CLAT Vs LSAT—India: Candidates aspiring to get into top law schools in the country have to pass one important hurdle and that is the law entrance exams. The CLAT and LSAT—India are two very popular exams to gain admission into law programmes in India, giving rise to the LSAT—India vs CLAT debate. Through the Common Law Admission Test, candidates can get admission into National Law Universities in the country and 65 participating colleges. On the other hand, through the Law School Admission Test - India, candidates can get into some of the top private law schools and other participating law colleges. Is that the only difference between CLAT and LSAT—India? No. The difference between LSAT—India and CLAT lies on many other fronts. Read the full article to get all details in the CLAT vs LSAT—India comparison.
CLAT 2026: Practice Questions - Maths | English | Logical Reasoning | Legal Reasoning
CLAT 2026: Best Books for CLAT Preparation | 10 Free Mock Tests | Syllabus
Suggest: CLAT 2025 College Predictor
CLAT 2025: Expected Cut Off & Past Trends | Marks vs Rank
Particulars | LSAT—India | CLAT |
Conducting Body | Pearson Vue | Consortium of National Law Universities |
Exam Level | National Level | National Level |
Frequency of exam | Twice a year | Once a year |
Participating Institutes | ||
Law programmes offered | 5 year LLB, 3 year LLB, LLM | 5 year LLB, LLM |
An important difference between LSAT—India and CLAT lies in the colleges and courses a candidate gets admission into after attempting the exam. In CLAT, there are participating NLUs and colleges that accept CLAT scores. On the other hand, in the LSAT—India there are colleges that accept the LSAT—India scores and admit candidates into the courses. Given below are important points in this regard for the two exams
CLAT
The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts CLAT once a year.
There are 24 participating NLUs in the CLAT exam
Through the CLAT UG and CLAT PG examinations, candidates are admitted into the 5 year integrated law courses and LLM course
Other than the participating NLUs, candidates can also get admission into law courses in 65 participating colleges
LSAT—India
Pearson Vue administers the LSAT—India twice a year
There are 17 participating institutes for LSAT—India at present which are very very well-known private law schools in the country.
Candidates can get admission into the 5 year LLB, 3 year LLB and LLM courses through the LSAT—India exam
Ranked #1 Law School in India & South Asia by QS- World University Rankings | Merit cum means scholarships | Regular Admissions Deadline: 30th Apr'25
Ranked #28 amongst Institutions in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in India for Academic Reputation by QS University Rankings | 16.6 LPA Highest CTC | Last Date to Apply: 28th April
Another important difference between CLAT and LSAT—India lies in the exam pattern of both exams. The CLAT 2024 exam pattern includes 120 questions to be completed in 2 hours. On the other hand, LSAT—India 2024 exam pattern has 92 questions to be completed in 2 hours and 20 minutes. The table given below describes the exam pattern of both exams.
CLAT Vs LSAT—India - Exam Pattern Overview
Particulars | CLAT | LSAT—India | |
Mode of Exam | Offline | Online - remote proctored mode | |
Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours 20 minutes | |
Language | English | English | |
Type of Questions | Objective Type Questions | Objective Type of Questions | |
Number of Questions | 120 questions | 92 questions (approximate) | |
Total Marks | 120 | Candidates would be marked on a score between 420 and 480 | |
Negative Marking | 0.25 for every wrong answer | No negative marking | |
You may also check -
There are some major differences between CLAT and LSAT in terms of their syllabus. While the focus of both the CLAT syllabus and LSAT syllabus is on testing the reading and critical thinking ability of candidates, the exams vary in terms of the sections and the content of their syllabus. Given below is the syllabus of both the law entrance exams.
CLAT UG Syllabus
Sections | No. of Questions | Total Time |
English | 22-26 | 120 Minutes |
Current Affairs including GK | 28-32 | |
Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | |
Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | |
Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 |
CLAT PG Syllabus
Sections | Number of Questions | Time |
| 120 | 120 minutes |
Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law, Tax Law, Environmental Law, and Labour & Industrial Law |
LSAT—India Syllabus
Sections | Number of Questions (Approximate) | Time Allotted |
Analytical Reasoning | 23 | 35 minutes |
Logical Reasoning (1) | 22 | 35 minutes |
Logical Reasoning (2) | 23 | 35 minutes |
Reading Comprehension | 24 | 35 minutes |
CLAT is considered to be one of the lengthiest law entrance exams and close to 70000 candidates appear for it every year. 120 questions to be completed in 120 minutes, candidates get approximately 1 minute per question. Some of the NLUs such as NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad are ranked among the top 5 law schools in NIRF law rankings 2023 issued by the Ministry of Education.
