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The CLAT Exam 2026 is over now, and the exam was of a moderate difficulty level. As per the recent exam analysis, the logical reasoning was more difficult as compared to other sections.
- The English Language section was of moderate difficulty, including 5-6 passages and more vocabulary & case-based questions.
- The Logical Reasoning carries the highest weightage and has more critical reasoning questions.
- The Legal Reasoning section was of a moderate level by including 50 to 55% passage-based questions.
- The G.K. & Current Affairs section included the most recent events of 6-9 months with analytical questions.
- The Quantitative technique was comparatively easier, including basic maths, but a bit lengthy sets.
The CLAT 2025 was of moderate difficulty, including 60% weightage from the legal and logical reasoning section and a high focus on current affairs.
Keep reading the article for more updates related to CLAT Exam Analysis.
Check CLAT Exam Live updates by this video from @lawpreptutorial.
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Key Summary
In this Article, we have discussed about Expected Difficulty Level, Section-Wise analysis, & Previous-Year Analysis.
- If you want to get admission in Tier-1 NLU, the expected marks will be 80 to 85+, which shows an increase in difficulty and competition normalisation.
- The Reading and decision-making speed will matter more, and will depend 60% on the comprehension skills.
- The Vocabulary questions will be asked indirectly through context, not as separate questions.
- To get into the Top 1000 Rank, you should attempt at least 95-105 questions, with 75% accuracy.
- With a difference of 5 to 8 marks, your rank can shift by 500 to 1500 because of high competition.
- CLAT 2026 Expected Difficulty Level Analysis
- Which Topics Are Most Likely to Be Asked in CLAT 2026?
- How Many Questions Should You Attempt in CLAT 2026 for a Top NLU?
- How Will CLAT 2026 Test Your Reading and Reasoning Skills?
- CLAT Previous-Year Exam Analysis (2025-2022)
- FAQs for CLAT Exam Analysis 2026
CLAT 2026 Expected Difficulty Level Analysis
If you have good reasoning and reading skills, you can perform well in the CLAT Exam, which is expected to be of a moderate level and will have high competition for around 3,200 NLU Seats.
- Around 55 to 60% weightage will be of reasoning-based passages, requiring good speed and will be scored.
- The Legal and Logical section will have the highest cutoff and will have deciding marks.
- The G.K. Section will be comparatively easier and will have a high accuracy impact.
- If you are aiming for top NLUs, you should get more than 85 to 95 marks.
According to Reddit CLAT Aspirant, who gave the full-length sample paper, thought that the paper was lengthy, with a high length of passages as compared to 2024 and 2025, and the language being more advanced as well.
| Section | Weightage (Approx.) | Question Type Focus | Expected Difficulty | Key Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26% | 5–6 Reading Comprehensions | Moderate | Inference-heavy questions increase solving time |
| Logical Reasoning | 25–28% | Critical & Analytical Reasoning Sets | Moderate–Tough | Deep reasoning per passage demands accuracy |
| Legal Reasoning | 30–32% | Principle & Passage-based | Moderate | Long passages; legal application under pressure |
| GK & Current Affairs | 18–20% | Current events (6–9 months) | Moderate | National + International mix tests memory+analysis |
| Quantitative Techniques | 8–10% | Short Data Sets & Arithmetic | Moderate | Higher accuracy is required despite the limited questions |
If you are appearing for CLAT 2026, check this video by @originclat to have a proper sample paper analysis.
Also Read
CLAT Exam PatternQues. Will CLAT 2026 be tougher than previous years due to higher competition?
Ans. The Competition for CLAT increases every year, as more students target fewer NLU Seats. Even if the difficulty is moderate, scoring high percentile will be more difficult because of the increase in pressure and less time-consuming reasoning questions.
Difficulty reasons for CLAT 2026
| Factor | Expected Trend | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Applicants | Over 1.2 lakh expected | Tough competition for Top 500 ranks |
| Question Nature | More reasoning-based passages | Reduced guesswork, higher accuracy required |
| Time Constraints | Less than 60 seconds per question | Increased stress and error chances |
| Cutoff Trends | High for Tier-1 NLUs | Small mistakes lead to a rank drop |
Ques. Which section is expected to have the greatest difficulty level in CLAT 2026?
