Pattern of the CLAT Paper for Under-Graduate Program

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Total Marks-200 & Total number of multiple-choice questions of one mark-each 200

Time Duration of examination-Two Hours

The Subject areas are stated below with the weightage:

  • English including Comprehension-40 Marks
  • General Knowledge or Current Affairs-50 Marks
  • Elementary Mathematics (Numerical Ability) -20 Marks
  • Legal Aptitude-50 Marks
  • Logical Reasoning-40 Marks

The various subject areas of the exam are explained as follows:

English Including Comprehension

The English section aims to test the candidate՚s command in English language based comprehension passages and grammar. In the comprehension section, candidates will be questioned on what they have understood from the passage and its main theme, meanings of words used therein etc. The grammar section aims for the correction of all the wrong grammatical sentences, filling all the blanks in sentences using relevant words etc.

General Knowledge or Current Affairs

The General Knowledge section aims to test the candidates on their knowledge of current affairs defined as matters featuring in the mainstream media between March 2011 and March 2012.

Mathematics

The Mathematics section aims to test candidates on “elementary” mathematics i.e. … Maths that is taught up to the class Xth.

Logical Reasoning

The Logical reasoning section aims to test the candidates ability to find out the patterns, logical links and rectify illogical arguments. It will cover numerous kinds of logical reasoning questions like syllogisms, logical sequences, analogies, etc. Visual reasoning will not be tested.

Legal Aptitude

The Legal aptitude section aims to test the candidates solely on “legal aptitude” Questions will be framed with the help of legal propositions (mentioned in the paper) and a set of facts to which the said proposition has to be applied. Few propositions may not be “true” in the real sense (e. g. The legal proposition might be that any person who speaks in a movie hall and disturbs others who are watching the movie will be banned from entering any movie theatre across India for one year) . Candidates have to imagine the “truth” of these propositions and thereby answer the questions.

Candidates will not be evaluated on any prior knowledge and understanding of law or legal concepts. If the question comprises any technical jargon or a legal term, that term will be elaborated in the question itself, Like if the word patent is used somewhere, the meaning of patent i.e. … “a legal monopoly granted by the government for certain kinds of inventions” will be ultimately explained.

Tie-Breaking

In any event of tie between two or among more candidates in the CLAT, the result will be obtained by the procedure and order quoted below:

  • Higher marks in the section of Legal aptitude in CLAT-2012.
  • Higher age.
  • Computerized based draw of lots.

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