CLAT vs LSAT Difference 2024: Full Comparison

 

After completing their secondary education, all law aspirants dream of getting into their desired college. The gateway to those best Law colleges is through Law entrance exams, such as the CLAT exam or LSAT exam. These are India's two most popular law entrance exams. As the demand for law courses grows, candidates seeking admission to top law institutions compete in a variety of law entrance exams to gain admission to top law schools. Law students must begin preparing as soon as possible due to the difficult exam pattern and competition.

CLAT exam full form is the Common Law Admission Test. It will be doubtlessly an easy choice for many law candidates seeking admission to the best national law university. LSAT full form is Law School Admission Test. It is the Indian version which is managed in the United States and is primarily administered to some of the country's top private law schools. Now, law students may be wondering which exam to take. Both entrance exams are distinct in their own right, whether in terms of exam pattern or syllabus. 

How will you decide whether to take CLAT or LSAT? We will try to include as much information as possible about both entrance exams to help you make an informed decision. First, we will glance quickly at the highlights of both exams.

CLAT Exam

CLAT is an entrance examination taken by students in India each year to gain admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law courses conducted by the consortium of National Law University and CLAT affiliated colleges. The law programme offered by the CLAT exam is five years of integrated LLB and LLM. The aspirants who clear this entrance are eligible to join 22 National law universities.

LSAT Exam

LSAT is an entrance examination taken by aspirants each year to gain admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law courses conducted by the Pearson VUE on behalf of LSAC India. The law programme offered by the LSAT exam is three years LLB and five years of integrated LLB and LLM. The candidates who clear this entrance are eligible to join More than 50 law colleges.

Also read: How do I prepare for the CLAT 2025 in 1 year?

CLAT Vs. LSAT

There are several factors that distinguish both law school entrance exams. They are as follows:

Eligibility Criteria

For both exams, passing the 10+2 exam is a must to meet the minimum eligibility criterion for UG law programmes. Join online clat coaching for CLAT preparation.

Applicants for CLAT exam must have a 10+2 exam grade point average of 45 percent (40 percent for the reserved category).

An LLB degree from a law school recognized by BCI is required for the LLM programme via CLAT. A minimum of 55 percent in the graduation degree qualifying exam is required (50 percent for the reserved category).

The minimum marks required for UG and PG programmes via LSAT India will differ depending on the desired institute.

Exam Fees

The CLAT exam fee is Rs. 4000. (Rs. 3500 for reserved category).

The LSAT India fee is Rs. 3800. (Rs. 4250 with LSAT India Handbook).

Exam Pattern

LSAT paper pattern is completely different than most other law entrance exams in India, and the CLAT exam pattern is also updated to improve candidate screening methodology.

The CLAT exam is conducted online, whereas the Law School Admission Test is only conducted offline.

CLAT exam syllabus for UG includes English, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Legal Aptitude.

The CLAT exam syllabus for PG includes Constitutional Law, International Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, Law of Contracts, Law of Torts, and Jurisprudence.

The LSAT India exam pattern is the same for UG and PG courses.

LSAT exam syllabus includes Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning - 1,2, and Analytical Reasoning.

Exam Duration

The CLAT lasts two hours, with no sectional time limit. Aspirants can solve the sections in any order they want, and there is no pressure to complete a section in a specific amount of time.

The LSAT India exam lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes. Because this exam has a sectional time limit, time management is an issue. Each section needs to be finished in 35 minutes. So, time management is important for this entrance exam.

Total Number of Questions and Marking

The total questions for CLAT UG are 150, and the total questions for CLAT PG are 120.

In the CLAT exam, each question is worth one point, and each incorrect answer is worth 0.25 points.

The total number of questions on the LSAT India varies between 92 and 100 for both LLB and LLM courses.

In LSAT India, each question is worth one mark, and no points are deducted for incorrect answers. 

Final Words

You must consider several crucial factors when deciding whether to take the CLAT or the LSAT in India. Both law entrance exams present many challenges and obstacles. These tests are important because they provide access to various opportunities in the legal field. The distinctions between the LSAT and CLAT exams will aid you in making your final decision.

According to previous years' trends, the competition for CLAT seats is much tougher and more brutal, but the reputation is well worth the effort. This is not to say that the LSAT India is not difficult. There are several good law schools that fall under its umbrella, making it a viable alternative.

Also Read: CLAT Exam Eligibility 2025 - Educational Qualification, Age Limit, Nationality

Happy Reading!