CLAT vs. AILET vs. SLAT: Which Exam Should You Choose?

If you're aspiring to study law in India, you’ve likely come across three major entrance exams—CLAT, AILET, and SLAT. Each exam opens doors to prestigious law schools, but they differ in structure, difficulty, and opportunities. So, which one should you choose? Let’s break down the key differences to help you decide.

1. Overview of the Exams

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

• Conducted by: Consortium of NLUs (National Law Universities)

• Participating Colleges: 24 NLUs (including top-tier institutes like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NUJS Kolkata)

• Exam Frequency: Once a year

• Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)

AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)

• Conducted by: National Law University (NLU), Delhi

• Participating Colleges: Only NLU Delhi (but one of the most prestigious law schools in India)

• Exam Frequency: Once a year

• Exam Mode: Offline (Pen-and-Paper Test)

SLAT (Symbiosis Law Admission Test)

• Conducted by: Symbiosis International University

• Participating Colleges: 5 Symbiosis Law Schools (Pune, Hyderabad, Noida, Nagpur, and Bengaluru)

• Exam Frequency: Once a year

• Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)

2. Exam Pattern Comparison

Section	CLAT (120 Qs, 120 mins)	AILET (150 Qs, 90 mins)	SLAT (60 Qs, 60 mins)
English	28-32 Qs	50 Qs	12 Qs
Logical Reasoning	28-32 Qs	40 Qs	12 Qs
Legal Reasoning	35-39 Qs	50 Qs (includes Legal Aptitude)	12 Qs (Legal Aptitude)
Quantitative Techniques	13-17 Qs	10 Qs (Elementary Maths)	12 Qs
General Knowledge	35-39 Qs	30 Qs (Current Affairs + Static GK)	12 Qs (GK + Current Affairs)
Legal GK (AILET Only)	-	10 Qs (Legal Maxims, Judgments)	-

Key Differences:

• CLAT is the most comprehensive, testing all major areas with moderate difficulty.

• AILET is the toughest, with more questions in less time and a strong focus on Legal Aptitude.

• SLAT is the shortest and easiest among the three, with fewer questions and a simpler structure.

3. Difficulty Level & Competition

• CLAT: Moderate to high difficulty; high competition due to seats across 24 NLUs.

• AILET: Most difficult—fast-paced, tricky questions, and only 83 seats in NLU Delhi.

• SLAT: Easiest among the three, but Symbiosis Law Schools are private (higher fees).

4. Which Exam Should You Prioritize?

Choose CLAT If:

✅ You want a national-level law entrance with multiple NLU options.

✅ You prefer a balanced difficulty level (not as tough as AILET).

✅ You’re aiming for top NLUs like NLSIU, NALSAR, or NUJS.

Choose AILET If:

✅ You’re specifically targeting NLU Delhi (one of the best law schools).

✅ You’re confident in handling a highly competitive, fast-paced exam.

✅ You have strong Legal Reasoning & GK skills.

Choose SLAT If:

✅ You want a backup option apart from NLUs.

✅ You prefer a shorter, less stressful exam.

✅ You’re okay with private college fees (higher than NLUs).

5. Can You Prepare for All Three Together?

Yes! Since there’s an overlap in syllabus (English, Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude, GK), preparing for CLAT covers most of AILET and SLAT. However:

• AILET requires extra speed and deeper Legal Knowledge.

• SLAT is simpler but needs quick solving due to less time per question.

Pro Tip: Focus primarily on CLAT + AILET if you’re aiming for top NLUs. SLAT can be a good backup.

Final Verdict: Which Exam is Best for You?

• For Top-Tier NLUs (NLSIU, NALSAR, NLU Delhi): CLAT + AILET

• For a Balanced Approach with Multiple Options: CLAT (covers most NLUs)

• For Private Law Schools with Lower Competition: SLAT

Your choice depends on your target colleges, preparation level, and risk appetite. If possible, attempt all three to maximize your chances!

Best of luck with your law entrance journey! 🚀