Having a clear idea about the correlation between CLAT marks vs rank 2025 is crucial for aspirants aiming to secure admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs). Your CLAT 2025 marks and rank determine not only your standing in the exam but also the NLU you are likely to get.
With intense competition and varying difficulty levels, knowing the expected rank for your CLAT score can help you predict your college options.
Below, we have shared a detailed marks vs rank analysis for CLAT 2025, along with insights into previous years’ trends and tips to use this data for making informed decisions about your law career.
Understanding CLAT Marks vs Rank 2025
Your CLAT marks and rank are directly influenced by the exam’s difficulty level, the number of candidates, and scoring trends. Higher marks generally result in better ranks, increasing your chances of securing a seat in the top 5 NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore or NALSAR Hyderabad.
CLAT Marks
Your CLAT marks are calculated based on the total number of correct and incorrect answers in the exam.
The CLAT marking scheme is:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: -0.25 marks (negative marking)
- Unattempted Questions: No marks deducted
For example, if you answer 90 questions correctly, 10 questions incorrectly, and leave 20 unanswered, your total score will be:
(90 × 1) – (10 × 0.25) = 90 – 2.5 = 87.5 marks.
CLAT Rank
Your CLAT rank is determined by comparing your score with other candidates. The ranks are assigned based on the following factors:
- Total Marks: Higher marks lead to better ranks.
- Tiebreaker Rules: If two or more candidates score the same marks, the rank is determined by:
- Higher marks in Legal Reasoning
- Older age
- Computerized draw of lots
CLAT Marks vs Rank 2025
Below is an estimated CLAT 2025 Marks vs Rank table, based on trends from previous years:
| CLAT Marks | CLAT Rank | Expected NLU |
| 95+ | 1 – 50 | Top 2 NLUs |
| 90 – 95 | 51 – 500 | Top 3 NLUs |
| 85 – 90 | 501 – 1500 | Top 10 NLUs |
| 80 – 85 | 1501 – 2500 | Top 20 NLUs |
| 75 – 80 | 2501 – 3500 | 20th to 26th NLUs |
| 70 – 75 | 3501 – 5000 | No NLU |
| 65 – 70 | 5001 – 10,000 | No NLU |
| 60 – 65 | 10,001 – 15,000 | No NLU |
| 55 – 60 | 15,001 – 20,000 | No NLU |
| 50 – 55 | 20,001 – 30,000 | No NLU |
| Below 50 | Above 30,000 | No NLU |
Please note that these are approximate estimations based on previous years’ data and the actual ranks may vary depending on the difficulty level of the exam and the overall performance of the candidates.
CLAT Marks vs Rank 2025: Calculation Process
The CLAT marks vs rank 2025 relationship is influenced by:
- Total number of candidates
- Difficulty level of the paper
- Performance of top scorers
For example:
- A score of 100+ may secure a rank in the top 50.
- A score of 80+ might place you in the top 1,000.
- A score of 50+ may fall in the 10,000+ rank range.
These estimates vary every year, and understanding this pattern helps you plan for counselling and admission to NLUs effectively.
CLAT Marks and Rank (As per Cut-Off 2025)
Let’s understand the CLAT cut-off 2025 for all categories:
| Category | Top 10 NLUs Cut-off | Other NLUs Cut-off |
| General | 82+ marks | 74+ marks |
| OBC | 77+ marks | 70+ marks |
| SC | 72+ marks | 59+ marks |
| ST | 64+ marks | 54+ marks |
| EWS | 79+ marks | 70+ marks |
| PwD | 65+ marks | 56+ marks |
Free CLAT Study Material for You:
| CLAT Previous Year Papers PDF | CLAT Sample Papers |
| CLAT Syllabus PDF | Free CLAT Coaching |
| CLAT Current Affairs | CLAT Topper Interviews |
| CLAT Videos | CLAT Mock Tests |
Importance of Understanding Relation Between CLAT Marks and Rank 2025
Here is why knowing about CLAT marks vs rank is important:
1. Predict Your College Options
Knowing the CLAT marks vs rank helps in estimating which NLU or law college you are eligible for based on your score.
