CLAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme, Weightage & Latest Changes Explained

📚 Reader's Digest: The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a highly competitive examination that is the gateway to the top law schools in India. To excel in the CLAT 2026 exam, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of its exam pattern, marking scheme, and weightage. This blog will delve into the CLAT exam pattern details and provide insights into how each section is scored.

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Until the Consortium announces any changes in the CLAT 2026 exam Pattern, we expect it to remain consistent with the previous year's format.

To help you in your preparation, we have answered the commonly asked questions on the CLAT Paper Pattern:

• What is CLAT? Common Law Admission Test is an entrance examination conducted in India for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs at various national law universities and other law colleges nationwide.
• What is the test mode? The exam is conducted offline, that is, in pen-and-paper mode.
• Does the exam have any negative markings? Yes, the exam follows a negative marking scheme. 0.25 marks will be deducted from the total score for every incorrect answer.
• Does the CLAT exam pattern change every year? The CLAT pattern occasionally changes, although the core components of the exam remain the same.

Check Out - Are you eligible to Take CLAT 2026 Or Not?

CLAT Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

Understanding the UG & CLAT PG Exam Pattern for 2026 is crucial for aspirants who aim to crack the CLAT on the first attempt.

• In the UG exam, you will be tested on English, GK, Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude/Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
• In the PG Exam, you will be tested on subjects of the undergraduate program, including Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, Company Law, Public International Law, Tax Law, Environmental Law, and Labour & Industrial Law.

Check out the table below to get an idea about the exam pattern of CLAT UG & PG:

Fields	CLAT Paper Pattern (UG)	CLAT Paper Pattern (PG)
Exam Mode ✏️	Offline (Pen & Paper based)	Offline (Pen & Paper based)
Medium of Language 🌐	English	English
Total Number of Questions 🔢	120	120
Total CLAT Marks 💯	120	120
Duration ⏰	2 Hours	2 Hours
Type of Questions 📝	MCQs-based Comprehension Passages	MCQs-based Comprehension Passages
Correct Marks ✅	1 Mark	1 Mark
Negative Marking ⛔️	Yes (0.25 Marks)	Yes (0.25 Marks)

CLAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section Wise Weightage

As per the CLAT Exam Syllabus 2026, you may be mainly tested on five subjects:

1. English Language
2. Current Affairs & General Knowledge
3. Legal Reasoning
4. Logical Reasoning
5. Quantitative Techniques

Check out the table below to know the paper pattern of CLAT Exam UG:

Subject	Number of questions	Percentage weightage
English Language	22-26 questions	20%
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge	28-32 questions	25%
Legal Reasoning	28-32 questions	25%
Logical Reasoning	22-26 questions	20%
Quantitative Techniques	10-14 questions	10%

The table below explains the detailed CLAT LLM paper exam pattern, CLAT Total Marks and the number of questions asked for each topic in the exam:

CLAT Subjects	Number of MCQ questions	Marks
Constitutional Law	60	60
Other Law Subjects include Contracts Law, Law of Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR, and Jurisprudence.	60	60
CLAT Total Marks	120	120

Read More: CLAT Time Management Tips

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CLAT Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme

• As per the previous year's CLAT Paper Pattern (UG & PG), you will be awarded +1 mark for each question you answered correctly.
• 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrongly answered question.
• No marks will be awarded or deducted for unanswered questions.

Response	Marks
Correct Answer ✅	+ 1 Marks
Incorrect Answer ❌	0.25 Marks
Unanswered/ Unattempted Question ❓	0 Mark

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CLAT Exam Pattern: Importance

Candidates appearing for CLAT 2025-2026 must thoroughly know the CLAT Pattern. The exam pattern teaches the candidate about the exam mode, sections, the number of questions, marks distribution, duration, and difficulty level. It also focuses on helping the candidate understand what questions can be asked and what skills are tested. Thus, every candidate needs to be acquainted with the exam's modalities.

CLAT Exam Pattern New Changes

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) has undergone notable changes in its exam pattern, particularly for the undergraduate (UG) program. Here's an overview of the latest modifications:

CLAT UG Exam Pattern:

• CLAT Total Questions: Reduced from 150 to 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• CLAT Total Marks: Correspondingly decreased to 120 marks.
• Duration: Remains at 2 hours.
• Marking Scheme: Each correct answer awards 1 mark; each incorrect answer incurs a penalty of 0.25 marks.
• Sections and Weightage:
  • English Language: 22–26 questions (approximately 20% of the paper).
  • Current Affairs, including General Knowledge: 28–32 questions (approximately 25%).
  • Legal Reasoning: 28–32 questions (approximately 25%).
  • Logical Reasoning: 22–26 questions (approximately 20%).
  • Quantitative Techniques: 10–14 questions (approximately 10%).

These changes aim to focus more on assessing candidates' comprehension and reasoning abilities rather than rote learning. The exam continues to be conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper format.

CLAT PG Exam Pattern:

The PG exam pattern remains unchanged, comprising 120 MCQs covering Constitutional Law and other law subjects. The marking scheme and duration are consistent with the UG exam.

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Tips for scoring well in CLAT 2026

Scoring well in the CLAT requires diligent preparation and a strategic approach. Here are some valuable tips to help you excel in the CLAT exam:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the CLAT exam pattern, including the number of questions, sections, time allocation, and marking scheme. This understanding will help you plan your strategy effectively.
2. Create a Study Plan: Develop a well-structured study plan covering all subjects and allowing ample practice and revision time. Allocate more time to challenging subjects.
3. Study Material: Choose high-quality study materials and reference books recommended by experts and previous CLAT toppers. This will ensure you have access to reliable and relevant content.
4. Practice Mock Tests: Practice CLAT mock tests regularly. Mock tests help you become familiar with the exam format, improve time management, and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Time Management: Manage your time efficiently during the exam. Allocate a specific amount of time to each section and stick to it. Only spend a little time on one question; move on and return later if necessary.
6. Revise Regularly: Regular revision is crucial. Create concise notes summarizing essential concepts, formulas, and rules for quick review.
7. Stay Calm and Confident: On the exam day, maintain a calm and focused mindset. Confidence in your preparation will help you perform better.
8. Practice Previous Years' Papers: Solve previous years' CLAT papers to understand the question patterns and difficulty levels. It will also help you gauge your readiness.

Remember that success in CLAT depends on consistent effort and dedication. Stay focused, practice regularly, and remain determined to score well in the CLAT exam.

Check Out: How to prepare for CLAT?

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Conclusion

In conclusion, being well-versed in the CLAT exam pattern is crucial for a successful attempt. It enables you to prepare efficiently and effectively, improving scores and increasing your chances of securing admission to prestigious law institutions.

• Familiarize yourself with the sections and weightage of the exam.
• Focus on developing strong comprehension, reasoning, and legal aptitude skills.
• Practice time management to complete all sections within the allotted time.
• Use previous years' question papers and mock tests to get accustomed to the exam format. Then, check the CLAT exam analysis to learn about recurring topics or types of questions.
• Pay attention to the CLAT 2026 marking scheme, avoid negative markings and attempt questions wisely.
• Stay updated on current affairs and legal developments in the General Knowledge section.
• Regularly assess your progress and adapt your preparation strategy accordingly.

By incorporating these takeaways into your preparation, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the sections confidently according to the CLAT weightage and exam and achieve your desired results. Best of luck!