“Success often comes to those who have the blueprint of what lies ahead.”
This quote holds true, especially for CLAT aspirants. Because practicing with previous year question papers of CLAT (PYQ) offers you a clear blueprint of what to expect in the exam.
These papers are not just tests of the past; they are a window into the exam pattern, difficulty levels, and types of questions that come in the CLAT exam.
By studying the CLAT previous year question papers, you can gain insights that turn preparation into a strategic advantage, ensuring you’re not just prepared but ready to crack the CLAT.
Hence, in this post, we have shared with you the CLAT previous year papers PDF (free download) from 2019 to 2024.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
More Previous Year Papers of CLAT
Below are the PDFs of previous year question papers of CLAT with answers, which you can download for FREE:
| Year | PDF Link |
| CLAT 2024 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2023 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2022 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2021 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2020 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2019 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2018 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2017 Question Pape | Click to download |
| CLAT 2016 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2015 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2014 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2013 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2012 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2011 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2010 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2009 Question Paper | Click to download |
| CLAT 2008 Question Paper | Click to download |
Benefits of Using Previous Year Question Papers of CLAT
There are several benefits of practicing with previous year CLAT question papers:
1. Get Familiar with Exam Pattern
CLAT exam previous year papers provide firsthand experience with the format and structure of the Common Law Admission Test.
By regularly practicing these papers, you become familiar with the types of questions, the distribution of marks across different sections, and the overall difficulty level. This reduces surprises on exam day, allowing you to take the test more efficiently.
2. Identify Important Topics
Analyzing past year papers of CLAT helps you to identify trends in the types of questions and topics that frequently appear, highlighting areas that are likely to be important. This can guide your study priorities, helping you allocate your preparation time more effectively to cover high-yield topics more thoroughly.
3. Manage Time Effectively
Time management is crucial in CLAT, as you need to answer many questions in a limited time.
Practicing with CLAT previous year question papers PDF helps you assess the time you spend on different sections and types of questions. With practice, you learn to pace yourself, ensuring that you can complete the exam within the given time without rushing through the last minutes.
4. Boost Confidence and Reduce Anxiety
The more you practice with CLAT previous year question papers, the more familiar you become to the exam’s demands.
This practice builds confidence as you see your scores improve, which can significantly reduce anxiety leading up to and during the exam.
Also Read: Mistakes to Avoid on CLAT Exam Day
5. Learn from Mistakes
When you review your answers in previous year question papers of CLAT, you identify where you make mistakes, whether they are due to knowledge gaps, misreading questions, or time mismanagement.
Each review session provides an opportunity to learn and rectify these errors, thus improving your accuracy and efficiency with each practice session.
6. Developing Effective Strategies
As you work through various past papers, you can experiment with different strategies, such as tackling certain types of questions first or allocating more time to tougher sections.
This helps you understand what works best for you, allowing you to develop a personalized and effective exam strategy.
7. Check Your Preparation Level
Consistently practicing with previous year question papers of CLAT and tracking your scores give you a realistic assessment of your preparation level.
It helps you understand whether you are ready for the exam or need to intensify your studies, focusing on particular areas.
Find strategies on how to prepare for CLAT.
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| NLU Bangalore: All Details |
| Time Management Tips for CLAT |
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Analysis of CLAT Previous Year Question Papers
The following is a year-by-year analysis of the previous year papers of CLAT:
CLAT 2019 Question Paper
- Total Questions: 150
- English Language: 40 questions focused on comprehensive reading and language skills.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: 35 questions that tested knowledge of ongoing global and national events.
- Legal Reasoning: 30 questions requiring analysis of legal scenarios.
- Logical Reasoning: 25 questions designed to evaluate critical thinking and logical deduction.
- Quantitative Techniques: 20 questions assessing basic numerical ability.
CLAT 2020 Question Paper
- Total Questions: 150
- English Language: Maintained at 40 questions, consistent in testing comprehensive language understanding.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: 35 questions, similar to the previous year, requiring up-to-date knowledge on various topics.
- Legal Reasoning: Again, 30 questions that provided legal situations for analysis.
- Logical Reasoning: 25 questions to test reasoning skills.
- Quantitative Techniques: Increased slightly to 20 questions, indicating a slight shift towards more numerical assessment.
CLAT 2021 Question Paper
- Total Questions: 150
- English Language: The section continued with 40 questions, emphasizing language and comprehension.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: 35 questions covering broad topics of current relevance.
- Legal Reasoning: Remained at 30 questions, focusing on assessing candidates’ legal analytical capabilities.
- Logical Reasoning: Consistent with previous years at 25 questions.
- Quantitative Techniques: Again, 20 questions, ensuring candidates’ numerical proficiency is tested.
CLAT 2022 Question Paper
- Total Questions: 150
- English Language: Again, 40 questions emphasizing comprehensive reading and understanding.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: 35 questions, consistent in format and content scope.
- Legal Reasoning: Reduced slightly to 30 questions, still a significant portion of the exam.
- Logical Reasoning: 25 questions aimed at assessing logical thought processes.
- Quantitative Techniques: 20 questions, maintaining a consistent challenge in numerical assessment.
