CLAT vs LSAT Difference 2024: Full Comparison 

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. 

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.

The table below details general highlights between CLAT and LSAT to provide an overview of the essential components of both exams:

ParticularsCLATLSAT
Conducting BodyConsortium of NLUsLSAC
Exam LevelNationalNational
Courses OfferedBA LLB (Hons)BSc LLB (Hons)BCom LLB (Hons)BBA LLB (Hons)BSW LLB (Hons)LLMBA LLBBA LLB (Hons)BBA LLBBBA LLB (Hons)B.Tech LLBBSc LLBBCom LLBBCom LLB (Hons)LLM
Courses DurationIntegrated LLB: 5 yearsLLM: 1 yearIntegrated LLB: 5 yearsLLB: 3 yearsLLM: 1 year
Participating Colleges24 NLUs16+ LSAT-participating colleges
Frequency of ExamOnce a yearTwice a year
SectionsEnglish LanguageLegal ReasoningLogical ReasoningCurrent Affairs and GKQuantitative TechniquesReading Comprehension Analytical ReasoningLogical Reasoning-1Logical Reasoning-2

Also Read: CLAT Quantitative Techniques Previous Year Paper Analysis 2020-23

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. 

Choosing between the CLAT and LSAT exams is a difficult task. Both exams have their importance and are highly prestigious.

ParticularCLATLSAT
Exam ModeOfflineOnline
FrequencyOnce a yearTwice a year
Counseling ModeOnlineOffline
Test Duration2 hours2 hours, 20 minutes
Type of QuestionsMultiple-choice questionsMultiple-choice questions 
Total no. of Questions120 92 
Marking Scheme+1 for a correct answer-0.25 for an incorrect answer+1 for a correct answerNo negative marking
Question AreasCLAT 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)

The difference between LSAT and CLAT application fees is given below:

CLATLSAT
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
CLATLSAT
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.
CLATLSAT
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:

Checkout CLAT previous Year papers of 15 years.

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All the Best for both exams!

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