Ans. The Logical & Legal reasoning section will be most challenging, because of the complex arguments and principle-based questions.
Section-Wise Expected Difficulty
| Section | Difficulty Level (Expected) | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | High | Inference-based, multi-step reasoning |
| Legal Reasoning | High | Case-based + principle application |
| English Language | Moderate | Long and detailed comprehension |
| GK & Current Affairs | Low to Moderate | Depends on static + current prep |
| Quantitative Techniques | Moderate | Data-based math requires calculations |
Ques. How will lengthy comprehension passages impact the overall difficulty?
Ans. The CLAT Exam is now becoming more of a reading-based exam, including longer passages, which gives less time to attempt other questions, which indirectly increases the difficulty.
Passage Length and Its Difficulty Impact
| Passage Length | Approx. Time Needed | Difficulty Impact | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300–350 words | Fast reading | Low | Direct focus on the main idea |
| 400–450 words | Moderate pressure | Medium | Quick summarising, skim first |
| 450+ words | High pressure | High | Read questions first, selective scanning |
Which Topics Are Most Likely to Be Asked in CLAT 2026?
If you are appearing for CLAT 2026, knowing which are the most focused topics, you can improve your strategy to appear in the exam.
As per the previous year's analysis, the exam will include passage-based questions, which will test interpretation, reasoning, legal basics and current affairs awareness.
Most Important Topics for CLAT 2026
| Section | High-Weightage Topics (Expected) | Why Important in 2026? |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | Inference & Tone-based RCs, Contextual Vocabulary, Parajumbles | Reading speed defines the score; more analytical questions are expected |
| Logical Reasoning | Strengthen/Weaken, Cause-Effect, Assumptions, Course of Action | Most scoring yet tricky; high weight in percentile calculation |
| Legal Reasoning | Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Contracts, Torts, Legal Maxims | Principles remain constant; applied through real-life situations |
| GK & Current Affairs | Govt. Schemes, Economy, Science-Tech, International Summits, Sports, Judiciary | 75–80% current affairs trend; factual + context-based mix |
| Quantitative Techniques | Arithmetic (Ratio, Percentage, Simple/Compound Interest, Profit & Loss), Basic DI | Most predictable section; accuracy helps boost rank quickly |
Also Read
CLAT Previous Year Question PaperQues. What are the most important Current Affairs themes to focus on for CLAT 2026?
Ans. The Current affairs questions now focus more on recent, high-impact and global developments. You should prioritise issues with legal, economic and socio-political relevance, which are important for at least 6 to 12 months.
Key Current Affairs Themes for CLAT 2026
| Theme | Why Important? | Expected Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Government Schemes & Policies | Frequent policy reforms | 3–5 Questions |
| International Relations (Summits, Treaties) | Global diplomacy focus | 2–4 Questions |
| Major Legal & Constitutional Developments | Strong connection to law | 3–6 Questions |
| Economy & Budget Updates | Policy + data-based reasoning | 2–4 Questions |
| Sports, Awards & Technology | Fact-based scoring area | 2–3 Questions |
Ques. Will Logical Reasoning continue to have mostly passage-based questions?
Ans. Yes, the consortium has aligned the logical reasoning section with the argument analysis and critical thinking, including paragraph-based questions instead of logical puzzles.
| Pattern | Expected Weightage | Challenge Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Long Argument Passages | Very High | Inference-oriented |
| Strengthen/Weaken Arguments | High | Multiple possible interpretations |
| Assumptions + Conclusions | Medium | Accuracy-driven |
| Analytical Reasoning Sets | Low | Time-consuming but rare |
Ques. Are Vocabulary and Para Jumbles likely to reappear in English?