CLAT 2023 Question Paper
- Total Questions: 150
- English Language: 30 questions, a reduction indicating a possible shift in focus or adjustment in the weighting of the exam sections.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: Increased to 35 questions, possibly reflecting a higher emphasis on current events and general knowledge.
- Legal Reasoning: Increased to 40 questions, highlighting a stronger focus on legal analysis skills.
- Logical Reasoning: 30 questions, slightly more than previous years, potentially indicating an increased emphasis on logic-based evaluation.
- Quantitative Techniques: Reduced to 15 questions, the lowest in the observed period, suggesting a lesser focus on quantitative skills.
CLAT 2024 Question Paper
- Total Questions: 120
- English Language: 24 questions, focusing on comprehension and linguistic ability.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: 28 questions, testing awareness of current events and general knowledge.
- Legal Reasoning: 32 questions, emphasizing legal principles and reasoning.
- Logical Reasoning: 24 questions, designed to assess logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Quantitative Techniques: 12 questions, focusing on numerical ability and data interpretation.
Also Read: Habits Every CLAT Aspirant Must Have for Success
The table below shows the number of questions in each subject for the CLAT exams from 2019 to 2024:
| Year | English Language | Current Affairs & GK | Legal Reasoning | Logical Reasoning | Quantitative Techniques |
| 2019 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 |
| 2020 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 |
| 2021 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 |
| 2022 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 |
| 2023 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 30 | 15 |
| 2024 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 24 | 12 |
Free Resources for CLAT Preparation
Use the following free CLAT preparation resources by Law Prep Tutorial:
| CLAT Current Affairs | CLAT Previous Year Papers |
| CLAT Legal Updates | CLAT Express Magazine |
| Free CLAT Classes | CLAT Current Affairs Quizzes |
How to Use CLAT Previous Year Papers for Best Preparation?
Using CLAT previous year question papers strategically can significantly enhance your preparation for the exam.
The following are some tips on how to make the most of these valuable resources:
Know The Latest Exam Pattern
Before solving the previous year question papers, you must know about the latest CLAT exam pattern. It’s because the old papers till CLAT 2023 had 150 questions, which has now changed.
Identify Important Topics
As you review multiple years of past papers, take note of recurring topics and themes, especially in the Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs sections. This can give you insights into the areas that are frequently tested, allowing you to focus your studies more effectively on these topics.
Practice Time Management
Use the CLAT previous year papers to practice completing the paper within the allotted time. This will help you manage your time more effectively during the actual exam, ensuring that you can complete all sections without rushing.
Develop Answering Strategies
While practicing with past papers of CLAT, experiment with different strategies, such as answering all the questions you know first or starting with the section you are strongest in.
This can help you find the approach that works best for you, which you can then apply in the actual exam.
Also Read: CLAT Kya Hota Hai?
Simulate Real Exam Conditions
Occasionally, take a full-length paper in a timed, exam-like setting to simulate the pressure of the actual test day. This helps build stamina and reduces anxiety as you become accustomed to the exam conditions.
Review Your Answers Thoroughly
After completing each paper, thoroughly review your answers. You can do this by downloading the CLAT previous year question papers with answers PDF.
Understand why certain answers were incorrect, clarify any doubts with teachers or peers, and read up on the correct answers. This review process is critical for learning from your mistakes and avoiding them in the future.
Enhance Speed and Accuracy
Regular practice with past papers will help improve both your speed and accuracy. The more you practice, the quicker you will be able to identify the correct answer, which is particularly important in sections like Logical Reasoning and English Language.
Additional Resources to Consider:
- Best CLAT Books
- CLAT Mock Tests
- CLAT Study Material
- CLAT Sample papers
- How to prepare for CLAT
- What is CLAT
- Best CLAT Coaching
CLAT Exam Pattern
The following is the latest exam pattern of CLAT:
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and paper-based) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| CLAT Subjects | 5 Sections: English Language Current Affairs, including General Knowledge Legal Reasoning Logical Reasoning Quantitative Techniques |
| Question Paper Language | English |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 marks for every correct answer |
| -0.25 marks for every wrong answer |
FAQs About CLAT Previous Year Papers
Practicing with previous year papers helps understand the exam format, identify important topics, improve time management, enhance problem-solving speed, and build confidence by familiarizing yourself with the types of questions asked in the exam.
You can find the free PDF of CLAT previous year papers on Law Prep Tutorial website.
It’s beneficial to integrate these papers into your regular study routine. As the exam approaches, you might increase the frequency, aiming to complete at least one paper a week to ensure thorough preparation.
Yes, timing yourself is crucial as it helps simulate real exam conditions and improves your time management skills, ensuring that you can complete the paper within the allocated time during the actual exam.
After completing each paper, review all your answers, especially the incorrect ones. Understand the reasoning behind the correct answers and learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.
While it’s important to cover all sections, pay particular attention to sections where you are weakest. However, the Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs sections are generally significant and should be thoroughly prepared.
Wrapping Up:
Regularly analyzing and practising CLAT previous year papers is a fundamental step in preparing effectively for the exam. These papers not only enhance your understanding of the exam’s structure but also improve your time management skills and build confidence.
For more personalized guidance and structured preparation, consider joining the best CLAT coaching in India, such as Law Prep Tutorial, to maximize your chances of success in this competitive exam.
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