CLAT 2025 vs. Other Law Entrance Exams: Which is Better?
Candidates interested in pursuing Law courses at their graduation level can get admission to various reputed colleges by appearing for various entrance exams. Law aspirants appear in some prominent entrance exams such as CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), AIL ET (All India Law Entrance Test), and LSAT India (Law School Admission Test). The other exams, namely SLAT (Symbiosis Law Admission Test), MH CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test), NLS LAT (National Law School Entrance test), DU LLB, IPU CET, and many more are also preferred for admission to various Law programs in various Law colleges.
CLAT vs AIL ET vs LSAT 2025
The details of the most preferred Law Entrance exams are as follows:
| Particulars |
CLAT Exam |
AI LET Exam |
LSAT India Exam |
| Exam conducting Body |
Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
National Law University (NLU), Delhi |
Pearson VUE |
| Exam Duration |
120 minutes |
120 minutes |
35 minutes for each section |
| Exam Mode |
Offline (Pen & Paper Mode) |
Offline (Pen & Paper Mode) |
Online, remote proctored mode |
| Exam sections |
Five sections:
English Including Comprehension
Current Affairs Including General knowledge
Legal Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Quantitative techniques
|
3 sections:
English Language
Current Affairs and General Knowledge
Logical Reasoning
|
4 sections:
Logical Reasoning
Analytical Reasoning
Reading Comprehension
Experimental Section & Writing Sample
|
| Exam Marks |
120 marks |
150 marks |
92 marks |
|
Courses for Admission
|
UG & PG Law programs |
5-year integrated BA LLB, LLM, and PhD programs |
UG, PG, and Integrated law programs |
| Participating colleges |
24 National Law universities |
NLU, Delhi & other affiliated colleges |
15+ colleges accept LSAT score |
| Exam Marks |
120 marks |
150 marks |
Scale of 420-480 |
| Negative marking |
-0.25 marks for an incorrect answer |
-0.25 marks for an incorrect answer |
No negative marking |
Law Entrance Exam Comparison, 2025
There are various national-level, state-level, and institutional-level law entrance exams conducted across India for the admission of Law aspirants in various UG, PG, and Doctoral programs. Some of the exams and the details of those exams are as follows:
NLS LAT:
The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru conducts NLS LAT for the admission of law aspirants in 3-year LLB programs in the institute. The institute offers 120 seats in the 3-year LLB program.
Eligibility criteria:
- Candidate must have a minimum of 45% (40% for reserved category) in the Bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
- Candidates appearing for the final exams of the UG can also apply. However, candidates have to submit their final marks during the admission process.
Exam mode: Offline
Type of questions: Part A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Part B: Subjective Questions
Exam Duration: 150 minutes
Number of questions: Part A: 75
Part B: 10 Descriptive question+1 essay question
Total marks: Part A: 75
Part B:75
Negative marking: -0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer
SLAT:
Symbiosis International University, a deemed university, conducts an online entrance exam Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT), for the admission of UG programs in Symbiosis Law Schools in Pune, Noida, and Hyderabad.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidate must have a minimum of 45% (40% for reserved category) in the 12th class for a recognized university.
- Candidates appearing for the final exams of the 12th class can also apply. However, candidates have to submit their final marks during the admission process.
Exam mode: online
Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Exam Duration: 60 minutes
Number of questions: 60
Total marks: 60
Negative marking: no negative marking
MH CET LAW:
Maharashtra State CET Cell conducts Maharashtra CET Law, for the admission of students in various law colleges in Maharashtra. The aspirants can get admission in both 3-year and 5-year LLB programs through this exam across the state.
Eligibility Criteria:
5-year program:
- Candidates must have passed the 12th class with a minimum of 45% marks (40% in case of SC/ST) (42% in case of VJNT, SBC, OBC) from a recognized university.
3 year program:
- Candidate must have graduated with a minimum of 45% marks (40% in case of SC/ST) (42% in case of VJNT, SBC, OBC) from a recognized university.
Exam mode: Online in exam centers
Type of questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Exam Duration: 120 minutes
Number of questions: 150
Total marks: 150
Negative marking: no negative marking
Exam Languages: English & Marathi
CLAT or AIL ET: Which is better?
The CLAT exam and AIL ET exam are similar in the pattern and syllabus offered to their students. The candidate can expect the same level of difficulty and challenges while cracking both exams. The main difference in both is that CLAT provides the opportunity for the aspirant to get admission to 24 Law Schools across the nation, whereas AILET offers admission to National Law, Delhi University, and other affiliated colleges.
