CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Important Features
- Total Number of Questions
As mentioned above, the CLAT exam pattern changed in 2023 for CLAT 2024. The total number of questions changed from 150 to 120 with the same time duration. CLAT 2026 will follow the updated CLAT Exam Pattern as mentioned in the CLAT Notification.
- Difficulty Level
CLAT difficulty level is a topic involving a lot of surprises. This element of surprise is the reason why aspirants find it difficult to predict the exam and are advised to take multiple mock tests to adapt to the exam situation.
- Reading Skills
CLAT is one exam that requires a candidate to read and comprehend their reading for most of the exam. Apart from Quantitative Techniques, the rest of the four sections out of five sections of the exam are based on.
- Objective Answers
Despite so many passage-based sections in the exam; the questions in CLAT are MCQs(Multiple Choice Questions).
CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Highlights
Below is a table providing all the important CLAT Exam Pattern highlights.
CLAT Exam Pattern Highlights
|
Category |
Details |
|
Duration of the test |
120 minutes (2 hours) |
|
Mode |
Offline mode |
|
Type of Questions |
Multiple Type Questions (MCQs) |
|
Number of Questions |
120 |
|
Test Sections |
|
|
Marking scheme |
Total marks: 120 marks Objective questions will each carry 1 mark. 0.25 marks to be deducted for an incorrect answer. |
|
Language |
English |
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern - Section-Wise Weightage
Often, the student focuses on mastering only a few sections and neglects others. However, all sections have a certain weightage, and not being able to score well can hinder the selection/cut-off procedure. Below is a table highlighting the number of questions and weightage of each section.
CLAT Section-Wise Weightage
|
Section |
Number of questions |
Weightage (in percent) |
|
English Language |
22-26 |
20% |
|
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge |
28-32 |
25% |
|
Legal Reasoning |
28-32 |
25% |
|
Logical Reasoning |
22-26 |
20% |
|
Quantitative Techniques |
10-14 |
10 % |
|
Total |
120 |
100% |
CLAT 2026 Total Marks
Candidates can score a maximum of 120 marks as per the new exam pattern. Each correct answer is awarded with 1 mark and every wrong answer costs 0.25 marks to a candidate.
CLAT Marking Scheme 2026
CLAT Marking Parameters
|
CLAT Marking Parameters |
CLAT Marking Scheme |
|
Correct Answer |
+1 |
|
Incorrect Answer |
- 0.25 |
|
Unattempted Question |
0 |
CLAT Syllabus 2026 - Important Topics
CLAT Exam Important Topics
|
CLAT Exam Section |
Important Topics |
|
English Language |
|
|
Current Affairs, including GK |
|
|
Logical Reasoning |
|
|
Legal Reasoning |
|
|
Quantitative Techniques |
|
CLAT Previous Year Papers
The best way to judge any exam's exam pattern is by studying the past year's papers of that exam. CLAT Previous Year Papers can become your pathway to overview the CLAT exam pattern comprehensively.
From understanding the types of questions in the CLAT exam to also going through the kinds of questions that appear in the exam through the years. It will also be beneficial for you to mark the important topics in the CLAT syllabus.
CL-LST has compiled a free section of CLAT Previous Year Question Papers for students to help them in their research and studies.
Best Books for CLAT 2026 Preparation
If you are a CL-LST student, the LST material online (on myzone) and offline and test series and practice sheets in toto are more than sufficient for a CLAT aspirant.
However, if you still need a book recommendation that can be fruitful in your self-preparation; below-mentioned is a sure-shot list.
CLAT Logical Reasoning Books
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
- Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
- Analytical Reasoning (English) by MK Pandey
- A New Approach to Verbal and Analytical Reasoning by Arihant
CLAT Legal Reasoning Books
- Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by Pearson
- Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning by AP Bhardwaj
- Objective Legal Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
CLAT Quantitative Techniques Books
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Arihant Publications
- 30 days wonder for Maths by S Chand
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Pearson's
- Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
CLAT GK & Current Affairs Books
- General Knowledge (Latest Version) by Arihant Publications
- Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant Publications
- Manorama Year Book by Manorama Publications
- General Knowledge (Latest Version) by Lucent’s
- General Knowledge (Latest Version) by Tarun Goyal
Books for CLAT English
- Objective General English (Latest Version) by SP Bakshi
- Objective General English (Latest Version) by RS Aggarwal
- The Pearson Guide to the CLAT by Pearson's
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- CLAT Guide by Tata McGraw-Hill