Law Entrance Exams After Class 12th in India: Eligibility, Pattern & Colleges
A practical guide to CLAT, AILET, PU UG Law Entrance, SLAT, CUET UG and MH CET Law 5-Year — with eligibility, patterns, colleges and preparation guidance.
The main law entrance exams after Class 12th include CLAT UG, AILET, SLAT, the Panjab University UG Law Entrance, CUET UG for participating universities and MH CET Law 5-Year. The right exam depends on the colleges you want to target, their eligibility requirements and the admission route they use.
What Are Law Entrance Exams After Class 12th?
A law entrance exam is one of the main admission routes used by universities and law schools to select students for 5-year integrated law programmes. Board marks alone don't tell a university much about whether you can read a dense passage, spot a weak argument or apply a rule to a set of facts. These tests try to check exactly that.
Straight after school, you're looking at the 5-year integrated programme: BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB and so on. You study a bachelor's subject and law side by side.
Then there's the 3-year LLB. You can only join that after finishing graduation, so if you're in school right now, the 5-year LLB entrance exams are the ones that concern you.
Top Law Entrance Exams After Class 12th in India
| Exam | Course / Admission | Minimum Class 12 Marks | Exam Format | Main Admission Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLAT UG | 5-year integrated LLB at participating NLUs | 45% (40% SC/ST) | 120 MCQs, 2 hours, offline, −0.25 | Centralised Consortium counselling |
| AILET | BA LLB (Hons) at NLU Delhi | 45% with category relaxation | 150 MCQs, 2 hours, offline, −0.25 | NLU Delhi merit list |
| PU UG Law Entrance | BA LLB (Hons) / BCom LLB (Hons) | 50% (45% SC/ST/BC/PwD) | 100 MCQs, 90 minutes, offline, −0.25 | 50% entrance + 50% Class 12 |
| SLAT | BA LLB / BBA LLB at Symbiosis Law Schools | 45% (40% SC/ST) | 60 MCQs, 60 minutes, computer-based, no negative marking | Symbiosis admission process |
| CUET UG | 5-year LLB at participating universities | Set by each university | Computer-based; subjects as required | University counselling |
| MH CET Law 5-Year | 5-year LLB at participating Maharashtra colleges | As per State CET notification | 120 MCQs, 2 hours, computer-based, no negative marking | Maharashtra CAP counselling |
PU, CUET and MH CET generally announce their upcoming cycles early in the new year. Always check the latest official notification before applying.
Which Law Entrance Exam Should You Take After Class 12th?
Short version: work backwards from the colleges you want.
Most students end up writing three or four of these. That's normal, and because the papers overlap so much, it's very doable.
CLAT UG
CLAT 2027 is scheduled for Sunday, 6 December 2026, from 2 to 4 pm. The score is used for admissions to the 2027–28 academic year.
You can apply if you've passed Class 12 or are writing your boards in March–April 2027. The general eligibility cut-off is 45% (40% for SC/ST), with no upper age limit.
- 120 questions
- 2 hours
- −0.25 for every wrong answer
- English Language
- Current Affairs including GK
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques
The paper is largely passage-based. CLAT is popular because one paper and one counselling process opens the door to most participating NLUs.
AILET
AILET 2027 is scheduled for Sunday, 13 December 2026, 2 to 4 pm. It is the route into the 5-year BA LLB (Hons) programme at NLU Delhi.
Eligibility is Class 12 passed or appearing with at least 45% for the general category. The paper has 150 questions in two hours, with a quarter-mark penalty for incorrect answers.
Sections include English Language, Current Affairs and General Knowledge, and Logical Reasoning. There is no separate legal reasoning or maths section.
PU Law Entrance Exam After Class 12th
Panjab University runs its own test for the 5-year BA LLB (Hons) and BCom LLB (Hons) programmes. The 2026 prospectus listed seats at UILS Chandigarh, UIL Ludhiana and UILS Hoshiarpur.
Students need at least 50% in Class 12 for admission (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwD). The test has 100 questions in 90 minutes, with −0.25 for each wrong answer.
Final merit is 50% entrance test and 50% Class 12 marks, plus applicable weightage. This makes board performance especially important for PU.
Other Law Entrance Exams Students Can Consider
SLAT
Symbiosis uses SLAT for its law schools in Pune, Noida, Hyderabad and Nagpur. The test is computer-based, has 60 questions in 60 minutes and has no negative marking. Sections include Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and General Knowledge.
CUET UG for Law
CUET isn't a law exam as such, but some universities use CUET UG scores for 5-year LLB admissions. The university decides the required subjects and conducts its own counselling.
MH CET Law (5-Year LLB)
The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, conducts this examination for 5-year LLB seats in participating Maharashtra colleges. The 2026 paper had 120 questions in two hours and no negative marking.
Private Universities
Private universities may run their own tests or accept CLAT scores. Before applying, check the university's website and confirm that the law programme is approved by the Bar Council of India.
What about LSAT—India?
LSAT—India has been discontinued, so it isn't an option for the 2026–27 or 2027–28 admissions cycles.
