CNLU Patna 3 Year LLB Exam Pattern 2026 [Marking Scheme, Negative Marking & More]

Overview: So, you're targeting a seat at one of India's most prestigious law schools for your 3-year LLB course? Let us familiarize you with the CNLU Patna 3 year LLB exam pattern, a vital link in the chain of things if you're planning to crack the Chanakya National Law University Entrance Test (CNLU-ET) for CNLU's 3-year LLB course.

CNLU Patna, or Chanakya National Law University, Patna, is one of the few NLUs offering a dedicated 3 year LLB course for graduates from any discipline. Since the CNLU-ET is relatively new, understanding the NLU Odisha 3-year LLB exam pattern is essential if you want to be well-prepared and walk out successfully.

Let's break everything down - from subjects to types of questions, marking schemes, and tips to ace this competitive exam.

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What is CNLU-ET?

CNLU-ET stands for Chanakya National Law University Entrance Test. It’s the entrance test designed explicitly for admission into the 3-year LLB course at CNLU Patna. Unlike CLAT or AILET (for 5-year integrated courses), CNLU-ET is tailored for graduates who now wish to pursue law early.

This exam is relatively niche but highly competitive, so mastering the CNLU 3 Year LLB exam pattern becomes non-negotiable for aspirants. 

CNLU 3 Year LLB Exam Pattern 2026: The Big Picture

Admission will be based on CNLU-ET, consisting of one paper with 120 multiple-choice questions, totalling 120 marks. The questions will cover the following Sections:

• General English
• General Awareness
• General & Critical Reasoning

Let’s dive into the structure of the paper.

Read More: Online Coaching for 3 Year LLB by LegalEdge

Section	No. of Questions	Marks
General English	40	40
General Awareness	40	40
General & Critical Reasoning	40	40

Yes, you have 120 marks and 120 questions to answer in 120 minutes. This makes time management an absolutely crucial part of your preparation strategy.

The exam will be conducted offline

The Exam will be in pen-paper mode

Now, let's understand each of these sections in detail to decode the CNLU 3-Year 3 Year LLB Exam Pattern 2026.

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CNLU 3-Year LLB Exam Pattern 2026 Section-Wise Breakdown

Subject	Description	Topics
General English (40 Questions)	This section checks how strong you are with language. It’s not just about knowing grammar rules, but also about how well you can comprehend, analyze, and use English effectively in a legal and professional context.	Reading Comprehension Grammar (Error Spotting, Tenses, Prepositions, etc.)  Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms)  Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Sentence Completion)
General Awareness (40 Questions)	This part is a test of how updated you are with the world around you. Since lawyers deal with laws, policies, and current affairs daily, this section mirrors that expectation. The syllabus overlaps with UPSC Prelims GS-I, so it’s broad yet manageable with regular practice.	Current Affairs (National & International) Indian Polity & Constitution Economy & Finance History & Culture Geography & Environment Science & Tech Developments International Relations Constitutional Law basics Landmark Judgments Fundamental Rights & Duties Legal Terms & Maxims
General & Critical Reasoning (40 Questions)	Here, your logical clarity and problem-solving ability are put to test. It’s less about rote learning and more about how quickly you can analyze patterns, relationships, and arguments under time pressure.	Analytical Reasoning (Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations) Critical Reasoning (Arguments, Inferences, Assumptions, Conclusions) Logical Sequences (Syllogisms, Series, Analogies, Coding-Decoding)

Read more: How to fill CNLU Patna 3 Year LLB Application Form 2026?

CNLU 3-year LLB Marking Scheme 2026

Another crucial element of the CNLU 3-year LLB Exam Pattern 2026 is the marking scheme:

• Each correct answer: ✅ +1 mark
• Each incorrect answer: ❌ -0.25 negative Marking
• Un-attempted questions: 0 mark

That means attempting every question will be a smart move. You need a proper guesswork strategy when unsure.

Read more: CNLU 3 Year LLB Eligibility Criteria 2026

Time Management: Your Invisible Ally

The paper has 120 questions to be answered in 120 minutes. That means you have less than 1 minute per question on average. Here's a suggested strategy:

Section	Time allocation
General English	40
General Awareness	20
General & Critical Reasoning	60

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Preparation Tips to Crack the CNLU 3 year LLB exam 2026

The paper isn’t just about knowing facts; it’s about how you apply them under time pressure. A smart prep strategy would be:

• Balance your strengths & weaknesses: Don’t over-focus only on English or Current Affairs.
• Daily habit formation: 30 minutes of reading, 30 minutes of reasoning, and 15 minutes of legal updates can do wonders.
• Mocks & Analysis: Take sectional tests to track where you’re slipping.

Read more: How to prepare for CNLU 3 Year LLB in Last 15 Days?

Conclusion

If you’re serious about studying law at a premier institution, getting familiar with the CNLU 3 year LLB exam pattern 2026 is your first step. It’s not just about studying hard; studying smart, and bright starts with clarity.

You should now have a clear idea of the pattern of the CNLU 3 year entrance question paper, the question types, the timetable, and preparation tips.

Then, take out that planner, mark down a schedule, download some mocks, and set to work. The doors of CNLU Patna are ajar, but just for those who step in prepared.