Is NLSAT Easier Than CLAT? A Detailed Comparison Every Law Aspirant Must Read

Overview: For every law aspirant, the journey to India’s top law schools begins with one question: “Which exam should I prepare for?” Among the most debated comparisons is CLAT vs NLSAT, and one query keeps popping up repeatedly: “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?”

At first glance, both exams open doors to prestigious law programmes, CLAT for the five-year integrated law course (BA LLB) and NLSAT for the three-year LLB at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore. But the similarities end there. The structure, syllabus, competition level, and even testing pattern differ drastically.

In this detailed blog, let’s explore: Is NLSAT easier than CLAT? Through a practical, student-centric, and analytical lens.

Download FREE Study Material for NLSAT by LegalEdge

Understanding the Two Exams: CLAT vs NLSAT

Before we decide “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?”, let’s first understand what each exam truly demands.

Exam	Full Form	Conducting Body	Course Offered	Eligibility	Mode	Duration
CLAT	Common Law Admission Test	Consortium of NLUs	5-year Integrated BA LLB	Class 12 Pass or Appearing	Offline	2 Hours
NLSAT	National Law School Admission Test	NLSIU Bangalore	3-year LLB	Graduated in any discipline	Offline	2 Hours 30 Minutes

While CLAT welcomes school students aiming for their first step into law, NLSAT invites graduates from various fields, humanities, science, commerce, or even engineering, looking for a professional law degree.

Now, let’s get into what makes people constantly ask, “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?”

Detailed Comparative Overview

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison summarising the differences discussed above:

Parameter	CLAT	NLSAT
Exam Level	Undergraduate	Postgraduate (3-Year LLB)
Mode	Offline	Offline
Question Type	Objective	Objective + Descriptive
Duration	2 hours	2 hours 30 mins
Number of Questions	120	75 (including essays)
Negative Marking	Yes (-0.25)	Yes (-0.25)
Key Challenge	Speed & Accuracy	Depth & Expression
Eligibility	Class 12	Graduate in any field
Competition	70,000+ aspirants	5,000 aspirants
Acceptance Rate	5%	2%
Main Skill Tested	Analytical Speed	Critical Reasoning + Writing

10 Key Differences Between CLAT and NLSAT

These distinctions will help you understand both exams deeply and answer whether NLSAT is easier than CLAT.

1. Target Audience and Academic Background

CLAT is designed for Class 12 students, while NLSAT caters to graduates.

This difference alone shifts the entire difficulty level.

• CLAT aspirants are typically teenagers still building reading and analytical skills.
• NLSAT aspirants are mature students with college-level understanding and exposure to critical reasoning.

So, is NLSAT easier than CLAT? Not necessarily. NLSAT expects a higher level of maturity, comprehension, and articulation.

Read more: NLSAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

2. Exam Structure and Question Format

Aspect	CLAT	NLSAT
Type	Objective (MCQs)	Objective + Descriptive
Sections	English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques	Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude + Essay
Marks	120	150
Pattern	Multiple-choice questions only	A mix of comprehension, reasoning, and essay writing

This is one of the most defining differences.

CLAT tests your speed and accuracy, while NLSAT tests your depth of understanding and ability to express thoughts in words.

So, if you are someone who’s good at writing essays and explaining complex ideas, you might feel NLSAT aligns better with your skills. But for quick thinkers who love time-bound problem-solving, CLAT might seem “easier.”

Hence, the answer to “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?” depends on your personal strengths.

Read more: NLSAT Previous Year Question Papers

3. Nature of Difficulty

CLAT’s difficulty lies in its volume, 120 questions in 120 minutes. You need speed, stamina, and sharp reasoning.

NLSAT’s difficulty lies in its depth, reading dense passages, reasoning analytically, and writing well-structured answers.

So, while CLAT challenges your speed, NLSAT challenges your depth of thought.

If you ask, “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?”, it’s fair to say NLSAT is not easier, but different.

Read more: All in one Book for NLSAT Preparation

Explore Courses for NLSAT by LegalEdge

4. Competition Level and Number of Seats

Exam	Approx. Applicants	Total Seats	Acceptance Rate
CLAT (UG)	70,000+	Around 3,000 (across NLUs)	~5%
NLSAT	4,000–5,000	Around 120 (only at NLSIU)	~2%

Though fewer people appear for NLSAT, the number of available seats is very limited.

So, statistically, it’s harder to secure a seat through NLSAT.

This data clearly answers: Is NLSAT easier than CLAT? Not in terms of competition. NLSAT’s acceptance rate is lower.

Read more: How to Prepare for NLSAT in 6 months?

5. Syllabus Scope and Preparation Strategy

CLAT Syllabus covers multiple domains, including language, logic, legal reasoning, current affairs, and basic maths.

NLSAT Syllabus, on the other hand, focuses on reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and essay writing.

