Differences Between CLAT and LSAT: Check All Major Differences

CLAT, Common Law Admission Test is a national level entrance exam conducted to admit law aspirants to BA LLB and LLM courses at the National Law Universities. LSAT India, on the other hand, is the Law School Admission Test conducted by Pearson VUE on behalf of LSAC India. Over 70 colleges accept LSAT scores to give admission to eligible students to BA LLB and LLM programs.

The major differences between CLAT and LSAT India exams are:

• CLAT applicants solve 150 questions in 2 hours’ time, candidates appearing in LSAT India have to solve 115 questions in 2 hours and 55 minutes.
• Via CLAT scores, candidates are admitted to limited law courses, including BA LLB, BBA LLB and LLM courses, while LSAT India offers 3-year LLB and other law courses.
• Marking scheme in CLAT states negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong question, whereas, no marks are deducted for wrong answers in LSAT India.

Differences between CLAT and LSAT

To get admission to National Law Universities in India, candidates must appear for the CLAT exam. However, those who wish to get into law colleges in India and abroad can appear in LSAT India. The major difference between CLAT and LSAT India are:

• Eligibility: CLAT aspirants must have 45% marks in higher secondary certificate to get through UG courses and 55% marks in law degree for PG courses. 

BA LLB aspirants must have 10+2 certificates with 45% aggregate marks to appear in LSAT India exam. Similarly, for LLB and LLM courses, they must have a bachelor’s degree and a law degree respectively.

• Participating Institutes: 22 NLUs and 3 PSUs accept CLAT scores, while the LSAT India score is accepted at approximately 83 law colleges.

• Exam Fee: CLAT exam fee for general category applicants is INR 4000 (INR 3500 for reserved category), whereas LSAT India application fee is INR 3800 (INR 4250 with LSAT India Handbook).

CLAT vs LSAT Nature of Exams

CLAT vs LSAT India is one of the most difficult choices for law aspirants in the country. Both the exams are highly prestigious and hold equal relevance. However, there are major differences that the two possess, exam pattern being one of them. Have a look at the comparison below to understand the exam scheme for CLAT and LSAT India.

Subject-Wise Weightage

 The subject-wise weightage including number of questions and marking scheme of CLAT and LSAT India exams are as follows: 

Difficulty Level of CLAT vs LSAT

When it comes to measuring the difficulty levels in CLAT vs LSAT India debate, there are different sets of challenges. Both the exams are moderate to highly difficult. 

CLAT is considered as one of the most difficult law exams in India, whereas, LSAT is comparatively easier. However, LSAT India has a global recognition as it is conducted by Pearson VUE to determine qualitative abilities of the candidates. 

Another contributing factor to CLAT exam’s difficulty level is that the students are given two hours to answer 150 questions that are asked from a wide range of topics. Moreover, the negative marking adds on to its difficulty levels. 

On the other hand, for LSAT India, candidates have 2 hours and 55 minutes to answer 115 questions without the pressure of negative marking. But the conducting body has added a new ‘variables section’ which is unscored yet and the questions are unidentifiable as of now. 

CLAT vs LSAT Competition Level 

Since CLAT scores enable a candidate’s entry to the National Law Universities in India, the competition is quite high. As per the last year’s data, for 2500 vacant seats, 50,000 applicants appeared for the exam. 

LSAT has global prominence and is gradually gaining importance for law aspirants across the nation. Last year more than 50 law colleges came under the fold of LSAT India and some of the top law colleges have associated themselves with it.