NLSAT Preparation Tips 2026: Complete Strategy, Guide & Revision Tips

National Law School Admission Test 2026 ( NLSAT )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 15 Nov '25 - 23 Mar '26

Swayam Gupta
Updated on Dec 4, 2025 17:50 IST

By Swayam Gupta, Associate Senior Executive

NLSAT 2026 Preparation is one of the most crucial parts for a candidate who wants to secure a seat in a 3-year LLB course at NLSIU Bangalore. The preparation will help candidates perform well in the examination, which ensures a good NLSAT 2026 score. Candidates appearing for NLSAT 2026 must devise a preparation strategy based on the exam pattern and syllabus of the entrance exam. In this article, we have shared a preparation plan for NLSAT, including tips to strategise, details of the exam pattern, syllabus and recommended books. 

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Q:   How many hours should I study to crack NLSAT Exam?
A: 

If you have enrolled in a coaching centre and already preparing for entrance exams then it is enough to crack NLSAT. For self-preparation, you need to have at least 1-1.5 months time which will be available as the NLSAT test comes at last only.
You need to keep an eye on the complete syllabus and practice as many problems as you can with the time limit as NLSAT requires speed and accuracy.

Q:   How many NLSAT preparation books are required to crack the test?
A: 

You can refer to any book you want there is no restrictions on it. The focus should be on quality preparation. You should solve old question papers and take lots of practise tests in addition to consulting the well known literature.

Table of contents
  • NLSAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
  • NLSAT 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
  • NLSAT 2026 Syllabus Topics
  • NLSAT Previous Year Question Paper
  • Best Books for NLSAT 2026 Preparation
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NLSAT 2026 Preparation Strategy

To prepare for the NLSAT exam, candidates must follow a strategy as given below

  1. Check the exam pattern & syllabus to know the subjects and weightage of the entrance exam
  2. Make a strategy comprising all the subjects and a schedule - daily, weekly etc. 
  3. Get books and reference material based on the subjects of NLSAT exam
  4. Clear all doubts and then practice questions for all the subjects 

Candidates can also take any other LLB entrance exam's mock tests that have same subjects as NLSAT question paper. Apart from this, candidates must also get updates around current affairs and legal domain with online sources. Although, the exam authority has clarified that candidate's need not have knowledge of law domain to attempt the examination, but current affairs is important section in Part A of the question paper, so candidates must not leave any topic including legal news. 

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is there negative marking in NLSAT Exam?
A: 

Yes, the NLSAT exam has negative marking of -0.25 marks for wrong attempt. Unanswered questions have no negative marking. Candidates must select questions to solve very carefully in the NLSAT exam. They should solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately.

  • 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

Q:   How can I prepare for NLSAT 2026?
A: 

Candidates were advised to prepare for NLSAT 2026 by following the simple steps given below:

  • Make a monthly and weekly timetable and keep the syllabus handy
  • Do not leave any topic, make sure you cover all the topics. Do try and finish on time so you have enough time for revision
  • Pratice as many as mock tests possible. Practice the tests frequently and analyze it to recognize your weak and strong areas. This will help you to know which topic requires work.
  • While attempting the question, try not make any assumption. Even on NLSAT 2026 Exam day, do not assume, as for every in
  • Do not make assumptions while attempting the questions in actual NLSAT as for every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
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NLSAT 2026 Exam Pattern Overview

Candidates who want to appear for the NLSAT 2026 can check the exam features below.

Features  Exam Pattern Details
Exam mode Pen-paper based test mode
Papers Single question paper in two parts - Part A and Part B
Test medium  English only
Total Subjects  5 subjects 
Type of questions  MCQs for Part A, and subjective (short answer type and Essay) for Part B of the question paper
Duration of exam 2 hour 30 minutes
Total questions  75 questions for Part A and 11 questions for Part B
Total marks 150 marks
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NLSAT 2026 Syllabus Topics

The NLSAT question paper, main topics are given below.