2. Understand the Competition
Analyzing CLAT score and rank provides insights into the level of competition among candidates.
3. Plan Your Counselling Strategy
It enables you to prepare for the CLAT counselling process by identifying preferred colleges and courses.
4. Set Realistic Expectations
Helps in aligning your goals with achievable ranks based on your marks.
5. Assess Your Performance
Comparing your expected marks with CLAT rank predictions helps evaluate your preparation level.
6. Track Historical Trends
Analyzing previous years’ marks vs rank of CLAT gives a better understanding of how ranks fluctuate based on exam difficulty.
7. Choose Backup Options
Helps in shortlisting alternative and top law colleges in India, in case your rank doesn’t meet the top NLU cut-offs.
8. Optimize Admission Efforts
Saves time by focusing on colleges that match your CLAT rank and preferences.
9. Plan for Future Attempts
If reattempting, understanding the CLAT marks vs rank relationship helps in setting a higher target score.
10. Boost Confidence
Knowing where you stand with your CLAT marks and rank prepares you mentally for the next steps in the admission process.
Important Resources After CLAT Exam:
Important Things for CLAT 2025 Candidates
You must know certain things about results, cut-off, etc.
Top Rank Requirements for Premier NLUs
NLSIU Bangalore remains the most sought-after NLU. In 2024, 86 out of the top 100 rankers chose NLSIU. To secure a seat here, aspirants generally need a score of 98+.
High Scores for Tier-1 NLUs
NLUs like NALSAR Hyderabad and WBNUJS Kolkata typically require scores in the range of 92–98 for admission.
Cut-Off Trends for Lower Ranks
In 2023, the candidate ranked 2596 (the last rank to secure a UG seat in NLUs) had a CLAT score of 68.75.
Increased Number of Seats in 2025
The addition of NLU Prayagraj and NLU Goa has raised the total number of participating NLUs from 24 to 26, resulting in a higher number of seats for UG courses.
CLAT Marks vs Rank: Historical Trends and Analysis
Understanding the historical trends in CLAT marks vs rank provides valuable insights into how scores translate into ranks and admission possibilities at NLUs. Below is a detailed analysis using data from CLAT 2022, CLAT 2024, and other past years.
1. CLAT Marks vs Rank 2024
- NLSIU Bengaluru remained the top choice with a cut-off score above 100 marks.
- Other top NLUs like NALSAR Hyderabad and WBNUJS Kolkata had cut-offs between 95 and 100 marks.
- Scoring 100+ ensured a rank within the top 5, securing admission to premier NLUs.
- A score of 91+ could fetch admission to mid-tier NLUs like HNLU Raipur and RMLNLU Lucknow.
- For newer NLUs, scores in the range of 60–70 sufficed for the closing rank.
2. CLAT Marks vs Rank 2022
In 2022, the exam followed a 150-mark pattern. The data showcases a significant drop in marks after the top ranks:
| Score Range (out of 150) | Rank Range | Candidates Count |
| 125–130 | 1 | 1 |
| 115–120 | 4–5 | 2 |
| 100–105 | 10–19 | 10 |
| 85–90 | 174–362 | 189 |
| 70–75 | 1412–2318 | 907 |
| 55–60 | 5201–7284 | 2084 |
| 45–50 | 9842–12994 | 3153 |
3. Trends in CLAT Marks vs Rank
- Increased Competition: Over the years, competition has intensified, making higher scores necessary to secure a seat in top NLUs.
- Difficulty Level Impact: A harder exam leads to lower overall scores and cut-offs, as seen in CLAT 2023, where the top score dipped significantly.
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
| CLAT Eligibility Criteria | CLAT Exam Pattern |
| CLAT Age Limit | CLAT Marking Scheme |
| How to Prepare for CLAT? | Best Books for CLAT |
How to Use CLAT Marks vs Rank for College Prediction?
