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    Which Law Entrance Exam Should You Give After 12th Grade?

    Which Law Entrance Exam Should You Give After 12th Grade?

    Ritika JonwalUpdated on 04 Aug 2026, 12:28 PM IST

    Selecting the right law entrance test after 12th grade is probably the first and foremost decision that a student needs to make if he wants to have a career in law. With many law entrance tests held across India, there is always confusion among aspirants about which test they must prepare for. There are specific eligibility criteria, exam patterns, colleges, and admission processes associated with each test.

    Which Law Entrance Exam Should You Give After 12th Grade?
    Which Law Entrance Exam Should You Give After 12th Grade?

    There are some law entrance tests 2027 that provide admissions to National Law Universities (NLUs), while others are university-specific. Knowing the difference between such exams will help students select the one suited to their career objectives and legal studies preparation approach.

    This article talks about the major law entrance tests after 12th grade, their eligibility criteria, participating colleges, and how to select the right test.

    Entrance Exam After 12th Standard for Law

    Candidates interested in taking up a five-year law program after 12th standard need to take a few entrance exams depending upon the type of institute they wish to get admitted to. There are certain entrance exams that allow admissions to National Law Universities (NLUs), while there are other exams that offer admissions to renowned private universities and state law colleges. Knowledge about the objective of the entrance exam will enable one to take appropriate decisions.

    CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) 2027

    CLAT is the most widely taken law entrance exam in India for undergraduate admissions. The exam is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities and is accepted by all the National Law Universities (except NLU Delhi). CLAT 2027 allows one to gain admission to various integrated programs such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, and BCom LLB at the participating NLUs. The questions in CLAT are asked in sections like English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.

    All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) 2027

    AILET is organised only by the National Law University (NLU), Delhi. Only those candidates who want to join the institute must sit for this separate examination since CLAT score is not considered for admission to the institute’s BA LLB (Hons.). AILET is one of the toughest law entrance tests in the nation owing to the availability of very few seats.

    Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT) 2027

    SLAT 2027 is organised by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admissions to Symbiosis Law Schools spread across Pune, Noida, Hyderabad, and Nagpur. Candidates clearing the entrance test have to go through Personal Interaction (PI). It is a fine option for those who want to join some of the best private law schools.

    MH CET Law 2027

    Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MH CET Law) is organised by the State CET Cell, Maharashtra. It is accepted by a lot of government, aided, and private law colleges in the state of Maharashtra like Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai and ILS Law College, Pune. Those who want to pursue law in Maharashtra may give it a thought.

    Entrance Tests for Law Courses Offered at Various Universities

    In addition to national-level tests, there are some universities that offer their own entrance tests or have their own admission process for the integrated law courses. Candidates are advised to stay updated about the admission notices of the universities in order to avoid missing out on critical deadlines. Also, there can be some other recognised entrance tests for admissions in some universities, based on their admission policy.

    Note: LSAT India is no longer conducted by LSAC. Those candidates who previously intended to give this test are now advised to take up some other law entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, SLAT, MH CET Law, and others.

    Which Law Entrance Test Should Be Given after Class 12?

    The right law entrance exam for the candidate will depend on his/her career aspirations, law college preferences, and his/her preparedness level. Instead of appearing in random exams, candidates should first determine which universities they want to join and should prepare accordingly for the entrance exams of those universities.

    In case your target university is any of the NLUs, then CLAT is the best choice as it is accepted by the majority of NLUs in India. But, in case of getting admission to National Law University (NLU), Delhi, then you need to take AILET as the entrance test since it conducts its own entrance test for admission.

    Those students who are seeking admission in some reputed private law colleges can go for SLAT, as it offers admission in Symbiosis Law Schools. Those candidates who have the aim of pursuing their law education in some government/private colleges of Maharashtra need to give the MH CET Law entrance test.

    Some of the students take many law entrance exams simultaneously because all these exams, such as CLAT, AILET, and SLAT, test the same skills, including English, Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning, and General Knowledge, etc. Thus, giving more than one exam will increase the probability of getting admitted into a reputed law college. However, students must keep the dates and eligibility criteria in mind.

    Before filling out any application form, the following points need to be considered:

    • Participating Colleges & Universities

    • Eligibility criteria

    • Pattern of examination & syllabus

    • Number of seats available

    • Cut-offs of previous years

    • Application fees and important dates

    • Career prospects after completion of studies

    Amity University-Noida Law Admissions 2026

    Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026

    Integral University Law Admissions 2026

    Approved by BCI | Ranked #4 among Law Institutes in UP | NAAC A+ Accredited

    Selecting the correct entrance exam at the beginning of your preparation can enable you to design a study schedule and increase your chances of getting admission into your preferred law school.

    Conclusion

    Selection of the right law entrance exam after the completion of Class 12 is the initial step towards creating a successful legal career. Each law entrance exam has its own strengths and participating colleges, along with the admission process. While CLAT is the preferred mode for those who aspire to get admission into all National Law Universities, AILET becomes indispensable for admission into NLU Delhi. In the same manner, SLAT & MH CET Law provide options to pursue their studies in some of the best private & state law colleges in the country.

    Students should compare the eligibility criteria, syllabus, pattern of examination, participating colleges and career prospects before deciding on the entrance exam. Multiple law entrance exams can also help in increasing your chances of admission into a good law college.

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    Questions related to CLAT

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to CLAT ?

    Dear Student,

    CLAT PG stands for Common Law Admission Test Postgraduate. CLAT PG is a national-level entrance examination for admission to LLM programmes offered by participating National Law Universities (NLUs) and other institutions.

    Read more at : CLAT Full Form

    Hey there,

    If you mean CLAT eligibility for admission to 5-year LLB courses, there is no fixed CLAT score/rank that guarantees eligibility. You must first meet the basic Class 12 eligibility criteria, and admission is based on your CLAT rank, category, preferences, and counselling cut-offs.

    For NLUs, a better rank

    HI VEERENDRAPRASAD ,

    Please refer to the following study resources for CLAT 2027 Logical Reasoning

    1. How To Score 25+ In CLAT 2026 Logical Reasoning Section https://law.careers360.com/download/ebooks/how-score-25-in-clat-logical-reasoning-section

    2. CLAT 2026 Logical Reasoning Question Paper with Solutions: https://law.careers360.com/download/ebooks/clat-2026-logical-reasoning-question-paper-solutions

    3. CLAT Logical Reasoning Questions: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-logical-reasoning-questions

    4. How to prepare for CLAT logical

    Hello Student,

    Yes, if you have already completed your graduation, you can still appear for CLAT. The important thing is whether you want CLAT UG or CLAT PG:

    • CLAT UG: For admission to 5-year integrated courses such as BA LL.B. It requires a Class 12 qualification; having already completed college