Subjects

Topics

English Comprehension

Grammar and comprehension, Proverbs, Synonyms and Antonyms, Substitute with one word, Correction of sentences and words, Spelling check

Current Affairs

Current affairs of national and international importance, History, Political Science, Economics and Environment, and Legal sphere

Critical Reasoning (including logical reasoning and legal aptitude)

Legal maxims, landmark case laws, Number Systems, Percentage & Average, Time Speed and Distance, Profit Loss, Areas Mensuration, Venn Diagrams, People Work and Time, Probability, Sets, Missing Numbers & Series, Blood Relations, Statistics, and Graphs

Legal Aptitude and Reasoning 

Legal propositions, Legal Maxims, Bare Acts of the Indian Constitution, Precendent Case Laws

Analytical Ability

1 essay question based on analytical and interpretation skills

 

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NLSAT Previous Year Question Paper

Candidates can practise for the NLSAT 2026 from the previous year's question papers. Download the past year NLSAT question papers and use them for practice and improve your speed & accuracy from here. You can download the NLSAT  previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.

NLSAT 2025 Question Paper Download Here
NLSAT 2024 Question Paper Download Here
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Best Books for NLSAT 2026 Preparation

Some of the recommended books for NLSAT preparation are given below

  • Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by AP Bhardwaj 
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • Analytical Reasoning (2024-2025) by MK Pandey 

Candidates can also refer to the CLAT best books to prepare for some of the subjects of the NLSAT exam. Other than these books, candidates can read online materials, and newspapers to prepare for current affairs section. 

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Read More:

 

qna

NLSAT Exam

Student Forum

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

Answered a month ago

Hi.

No, it is not necessary to pass in individual sections of NLSAT. 

How NLSAT Scoring Works

  • NLSAT is a composite score exam.

  • Your overall score (sum of marks across all sections) determines your rank.

  • Sections include:

    • English Comprehension

    • Logical Reasoning

    • Legal Reasoning

    • Current Affairs / GK

    • Elementary M

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

Hi.

A “good score” in NLSAT depends on your target law school and the category you belong to (General, SC/ST, or other reserved categories). 

Understanding NLSAT Scoring

  • Maximum marks: 150

  • Sections: English Comprehension, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Mathematics, General Knowledg

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

Hi.

Yes, you can fill the NLSAT Application Form 2026 on your mobile phone as long as you have an internet-connected browser (like Chrome, Safari, Firefox) on it. The application process is entirely online and there is no offline form to download and submit in person or by post.

 Applying on Mobile: W

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

Candidates must reach out to the NLSIU to get the error corrected. If the details mentioned on your admit card are not correctyou will not be allowed to enter the exam hall.

B

Bhumika Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The NLSAT is conducted by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore to select candidates for 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.) programme and other courses like MPP & PhD. NLSAT is conducted once a year.

P

Priya Peter

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Candidates can check the merit list by visiting the NLSAT portal i.e. nls.ac.in. Since the admission process is completely online everything will be published on their portal.

C

Chanchal Patra

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

No, you can not get admission in NLU Delhi through NLSAT score. You need to appear for AILET Exam to get into the NLU Delhi. Candidates must note that the exam is conducted once a year. 

D

Divya Surbhi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

No, the NLSAT Scorecard will not be sent by post. The only way to get the scorecard is to download it online. Candidates can visit NLSAT portal. Enter their login ID and password. The NLSAT Result will appear on their screen. 

78548138
Anupama Mehra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The NLSAT Result 2026 will be announced online. Since the admission process is completely online it will be published on NLSIU portal. Candidates can check by entering their login ID and password.

M

Mohit Dhawan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

The NLSAT Provisional Answer Key PDF will be released online. NLSAT Answer Key 2026 PDF is released in two phases. First NLSAT Provisional Answer Key and then the Final Answer Key. 

M

Manisha Gard

Contributor-Level 7

1 Institutes accepting NLSAT

Accurate Group of Institutions

Greater Noida Private

Accurate G
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