ST).
     • Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination can also apply.
     • There is no upper age limit for the CLAT UG exam.
   • Postgraduate Programs:
     • Candidates must have a LLB degree or an equivalent qualification with a minimum percentage (usually 55% for general category and 50% for SC/ST).
     • There is no upper age limit for the CLAT PG exam.
3. Exam Structure: The CLAT exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and descriptive questions:
   • Undergraduate Exam:
     • Total questions: 150
     • Duration: 120 minutes
     • Subjects:
       • English Language
       • Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
       • Legal Reasoning
       • Logical Reasoning
       • Quantitative Techniques
   • Postgraduate Exam:
     • Total questions: 120 (includes MCQs and descriptive questions)
     • Duration: 120 minutes
     • Subjects:
       • Constitutional Law
       • Jurisprudence
       • Other law subjects (Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, etc.)
     • The descriptive section usually consists of 2 questions requiring essays.
4. Syllabus:
   • Undergraduate Level:
     • English Language: Comprehension passages, grammar, and vocabulary.
     • Current Affairs and General Knowledge: Events of national and international importance, legal developments, and basic legal principles.
     • Legal Reasoning: Legal propositions, fact scenarios, and identifying the relevant legal principles.
     • Logical Reasoning: Arguments, conclusions, and critical thinking.
     • Quantitative Techniques: Basic arithmetic, statistics, and data interpretation.
   • Postgraduate Level:
     • The syllabus focuses on key legal principles, landmark judgments, and essential legal theories across various areas of law.
5. Application Process:
   • Candidates must apply online through the official CLAT website during the application window.
   • Application fees are applicable, which vary based on the category (usually lower for SC/ST candidates).
   • Admit cards are released prior to the exam date and must be downloaded for entry to the examination center.
6. Selection Process:
   • Admissions to NLUs and affiliated colleges are based on the merit list prepared according to the candidates' scores in the CLAT exam.
   • Some institutions may conduct their own admission tests or have specific criteria in addition to CLAT scores.
7. Important Points:
   • Negative Marking: There is usually a negative marking scheme (typically 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer).
   • Results: Results and merit lists are published on the official CLAT website, and candidates can check their ranks and scores.
   • Counseling Process: After the results, the counseling process begins, where candidates can choose their preferred law schools based on their ranks.
8. Preparation Tips:
   • Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked and the syllabus.
   • Practice Regularly: Solve previous years' papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
   • Stay Updated: Keep abreast of current affairs and legal news through newspapers and online resources.
   • Reading Comprehension: Develop strong reading and analytical skills, as a significant portion of the exam involves comprehension passages.