CLAT vs AILET - Which Law Entrance Is Best for You?

Selecting the appropriate law entrance exam is a crucial choice for every aspiring lawyer. In India, there are two primary entrance exams that shape the legal education scene: CLAT, and AILET
Each of these exams features a unique format, varying levels of difficulty, and distinct admission processes, making it essential to grasp their differences.

This comprehensive comparison will assist you in determining which law entrance exam suits you best, considering your abilities, desired colleges, and career goals.

Overview of the Two Law Entrance Exams

1. CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

• Conducted by: Consortium of NLUs
• Purpose: Admission to 24 National Law Universities (except NLU Delhi)
• Courses: BALLB, LLB, LLM
• Exam Mode: Offline

CLAT is the most popular and competitive law entrance exam in India.

2. AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)

• Conducted by: National Law University Delhi (NLU-D)
• Purpose: Admission to NLU Delhi only
• Courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD
• Exam Mode: Offline

AILET is known for being more difficult than CLAT because competition is for only one NLU.

CLAT vs AILET - Detailed Comparison
 

Feature	CLAT	AILET
Conducted By	Consortium of NLUs	NLU Delhi
Accepted By	24 NLUs + various private universities	NLU Delhi
Difficulty Level	Moderate to High	Very High
Exam Frequency	Once a year	Once a year
Mode of Exam	Offline	Offline
Sections	English, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques, General Knowledge	English, Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge
Syllabus Focus	Mixed reasoning + GK	Reasoning-focused + English-heavy
Ideal For	Students aiming for top NLUs across India	Students specifically targeting NLU Delhi
Competition	Very high	Extremely high

 

Exam Pattern Comparison

CLAT Exam Pattern for UG Course

• Total Questions: 120
• Duration: 2 hours
• Question Type: MCQ
• Negative Marking: Yes (- 0.25)

Sections

1. English Language
2. Legal Reasoning
3. Logical Reasoning
4. Current Affairs & GK
5. Quantitative Techniques

CLAT Exam Pattern for PG Course

• Total Questions: 120
• Duration: 2 hours
• Question Type: MCQ
• Negative Marking: Yes (- 0.25)

Sections

1. Constitutional Law
2. Other areas of Law from the UG curriculum (such as Jurisprudence, Contract, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR, etc.)

AILET Exam Pattern for UG Course

• Total Questions: 150
• Duration: 2 hours
• Negative Marking: Yes (- 0.25)

Sections

1. English Language
2. Logical Reasoning
3. Current Affairs & GK

AILET Exam Pattern for LLM

• Total Questions: 100
• Duration: 2 hours
• Negative Marking: Yes (- 0.25)

Sections

1. Constitutional Law
2. Jurisprudence & Legal Theory
3. Criminal Law
4. International Law
5. Other Law Subjects: Company Law, Administrative Law, etc., depending on specialization.

 

AILET Exam Pattern for PhD

• Total Questions: 100
• Duration: 2 hours
• Negative Marking: Yes (- 0.25)

Sections

1. Research Methodology
2. Legal Theory and Philosophy
3. Specialized Subject Knowledge in chosen research area

Which Exam Is More Difficult?

CLAT Difficulty Level: Moderate to High

• Heavy legal reasoning + GK
• Large competition (60,000+ candidates)

AILET Difficulty Level: Very High

• Toughest law exam in India
• Competition for only 110 seats

Which Exam Should YOU Choose?

Choose CLAT if:

• You want to study at top NLUs
• You can handle GK and legal reasoning
• You want diverse career opportunities through NLUs

Choose AILET if:

• Your target is NLU Delhi
• You are strong in English and Logical Reasoning
• You are prepared for a high-difficulty exam

Top Colleges Accepting These Exams

Top NLUs under CLAT

• NLSIU Bangalore
• NALSAR Hyderabad
• WBNUJS Kolkata
• NLU Jodhpur
• NLU Bhopal
• NLU Odisha

AILET - Only One College

• NLU Delhi (one of India’s top law schools)

FAQs

1. Which exam is easier: CLAT or AILET?

CLAT is the easiest in terms of difficulty. AILET is the toughest.

2. Which exam gives the best college options?

CLAT offers 24 NLUs, making it the best for national-level opportunities.

3. Should I prepare for CLAT and AILET together?

Yes. Both exams have similar sections and can be prepared simultaneously.

4. Can I crack CLAT or AILET in 6 months?

Absolutely. With the right strategy, mock tests, and consistent practice, many students crack CLAT and AILET within 4–6 months of preparation.

5. Which section is most scoring in CLAT?

The Logical Reasoning and English sections are generally considered the most scoring due to their consistency and predictable pattern.

6. How many seats are available through CLAT and AILET?

• CLAT: 3,000+ seats across 22 NLUs
• AILET: Around 110 BA LLB seats in NLU Delhi

Choosing the right law entrance exam depends on your strengths and your target colleges.

• Pick CLAT if you want to join India’s top NLUs.
• Pick AILET if NLU Delhi is your dream law school.

Evaluate your skills, study focus, and career goals, then choose the exam that aligns best with your ambitions.