CLAT exam pattern 2021 (Released) - Mode, Types of Questions, Marking Scheme

CLAT exam pattern 2021 - The Consortium of NLUs has announced CLAT 2021 exam pattern on its official website; consortiumofnlus.ac.in. The exam pattern of CLAT 2021 is an important guide for candidates preparing for the Common Law Admission Test. The exam pattern provides all details related to the test modalities of CLAT 2021. The exam pattern of CLAT has undergone a major overhaul last year. The Consortium of NLUs introduced comprehension based questions in both CLAT UG and PG. The number of questions has been reduced from 200 to 150 in CLAT UG whereas, CLAT LLM has two sections; Objective and Subjective. However, last year, there was no subjective section. Unlike last year, CLAT 2021 will be conducted in offline mode. Read the complete article to learn more about CLAT exam pattern 2021, type of questions, marking scheme, and more.
LATEST UPDATE - Click here to apply for CLAT 2021 (Application form released)
CLAT syllabus for LLM revised, Check all details below!

CLAT 2021 exam pattern

CLAT exam pattern 2021 - In details

Last year, the CLAT Consortium announced some important changes to the exam pattern of CLAT. These include the introduction of a comprehensive type of questions, reducing the number of questions and fixing the standard of CLAT UG at Class 12th level. The complete CLAT exam pattern of 2021 is explained below.

Skills to be tested - As per the Consortium of NLUs, the exam pattern of CLAT 2021 focuses on testing the reading ability of the candidates along with critical thinking and analytical skills. Before this, the CLAT papers were used to be designed to test the knowledge of various subjects and topics.

Type of questions - As per the CLAT 2021 exam pattern, all questions in UG and PG will be comprehension type. The test paper will consist of various passages of 300 - 450 words. Each passage will be followed by a series of multiple-choice type questions. Candidates will have to answer the questions only from the given passage. In most sections, no prior knowledge is required. However, having prior knowledge of the subject may help in understanding the passages more efficiently.
Download CLAT UG sample paper - Click here

Total number of questions in CLAT and marking scheme - In CLAT UG, there will be a total of 150 questions. However, the CLAT LLM will have 120 questions. Each question carries one mark and an incorrect answer will draw a negative marking of 0.25 marks.

CLAT syllabus - An overview

The CLAT UG syllabus has 6 subjects. Each subject will have a fixed number of questions and weightage. By referring to the CLAT syllabus, candidates will have a clear idea of what topics they have to prepare. The CLAT LLM syllabus is modelled in line with the syllabus of legal subjects. Most of the topics covered in CLAT LLM are taken from LLB subjects. These include topics like Law of Torts, Law of Contract, Constitutional law and others. Apart from legal subjects, current affairs with a special focus on legal issues are also included in the CLAT syllabus at PG level.

CLAT exam pattern 2021 (UG) - Subject wise questions and weightage

CLAT exam pattern 2021 (PG) - Subject wise questions and weightage

New CLAT test structure

WIll there be an essay section in CLAT LLM?

Yes, finally the consortium has announced that CLAT will be restored to its original form. The descriptive section is back in CLAT LLM. There will be a series of topics in this section and candidates will have to write two essays of around 800 words. Each essay will be of 25 marks, thus making the descriptive section of 50 marks.

In addition, the number of questions in the objective section has been reduced from 120 to 100. So, now the CLAT LLM will be of 150 marks examination.

Last year, the Consortium of NLUs had announced that there won’t be any essay section in CLAT LLM. The decision to drop the essay section was taken to reduce the burden from the candidates at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

CLAT exam pattern 2021 - Minimum cutoff

The CLAT LLM will be subject to minimum cutoff. The minimum cut off for CLAT LLM is 40%. Candidates who are from SC, ST and PWD categories will have to score at least 35% marks. The evaluation of descriptive section will be done only if the candidate secures the minimum marks in the objective test.

CLAT 2021 exam pattern - Importance

For candidates appearing in CLAT 2021, it is extremely important to have a thorough understanding of the exam pattern of CLAT 2021. It provides all the important information related to the test modalities such as mode, duration, making scheme, number of questions and others.

The CLAT exam pattern also provides information about the type of questions asked in the examination and skills that are tested. Candidates should be particularly mindful of the type of questions asked in CLAT. The exam pattern of CLAT 2020 also informs about the marking scheme and the weightage of each topic included in the test paper.