CLAT 2026 Exam Scheduled for 7 December; Check Important Details and Guidelines

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 is set for Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM. This crucial 2-hour, offline exam features 120 objective questions with a 0.25 negative marking. The Consortium of NLUs has finalized the pattern, which tests five key areas: Legal Reasoning, Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Techniques. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the sectional weightage, essential last-minute revision tips, and the target scores needed to secure a seat at top National Law Universities (NLUs) like NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR Hyderabad.

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026, the single most important entrance exam for aspiring legal professionals seeking admission to the 24 prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs), is just weeks away. Scheduled for Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM, the examination marks the culmination of months of preparation. Administered by the Consortium of National Law Universities, the CLAT UG exam remains a two-hour, offline, pen-and-paper test comprising 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

​Given the exam's intense time pressure—requiring candidates to attempt 120 questions in 120 minutes—a clear understanding of the exam structure and an optimized strategy are paramount. This article serves as the ultimate guide for aspirants in the final two weeks, focusing on the critical sectional weightage, the penalizing negative marking, and the essential strategies needed to break into the ranks of the top-tier NLUs.

​ CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Sectional Weightage

​CLAT UG is designed as a comprehension-based test, emphasizing reading speed, analytical skills, and the ability to apply principles rather than rote memorization. The paper is strictly divided into five sections, each with a defined weightage.

• ​Exam Mechanics and Marking Scheme:
  • ​Duration: 120 Minutes (2 Hours).
  • ​Total Questions: 120 Multiple Choice Questions.
  • ​Maximum Score: 120 Marks.
  • ​Marking: +1 Mark for every correct answer.
  • ​Negative Marking: -0.25 Marks for every incorrect answer. This penalizing scheme makes accuracy a critical factor in the final score.
• ​Sectional Allocation and Focus Areas:
  • ​Legal Reasoning (Approx. 28-32 Questions, 25% Weightage): This section assesses comprehension of legal principles and their application to factual scenarios presented in passages. Focus on landmark judgments and conceptual clarity, not on memorizing sections.
  • ​Current Affairs, including General Knowledge (Approx. 28-32 Questions, 25% Weightage): This section carries the highest weightage alongside Legal Reasoning. Questions are passage-based, drawing from contemporary events, international affairs, historical events, and arts/culture.
  • ​English Language (Approx. 22-26 Questions, 20% Weightage): Focuses on reading comprehension, drawing inferences, spotting grammatical errors, and understanding vocabulary in context.
  • ​Logical Reasoning (Approx. 22-26 Questions, 20% Weightage): Tests critical reasoning (assumptions, inferences, conclusions) and analytical reasoning skills through short passages.
  • ​Quantitative Techniques (Approx. 10-14 Questions, 10% Weightage): The lowest-weighted section, involving data interpretation sets (graphs, charts) based on basic mathematical concepts (percentages, ratios, profit & loss, mensuration).

​ The 15-Day Strategy: Maximizing Performance

​With less than two weeks remaining, the focus must shift from learning new concepts to revising prepared material, optimizing speed, and refining the test-taking strategy.

• ​Simulation and Time Management:
  • ​Mock Tests: Attempt at least 3-5 full-length mock tests in the final weeks, strictly adhering to the 2 PM to 4 PM slot to condition your body clock for the actual exam timing.
  • ​Mock Analysis: The most crucial step is analyzing mock results. Categorize mistakes into conceptual, silly, and time-pressure errors. Focus on minimizing the latter two.
  • ​Ideal Time Allocation: Given the paper's structure, successful candidates often follow a strategic time split. Aim for fast sections like GK and English (30-35 minutes), dedicate the most time to Legal Reasoning (40-45 minutes), and reserve the remainder for Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.
• ​Targeted Revision: 
  • ​Current Affairs: Focus on revising compiled notes and monthly digests from the last 12-15 months, especially those concerning recent Constitutional Law changes, major international events, and Supreme Court rulings.
  • ​Legal Reasoning: Practice application-based questions without focusing on technical legal knowledge. Revise key legal maxims and terms.
  • ​Quantitative Techniques (QT): Since QT has low weightage, revise only the formulas for high-yield topics like percentages, ratio-proportion, and basic mensuration. Do not attempt new topics.
• ​Mental and Physical Health: Avoid burnout. Ensure adequate sleep, hydration, and light exercise. Confidence and a calm temperament on December 7th are as important as months of preparation. Do not introduce any new preparation material in the final 72 hours before the exam.

​ NLUs and Target Scores for CLAT 2026

​The CLAT score is the single determinant for admission into the five-year integrated LLB programs at the participating NLUs. Aspirants must aim for a target score based on the cut-offs of their preferred colleges.

• ​Tier 1 NLUs (95+ Marks / Top Ranks):
  • ​Securing a seat at the top institutions requires aiming for a score above 95 out of 120 (translating to an expected rank in the top 300-400).
  • ​National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
  • ​National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad
  • ​The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
• ​Tier 2 NLUs (85-95 Marks / Top 1000 Ranks):
  • ​Scores in this range are competitive for National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur, National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal, and Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar.
• ​The Final Seat Count: CLAT 2026 facilitates admission to over 3,500 UG seats across the 24 participating NLUs, underscoring the fierce competition for the limited seats at the top-ranked institutions.

​ Conclusion

​The CLAT 2026 exam on December 7th represents the definitive opportunity for a career in law. Success will be determined by a smart, strategic approach in the final days: optimizing time management across the five sections, maximizing accuracy to counter the 0.25 negative marking, and ensuring robust revision of Current Affairs and Legal Reasoning. The application window for CLAT 2026 closed on November 7, 2025, making preparation the sole priority now. Aspirants should focus on staying calm, trusting their preparation, and executing their test strategy flawlessly in the 120 minutes allocated.

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