1. Compare Your Marks with Previous Years’ Data
Refer to historical CLAT marks vs rank trends to get an idea of how ranks correspond to marks.
2. Understand NLU Cut-Offs
- Review the cut-offs for individual NLUs from previous years.
- Higher-ranked NLUs have cut-offs in the range of 90–100 marks, while newer NLUs might accept scores as low as 60–70 marks.
3. Use Online Rank Predictors
Enter your score into the free CLAT rank predictor to estimate your rank and shortlist eligible NLUs.
4. Research NLU Preferences
Each NLU has a unique ranking and reputation. Prioritize based on factors like:
- Academic reputation
- Faculty and infrastructure
- Placement opportunities
- Location preferences
5. Match Your Rank with Seat Availability
For example, in 2023, the candidate ranked 2596 (last UG seat) had a score of 68.75. If your rank is close to the last cut-off, you may have a chance at newer NLUs or state-category seats.
6. Consider Category-Specific Ranks
If you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/PwD), your rank and cut-off requirements may differ. Research category-specific cut-offs to refine your predictions.
7. Use for Counseling Strategy
During CLAT counseling, start with your top-choice NLUs and include mid-tier options as backups based on your predicted rank.
8. Keep an Eye on Trends
If the CLAT 2025 question paper is tougher than usual, cut-offs may drop. Conversely, easier papers might lead to higher cut-offs.
Key Factors Impacting CLAT Marks vs Rank 2025
The calculation of marks and rank in CLAT 2025 will depend on the following factors:
Exam Difficulty Level
If the CLAT exam is tough, overall scores tend to be lower, leading to reduced cut-offs and ranks for the same score range. Conversely, an easier paper increases competition and raises cut-offs.
Number of Candidates
A higher number of aspirants increases competition, making it harder to achieve top ranks even with good scores.
Performance of Top Scorers
The scores of the top-performing candidates significantly influence rank distribution. A high top score narrows the gap between subsequent ranks.
Sectional Difficulty
Difficulty levels vary by section (e.g., Legal Reasoning may be tougher one year), which affects overall scores and ranking trends.
Seat Availability
The number of seats and participating NLUs impacts the rank required for admission. With 26 NLUs in CLAT 2025, lower ranks may still secure a seat.
Reservation Policies
Category-wise reservations alter rank requirements. Reserved category candidates have separate cut-offs, which influences the overall rank-to-score distribution.
Tie-Breaker Rules
Candidates scoring the same marks are ranked using tie-breakers such as higher scores in Legal Reasoning, age preference, and a computerized draw of lots.
Free CLAT Rank Predictor 2025
To estimate your potential rank based on your score, consider using the CLAT Rank Predictor offered by Law Prep Tutorial.
This free tool analyzes your performance and provides an approximate rank, helping you know your chances of securing admission to various NLUs in India.
FAQs About CLAT Marks vs Rank
CLAT marks determine your rank, with higher scores leading to better ranks and increasing chances of admission to top NLUs.
A score of 95+ is generally considered good for admission to top NLUs like NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad.
Ranks are determined based on scores, with tie-breaker rules applied for candidates scoring the same marks.
Yes, you can estimate your rank using tools like the CLAT Rank Predictor by Law Prep Tutorial.
Exam difficulty, number of candidates, and changes in the paper pattern significantly impact marks-to-rank correlation.
The cut-off score for NLSIU Bengaluru was around 100 marks for general category students.
Based on trends, a score above 100 is expected for a top 50 rank.
CLAT 2025 offers approximately 3,000 seats across 26 NLUs.
A score of 50 may place you in the 5000–6000 rank range, depending on competition.
AIR is your rank among all candidates, while category rank is your rank within your reservation category.
Law Colleges Information Related to CLAT:
| List of NLUs in India | CLAT Colleges in India |
| CLAT Colleges in Delhi | CLAT Colleges in Rajasthan |
| Top 5 NLUs in India | NLSIU Bangalore Seats |
Free Previous Year Papers of CLAT