CLAT vs AILET: Which Exam is Tougher?

When it comes to law entrance exams in India, two names consistently stand out: the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET). Both are highly competitive and open doors to some of the best law schools in the country. However, many aspirants often wonder—which of the two exams is tougher?

In this detailed blog, we will break down their differences, similarities, and unique challenges to help you decide where to focus your energy.

Understanding CLAT and AILET: An Overview

Before comparing the difficulty level, it is essential to understand what each exam is designed for.

What is CLAT?

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a centralized entrance test conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities. It is the gateway to 26 NLUs, including some of the most prestigious institutions like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and WBNUJS Kolkata.

CLAT offers admission to two programs:

• Five-Year Integrated Undergraduate Law Degree (BA LLB)

• One-Year Master of Laws (LLM)

The exam is held annually, and the competition is intense due to the large number of candidates.

What is AILET?

The All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) is conducted exclusively by National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi). Unlike CLAT, which covers multiple NLUs, AILET is solely for securing a seat at NLU Delhi—a university that consistently ranks among India’s top law schools.

AILET offers:

• BA LLB (Hons.)

• LLM

• Ph.D. in Law

Because NLU Delhi only offers around 123 seats for the BA LLB program, the competition is exceptionally high.

Exam Pattern and Structure: Key Differences

One major factor that influences the difficulty of any exam is its pattern and structure. Let’s look at how CLAT and AILET differ in this aspect.

CLAT Exam Pattern

CLAT underwent significant changes in recent years. The current pattern focuses more on comprehension-based questions.

• Total Marks: 120

• Duration: 2 hours

• Sections:

  • English Language

  • Current Affairs including General Knowledge

  • Legal Reasoning

  • Logical Reasoning

  • Quantitative Techniques

Each question carries one mark, and there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer.

AILET Exam Pattern

AILET has a more traditional pattern that is slightly different from CLAT’s comprehension-heavy approach.

• Total Marks: 150

• Duration: 2 hours

• Sections:

  • English

  • General Knowledge

  • Legal Aptitude

  • Reasoning

  • Elementary Mathematics

Like CLAT, AILET also has negative marking. However, the time pressure is greater due to a shorter exam duration.

Question Style and Level of Difficulty

The style and depth of questions play a critical role in determining which exam is tougher.

CLAT Question Style

CLAT questions are comprehension-based. You will encounter long passages in almost every section. The paper tests your ability to:

• Read and process information quickly

• Draw inferences

• Apply reasoning in a contextual manner

While the comprehension approach helps students with good reading habits, it can be overwhelming if you are not used to lengthy passages.

AILET Question Style

AILET retains many direct questions, especially in Legal Aptitude and General Knowledge. The paper has a higher emphasis on factual knowledge rather than comprehension.

Candidates often find the Legal Aptitude section of AILET slightly more challenging because of the need to remember legal facts and principles.

Check this also: How to Prepare for CLAT at Home: A Complete Guide

Time Management: The Biggest Challenge

One of the most important aspects to consider is time management.

CLAT gives you 120 minutes to solve 120 questions, meaning you get about 48 seconds per question.

AILET gives you only 90 minutes for the same number of questions. This translates to 36 seconds per question.

This difference creates immense time pressure during AILET, making it feel tougher for students who struggle with speed.

Level of Competition

The level of competition is another factor that influences perceived toughness.

• CLAT sees over 60,000 applicants competing for around 3,000 seats across 24 NLUs.

• AILET receives about 20,000 applications but offers only around 123 seats for the undergraduate course.

The acceptance rate at NLU Delhi is significantly lower, which increases the pressure to score higher.

Syllabus Comparison

While the syllabus broadly overlaps, some key differences exist.

CLAT Syllabus

The comprehension-based questions cover:

• Legal Reasoning passages

• Logical Reasoning passages

• Current affairs comprehension

  
  

AILET Syllabus

AILET requires:

• Direct legal principles

• More factual GK

• Additional emphasis on Elementary Mathematics

If you prefer direct questions over comprehension, AILET may feel more familiar but also faster-paced.

Preparation Strategies for Each Exam

Whether you find CLAT or AILET tougher depends on your preparation style. Here are some tips to align your strategy:

For CLAT

• Practice reading comprehension daily.

• Build stamina for long passages.

• Solve mock tests to improve focus over 2 hours.

For example, many aspirants who focus early on comprehension skills feel more confident during their CLAT preparation.

For AILET

• Work on solving questions quickly.

• Strengthen factual GK and legal principles.

• Practice under 90-minute time constraints.

The shorter duration and higher cut-off make AILET preparation more intense for many students.

Which Exam Should You Attempt?

If you have the resources and time, appearing for both exams is wise. It increases your chances of securing a seat in a top law university.

• Choose CLAT if you are more comfortable with comprehension-based questions and prefer having multiple college options.

• Choose AILET if you are confident in your speed and accuracy and want to target NLU Delhi specifically.

  
  

Expert Opinions on Which is Tougher

Many legal educators agree that AILET feels tougher primarily because:

• The time per question is less.

• The cut-off is higher due to fewer seats.

• The questions are more direct and require faster recall.

However, others argue that CLAT is equally challenging due to the comprehension demands and evolving question patterns.

Ultimately, it depends on individual strengths and preparation habits.

Conclusion: Which Exam is Tougher?

There is no definitive answer—both exams are difficult in their own ways. If you struggle with time pressure, AILET will feel tougher. If comprehension is a weakness, CLAT may seem more challenging.

Key Takeaway: Analyze your strengths, take multiple mock tests, and decide where your comfort lies.

If you are aiming for CLAT 2026, start building your reading skills and time management early so you can handle the demands of either exam confidently.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for law entrance exams requires focus, consistency, and clarity about your goals. Whether you choose CLAT, AILET, or both, success will depend on how well you adapt your strategy to each exam’s unique requirements.

Thank you for reading—wishing you all the best in your journey to a top law school!