
CLAT 2026 exam pattern - The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) has released the CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 along with the CLAT Notification 2026. For CLAT 2024 Exam, the Consortium revised the CLAT exam pattern 2024. Hence, the CLAT Exam pattern was not changed for CLAT 2026.As per the exam pattern of CLAT, the CLAT Question Paper will have 120 section and five sections; i.e. English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.
The exam pattern of CLAT 2026 carries all the important information such as the mode of exam, total number of questions, marking scheme, etc. Candidates are advised to go through the exam pattern of CLAT 2026 thoroughly before appearing for CLAT Exam 2026. It must be noted that the exam pattern of CLAT is also an important part of CLAT preparation. Read below all about CLAT exam pattern 2026, including sectional weightage, exam structure, sectional time limit, marking scheme and sections.
- CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Key Features
- CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Highlights
- CLAT 2026 Sectional Weightage
- CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
- CLAT Syllabus 2026
- CLAT Books 2026
- CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern - Frequently Asked Questions
CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Key Features
Candidates appearing for CLAT 2026 must note that the consortium has released the CLAT Exam Pattern. Candidates can check CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 below to start preparation:
- Passage-based questions: Except for the CLAT Quantitative Technique section 2026, the remainder of the four sections will include passage-based questions. The English, Current Affairs, and Logical Reasoning sections will include 450-word passages. The Logical Reasoning section will have short passages of about 350 words. Each passage will be followed by a series of questions.
- Quantitative Techniques section: The section will include short sets of facts, propositions, graphs, pictorial representation, etc. The candidate has to derive answers from such passages, representations, etc.
- CLAT 2026 total number of questions and marking scheme:The CLAT UG exam will contain 120 multiple-choice questions; each question will carry 1 mark.
- Negative marking: There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for an incorrect answer.
- Total marks: CLAT 2026 exam is conducted for 120 marks.
- Exam difficulty level: The difficulty of the CLAT exam 2026 will be of Class 12. Questions asked in Quantitative Techniques are of Class 10 difficulty level.
- Skills to be evaluated: The CLAT UG question paper will test the comprehension and reasoning skills of candidates. So, rote learning won't cut the ice.
Also Read: Mock Test for CLAT 2026, Sample Papers: Things to keep in mind
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Highlights
Concerning CLAT 2026 exam pattern, here are the main features of the exam pattern with details about the type of questions, test medium, and other details:
Particulars | CLAT Exam Pattern Highlights |
---|---|
Exam mode |
Pen-and-paper exam |
Exam duration |
Two hours |
Test language |
English |
Type of questions |
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Exam subjects |
Five (English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques) |
Total questions |
120 MCQs |
Maximum marks |
120 marks |
Marking scheme |
+1 for correct answer -0.25 for incorrect answer |
Latest: CLAT 2026 Courses: Check complete list, subject-wise eligibility criteria and other details
CLAT 2026 Sectional Weightage
The CLAT question paper for UG course admissions will carry 120 passage-based multiple-choice questions for a total of 120 marks. Going by the CLAT 2026 sectional weightage, candidates can check the section-wise questions weightage for each section as under:
Sections |
MCQs per section |
Maximum Marks |
Approximate Weightage (in %) |
---|---|---|---|
28-32 |
28-32 |
18.66 - 21.33 | |
35-39 |
35-39 |
23.33 - 26 | |
28-32 |
28-32 |
18.66 - 21.33 | |
35-39 |
35-39 |
23.33 - 26 | |
Quantitative Techniques (Elementry Mathematics up to Class 10) |
13-17 |
13-17 |
8.66 - 11.33 |
Total |
120 |
120 |
100% |
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern has not been changed. The consortium has released the marking scheme for CLAT 2026 Exam. Aspirants can refer to the marking scheme for UG courses below:
-
For every correct answer, candidates are awarded one mark
-
For every wrong attempt, 0.25 marks are deducted from their total score
-
No marks are awarded or deducted for questions not left un-attempted
CLAT Marking Parameters | Marks Awarded |
---|---|
Correct answer | +1 marks |
Incorrect answer | -0.25 marks |
Un-attempted question | 0 marks |
CLAT Syllabus 2026
