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CLAT VS LSAT – Which Test Should You Take?

Introduction:

Both the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) are crucial entrance exams for aspiring law students in India, each serving different purposes and institutions. In this blog , we will look at the  detailed comparison of the two:


CLAT VS LSAT – Which Test Should You Take?


Overview

CLAT

  • Conducting Body: Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)

  • Exam Level: National

  • Frequency: Once a year

  • Participating Colleges: 24 NLUs and over 65 associated colleges

  • Courses Offered: Integrated 5-year LLB, LLM


LSAT

  • Conducting Body: Law School Admission Council (LSAC)

  • Exam Level: National

  • Frequency: Twice a year (January and June)

  • Participating Colleges: 16+ private law colleges

  • Courses Offered: 5-year LLB, 3-year LLB, LLM


Exam Structure

Feature

CLAT

LSAT

Exam Mode

Offline (pen-paper)

Online (remote proctored)

Duration

2 hours

2 hours 20 minutes

Total Questions

120

92

Marking Scheme

+1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect

+1 for correct, no negative marking

Sections Covered

CLAT

  • English Language

  • Current Affairs and General Knowledge

  • Legal Reasoning

  • Logical Reasoning

  • Quantitative Techniques


LSAT

  • Reading Comprehension

  • Analytical Reasoning

  • Logical Reasoning (two sections)


Difficulty Level and Competition

CLAT is generally considered more challenging due to its higher number of questions within a shorter timeframe and the presence of negative marking, which adds pressure on candidates. Approximately 70,000 candidates compete for around 4,600 seats across NLUs each year.

In contrast, LSAT is perceived as somewhat easier because it allows guesswork without penalties for incorrect answers. About 10,000 candidates appear for LSAT annually, competing for around 5,000 seats in various private law colleges.


Application Fees

  • CLAT: INR 4,000 for general/OBC/PWD/NRI candidates; INR 3,500 for SC/ST/BPL candidates.

  • LSAT: Approximately INR 3,999 for all categories with potential discounts for reserved categories.


Conclusion

Choosing between CLAT and LSAT largely depends on the candidate's target institutions and their preparation strategy. CLAT is essential for admission to prestigious NLUs, while LSAT opens doors to several private law colleges. Many candidates opt to take both exams to maximize their opportunities in law school admissions.

We know and understand that the application process can be overwhelming, so we are here for you. The study abroad experts at Hello Study Global are there for you every step of the way. From preparing for entrance exams to college applications, we will guide you to success.

Feel free to reach out to us at Hello Study Global.


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