CLAT 2027 Marks vs Rank: Key Differences, Merit List Deciding Factors

Common Law Admission Test 2027 ( CLAT )

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3 Aug '26 - 7 Nov '26

Anupama
Anupama Mehra
Deputy Manager – Content
CLAT 2027 Exam will tentatively be conducted on December 6, 2026. In this article, candidates can understand key differences between CLAT ranks and marks, and what is more important to secure a seat at NLUs in India. Both CLAT rank and marks are the deciding factors for the merit list.

CLAT 2027 Marks vs Rank analysis helps students to know what rank they can get with their secured marks in CLAT exam. Know about the vital merit list deciding factors to secure a seat in desired NLU here. CLAT rank and marks are both deciding factors for the merit list and admissions.

CLAT Marks vs Ranks

Difference between CLAT Marks and Ranks: Understanding the relation between CLAT 2027 Marks vs Rank is important for law students willing to get admission in top National Law Universities. Total scores highlight individual marks in CLAT exam. On the other hand, the final rank highlights the actual position of the candidate in the CLAT merit list. A small difference in marks can shift the overall rank. Several factors affect CLAT merit list, including the overall difficulty level of the examination, the number of students participating, the number of seats available and competition in NLUs for admission.

The CLAT 2027 exam date is December 6, 2026. Students who qualify the exam will be able to appear for CLAT Counselling. Both CLAT marks and ranks are important for law admissions. However, final rank is the actual deciding factor for selection. Marks represent the raw score on the exam. Ranks show position compared to other students. A little change in marks can heavily shift the overall rank. The merit list relies directly on these ranks to allocate NLU seats.

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Table of contents
  • What is CLAT Cut-Off?
  • CLAT 2027 Marks
  • CLAT Rank Predictor 2027
  • CLAT 2027 Reservation Categories
  • Difference between CLAT 2027 Rank and Marks
  • CLAT 2027 Marks vs Ranks - Deciding factor for Merit List
  • CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for UG Courses
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What is CLAT Cut-Off?

The CLAT cut-offs are the last rank that is needed for admission to the NLUs. As per the NIRF ranking, the top five NLUs are NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata and NLU Jodhpur. Candidates look forward to taking admission to these NLUs. CLAT Cutoff is always higher for these NLUs as compared to others.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the duration of CLAT PG exam?
A: 

The CLAT PG Exam will be held for duration of two hours; i.e. from 2 pm to 4 pm. Candidates have to answer 120 questions in the given time frame. The scores of CLAT LLM 2027 score will be accepted by 19 NLUs in the country. 

Q:   What is good rank in CLAT exam?
A: 

A good rank in the CLAT exam for general category students is under 1,000–1,500 to secure admission in top-tier National Law Universities (NLUs). A rank under 500 is considered excellent for the top 5 NLUs, while a rank up to 3,000–5,000 can still secure a seat in newer, mid-tier NLUs. 

Q:   How many NLUs participate in CLAT Exam?
A: 

As of 2026, 26 National Law Universities (NLUs) participate in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). These universities offer undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs, with over 5,600 seats available in total. NLU Delhi is the only exception, conducting its own entrance exam (AILET) rather than participating in CLAT

Q:   What is the CLAT exam duration?
A: 

The CLAT exam duration is two hours for both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate. It will have 120 multiple choice questions. For each correct answer one makrs will be given and -0.25 will be deducted for incorrect ones.

CLAT 2027 Marks

The Consortium of NLUs awards marks to a candidate based on their performance in all five sections of CLAT question paper as under

CLAT Sections

CLAT total questions per section

CLAT total marks per section

CLAT Marking Scheme

English Language

28-32 questions

28-32 marks

1 mark awarded for each correct answer

0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer

0 marks awarded or deducted for no attempts

Current Affairs including GK

35-39 questions

35-39 marks

Logical Reasoning

28-32 questions

28-32 marks

Legal Reasoning

35-39 questions

35-39 marks

Quantitative Techniques

13-17 questions

13-17 marks

Total

120 questions

120 marks

Sum of all questions attempted minus incorrect attempts

For postgraduate courses as under

CLAT LLM Sections

Total MCQs

Total Marks

Sec A – Constitutional Law

120 questions

120 marks

Sec B - Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR and Jurisprudence.

Sec C – Law topics and Contemporary issues

Therefore, the scorecard of the CLAT result includes scores obtained by candidates in each section, as well as overall scores obtained in the exam.

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CLAT Rank Predictor 2027

To shortlist candidates for the final seat allotment process, the exam authority arranges their names in order of merit. The merit ranks of candidates qualifying CLAT 2027 exam are based on the following factors

  • Section-wise marks in CLAT
  • Overall scores obtained in CLAT
  • Age of the candidate

In case there are ties in marks of two or more candidates, then the merit rank will be determined as under:

For undergraduate courses -

  • Candidates securing higher marks in the legal aptitude section of CLAT UG question paper will be ranked higher
  • In case of further tie, candidates older in age will be ranked higher
  • Finally, if the tie still exists, then a computerised draw of lots.