LSAT—India on the other hand is conducted by Pearson Vue which is well-known globally for administering exams. LSAT—India also has some big names from private law schools as its participating institutes. With approximately 92 questions to be completed in 120 minutes, candidates get more time per question when compared to CLAT. There is no negative marking as well.
So, In the CLAT vs LSAT—India debate over the difficulty level it can be said that LSAT—India is relatively easier than the Common Law Admission Test.
Also Read: Top Law Entrance Exam - CLAT, AILET, AP LAWCET, TS LAWCET, MH CET Law
To understand the level of competition in the LSAT—India vs CLAT, one has to see the number of candidates appearing for the exam and the number of seats on offer. Around 70000 candidates write the CLAT exam every year. There are approximately 3300 seats for 5 year LLB and close to 1300 seats for LLM.
On the other hand, close to 10000 candidates appear for the LSAT—India exam and about 5000 seats are on offer for 5 year LLB, 3 year LLB and LLM.
The difference between LSAT—India and CLAT in terms of the level of competition looks quite significant with more competition present in CLAT.
While there are many differences between LSAT—India and CLAT, both exams also have a few similarities and converging points. Overlaps in the syllabus of the exams will also ease the pressure on the candidates to prepare for these exams.
Both CLAT and LSAT India contain questions where the candidates have to read a piece of text or passage and answer questions based on the passage.
Both exams try to assess the candidate’s complex reading ability and logical and reasoning skills as these skills are deemed very necessary in the legal profession.
The emphasis on reading and reasoning is also evident by the lower weightage assigned to Mathematics in the CLAT and the absence of such a section in the LSAT—India.
As can be seen above, a lot of differences exist between the two popular law entrance exams. To answer the question of LSAT—India or CLAT is best? one has to look at the colleges that one can get into after clearing the exams and also look at the future prospects after completing legal studies from a particular institute. The perceptions about a particular institute may differ among the candidates leading to varied perceptions about which one is the better exam.
However, candidates would do well to appear for both exams. This will greatly increase the pool of colleges available to the candidates. Certain similarities in the syllabus of both exams exist as outlined above. This will help candidates prepare for both exams at the same time.
Also check -
There are 23 NLUs that are participating in the CLAT 2024 with the exceptions being NLU Delhi and NLU Meghalaya that have their own exams.
There are 65 private colleges participating in CLAT 2024.
As of now, there are around 12 law colleges associated with LSAT India.
The LSAT—India is administered by Pearson Vue
At present there are 17 participating colleges for LSAT—India
CLAT is undoubtedly one of the biggest law entrance exams in India. Compared with LSAT, CLAT is more widely accepted.
There are differences between LSAT—India and CLAT in terms of syllabus, exam pattern and participating colleges. However, they also converge on certain points. Both the exams are a test of the candidate's comprehension and reasoning ability.
Hello,
Yes, you can take part in CLAT counselling even if you passed through a supplementary exam. But make sure you have your final passing marksheet or result before the admission process starts.
Most colleges will ask for proof that you have passed your Class 12 before giving final admission. So, if your result comes out in time, you won’t face any problem.
Hope it helps !
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level entrance exam for law programs in India. As a Class 12 student, you're eligible to take the exam if you meet the minimum percentage requirements: 45% for general category and 40% for SC/ST.
Exam Pattern:
- Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper test)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Questions:120 multiple-choice questions
- Subjects: English Language, Current Affairs & GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark for correct answers, -0.25 marks for incorrect answers
Subjects and Weightage:
- English Language (20%):Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning
- Current Affairs & GK (25%): Awareness of current events and general knowledge
- Legal Reasoning (25%): Understanding legal principles and rules
- Logical Reasoning (20%): Logical and analytical reasoning skills
- Quantitative Techniques (10%): Mathematical operations and problem-solving
Preparation Tips:
- Start early to cover all topics thoroughly
- Practice regularly with mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and timing
- Utilize resources like CLAT study materials and online platforms for structured preparation
- Join study groups to share knowledge and stay updated
Coaching and Study Materials:
- Consider joining CLAT coaching after your 12th board exams, unless you're a self-study expert
- Use recommended study materials like "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis for English, "Lucent's General Knowledge" for GK, and "Manorama Yearbook" for current affairs
*Eligibility and Application:*
- Check the official CLAT website for application deadlines and process
- Ensure you meet the minimum percentage requirements and have a valid ID proof
and passport-sized photographs.