Ans. The English section is majorly passage-based, including some direct vocabulary or sentence-reordering questions, which are a part of reading comprehension.
| Topic | Expected Appearance | Nature of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 80–90% Weightage | Tone, inference, summary |
| Vocabulary-in-context | Likely through RC | Meaning based on usage |
| Para Jumbles | Low probability | Logic-based arrangement |
| Grammar Rules | Very rare | Embedded in comprehension |
How Many Questions Should You Attempt in CLAT 2026 for a Top NLU?
The CLAT 2026 exam focuses on how well you attempt the exam, as only 15 to 18% of the candidates qualify for NLU every year. The Reading passages cover around 75% of the exam, so you should improve the accuracy in the lengthy reasoning section, rather than attempting more questions.
Section-Wise Good Attempts & Expected accuracy
- As with every wrong answer, your percentile will drop, which makes risk management important.
- The Legal & Logical Section carries 60% weightage, so you should attempt it more thoroughly and in a strategic manner.
- The English & G.K. Section is comparatively easier and can increase your score.
| Section | Total Qs (Expected) | Good Attempts | Accuracy Required | Why This Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | 18–20 | 80–90% | Long RC passages demand careful reading |
| Logical Reasoning | 28–32 | 22–25 | 85–90% | Greatest impact on percentile & rank |
| Legal Reasoning | 32–36 | 26–30 | 80–85% | Highest weightage- accuracy boosts rank |
| GK & Current Affairs | 25–30 | 18–22 | 75–85% | Quick scoring section- avoid blind guessing |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–12 | 7–10 | 75–85% | Few questions, but high score influence |
Also Read
CLAT Cutoff 2026Ques. What accuracy should I maintain if attempting around 100 questions?
Ans. Attempting more questions will be helpful only if your accuracy is high. As CLAT has negative marking, you should be accurate, which is important for Tier-1 NLU Ranks.
Accuracy Requirement for High Attempts
| Attempts | Required Accuracy | Expected Score Range | Rank Possibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 80–90% | 72–81 | Top 200–500 |
| 100 | 70–75% | 63–68 | Top 800–1500 |
| 100 | Below 65% | ≤60 | Rank drops significantly |
Ques. How many attempts are sufficient to secure a rank under 1000?
Ans. The CLAT Good attempts depend on the difficulty level, but a balanced attempt strategy will improve rank more.
Safe Attempt Strategy for Top 1000 Rank
| Difficulty Level | Good Attempts | Ideal Accuracy | Expected Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy–Moderate | 105–115 | 80%+ | 80+ |
| Moderate | 95–105 | 75%+ | 70–78 |
| Moderate–Tough | 85–95 | 75%+ | 65–72 |
How Will CLAT 2026 Test Your Reading and Reasoning Skills?
The CLAT Exam will test how accurately you can process the information under time pressure. As around 75 to 80% questions will be from passage format, you should analyse arguments and interpret context.
| Section | Passage Dependency | Skills Tested | Time Pressure Level | Score Influence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | High | Comprehension, Inference, Vocabulary-in-context | High | Direct effect on accuracy |
| Logical Reasoning | Very High | Critical Thinking, Argument Strengthening/Weakening | Very High | Major rank-determining section |
| Legal Reasoning | Very High | Legal Interpretation, Principle Application | Very High | Highest weightage in the cutoff |
| GK & Current Affairs | Low | Context Awareness, Prior Knowledge | Low | Fast scoring section if accurate |
| Quantitative Techniques | Moderate | Data Interpretation, Basic Logical Math | Moderate | Significant impact despite fewer questions |
CLAT Previous-Year Exam Analysis (2025-2022)
By having an understanding of previous year trends, you can know about the question difficulty, the pattern of scoring and the range of cutoff for CLAT 2026. Check the analysis of the CLAT Exam from 2022 to 2025, including section-wise highlights and scoring patterns.
