CLAT has primarily become a comprehension-based, critical thinking exam since 2020. The total number of questions was reduced from 200 to 150 in 2020. The number of questions was further reduced to 120 in the CLAT 2024 exam to make it student-friendly and to ease exam stress. While the exam remains moderate to difficult, sections like English, legal reasoning, and logical reasoning mainly test inference and reasoning skills. Solving CLAT past year question (PYQ) papers is crucial for cracking the CLAT because it helps understand the comprehension-based format and improves speed and accuracy.
The English Language section of the CLAT exam evaluates reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary through passage-based questions. The general knowledge and current affairs still require prior knowledge of national and international events. Legal reasoning applies legal principles to factual situations, and logical reasoning is often the toughest, involving puzzles and patterns. Quantitative techniques cover basic arithmetic, percentages, ratios, and data interpretation. Even though the questions are fewer in number, but require accuracy and speed.
Year | Question paper PDF | CLAT UG solution PDF |
2025 | ||
2024 | ||
2023 |
Exam period | Total questions | Sections | Duration | Marking scheme |
Pre-2020 | 200 | English, GK, Legal Aptitude, LR, QA | 2 hours | +1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 for incorrect answer |
2020-2023 | 150 | English Language, Current Affairs (including General Knowledge), Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques | 2 hours | +1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 for incorrect answer |
2024 onwards | 120 | Same as 2020-2023 (passage-based format) | 2 hours | +1 mark for correct answer and -0.25 for incorrect answer |
The CLAT UG exam features 120 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours. Each correct answer awards 1 mark, with a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect response, and no penalty for unanswered questions. Questions are passage-based across five sections, testing comprehension, reasoning, and awareness skills at a 12th-grade level.
Section | Number of questions | Weightage (%) |
English Language | 22-26 | 20 |
Current Affairs including GK | 28-32 | 25 |
Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 25 |
Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 20 |
Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10 |
In 2023, the English section was easy, with 28-30 good attempts out of 30 questions. General knowledge was also easy to moderate with 30-35 good attempts, while quantitative aptitude was more challenging, with only 8-9 good attempts. Logical reasoning and legal reasoning were moderate to difficult, with good attempts ranging from 25-27 and 32-34, respectively. Overall, the exam was moderate to difficult.
In 2024, the CLAT exam pattern changed to 120 questions. English and general knowledge were easier, with good attempts above 20 and 25+, respectively. Quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning ranged between easy and moderate difficulty. Legal reasoning was easier compared to previous years. Overall, the exam was easy to moderate with about 105+ good attempts.
In 2025, English and general knowledge remained easy to moderate. Quantitative aptitude got relatively tougher, with good attempts rising to 24-25 from fewer questions. Legal reasoning stayed moderately difficult, while logical reasoning was considered easier compared to earlier. The total good attempts were about 90-95, indicating moderate difficulty overall.
Year | Section | Good attempts | Difficulty level | Total questions |
2023 | English Language | 28 - 30 | Easy | 30 |
General Knowledge | 30 - 35 | Easy to moderate | 35 | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 8 - 9 | Moderate to difficult | 15 | |
Logical Reasoning | 25 - 27 | Moderate to difficult | 30 | |
Legal Reasoning | 32 - 34 | Tough but easy | 40 | |
Overall | 110+ | Moderate to difficult | 150 | |
2024 | English | 20+ | Easy | 24 |
General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 25+ | Easy | 28 | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 7+ | Easy to moderate | 12 | |
Legal Reasoning | 25+ | Easy | 32 | |
Logical Reasoning | 20+ | Easy to moderate | 24 | |
Overall | 105+ | Easy to moderate | 120 | |
2025 | English | 18 - 19 | Easy to moderate | 22-26 |
General Knowledge | 21 - 22 | Easy to moderate | 28-32 | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 24 - 25 | Moderate | 10-14 | |
Legal Reasoning | 17 - 18 | Moderate | 28-32 | |
Logical Reasoning | 8 - 9 | Easy to moderate | 22-26 | |
Overall | 90 - 95 | Moderate | 120 |
NLU name | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
NLSIU Bengaluru | 100+ | 95+ | 90+ | 83+ | 78+ |
NALSAR Hyderabad | 100+ | 95+ | 90+ | 82+ | 78+ |
WBNUJS Kolkata | 98+ | - | 56+* | 80+ | 74+ |
NLU Jodhpur | 95+ | - | 88+ | 79+ | 74+ |
GNLU Gandhinagar | 95+ | 90+ | 87+ | 77+ | 70+ |
MNLU Mumbai | 93+ | 81+ | 77+* | 71+* | 41+* |
RMLNLU Lucknow | 91+ | 85+ | 82+* | 53+* | 41+* |
*state category reservation
Based on past year data and expected trends for CLAT 2026, for general category candidates, a score between 90 and 100+ marks out of 120 is considered competitive for top NLUs. EWS candidates should aim for 85-95+ marks to secure good chances. For OBC candidates, a score of around 80-90+ marks is advisable. SC and ST candidates can secure admissions with scores in the range of 75-85 marks. Generally, to rank among the top candidates, scoring above 90 marks is highly recommended. Reserve categories have slightly lower cut-offs, but high scores always increase the chances of securing the preferred NLU seat.
On Question asked by student community
Start preparing for CLAT by first understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, which includes English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Make a simple daily routine and begin with basics read newspapers regularly for current affairs, practice comprehension passages for English and legal sections, and solve basic
Hello
With an AIR of 9076 and EWS rank of 846 in CLAT 2026, getting a top NLUs is unlikely, which is why you didn’t get a seat in the first round. However, you still have some chances in lower-tier NLUs like NLU Odisha, NLU Assam, NLU Tripura, NLU Meghalaya,
Hello
With a CLAT 2026 score of 60.75, AIR 17,715, and OBC-NCL rank 3,347 as an out-of-Delhi candidate, getting a seat in the Faculty of Law, Delhi University is very unlikely. DU’s cut-offs for OBC candidates are usually much higher, even in later rounds. You should keep backup options like
Hello,
With AIR 10542 and OBC rank 1843, getting top NLUs is unlikely. However, you still have chances in newer or lower ranked NLUs like NLU Assam, NUSRL Ranchi, MNLU Nagpur/Mumbai, especially in later or vacancy rounds. Also consider good private law colleges as backup options.
Since you scored 8000 AIR in CLAT, getting into top NLUs may not be possible, so it is a good idea to look for affordable and good law colleges.
State government law colleges are usually low in fees, and have decent reputation. Some options include Government Law College, Mumbai, Faculty
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