CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 (Changed): Mode, Number of Questions, Topic-Wise Weightage, Marking Scheme

Common Law Admission Test 2026 ( CLAT )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 7 Dec '25

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Damini Aggarwal
Updated on Oct 8, 2025 13:12 IST

By Damini Aggarwal, Assistant Manager - Content

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 GK, 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.

 
 

 

Table of contents
  • 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
View More
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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

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CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Highlights

 

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

 

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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 %)

English Language

28-32 

28-32 

18.66 - 21.33

Current Affairs including General Knowledge

35-39 

35-39 

23.33 - 26

Logical Reasoning

28-32 

28-32

18.66 - 21.33

Legal Reasoning

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%

 

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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
 
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CLAT Syllabus 2026

The details of CLAT syllabus for each section are:

CLAT Sections Important Topics
English Language
  • Grammar (correction of incorrect grammatical sentences, fill in the blanks, etc.)
  • Vocabulary
Current Affairs including General Knowledge
  • Static GK (Arts & Culture and History)
  • Knowledge of all events happening nationally and internationally
Logical Reasoning
  • Relationships
  • Analogies
  • Logical Sequences
  • Arguments
Legal Reasoning
  • General awareness of contemporary legal and moral issues
Quantitative Techniques
  • Ratios and Proportions
  • Basic Algebra
  • Mensuration
  • Statistics

Also Read: Important topics to study from CLAT 2026 syllabus

 

View Syllabus
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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
  • English Grammar by Wren & Martin
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Current Affairs including General Knowledge
  • General Knowledge 2022-2023-2024 by Arihant Publications
  • Manorama Year Book
Logical Reasoning
  • A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
  • Arihant’s A New Approach to Verbal and Analytical Reasoning
Legal Reasoning
  • Pearson's Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning
  • Pearson’s Guide to the CLAT
Quantitative Techniques
  •  NCERT Class 10 Book
  • Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal

Also Read: CLAT Sample Papers 2026 PDF - Previous Years' Sample Paper Download Link

View list of Books
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CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern - Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the key questions asked around the exam pattern of CLAT exam are as under:

qna

CLAT Exam

Student Forum

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

Answered 22 hours ago

No, attempting CLAT 2026 is not compulsory for admission to BA LLB or B.Com LLB programs at Chandigarh University. This university follows its own admission process, and the university clearly states that students must appear for CUCET (Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test), which is the only

...Read more

C

Chetveer Shekon

Beginner-Level 5

Answered Yesterday

No, if you want to take admission at Chandigarh University, there is no need to give CLAT 2026 exam,

you must take the university's internal entrance exam, CUCET (Chandigarh University Common Entrance

Test) which is really very easy. The best part is that if you score well in CUCET, you can get big

sc

...Read more

R

Ritin Kansal

Beginner-Level 5

Answered Yesterday

Direct admission at Chandigarh University is possible through the CUCET entrance exam. For integrated law

programs, CLAT 2026 marks are not required. CUCET serves as the university's internal admission process,

assessing students' knowledge in areas such as logical reasoning, general awareness, and l

...Read more

A

Anju Rani

Beginner-Level 3

Answered Yesterday

Chandigarh University does not accept CLAT 2026 scores directly for admission to its LLB or integrated law programs. Instead, the university follows its own internal admission process, where appearing for CUCET (Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test) is mandatory for every law applicant, regard

...Read more

N

Naman Tripathi

Beginner-Level 3

Answered Yesterday

Yes, you can absolutely apply for a BA LLB seat at Chandigarh University without appearing for the CLAT 2026 exam. The university has its own entrance test, CUCET, which serves as the main admission gateway for integrated law programs. CUCET evaluates logical reasoning, legal aptitude, and general a

...Read more

s

sam

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, a student with a low CLAT 2026 score can still secure admission to Chandigrah University's BA LLB or B.Com. LLB Programs. CU does not requie CLAT fro admission, as it has its own entrance exam called CUCET, which is mandatory for all law aspirants. Your admission depends entirely on CUCET perfr

...Read more

62711873
Ravi

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, you heard it right, Chandigarh University has its own admission process and you can skip CLAT, because as the university has their own entrance test which is CUCET and this test is mandatory for your admission. If you score well in CUCET then you can get a scholorship that reduces your fees a l

...Read more

76561359
Prerana kumari

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 2 days ago

Hi.

The advantages of choosing Chandigarh University for law studies after clearing CLAT 2026 are-

placement

opportunities

competitive exams

experience

while your CLAT score won't be used, if you perform well in the CUCET, CU offers a well-rounded and practical legal education environment with strong indu

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered 2 days ago

 

Chandigarh University's University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) has a practical and career-focused curriculum that helps CLAT 2026-qualified students prepare for corporate law, litigation, or the judiciary. The programme covers all important subjects, including corporate law, criminal law, con

...Read more

A

Aadarshini

Guide-Level 11

Answered 2 days ago

No, CLAT exam is not mandatory for taking admission in BA LLB at Chandigarh University. For taking admission in university, you need to pass the Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test (CUCET). This test is mandatory for your admission. If you score well in CUCET then you can get a scholarship th

...Read more

s

sameer

Beginner-Level 5

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