Difference Between CLAT and AILET Entrance Exams 2025

Aspiring law students in India typically face the challenge of choosing between two of the most prominent entrance exams: the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET). While both exams are gateways to prestigious law schools, they have significant differences in terms of their structure, scope, and competitiveness. In this blog, we will explore the nuances of CLAT and AILET, focusing on the 2025 editions, and help students decide which test aligns best with their aspirations.

1. Overview of CLAT and AILET

Aspect	CLAT 2025	AILET 2025
Conducting Body	Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)	National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi)
Number of Institutions	24 NLUs	Only NLU Delhi
Number of Seats	Approx. 2,600+	Approx. 110
Purpose	Admission to undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs	Admission to NLU Delhi’s UG and PG programs

 

CLAT is the primary entrance exam for students seeking admission to the 24 participating NLUs across India. On the other hand, AILET is more exclusive, focusing only on admissions to NLU Delhi. Due to this specificity, AILET often faces stiffer competition given the limited number of seats available.

 

2. Exam Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for both CLAT and AILET 2025 are fairly aligned:

Criteria	CLAT 2025	AILET 2025
Minimum Educational Qualification	10+2 or equivalent with a minimum of 45% marks (General/OBC); 40% marks (SC/ST)	10+2 or equivalent with a minimum of 45% marks (General/OBC); 40% marks (SC/ST)
Age Limit	No age limit	No age limit
Appearing Candidates	Candidates appearing for 12th in 2025 are eligible	Candidates appearing for 12th in 2025 are eligible

Both exams have scrapped the upper age limit, making them accessible to a wider range of students, and the academic qualification requirements remain largely the same. Students currently awaiting their results are also eligible to apply.

3. Exam Pattern

Perhaps the most significant difference between CLAT and AILET lies in the exam pattern:

Feature	CLAT 2025	AILET 2025
Number of Questions	120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)	150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Exam Duration	2 hours	2 hours
Sections	5 Sections: English, Current Affairs & General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques	3 Sections: English, Current Affairs & General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning
Marking Scheme	+1 for each correct answer, -0.25 for each wrong answer	+1 for each correct answer, -0.25 for each wrong answer
Maximum Marks	120 marks	150 marks

 

CLAT covers a broader range of subjects, including a dedicated section on Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques (Mathematics), which are absent from AILET. Conversely, AILET includes more questions, making the exam faster-paced and slightly more challenging in terms of time management.

Key Points of Comparison:

• Legal Reasoning is pivotal in CLAT but absent in AILET. This section focuses on legal principles and their application, testing candidates' ability to understand and analyze legal scenarios.
• Quantitative Techniques, which involves basic mathematics, is exclusive to CLAT.
• Logical Reasoning is more emphasized in AILET, with the majority of questions in this area, making it crucial for candidates to have strong analytical skills.

 

4. Subject-Wise Breakdown of Questions

Subject	CLAT 2025 (Number of Questions)	AILET 2025 (Number of Questions)
English Language	22-26	35
Current Affairs, General Knowledge	28-32	35
Legal Reasoning	28-32	N/A
Logical Reasoning	22-26	70
Quantitative Techniques	12-16	N/A
Total	120	150

 

The distribution of questions reflects the different emphases of the two exams. AILET dedicates a significant portion to Logical Reasoning, while CLAT balances its focus across multiple disciplines. Therefore, students should strategize their preparation based on these varying subject weights.

 

5. Level of Competitiveness

Seats and Admission Chances

One of the critical factors influencing a student’s decision is the number of available seats:

• CLAT 2025 offers 2,600+ seats across its 24 NLUs, making it a broader exam in terms of opportunities.
• AILET 2025 is highly competitive, offering only 110 seats for undergraduate admissions at NLU Delhi.

Given the limited seats, AILET is generally considered more competitive. Students aiming for NLU Delhi face tougher odds, which makes specialized preparation a must.

Difficulty Level

Though both exams are known for their rigorous nature, AILET is often perceived to be slightly tougher due to the higher number of questions (150 vs. 120) and the focus on Logical Reasoning. CLAT’s broader scope and inclusion of Legal Reasoning tend to balance the difficulty across multiple areas.

 

6. Exam Fee Structure

While the application fees for general candidates are quite similar for both exams, the fees for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and economically weaker sections differ. For example, AILET offers a complete fee waiver for SC/ST candidates under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, while CLAT does not have such provisions. For both exams, it is essential to check the latest fee structure before applying.

7. Preparation Strategy for CLAT and AILET 2025

For CLAT:

1. Legal Reasoning: Focus on legal principles, case studies, and passages based on real-life legal scenarios.
2. Quantitative Techniques: Practice data interpretation, basic algebra, and arithmetic.
3. General Knowledge: Stay updated with current events, focusing on national and international affairs.
4. Logical Reasoning: Improve analytical and problem-solving skills through daily practice of puzzles and reasoning sets.
5. Mock Tests: Take CLAT-specific mock tests to manage time efficiently and develop an effective exam strategy.

For AILET:

1. Logical Reasoning: Given the 70-question focus, intensive practice in this area is a must.
2. English Language: Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
3. General Knowledge: Like CLAT, staying updated with current events is crucial.
4. Mock Tests: Taking AILET-specific mock tests can help simulate the exam's high question density and pace.

Career Launcher Borivali offers customized courses and test series designed for both CLAT and AILET, helping students tailor their preparation strategies to their specific exam requirements. Mock exams, sectional tests, and one-on-one guidance ensure that students are well-prepared to face the challenges of both exams.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both CLAT and AILET serve as vital pathways for students aspiring to study law at prestigious institutions in India. CLAT offers broader opportunities with 24 participating NLUs, while AILET is more focused, with a sole target of admission to NLU Delhi. The decision to opt for either exam should depend on individual preferences, subject strengths, and long-term goals.

By preparing smartly and choosing the right coaching, such as that offered by Career Launcher Borivali, students can maximize their chances of success in these competitive exams.