CLAT Vs LSAT is the two law entrance exams conducted in India. Candidates who are willing to be admitted to top law universities should attempt these entrance exams. If both the law entrance exams are meant for admissions to law schools, then what is the difference between the two?
Compare CLAT Vs LSAT Exams Which is Better?
Both the law entrance exams are unique in their own way. This article will differentiate between the exams in various aspects like the exam pattern, syllabus, difficulty level, competition level, etc.
CLAT Exam 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Description |
| Conducting Body | The consortium of National Law Universities |
| Exam Level | National level |
| Participating Institutes | 22 National law universities |
| Law programs offered | 5-year integrated LLB and LLM |
| Frequency of exam | Once in a year |
LSAT 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Description |
| Conducting Body | Pearson VUE |
| Exam level | National level |
| Participating Institutes | More than 50 law colleges |
| Law programs offered | 3-year LLB, 5-year LLB, LLM |
| Frequency of exam | Once in a year |
CLAT Vs LSAT – Major Differences
Both the law entrance exams are different in their own ways. The CLAT exam is mainly for admissions in National Law Universities. While the scores of the LSAT are shared with the associated college for admissions. CLAT offers law courses for BA LLB, BBA LLB, and LLM programs. At the same time, LSAT offers courses for 3-year LLB and other law courses.
[Download Free Study Material For CLAT 2026 by LegalEdge]
Check: CLAT Fee Structure [All NLUs]
CLAT Vs LSAT – Eligibility Criteria
The minimum eligibility criteria for the UG programs for both exams is qualifying 10+2 exams. Candidates applying for CLAT should have an aggregate of 45% (40% for reserved category) in the 10+2 exam.
PG program for CLAT requires a candidate who has an LLB degree from a law school recognized by BCI is a must. A minimum of 55% (50% for reserved category) in the graduation degree is required. For LSAT, the minimum marks for both UG and PG programs will vary according to the desired institute.
CLAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Category | Details |
| Exam mode | Offline (pen-paper mode) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Type of Questions | Descriptive, multiple-choice questions |
| Number of Questions | Undergraduate Exam (BA LLB) – 150 objective type questions |
| Postgraduate Exam (LLM) – 100 objective and 2 subjective questions | |
| Total Marks | UG – 150 marks |
| PG – 150 marks | |
| Language | English |
| Marking scheme | UG – Each objective question will carry 1 mark. An incorrect answer will carry a penalty of 0.25 marks. |
| PG – Each question will carry 1 mark. An incorrect answer will carry a penalty of 0.25 marks.
The subjective questions will each carry 25 marks. |
Check CLAT Exam Pattern 2026
LSAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Particular | Description |
| Mode of exam | Pencil-and-paper based (offline) |
| Duration of the exam | 2 hours 55 minutes |
| Number of questions | 115 |
| Section-wise number of questions | Each section will have around 22 – 24 questions
|
| Question format | Multiple-choice questions (4 or 5 options will be given for each question). |
| Marking scheme | There is no negative marking |
| Scoring pattern | Test scores will be provided as a scaled score between 420 and 480, a score band, along with percentile rank. |
CLAT Vs LSAT – Qualitative Analysis
The questions asked and the topics covered are different in both the law entrance exams. CLAT focuses on various topics like general knowledge, mathematics, Legal aptitude, and others. Whereas LSAT focuses on testing candidates’ reasoning ability reading ability and other things. Check the best books for CLAT 2026.
CLAT Syllabus 2026
Aspirants can download CLAT 2026 syllabus PDF.
| For UG | For PG |
| English | Constitutional Law |
| Mathematics | Law of Torts |
| General Knowledge | International Law |
| Current Affairs | Jurisprudence |
| Logical Reasoning | Intellectual Property Law |
| Legal Aptitude | Law of Contracts |
| Criminal Law |
LSAT Syllabus 2026
| Subjects/Topics | Total number of questions | Duration |
| Analytical reasoning | 23 | 35 mins |
| Logical reasoning – 1 | 22 | 35 mins |
| Logical reasoning – 2 | 23 | 35 mins |
| Reading Comprehension | 24 | 35 mins |
| Variable | 23 | 35 mins |
| Total | 115 | 2 hr 55 min |
CLAT Vs LSAT – Difficulty Level
When the difficulty level of the two exams is considered, CLAT is more difficult and considered to be the toughest law entrance exam in India. On the other hand, LSAT is a bit easier, but cannot take it for granted. Pearson VUE and LSAT which are the conducting bodies of LSAT are responsible for qualitatively testing the candidates through the entrance exams.
In the CLAT exam, candidates should answer 150 questions in 2 hours. The questions come from various topics and subjects, so the candidates should cover a vast syllabus. For the CLAT exam, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. Whereas for LSAT, there is no negative marking.
Check : How to prepare for CLAT 2026.
In LSAT there are 115 questions that should be answered in 2 hours 55 minutes. There is a new section called the ‘Variable section’ which is an unscored section and the questions of this will remain unidentified.
CLAT Vs LSAT – Competition Level
The competition in the CLAT exam is quite high as it is a gateway to the prestigious national law universities. According to the last year’s data, more than 50,000 candidates appeared for 2500 seats.
Check : Top 10 CLAT Coaching Institutes.
LSAT is also gaining prominence and seeing the competition at a high level. In LSAT, during the last year, more than 50 law colleges participated. Even in this year several associated colleges and some top law colleges will be a part of the LSAT law entrance exam.
CLAT Vs LSAT – Top Participating Colleges
| Top Law Colleges Accepting CLAT | Top Law Colleges Accepting LSAT |
| National Law School of India University, Bangalore | Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat |
| NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad | ICFAI Law School, Hyderabad |
| Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai | School of Law, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun |
| Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow | Alliance School of Law, Bangalore |
| National Law Institute University, Bhopal | SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonepat |
| National Law University, Jodhpur | VIT Law School, Chennai |
| Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala | The NorthCap University, Gurgaon |
Check: Top NLUS In India 2026
CLAT Vs LSAT – Overlapping Points
Recently, a few changes have been introduced in the CLAT 2026 exam where the focus is on testing the candidates for complex reading ability, understanding of reading, logical reasoning, while elementary maths has been awarded a lower weightage. Whereas LSAT focuses on testing candidates’ reading ability, logical reasoning power. English is another section present in both LSAT and CLAT. Such overlapping points will be beneficial for the candidates preparing for both the exams.
Although CLAT and LSAT are two different exams, the candidate should appear for both. If a candidate is interested in the fact that a particular college is associated with the entrance test, then he/she should opt for the LSAT exam. Similarly, if the candidate is interested in national law universities, then he/she must opt for CLAT. It is better to appear for both the law entrance exams and then prepare smartly for the preferred one.
Check: Entrance Exams For LAW After 12th In India
CLAT Vs LSAT FAQs
Q). How many colleges are participating in CLAT law entrance exam 2026?
A). There are 22 NLUs participating in the CLAT 2026 exam, other than NLUs there are various other law colleges that will accept CLAT scores.
Q). Who conducts the LSAT exam?
A). Pearson VUE, on behalf of LSAT, will conduct the LSAT exam.
Q). How many colleges are participating in the LSAT law entrance exam 2026?
A). There are 52 law colleges participating in LSAT law entrance exam.
Q). How to get admission in top NLUs?
A). For candidates who wish to get admission in top NLUs should attempt the CLAT exam.
Q). Should the candidate write both the law entrance exams?
A). It is advised to write both the exams to get admission in a good university.
Q). What is the mode of both the law entrance exams?
A). Both the law entrance exams are conducted in offline mode.