Eligibility for Law Entrance Exams After Class 12th
- You need Class 12 or an equivalent qualification from a recognised board. Students appearing for boards can usually apply provisionally.
- Most national exams use 45% for the general category, with lower thresholds for reserved categories.
- Panjab University is stricter at admission: 50% (45% for SC/ST/BC/PwD).
- Arts, Commerce and Science students can all pursue BA LLB. Some universities have additional conditions for other integrated programmes.
- CLAT, AILET and SLAT have no upper age limit for UG.
- Clearing an entrance test does not automatically guarantee a seat; all university admission conditions still apply.
Law Courses You Can Pursue After Class 12th
BA LLB
Political science, history, sociology, economics. Often suits students interested in reading, social sciences, public law and litigation.
BBA LLB
Management, marketing and finance. A natural fit for students interested in corporate law and business roles.
BCom LLB
Accounting, taxation and commerce. Useful for students interested in tax and finance law.
BSc LLB
Science subjects depending on the university. Can suit students interested in IP, technology or environmental law.
Common Exam Pattern for Law Entrance Exams
| Area | What It Tests | CLAT | AILET | PU UG Law | SLAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English / Reading | Comprehension, vocabulary, inference | Yes | Yes | Yes – 10 marks | Yes |
| Current Affairs & GK | News, static GK, legal developments | Yes | Yes | 40 marks | Yes |
| Legal Reasoning / Law | Applying principles to facts | Yes | No separate section | 40 marks | Yes |
| Logical Reasoning | Arguments, assumptions, puzzles | Yes | Largest section | 10 marks | Yes + analytical reasoning |
| Quantitative Techniques | Class 10-level maths, data interpretation | Yes | No | No | Within analytical reasoning |
How to Choose the Right Law Entrance Exam After Class 12th
- Your college list: NLU Delhi means AILET; other NLUs mean CLAT; UILS means the PU test; Symbiosis means SLAT.
- Your expected board percentage: especially important if PU is on your list.
- The course: check whether the college offers BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB or another programme you want.
- Your strengths: strong readers may prefer CLAT; puzzle-oriented students may enjoy AILET; strong fact retention helps in PU.
- Seats and competition: keep realistic options alongside dream colleges.
- Fees and distance: compare each institution's official fee page.
- Dates: CLAT, AILET and SLAT fall in December, while PU and MH CET are generally later.
When Should You Start Preparing?
Spend 12–18 months building reading, newspaper, editorial and reasoning habits. Start structured preparation in the second half of Class 11.
From October, focus on mocks, current affairs and weak sections. Give boards priority before returning to spring entrance tests.
A focused 8–10 month drop-year plan can work: concepts first, sectional tests next, then full mocks in the last three months.
How to Prepare for Law Entrance Exams After Class 12th
- Read the syllabus and official sample paper/prospectus for every exam on your list.
- Read every day: newspaper editorials and long-form articles are particularly useful for CLAT.
- Keep short current-affairs notes and revise them weekly.
- Practise legal reasoning by applying the principle given in the question to the facts.
- Practise logical reasoning: arguments, assumptions, conclusions, puzzles and arrangements.
- Work on comprehension: main idea, author's tone, inference and vocabulary in context.
- Take sectional tests to identify where marks are being lost.
- Write full-length mocks two to three months before the exam under real timing.
- Review every mock and classify mistakes as knowledge, misreading or time-management errors.
- Revise current affairs, legal terms and your error log on a fixed weekly schedule.
Career Options After a 5-Year Integrated Law Course
Your career path depends on your college, internships, skills and effort. Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed jobs or salaries.
Law Entrance Exams After Class 12th – FAQs
Which are the main law entrance exams after Class 12th?
For 2027 admissions: CLAT UG, AILET, SLAT, the Panjab University UG law test, CUET UG and MH CET Law 5-Year. Several private universities also conduct their own tests.
Can Science students apply for law entrance exams?
Yes. BA LLB is open to Science students, and some universities offer BSc LLB.
Can Commerce students pursue BA LLB?
Yes. Commerce students can also consider BCom LLB or BBA LLB where offered.
Is CLAT compulsory for studying law in India?
No. NLU Delhi uses AILET, Symbiosis uses SLAT, Panjab University has its own test, and several universities use CUET or their own admission tests.
Which law entrance exam is conducted for NLU Delhi?
AILET, conducted by National Law University Delhi itself.
Can I prepare for CLAT and AILET together?
Yes. English, current affairs and logical reasoning overlap heavily. Add extra reasoning practice for AILET while keeping CLAT legal reasoning and maths in your preparation.
Can I pursue law after Class 12 without an entrance exam?
Some private and affiliated colleges admit students using Class 12 marks or an interview. Always verify Bar Council of India approval before paying fees.
What subjects should I prepare?
English comprehension, current affairs and GK, legal reasoning, logical reasoning and some basic maths. Weightage varies by exam.
Is a 5-year LLB better than a 3-year LLB?
Not automatically. The 5-year route starts directly after school, while the 3-year route is for students who complete graduation first.
When should I start preparing?
Class 11 is ideal for building reading and news habits. If starting after Class 12, a focused 8–10 month plan can still work.