CLAT 2025 Exam Analysis
| Section | Ques | Difficulty | Key Observations | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | Moderate | 5–6 RC passages, inference-based | 20–22 |
| Logical Reasoning | 30 | Moderate–Tough | Multi-step reasoning, puzzles | 24–26 |
| Legal Reasoning | 35 | Moderate | Hypothetical legal situations, application-based | 28–30 |
| GK & Current Affairs | 25 | Moderate | Focused on recent national/international events | 18–22 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10 | Easy–Moderate | Basic arithmetic + DI | 8–10 |
CLAT 2024 Exam Analysis
| Section | Ques | Difficulty | Key Observations | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22 | Moderate | Vocabulary & inference-heavy RCs | 18–20 |
| Logical Reasoning | 28 | Tough | Complex puzzles + critical reasoning | 22–24 |
| Legal Reasoning | 32 | Moderate–Tough | Long legal passages, principles-based | 26–28 |
| GK & Current Affairs | 28 | Moderate |
| 20–22 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10 | Moderate | Short DI + arithmetic | 7–9 |
CLAT 2023 Exam Analysis
| Section | Ques | Difficulty | Key Observations | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 24 | Easy–Moderate | Shorter passages, inference-based | 20–22 |
| Logical Reasoning | 30 | Moderate | Mostly argument evaluation, a few puzzles | 24–26 |
| Legal Reasoning | 34 | Moderate | Focus on Constitution & Contracts | 27–30 |
| GK & Current Affairs | 26 | Moderate | Current affairs-heavy, analytical | 19–21 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10 | Easy | Simple arithmetic + DI | 8–9 |
CLAT 2022 Exam Analysis
| Section | Ques | Difficulty | Key Observations | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22 | Moderate | Focused on vocabulary & comprehension | 18–20 |
| Logical Reasoning | 28 | Moderate–Tough | Critical reasoning & puzzles | 22–24 |
| Legal Reasoning | 30 | Moderate | Constitution + Criminal Law focus | 25–28 |
| GK & Current Affairs | 25 | Easy–Moderate | Mostly factual current affairs | 18–21 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10 | Easy | Short DI + arithmetic | 7–9 |
Also Read
Top Colleges Accepting CLATFAQs for CLAT Exam Analysis 2026
Ques. Was CLAT 2025 easier than CLAT 2024?
Ans. The CLAT 2025 was comparatively easier than 2024 because of simpler legal reasoning, and the quantitative and English passages were lengthy.
| Exam Year | Overall Difficulty | Section of Concern | Impact on Cutoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2024 | Moderate–Tough | Logical + Legal | Lower highest scores |
| CLAT 2025 | Moderate | English passages lengthy | Slight rise in Top NLU cutoffs |
Ques. What is the cut-off for CLAT 2026?
Ans. The CLAT Cutoff will depend upon the exam difficulty, category and seat availability. For CLAT 2026, the expected cutoffs will be.
Expected Cutoff for Top NLUs (General Category)
| NLU | Expected Rank | Expected Score |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Top 100 | 90+ |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Top 150 | 87–90 |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | Top 400 | 82–85 |
| NLU Jodhpur | Top 500 | 80–82 |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Top 600 | 78–80 |
Ques. Is 77 a good score in CLAT?
Ans. With a score of 77, you can get admission into mid-tier NLUs, as per the exam difficulty and seat reservation.
Expected Score vs Rank for CLAT 2026
| Score | Expected Rank Range | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | 1000–1500 | Good Tier-2 NLU possibilities |
| 77 (if tough exam) | <1000 | Possible Tier-1 NLU border |
Ques. Is a 3-year LLB better than or 5-year LLB?
Ans. Both 3-Year & 5-Year LLB are important, but have different journeys. The 5-Year Integrated LLB is preferred for early legal careers, whereas the 3-Year LLM is for graduates and career shifters.
| Program | Best For | Entry Route | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year LLB | Post-12th students | CLAT/Other UG Exams | Early exposure, strong internships | Longer duration |
| 3-year LLB | After graduation | DU/Private Univ Admissions | Mature study approach | Later industry entry |
Ques. What rank is 70 marks in CLAT?
Ans. A Score of 70 will usually rank between 2,000 to 3,000, as per the normalisation difficulty and exam slot.
| Score Range | Expected Rank | Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 70–72 | 2000–2600 | Tier-2 NLUs possible |
| 68–70 | 2600–3500 | Lower NLUs or state quotas |
| Below 68 | 3500+ | Backup law schools recommended |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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