For postgraduate courses -

  • A candidate older in age is ranked higher
  • In case of further ties, a computerised draw of lots will determine the ranks of candidates
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Who conducts the CLAT Exam?
A: 

The CLAT Exam is conducted by consortiumofnlus.ac.in. All those candidates who are looking forward to getting admission at NLUs must appear for the exam. Apart from NLU Delhi, admission to all the NLUs are done through CLAT. 

Q:   Is it better to start preparing for CLAT Exam along with boards?
A: 

It totally depends on you that when you should start preparing for CLAT. If you want really good marks in board exams, focus on that at first and then prepare for CLAT. If you can manage boards and CLAT preparation side by side then go for it, but do not affect your board scores.

Q:   How do I improve my Current Affairs for CLAT?
A: 

To improve Current Affairs for CLAT, students should read newspapers and stay updated with important events.

Q:   How do I improve my Data Interpretation for CLAT?
A: 

To improve CLAT Data Interpretation section, candidates should revise important formulas and previous years' caselets.

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CLAT 2027 Reservation Categories

CLAT ranks are arranged for each category as follows:

  • General
  • Scheduled Caste
  • Scheduled Tribes
  • Kashmiri Migrants
  • Other Backward Classes
  • Persons with Disabilities/ Specially Abled Persons
  • J&K candidates
  • Economically Weaker Section

Difference between CLAT 2027 Rank and Marks

The major difference between CLAT 2027 ranks and marks is

  • Marks are consolidated scores obtained in the CLAT exam
  • Ranks are positioned in each category on the basis of marks and tie-breaking criteria

Therefore, it becomes essential for a candidate to score well in CLAT exam, in order to get a higher rank in the merit list.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How do I improve my CLAT Coding Decoding?
A: 

Improve by memorizing the numerical ranks of the alphabet (A=1 to Z=26) and practicing timed daily speed drills to spot patterns instantly.

Q:   What is the mode of CLAT Exam?
A: 

The mode of the CLAT exam is offline or paper-based mode. Candidates are handed over hardcopy of CLAT question paper and OMR sheets to answer the questions. Candidates will have to be careful while filling OMR sheet as any scratch or cuts in the OMR sheet will lead to disqualification. 

Q:   What is the duration of CLAT Exam?
A: 

The CLAT exam duration is two hours for both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate. It will have 120 multiple choice questions. For each correct answer one mark will be given and -0.25 will be deducted for incorrect ones.

Q:   How can I know the allotted CLAT exam centre?
A: 

Candidates can check the allotted CLAT Exam Centre on their admit card. It must be noted that there is no way to know the exam centre except checking the hall ticket.

CLAT 2027 Marks vs Ranks - Deciding factor for Merit List

Both CLAT rank and marks are the deciding factors for the merit list, as the exam authority allots ranks on the basis of marks obtained by candidates. Further, the qualified candidates are segregated on the basis of category (including horizontal reservations) for all NLUs.

CLAT Cutoff Marks vs Ranks

The cutoff marks for CLAT 2027 mean the minimum marks a candidate needs to secure in all the sections as well as the overall question paper. Whereas, CLAT cutoff rank 2027 indicates category-wise rank (last) eligible to get admission in a particular NLU.

CLAT 2027 Marks

Here are the cutoff marks for the CLAT exam

CLAT Sections

Difficulty Level

Expected cut off

English Language

Easy

20+

Current Affairs including GK

Moderate

30+

Logical Reasoning

Moderate

15+

Legal Reasoning

Easy to Moderate

20+

Quantitative Techniques

Moderate

10+

Total

Moderate

95-115

CLAT Cutoff Ranks 2027

The merit list is published for all participating NLUs, and category-wise ranks by the consortium. Candidates can check the same below

CLAT 2025 Participating NLUs

Opening Rank

Closing Ranks

Download CLAT 2025 1st Merit List PDF

National Law School of India University, Bangalore

1 16544 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NLSIU Bangalore

NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

17 7713 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NALSAR

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

57 29717 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for WBNUJS BA LLB (Hons.)

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

299 18509 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for WBNUJS BSc. LLB. (Hons.) [Criminology and Forensic]

National Law Institute University, Bhopal


257 16572 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NLIU Bhopal for BA LLB
438 24911 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NLIU Bhopal B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) [Cyber Security]

National Law University, Jodhpur

159 39868 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NLU Jodhpur

Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar

164 14022 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for GNLU Gandhinagar

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow

460 21506 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for DRMNLU

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala

95 29588 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for RGNLU

Chanakya National Law University Patna


882 30737 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for CNLU Patna - BA LLB
1215 44258 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for CNLU Patna - BBA LLB

National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi

350 56347 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NUALS

National Law University Odisha, Cuttack

382 50544 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NLU Odisha

National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi

864 36722 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NUSRL Ranchi

National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam

1163 45940 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NLU Assam

Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU),Visakhapatnam

957 42139 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for DSNLU

The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli

1231 44669 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for TNNLU BA LLB
1259 44760 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for TNNLU BCom LLB (Hons.)

Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai

418 31018 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for MNLU Mumbai BA LLB

Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur


680 54410 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for MNLU Nagpur BA LLB
681 51639 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for MNLU Nagpur BBA LLB

Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad

1023 59856 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for MNLU Aurangabad BA LLB
1361 56843 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for MNLU Aurangabad BBA LLB

Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla

949 43876 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for HPNLU Shimla- BA LLB
1135 44095 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for HPNLU Shimla - BBA LLB

Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur

1060 51352 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for DNLU Jabalpur - BA LLB

Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana

626 53778 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for DNLU Jabalpur - BBA LLB

Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur

463 47261 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for HNLU Raipur

National Law University, Tripura

31168 57038 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for NLU Tripura

GNLU Silvassa Campus

755 52920 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for GNLU Silvassa
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLUP), Prayagraj

1102 45273 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for RPNLUP
India International University of Legal Education and Research Goa - B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) 1314 48454 CLAT 2025 First Merit List for IIULER Goa BA LLB Hons.
India International University of Legal Education and Research Goa - B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) 1198 49603 CLAT 2025 First Merit List For IIULET Goa BBA LLB Hons.

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CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for UG Courses

Candidates can download seat allotment for CLAT undergraduate course from the table below once released.

CLAT 2027 Participating NLUs

Download CLAT 2027 2nd Merit List

National Law School of India University, Bangalore

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NLSIU Bangalore

NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NALSAR

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for WBNUJS

National Law Institute University, Bhopal

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NLIU Bhopal (BA LLB)

National Law University, Jodhpur

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NLU Jodhpur

Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for GNLU

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for DRMNLU

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for RGNUL

Chanakya National Law University Patna

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for CNLU Patna - BA LLB

National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NUALS Kochi

National Law University Odisha, Cuttack

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NLUO

National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NUSRL

National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NLUJAA

Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) Visakhapatnam

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for DSNLU

The Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirapalli

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for TNNLS - BA LLB

Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for MNLU Mumbai

Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for MNLU Nagpur (BA LLB)

Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for MNLU Aurangabad - BA LLB

Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for HPNLU Shimla - BA LLB

Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for DNLU Jabalpur

Dr B R Ambedkar National Law University Sonipat, Haryana

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for DRBNLU Haryana

Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for HNLU Raipur

NLU Tripura

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for NLU Tripura

GNLU Silvassa

CLAT 2027 Second Merit List for GNLU Silvassa

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About the Author
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Anupama Mehra
Deputy Manager – Content

She has over 10 years of experience in the education and publishing sectors. She specialises in exam coverage and content creation. At Shiksha, she writes, analyses, and presents information for students preparing f

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REVA CLAT Exam

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 days ago

Neither CLAT nor SLAT is universally better. They serve different career goals, test styles, and college targets. Students who want to get into National Law Universities should appear for CLAT. The SLAT exam is held for admission to Symbiosis Law Schools.

A

Aashish Jha

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 days ago

The CLAT 2027 application correction facility is available now till November 10.

S

Saakshi Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 6 days ago

Yes, the CLAT 2027 registration deadline has been extended. Candidates can now apply online till November 7, 2026.

R

Rashmi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

You can access official CLAT resources and practice materials through structured prep pages on Shiksha CLAT Question Papers.

S

Swati Pandey

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, for some of them. Bahra lists scholarships based on JEE Main marks and CLAT rank, along with BUSET, CAT, MAT, and CUET percentile scores. I am not sure about NEET, so confirm that with the admissions office. 

110008221
shalinee thakur

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 weeks ago

The CLAT or Common Law Admission Test, is conducted to select candidates for the 5-year Integrated Law Course offered by the National Law Universities across the nation. CLAT PG is conducted to select the candidates for the PG courses.

A

Akanksha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

Best CLAT Coaching institute in Faridabad in my experience is LegalEdge. I have myself experienced through their amazing demo classes and very experienced faculty.

A

Alyana Singh

Beginner-Level 2

Answered 3 weeks ago

I think the best CLAT coaching institute in Bangalore shouldn't be a direct decision. Take demo sessions from multiple centers and check for authentic results by the organisation with verifiable claims.

I did study from LegalEdge and know correctly about the recent results they have claimed. You can

...Read more

A

Alyana Singh

Beginner-Level 2

Answered 3 weeks ago

BA LLB is also a good course for future after complete the class 12th.Quantum University is one of the good university who provide the BA LLB and BBA LLB course with affordable with affordable fees as comparison to other university.Quantum University is a UGC, BCI, and PCI approved university.The pl

...Read more

59442183
Rakesh chand

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 4 weeks ago

No you don't need to memorise every section. Focus on important concepts key provisions definitions and CLAT style application questions. Understanding legal principles is more important than memorising section numbers.

D

Diksha chandrakant

Contributor-Level 9