Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)

Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is an all India entrance examination conducted by eleven National Law Universities for admissions to their under-graduate and post-graduate degree programmes (LL.B & LL.M). CLAT 2012 is being conducted by The National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur.

The pattern of the question paper is different for the under-graduate & post-graduate programme:

The CLAT paper for entry to the under-graduate programme will have 200 questions for 200 marks and will be of 2 hours duration. The subject areas tested with the weightage of marks:

1. English including Comprehension - 40 Marks
2. General Knowledge/ Current Affairs - 50 Marks
3. Mathematics - 20 Marks
4. Logical Reasoning - 40 Marks
5. Legal Aptitude/Legal Awareness - 50 Marks

The CLAT paper for entry to the post-graduate programme will have

1. 100 objective type questions (100 marks)
2. 10 Short-answer questions (100 marks)

Totaling 200 marks. The exam is of 2 hours duration and will test you on subject areas like Law of Contracts, Law of Torts, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory.

For LL.B: The candidate should have passed his/her Higher Secondary School/Intermediate Examination (10+2) or its equivalent examination with not less than 50% marks in aggregate (45% in case of SC/ST/OBC and persons with Disability). Candidates who have appeared in the 10+2 examination and are awaiting results are also eligible to appear in the test. Age of candidate should not be more than 20 years (General/OBC candidates) or 22 years (SC/ST and persons with Disability).

For LL.M: A candidate should have obtained a LL.B/B.L. Degree or an equivalent degree from a recognised University with not less than 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST /OBC and persons with Disability). Candidates who have appeared in the qualifying degree examination and are awaiting results are also eligible to appear in the test.

To prepare for the under-graduate CLAT, practice and become proficient in English, GK/current affairs, mathematics, logical reasoning and legal aptitude. Practice enough questions of comprehension passages and grammar (incorrect grammatical sentences, filling in of blanks in sentences with appropriate words, etc.) Brush up your knowledge of current affairs (broadly defined as matters featuring in the mainstream media between May 2011 and May 2012). Re-visit your elementary mathematics formulae and concepts i.e. maths taught till the class 10. For the legal aptitude section take note that you will not be tested on any prior knowledge of law or legal concepts. If a technical/legal term is used in the question, that term will be explained in the question itself. The questions will be designed to test students only on “legal aptitude”. The best way to prepare is through practice.

With CLAT you can apply to the following 14 participating National Law Universities:

1. National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
2. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)
3. National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)
4. The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)
5. National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
6. Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)
7. Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
9. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala (RGNUL)
10. Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
11. National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
12. National Law University, Orissa (NLUO)
13. National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
14. National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA)

Issue of application forms from all CLAT -2012 participating universities and specified branches of State Bank of India from – 2 January, 2012 (Monday)

Last Date for submission of filled-in entrance examination application forms – 31 March, 2012 (Saturday)

Issue of Hall Tickets to the candidates upto – 14 April, 2012 (Saturday)

Date of CLAT– 13 May 2012 (Sunday) (3.00 P.M. – 5.00 P.M)

Results – 28 May 2012 (Monday)

Completion of admission process – 30 June, 2012 (Saturday)

Commencement of classes – 2 July, 2012 (Monday)