Focus Area	CLAT	NLSAT
Current Affairs	✅ Major Portion	❌ Not Included
Mathematics	✅ Basic Quant	❌ Not Tested
Essay Writing	❌ No	✅ Yes
Logical Reasoning	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Legal Reasoning	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

So, students who find maths or current affairs difficult might feel NLSAT is “easier.”

But those who dislike essay writing may find it tougher.

The truth is, whether NLSAT is easier than CLAT depends on your personal strengths and weaknesses.

Read more: How to fill the NLSAT 2026 Application Form?

6. Type of Skills Tested

CLAT is a test of comprehension, decision-making, and legal aptitude under pressure.

NLSAT tests academic maturity, argumentation, and written articulation.

In short:

• CLAT = Quick reasoning and factual recall
• NLSAT = Conceptual clarity and expressive skills

So, when comparing, is NLSAT easier than CLAT? Remember, NLSAT rewards thoughtful writers; CLAT rewards agile thinkers.

Read more: NLSAT 3 Year LLB vs NLSAT 5 Year LLB

7. Exam Duration and Time Pressure

CLAT gives you 120 minutes for 120 questions. That’s just 1 minute per question.

NLSAT gives you 150 minutes for fewer questions but includes essay writing, which consumes significant time.

Factor	CLAT	NLSAT
Time Pressure	Very High	Moderate but requires planning
Reading Load	High	Very High
Writing Component	None	Mandatory Essay

Students often feel exhausted after both, but in different ways.

If you struggle with time pressure, you may find NLSAT slightly more forgiving.

However, if writing essays under time constraints stresses you out, CLAT might seem easier.

Thus, is NLSAT easier than CLAT?, It’s subjective.

Read more: NLSAT 2026 Books

8. Evaluation Method

CLAT results are purely objective; there’s no scope for subjective evaluation.

NLSAT, however, involves subjective grading for the essay and descriptive answers.

That means even if you attempt all questions, the quality of writing and argumentation matters immensely in NLSAT.

This makes many aspirants rethink their assumption, “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?”

Because, unlike CLAT, there’s no guesswork or elimination strategy in NLSAT, only genuine understanding counts.

9. Preparation Timeline

A typical CLAT aspirant starts preparing 1–2 years in advance. Coaching institutes, test series, and mock drills make the preparation ecosystem structured and accessible.

The NLSAT Exam pattern is relatively new, and preparation materials are still evolving.

Most candidates prepare intensively for 4–6 months, focusing on comprehension, reasoning, and writing.

Factor	CLAT	NLSAT
Ideal Prep Time	12–18 months	4–6 months
Coaching Ecosystem	Extensive	Limited but growing
Dependence on Practice Tests	High	Moderate

So, is NLSAT easier than CLAT in terms of preparation time?

Yes, you may need less time, but the depth and quality of preparation matter more.

10. Career Path After Selection

CLAT opens doors to 26 National Law Universities, offering opportunities across the country.

NLSAT leads to only one institution, NLSIU Bangalore, but with a premium reputation.

While CLAT graduates are law-ready at 22, NLSAT graduates enter the legal world with prior academic maturity and diverse backgrounds, often excelling in corporate and policy roles.

So, is NLSAT easier than CLAT in terms of outcome? Not really, both are gateways to prestigious legal careers, each with unique prestige.

Read more: NLSAT Preparation for Working Students

Checkout Test Series for NLSAT by LegalEdge

So, Is NLSAT Easier Than CLAT? Let’s Summarise

After analysing all aspects, syllabus, structure, difficulty, and competition, it’s safe to say that neither exam is objectively easier or harder. They test different abilities.

Let’s summarise the answer to “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?” in simple terms:

If you are...	You might find...	Reason
A fast reader and logical thinker	CLAT easier	You can handle time pressure well
A deep reader and strong writer	NLSAT easier	You can analyse and express complex ideas
Comfortable with objective questions	CLAT easier	It’s predictable and scoring
Strong in essay writing and comprehension	NLSAT easier	It values articulation over speed

Ultimately, the question “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?” has no single answer; it depends entirely on your learning style, skill set, and academic background.

Read more: List of Important NLSAT Essay Topics

Expert Tip for Aspirants

If you’re still confused about which exam to attempt, ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy writing essays and building arguments? → You might do well in NLSAT.
• Do I prefer quick, analytical problem-solving under pressure? → CLAT might suit you better.

In the end, both exams demand discipline, reasoning ability, and clarity of thought, qualities every good lawyer needs.

Read more: How to make a CV for NLSAT?

Conclusion

NLSAT is not easier than CLAT, just different.

Each exam has its own rhythm, audience, and expectations. What feels easy to one candidate can feel overwhelming to another.

If CLAT is a race against time, NLSAT is a marathon of critical thinking.

If CLAT rewards speed, NLSAT rewards depth.

So, the right question isn’t “Is NLSAT easier than CLAT?” but rather, “Which exam aligns better with my strengths?”