CLAT Exam Pattern: Sections, Marks and Timing
120 questions, two hours, five sections, pen and paper. One mark for a correct answer, 0.25 deducted for a wrong one, and no sectional cut-offs.
Part of the CLAT 2027 guide
CLAT is a two-hour, pen-and-paper exam of 120 multiple-choice questions, carrying 120 marks. CLAT 2027 is scheduled for Sunday, 6 December 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eligible PwD candidates have the published extended slot ending at 4:40 p.m.
The five sections
| Section | Questions (approx.) | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22–26 | ~20% |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28–32 | ~25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | ~25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | ~20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | ~10% |
All five sections are included; individual questions may be left unanswered. The Consortium publishes approximate weightage rather than a fixed count per section, so the exact split varies a little between papers — the ranges above are the published CLAT 2027 ranges.
Marking
- Correct answer: +1
- Wrong answer: −0.25
- Unattempted: 0
Two things that surprise people
The published format specifies one overall time limit, not separate section timers. The two hours are yours to distribute. You can spend fifty minutes on Legal Reasoning and twelve on Quantitative Techniques if that suits you. Plan this allocation in advance — see time management in the CLAT exam.
The published format does not list separate qualifying cut-offs for each section. Questions contribute to the total score; admission still depends on eligibility and allocation rules. A weak section can be carried by strong ones, which changes how you should allocate preparation time as well as exam time.
What the time pressure actually looks like
Two hours for 120 questions is one minute per question — but that framing misleads, because questions come in passage-based sets. Plan reading and answering time together, allowing different budgets for different sections and set lengths.
There is no official fixed number of passages or universal time allowance per set.
Everything is comprehension-led
Since the paper was restructured, every section is built on passages. Quantitative Techniques uses short numerical material; its length need not match an English or Legal passage. Practise reading alongside the knowledge, reasoning and calculation skills each section needs.
Where to go next
- How many questions are there in CLAT?
- Is there negative marking in CLAT?
- CLAT syllabus
- What type of questions are asked in CLAT?
- CLAT marking scheme
Sources and scope
Official references checked on 18 September 2026. Study routines and teaching examples are editorial suggestions, not official requirements.