CLAT 2025: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Marking Scheme – A Complete Guide

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the most competitive law entrance exams in India, opening doors to top National Law Universities (NLUs) and other prestigious law schools. If you're targeting CLAT 2025, a clear understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme is essential for smart preparation.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know—section-wise weightage, important topics, and expert tips—to help you strategize effectively.

CLAT 2025 Exam Pattern (Detailed Breakdown)

CLAT 2025 will be a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be solved in 2 hours (120 minutes). The exam assesses comprehension, reasoning, and analytical skills rather than rote memorization.

Section-wise Distribution:

Section	No. of Questions	Weightage (Marks)	Key Focus Areas
English Language	22-26	22-26	Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary
Current Affairs & GK	28-32	28-32	Recent events, static GK, legal developments
Legal Reasoning	28-32	28-32	Legal principles, case-based questions
Logical Reasoning	22-26	22-26	Critical thinking, puzzles, syllogisms
Quantitative Techniques	10-14	10-14	Basic math, data interpretation
Total	120	120	2-hour duration

Marking Scheme:

✔ +1 mark for every correct answer

✔ -0.25 mark penalty for each wrong answer

✔ No negative marking for unattempted questions

Pro Tip: Since there’s negative marking, avoid blind guessing. Attempt only those questions you’re reasonably confident about.

CLAT 2025 Syllabus (Topic-wise Breakdown)

1. English Language (22-26 Questions)

• Reading Comprehension (Passages from contemporary issues, legal topics, or fiction)

• Grammar (Error spotting, sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks)

• Vocabulary (Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases)

Preparation Tip: Read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) daily to improve comprehension and vocabulary.

2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge (28-32 Questions)

• Recent Events (National & international news from the past 6-12 months)

• Static GK (Important awards, books, Indian Constitution, landmark judgments)

• Legal Updates (Recent Supreme Court rulings, new laws, international treaties)

Preparation Tip: Follow monthly current affairs magazines and quiz apps for quick revision.

3. Legal Reasoning (28-32 Questions)

• Legal Principles & Applications (Hypothetical situations testing legal understanding)

• Topics Covered:

  • Constitutional Law (Fundamental Rights, DPSP)

  • Contracts & Torts (Negligence, breach of contract)

  • Criminal Law (IPC, CrPC basics)

  • International Law (Human rights, treaties)

Preparation Tip: Focus on case-based learning rather than memorizing laws.

4. Logical Reasoning (22-26 Questions)

• Critical Reasoning (Arguments, assumptions, conclusions)

• Analytical Puzzles (Blood relations, seating arrangements)

• Logical Sequences (Coding-decoding, syllogisms)

Preparation Tip: Practice 50+ logical puzzles weekly to improve speed.

5. Quantitative Techniques (10-14 Questions)

• Basic Arithmetic (Percentages, ratios, averages)

• Data Interpretation (Graphs, tables, pie charts)

• Elementary Math (Profit & loss, time-speed-distance)

Preparation Tip: Strengthen basics from Class 10 NCERT Maths.

Preparation Strategy for CLAT 2025

1. Section-wise Approach

• English & Logical Reasoning: Daily practice (30 mins each)

• Current Affairs: 15-20 mins of news reading + monthly revisions

• Legal Reasoning: Solve 5-10 case studies daily

• Quantitative Techniques: Focus on accuracy, not speed

2. Mock Tests & Previous Papers

• Take 1-2 full-length mocks per week

• Analyze mistakes and improve weak areas

3. Time Management

• Allocate 30-35 mins per section

• Skip difficult questions initially, revisit later

4. Recommended Books

• English: Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis)

• GK: Lucent’s General Knowledge

• Legal Reasoning: Legal Awareness & Legal Reasoning (AP Bhardwaj)

• Logical Reasoning: Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (RS Aggarwal)

• Quantitative Techniques: Fast Track Objective Arithmetic (Rajesh Verma)

Final Thoughts

CLAT 2025 is not just about hard work but smart preparation. Focus on conceptual clarity, regular practice, and time management to maximize your score.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Understand the exam pattern to allocate time wisely

✔ Follow a daily study plan covering all sections

✔ Revise current affairs & legal principles regularly

✔ Avoid guesswork due to negative marking

Start early, stay consistent, and aim for a top NLU! 🚀