For more information CLAT 202 6
Hello,
In Vijayawada, several institutes offer CLAT coaching alongside intermediate studies. Here are some options:
1. Sri Chaitanya IAS Academy
2. Abhyaas LawPrep
3. T.I.M.E. Institute
4. Career Launcher
5. IMS Victory Academy
Hope it helps !
The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) syllabus includes five main sections: English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. For preparation, some recommended books are *Word Power Made Easy* by Norman Lewis for English, *Lucent’s General Knowledge* for GK, and *Manorama Yearbook* for current affairs. For Legal Reasoning, *Universal’s Guide to CLAT & LLB* is useful, while *A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning* by R.S. Aggarwal helps with reasoning. For Quantitative Techniques, *Quantitative Aptitude* by R.S. Aggarwal is a good choice. Regular mock tests and previous years' papers also enhance preparation.
Hello,
The CLAT 2025 exam results were announced early on December 7, 2024. However, due to legal challenges, the counselling process has been delayed, and the Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear related petitions on April 7, 2025.
Hope it helps !
A lawyer is a professional who practises law. An Individual in the lawyer career path defends his or her client's cases and makes arguments on his or her behalf in both criminal and civil proceedings. A lawyer may advise and assist clients on how they should handle their legal issues. An individual as a career in law in India is considered one of the most sought-after careers.
A lawyer's job requires inhibiting skills. It involves practical applications of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specialised individual problems or to facilitate the interests of those who hire a lawyer to perform legal services. Here, in this article, we will discuss how to become a lawyer after 10th, is lawyer a good career in India, and how to become a lawyer in India.
Are you searching for a civil lawyer job description? A civil lawyer is a law professional who deals with disputes that come under civil law. Civil law is applicable to issues related t property and business disputes, family disputes, and torts. A tort can be defined as a civil wrong that causes the other person harm or injury. A Civil lawyer handles disputes regarding personal injury, family relationships, real estate, and employment. A career as a civil lawyer requires working with government entities and business institutions.
Individuals in the human rights lawyer career path are legal professionals responsible for advocating for people whose inherent dignity has been violated and who have suffered a lot of injustice. They take cases to defend the human rights of minorities, vulnerable populations, the LGBTQI community, indigenous people and others.
A criminal lawyer is a lawyer who specialises in the field of crimes and punishments. Individuals who have been accused of committing a crime are guided by a criminal lawyer. Bail bond hearings, plea bargains, trials, dismissal hearings, appeals, and post-conviction procedures are all part of his or her work. Criminal law is the body of law that describes criminal acts, governs the arrest, prosecution, and trial of offenders, and defines the sentences and correctional options that are available to criminals.
Family lawyers are required to assist a client in resolving any family-related problem. In general, family lawyers operate as mediators between family members when conflicts arise. Individuals who opt for a career as Family Lawyer is charged with drafting prenuptial agreements to protect someone's financial interests prior to marriage, consulting on grounds for impeachment or civil union separation, and drafting separation agreements.
Cyber law careers deal with cyber law job opportunities concerning cybercrimes of all aspects such as cyberbullying, cyber frauds, cyber stalking, sharing personal information without consent, intellectual property and intellectual property, transactions, and freedom of speech.
An immigration lawyer is responsible for representing the individuals (clients) involved in the immigration process that includes legal, and illegal citizens and refugees who want to reside in the country, start a business or get employment.
A career as Government Lawyer is a professional who deals with law and requires to work for the government. He or she is required to work for either the state government or central government and is also known as Advocate General of the state and attorney general. A career as Government Lawyer requires one to work on behalf of government ministers and administrative staff. He or she gives legal advice and provides legal services in the public interest.
700+ Campus placements at top national and global law firms, corporates, and judiciaries
Ranked #1 Law School in India & South Asia by QS- World University Rankings | Merit cum means scholarships | Regular Admissions Deadline: 30th Apr'25
100+ Industry collaborations | 10+ Years of legacy
Ranked #1 Among all Private Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 | Scholarships worth 210 CR
Ranked #28 amongst Institutions in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in India for Academic Reputation by QS University Rankings | 16.6 LPA Highest CTC | Last Date to Apply: 28th April
Ranked 1 st among Top Law Schools of super Excellence in India - GHRDC | NAAC A+ Accredited | #36 by NIRF