Soon after school, all law aspirants dream about getting into their dream college. The gateway to those best law colleges comes through law entrance exams like CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) or LSAT (Law School Admission Test). With the increasing demand for law programs, aspirants seeking admission to top law institutions appear for various law entrances to land in the top law schools.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
It is evident that both CLAT and SLAT land you in good law colleges, but what is the difference between them? This blog will give you a brief idea of the difference between the CLAT and LSAT exams.
LSAT and CLAT Differences: Highlights
The table below details general highlights between CLAT and LSAT to provide an overview of the essential components of both exams:
| Particulars | CLAT | LSAT |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of NLUs | LSAC |
| Exam Level | National | National |
| Courses Offered | BA LLB (Hons)BSc LLB (Hons)BCom LLB (Hons)BBA LLB (Hons)BSW LLB (Hons)LLM | BA LLBBA LLB (Hons)BBA LLBBBA LLB (Hons)B.Tech LLBBSc LLBBCom LLBBCom LLB (Hons)LLM |
| Courses Duration | Integrated LLB: 5 yearsLLM: 1 year | Integrated LLB: 5 yearsLLB: 3 yearsLLM: 1 year |
| Participating Colleges | 24 NLUs | 16+ LSAT-participating colleges |
| Frequency of Exam | Once a year | Twice a year |
| Sections | English LanguageLegal ReasoningLogical ReasoningCurrent Affairs and GKQuantitative Techniques | Reading Comprehension Analytical ReasoningLogical Reasoning-1Logical Reasoning-2 |
Also Read: CLAT Quantitative Techniques Previous Year Paper Analysis 2020-23
CLAT vs LSAT: Basic Difference
The CLAT is an all-India entrance examination conducted by the Consortium of NLUs in India. It is designed for students seeking admission to undergraduate (LL.B) and postgraduate (LL.M) law programs offered by participating universities.
On the other hand, the LSAT exam is conducted by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). It is designed for students looking for undergraduate and postgraduate law programs from the LSAT-participating colleges.
Difference Between LSAT and CLAT: Exam Nature and Pattern
Choosing between the CLAT and LSAT exams is a difficult task. Both exams have their importance and are highly prestigious.
| Particular | CLAT | LSAT |
| Exam Mode | Offline | Online |
| Frequency | Once a year | Twice a year |
| Counseling Mode | Online | Offline |
| Test Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours, 20 minutes |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-choice questions | Multiple-choice questions |
| Total no. of Questions | 120 | 92 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for a correct answer-0.25 for an incorrect answer | +1 for a correct answerNo negative marking |
| Question Areas | CLAT UG English Language, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques CLAT PG Constitutional Law, Other law subjects | Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension |
Also Read: Timetable for CLAT Preparation 2025 (Study Plan)
Difference Between CLAT and LSAT: Application Fees
The difference between LSAT and CLAT application fees is given below:
| CLAT | LSAT |
| For General/ OBC/ PWD/ NRI candidates: INR 4,000/- For SC/ ST/ BPL category candidates: INR 3,500/- | INR 3999 for all categories. However, discounts can be requested by OBC/ SC/ ST/ EWS category |
CLAT or LSAT: Difficulty Level
| CLAT | LSAT |
| The difficulty level of CLAT is moderate. Moreover, there will be many questions to attempt in less time. The time constraints and negative marking system are challenging for the CLAT aspirants. | The LSAT question paper difficulty level is high. But an advantage is offered to the candidates as there is no negative marking scheme for any wrong attempt. The students may go for a few guesswork activities. |
Colleges Accepting CLAT vs LSAT Scores
| CLAT | LSAT |
| 1. National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore 2. National Law University (NLU), Delhi 3. NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad 4. West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata 5. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar 6. National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur 7. National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal 8. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow 9. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNLU), Punjab 10. National Law University (NLUO), Odisha 11. Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna 12. The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi 13. National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi 14. Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur 15. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam 16. Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai 17. Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Aurangabad 18. Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla 19. Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur 20. National Law University Tripura (NLUT), Agartala 21. Dr. B. R Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Haryana 22. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Silvassa 23. National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam 24.Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli | 1. Alliance University, Bengaluru 2. Asian Law College, Noida 3. BML Munjal University, Gurugram 4. GD Goenka University, Sohna, HaryanaI 5. SBR Law College, Bengaluru 6. Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat, Haryana 7. Lloyd Law College, Noida 8. School of Law and Constitutional Studies Shobhit Institute of Engineering and Technology, Meerut 9. Vinayaka Mission’s Law School, Chennai 10. BITS Law School, Mumbai 11. Chanakya University, Bengaluru 12. CMR University, Bengaluru 13. IILM University, Gurugram 14. Presidency University, Bengaluru 15. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, New Delhi 16. Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai |
Conclusion
While the CLAT and LSAT are crucial for law admissions in India, they cater to different preferences and strengths. CLAT is a gateway to national law universities and various law schools in India. In contrast, LSAT India, administered by LSAC, emphasizes analytical and logical skills, making it suitable for numerous law colleges in India. Aspirants should choose based on their career objectives and the specific requirements of their desired law programs.
Read more blogs:
- How to Prepare for CLAT From Class 11th?
- 20 Best CLAT Books for 2025 Preparation
- Complete CLAT Mock Test Strategy
- Mistakes to Avoid on CLAT 2025 Exam Day
- How to Handle Exam Pressure & Stress During CLAT Preparation?
Checkout CLAT previous Year papers of 15 years.
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All the Best for both exams!