So, considering the student's preference, it depends on the student to choose which to choose among these two exams. It is even advisable to opt for both exams as it provides advantages of both exams.
LSAT India vs CLAT 2025
The CLAT exam has 120 minutes to answer 150 (UG), and 120 (PG) questions for a total of 150 and 120 marks. Whereas, the LSAT exam is conducted in the online remote proctored mode for 140 minutes approximately, to answer 93 questions and the scores range from 420 to 480. The CLAT exam is conducted once a year, but the LSAT is organized twice a year.
LSAT is considered less difficult compared to the CLAT exam as the students feel it is difficult to solve due to the vast syllabus. There is a negative marking in CLAT which makes it more difficult than the LSAT India which has no negative marking. The students can get admission to more law schools through the CLAT compared to the LSAT.
Law entrance exam difficulty levels
Law students have the privilege to appear in various Law entrance exams, each exam has a similar syllabus. The students find it difficult to crack the CLAT exam due to its vast exam syllabus and complicated pattern. The most difficult part students fear while solving CLAT is its negative marking.
Scheme. The questions appearing in the CLAT and other entrance exams are the same as there are easy, moderate, and difficult questions.
The CLAT Syllabus includes five sections such as English Language, and Current Affairs including General knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, and quantitative techniques. The aspirants are supposed to have deep knowledge of the topics covered in these sections. The questions will be based on the passages, and the candidate has to understand and answer the questions.
The syllabus of other entrance exams is similar to that of the CLAT exam, the candidate's knowledge of current affairs, general knowledge, English proficiency, and mathematical skills are tested in all the entrance exams.
Top Law Exams Comparison, India
The candidates wanting to appear for the law entrance exam in India have a wide range of options, the candidates can compare the entrance exams offered by various organizations and select which one to appear for based on their preferences on the course they want to pursue, choice of institute/city in which they desire to pursue. The entrance exams in India are classified based on National-level, State-level, and university levels, based on which admission opportunities also vary. Some of the details of prominent Law entrance exams are briefed in the above section of this article.
Choosing the Right Law Entrance Exam
As there are numerous Law Entrance exams offered across the country, it is the candidate's responsibility to carefully understand the exam structure, pattern, syllabus, and cut-off details of these exams, even the candidates have to carefully check the eligibility before applying for the exam.
The candidate has to understand one’s priority based on which choice of the entrance exam is made. The candidate can choose the exam based on factors such as easy syllabus, nearest exam centers, and increased chances of admission to law colleges, etc.
Career opportunities after CLAT 2025
The CLAT exam not only helps the student to get admission to reputed colleges, but it also provides better career opportunities in law firms. Some of the job role candidates are settled due to CLAT performance are:
| Job Role |
Average Salary (INR) |
| Corporate Compliance Officer |
6.5 LPA |
| Legal Journalist |
4 LPA- 5 LPA |
| Legal Tech Entrepreneurship |
4 LPA- 6 LPA |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution |
9.5 LPA |
| IP Rights Consulting |
LPA |
Pros and cons of CLAT exam
The candidates feel CLAT is a better platform to get admission to Law Schools, but along with these, there are certain disadvantages as well compared to other exams.
Pros:
- Opportunities for admission in more law schools.
- Vast syllabus provides more knowledge about Law concepts
- Helps in career growth
Cons:
- Complicated syllabus and pattern
- Negative marking for incorrect answers
Contact PlanEdu Expert Counselors for personalized admission guidance in India's top law colleges like Alliance School of Law, Acharya School of Law (ASL), PESU Law School, ISBR Law School, MS Ramaiah College of Law (MSRCL), RV Institute of Legal Studies, and other prestigious institutions. Our team of experts will assist you throughout the admission process, ensuring you make informed decisions and secure your place in the best law colleges.
FAQs:
1) Is the CLAT exam simpler compared to the LSAT exam?
The CLAT exam is a bit tougher compared to the LSAT exam.
2)Does the LSAT exam have negative marks for incorrect answers?
No, the LSAT exam has no negative marking scheme.
3)Which exam should I choose if I want to get admission to NLU, Delhi?
To get admission to NLU, Delhi you can appear for both CLAT and AILET exams or only AILET.
4)Can I advance in my career after my CLAT exam?
Yes, you can advance in your career after CLAT.