The syllabus for UG includes mentions important topics that candidates must refer to prepare well for the exam. The details of CLAT syllabus for each section are:
CLAT Sections | Important Topics |
---|---|
English Language |
|
Current Affairs including General Knowledge |
|
Logical Reasoning |
|
Legal Reasoning |
|
Quantitative Techniques |
|
Also Read: Important topics to study from CLAT 2026 syllabus
CLAT Books 2026
Check few important section-wise CLAT books that candidates can refer to prepare for the exam:
CLAT Sections | Important CLAT Books |
---|---|
English Language |
|
Current Affairs including General Knowledge |
|
Logical Reasoning |
|
Legal Reasoning |
|
Quantitative Techniques |
|
Also Read: CLAT Sample Papers 2026 PDF - Previous Years' Sample Paper Download Link
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern - Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the key questions asked around the exam pattern of CLAT exam are as under:
CLAT Exam
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
To know if you are eligible for CLAT Exam or not you can visit the official website and check the notification. The notification which was earlier released by the consortium carries all important details like elgibility criteria, fees, exam dates etc. Once you have checked if you are eligible to app
Answered a week ago
You don't have to worry. In case you have forgotten your ID and password, which is pretty much normal. You can go and click on the forgot password tab in the registration window. You will receive the mail and then you have to reset your password. Once day you will be able to login.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
See, it doesn't matter that you fill the form through laptop or phone. What matters is you fill the form. Yes, you should have good network connection and internet speed. It should not happen that you have filled the form and when you reach the last step you loose the connection. So what is importan
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, the application form for CLAT was released long back in August. Those who have not filled the form yet must understand that there is no right day to fill the form. You should fill is as soon as possible. Because if you miss it you have to wait one more year unnecessarily to appear in the exam.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
This is so sad. But unfortunately, even with all the right documents, if you have not paid the application fee, your application form will be rejected. Since the application process is currently underwa, y you can still go and submit the fees. Once the window will close you won't be able to pay the
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The last date to submit the application form is October 31, 2025. It must be noted that the consortium will open the application correction window after that. Sometimes the consortium do extend the last date for registration but it is better to fill the form way before and why to wait.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Students can fill the application form by visiting the official website. You should know that there is no other way to fill the registration form. The application form is not released offline neither you can download the form and send it to the consortium. You should fill the form by October 31, 20
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
You can fill out CLAT form by following the simple steps given below:
- Go to the official website
- Click on the apply online link.
- Click on the login box.
- Go to the application form tab at the top.
- Enter your personal, qualification and preferences for NLU.
- Upload all your documents Pay the fees
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can fill out the CLAT Application Form in phases. There is an option to save in every step. However, it will be better if you fill the form in one go. For this, you should keep all the documents ready in hand. See if you fill the form in one go you don't have to worry about it.
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates can check the list of documents required to fill the registration form for CLAT below:
- Passport-Size Photograph
- Scanned Signature
- Class 10 Marksheet/Certificate
- Class 12 Marksheet
- Category Certificate
- PwD Certificate
- Domicile Certificate
- Valid Photo ID Proof
- Email ID and Mobile Number
P
Contributor-Level 6
CLAT Notifications
178 Institutes accepting CLAT
DSU - Dayananda Sagar University
Hosur Road, Bangalore • Private
- CLAT, Dayananda Sagar Law Admission Test
- ₹ 4.56 Lakh
- 3 years
- |
- Full Time
National Law School of India University, Bangalore
Vijayanagar, Bangalore • Public
GNLU Gandhinagar (NLU) - Gujarat National Law Univer...
Gandhinagar • Public
NLU Kolkata (NUJS) - The West Bengal National Univer...
Salt Lake City, Kolkata • Public
How will I know if I am eligible to appear in CLAT exam or not?