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Difference Between CLAT and LSAT, Eligibility, Exam Patter, Difficulty Level – Which to attempt?

If you are planning to pursue law as a career in the future you must know the difference between CLAT and LSAT exams, even you should also know the major differences between all other law entrance exams. Read this full article to a proper idea of the demands of both the exams and how much they differ from each other.

Difference Between CLAT and LSAT

To understand the differences between CLAT and LSAT, you must know what are the exams about. The Consortium of National Law Universities runs the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) exam annually. Pearson VUE administers the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) India Exam 2 times a year.

Both the entrance exams are for admission in law school to pursue your career in the law sector.  CLAT marks are accepted by all participating National Law Universities (NLU) in India except NLU Delhi. LSAT India scores are accepted by certain private law schools in India.

Difference Between CLAT and LSAT: Key Points

If we talk about the CLAT Syllabus, includes parts on English, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Mathematics, Legal Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning. In contrast, LSAT Syllabus emphasizes Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning. There is a negative marking system of 0.25 marks for each wrong question answered in the LSAT exam, but where LSAT India does not have any negative marking system. Read more differences in the below table.

Difference Between CLAT and LSAT
Particulars CLAT LSAT
Exam Name Common Law Admission Test Law School Admission Test
Conducting Authority Consortium of National Law Universities Pearson Vue
Mode of the exam Offline (pen-paper mode)
Online Mode (Computer-based Test)
level National Level
National Level
Courses Offered 5 year LLB, LLM
5 year LLB, 3 year LLB, LLM
Frequency Once a year Twice a year
Participating Colleges 26 NLUs and 65 participating colleges
17 private law colleges
Number of Questions asked 120 92
Type Comprehension-based, MCQ
Multiple-choice Questions
Duration 2 hours
2 hours 20 minutes

Difference Between CLAT and LSAT on Exam Pattern

Understanding the Exam Patterns for LSAT and CLAT is very important. Though these law entrance exams primarily have one common purpose the exam pattern greatly differs. CLAT is a two-hour exam administered offline exam where 120 questions are asked. It consists of multiple-choice questions.

Clarity on the exam pattern is critical when preparing for these CLAT or LSAT exams. We’ve provided the exam pattern of both exams below.

Difference Between CLAT and LSAT: CLAT Exam Pattern
Particulars CLAT Exam
Type of Questions
Objective Type Questions
Duration 2 hours
Language English
Total Marks 120
Number of Questions 120 questions
Scoring Pattern 1 mark will be awarded for each correct answer and the total marks required are 150
Negative Markin
– 0.25 for each wrong answer

 

LSAT Exam Pattern
Particulars LSAT—India
Type of Questions Objective Type of Questions
Duration 2 hours 20 minutes
Language English
Total Marks Candidates would be marked on a score between 420 and 480
Number of Questions 92 questions (approx)
Scoring Pattern
Test scores will be provided between 420 and 480, and a score band, & a percentile rank will be given
Negative Marking No negative marking

clat 2025

CLAT and LSAT Exam Differences Based on Eligibility Criteria

Know about the basic eligibility of the CLAT and LSAT exams below.

  • CLAT LLB Course requires a 10+2 marks average of 45%, 40% for reserved candidates. where the minimum LSAT score required for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees differs according to the institute to which you are applying.

Candidates should examine the eligibility requirements for both examinations before picking which to take. Difficulty level does not matter if you are not eligible for any of these.

CLAT vs LSAT – Which is More Difficult?

If you have made up your mind to crack any of these exams then -which is more difficult CLAT or LSAT doesn’t matter. There are several tools such as coaching, and good books available in the market to assist you. But your chances of succeeding can be improved by being aware of the difficulty level of the LSAT and CLAT exams.

  • Exam Timing – In the CLAT exam, 2 hours are given to answer 120 multiple-choice questions. On the other hand, the LSAT India exam is a little simpler because it will give you 2 hr 20 minutes to solve fewer questions than CLAT but still difficult.
  • Level of Difficulty – The recent LSAT India January paper was moderately difficult. The analytical thinking component was the most difficult, while the reading comprehension section was the easiest, despite being somewhat long.
  • The disadvantage of Negative Marking – LSAT has no negative marking whereas in CLAT you can’t do any guesswork, as there are 0.25 negative marks.
  • Competition – Almost 70,000 students appear in the CLAT exam every year, whereas only 10,000 students appear in the LSAT exam yearly.

Which Exam Should I take CLAT or LSAT?

If you excel in a variety of speed and accuracy with good subject knowledge in 5 sections, CLAT may be a suitable fit for you. If you excel at reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning, the LSAT India may be a better option for your selection.

The CLAT entrance test is known as the most difficult law admission exam in India as it provides admission to NLUs such as – NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and others. But generally, the difficulty level of an exam depends on your subject knowledge and shortcomings. No matter which exam you take, it is critical to begin preparing early, plan well, and be consistent and honest with your preparation.

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FAQs

Is CLAT better than LSAT?

If are good in the 5 section of the CLAT syllabus and can deal with the negative marking, CLAT is a better option.

Can I give both LSAT and CLAT?

Yes, you can attempt both CLAT and LSAT exam in the same year.

About the Author

Hi buds, I am Monisa, a postgraduate in Human Physiology (specialization in Ergonomics and Occupational health) with 1.5 years of experience in the school education sector. With versatile writing skills, I provide educational content to help students find the right path to success in various domains, such as JEE, NEET, CUET, and other entrance exams.

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