To start with the differentiation between All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) and Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), one should know about the basics first i.e. their full form and their conducting bodies first. This is where the most confusion of both the exams prevails.
The All India Law Entrance Test or commonly known as AILET, is a national level entrance test. It is conducted by National Law University, Delhi. AILET is conducted to seek admission in courses such as B.A.LL.B. (hons.), LL.M. and Ph. D programs. The registration for AILET is expected to begin in January 2018, while AILET Admit Card will be available on the official website from April 2018 onwards.
On the other hand, the Common Law Admission Test or CLAT is also a national level admission test. However, unlike AILET, CLAT aspiring applicants have the edge of taking admissions to almost 18 law schools across the country. It is also conducted by National Law University to seek admission in both undergraduate and post-graduate degree programs in the field of law. NLU will open the registration window of CLAT 2018 in January, and the final exam will be held in May 2018.
Since both AILET & CLAT are quite reputed exams in the field of law, candidates must put in the best of their efforts to ensure good score. All of you desirous to apply for either of the exams, must have clarity over the underlying differences between the two. For this, we have curated some of the most important aspects that you must know.
Exam Mode
AILET is conducted in pen and paper mode with partial OMR pattern answer sheet. And CLAT is an online exam where candidates must choose the correct answer from the options available on computer screen in the exam hall.
Exam Duration
Time duration for AILET is 1 hour 30 minutes, while for CLAT it is 2 hours.
Total Questions
AILET consists of 150 questions. And CLAT consists of 200 questions.
Sectional Weightage
For under graduate courses through CLAT as well as AILET, it covers five sections namely- English, General Knowledge, Reasoning, Legal Aptitude and Elementary Mathematics.
CLAT English section is of 40 marks, General Knowledge 50, numerical ability covers 20 marks, legal aptitude covers 50 marks while logical reasoning covers 40 marks.
AILET English section is of 35 marks, General Knowledge 35, numerical ability covers 10 marks, legal aptitude covers 35 marks while logical reasoning covers 35 marks.
For post graduate courses, both AILET and CLAT cover five sections namely- Law of contracts, Law of torts, Criminal law, Constitutional law and Legal theory.
In CLAT, all questions are in multiple choice formats since it is an online test.
In AILET, 100 marks of the paper will be in objective format while the remaining 50 marks are covered in the form of essay.
For Ph. D course, the exam covers 100 marks of multiple choice objective type questions while the other half covers research paper where candidates need to write a research paper of 15 pages.
AILET is comparatively tougher than CLAT, since it has more subjective type questions than its counterpart. CLAT gives more weightage to current affairs questions than AILET. AILET follows usual general knowledge questions for the entrance exam.
Weightage given to math
Math might or might not be your forte, but the weightage that the AILET gives for your mathematical capabilities is much less than the CLAT.
Marking Strategy
One mark is allotted per correct answer for both AILET and CLAT. There is no negative marking for AILET. However, 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer in CLAT.
Selection Process
Based on the score in AILET, candidates will be called for counseling. Candidates must understand that it is utmost importance to carry all required original documents at the time of counselling.
CLAT scores on the other hand will be published in rank format where candidate’s score will decide the rank, one has obtained. Based on the rank, candidates will be recommended the most suitable law school amongst the list of available colleges.
Participating Colleges
AILET is the entrance test for only National Law University Delhi. CLAT caters to 18 law colleges for admission.
Number of Seats
Candidates appearing for AILET will be fighting for 50 seats within NLU Delhi. Candidates appearing for CLAT will have a chance over 1100 seats.
We hope the article cleared the cloud circling the two most popular law exams in our country. With clearing the differences between the two, we see you all making an informed choice. Whichever exam you choose to appear, our good wishes are with you!