Is CLAT Getting Tougher Every Year? Let’s Break the Myth Down

Himanshi Goyal
2 days ago
6 min read

If you're preparing for CLAT or planning to start soon, you’ve probably come across opinions like:

“The exam is very unpredictable these days.”

“CLAT keeps changing every year.”

“It’s only for students with a long-term strategy.”

Naturally, hearing all this might make you curious. But before you assume anything about the exam, here’s something important to understand - CLAT is absolutely doable with the right approach.

It is not about being a genius or preparing for two years. What matters most is how smartly and consistently you prepare, especially in the final few months.

In this blog, we’re going to break down the common myth that CLAT is getting tougher every year. We’ll look at what’s really happening, what trends the past few years show, and how you can prepare confidently - no matter when you start.

1. CLAT Has Changed, But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Harder

Over the past few years, the CLAT exam pattern has changed. Earlier, the paper was more factual - they asked direct questions, like:

Who is the Governor of a particular state?
What is the capital of a country?
Solve this mathematical puzzle.

But from 2020 onwards, the Consortium of NLUs introduced a comprehension-based pattern. Now, they give you a small passage and ask questions based on what is written in that passage. For example:

What can be inferred from the given paragraph?
Which option weakens or strengthens the argument?
What is the correct meaning of a word used in the context?

So instead of testing your memory, the exam now tests your understanding.

This doesn’t mean the exam has become harder. It just means the approach has shifted. Instead of mugging up 500 facts, you need to focus on reading carefully, understanding the topic, and applying your mind.

In short, CLAT is not testing whether you remember everything - it's checking how well you understand what you read. That’s why it’s important to stay updated on all details about the common law admission test, including its latest pattern, question style, and preparation methods.

2. Whether an Exam Feels Tough Depends on Preparation

One important point to remember is this: what feels difficult for one student might feel easy for another. It all depends on how you prepare.
Let’s take an example. Suppose two students sit for the same paper. One has been reading newspapers regularly and solving passage-based mock tests. The other has only memorised one-liners and static facts from a general knowledge book.
Now, if the question is based on a newspaper editorial or a legal article, the first student will find it easy. The second student, however, will find it confusing.
So, it's not the paper that is tough. It's the preparation strategy that makes the difference.
If you prepare in the right way, using updated material, recent pattern mocks, and the right reading habits, the exam won’t feel scary at all.

3. CLAT Is Competitive Exam, Not an Exam You “Pass” or “Fail”

A lot of students believe that if a paper is tough, they have less chance of clearing it. But this is a misunderstanding.

CLAT is a competitive exam. You don’t need to get a perfect score. You only need to score better than other students.

So even if the paper is difficult, it’s difficult for everyone. The cut-off will automatically adjust to reflect that.

For example:

If the paper is tough, the cut-off score will be lower.
If the paper is easy, the cut-off score will be higher.

Your selection does not depend on how tough the paper is - it depends on how well you perform in comparison to others.

So instead of worrying about how tough the exam is, your goal should be to stay consistent and keep improving.

4. CLAT Now Tests Real Skills, Not Just Memory

The reason CLAT changed its pattern is that law schools want students who can think clearly, read carefully, and argue logically. These are important skills for a future lawyer.

So instead of just testing your memory, CLAT now checks whether you can:

Understand long reading passages
Analyse different sides of an argument
Think critically
Draw logical conclusions

This change is actually good for students. You don’t need to memorize hundreds of facts. You just need to build strong reading and reasoning skills.

And the best part? These are the very same skills that will help you in law school too.

5. What Do Past Year Papers Say About Difficulty?

Let’s look at the trends from the past few years of CLAT:

CLAT 2020: First year of new pattern. Some students were confused due to the shift, but many adapted quickly.
CLAT 2021: The paper was slightly lengthier but manageable. Logical and Legal sections were considered moderate.
CLAT 2022: GK section had some surprising questions, but English and Reasoning were balanced.
CLAT 2023: The paper was well-balanced. English and Legal were straightforward.
CLAT 2024: Passages were a bit lengthy, but most students found the questions direct.

As you can see, the paper didn’t get harder every year. Some sections became more challenging, but others were simpler. On the whole, the paper remained balanced.

There is no clear trend of the exam getting tougher each year.

Consider joining CLAT coaching in Delhi or any reputable institute nearby for expert guidance and effective preparation.

6. Why Do People Say CLAT Is Getting Tougher?

Now, if the exam hasn’t actually become harder, why do so many people say that it has?

Here are a few possible reasons:

Social Media Drama: Many students follow CLAT updates on YouTube or Instagram. Some content creators use words like “Hardest CLAT Ever” just to get attention. But such statements are often exaggerated.
Coaching Industry Pressure: Sometimes, coaching institutes want students to feel scared so they can sell more classes. If you believe the paper is getting tougher, you may feel the need to take extra paid support.
Personal Fear and Confusion: If a student did not prepare properly or failed to perform well in a mock, they may call the paper “too tough.” But that is a personal experience, not a fact.

So instead of listening to such opinions, it’s better to focus on your preparation and make your own judgment.

7. How You Prepare Decides How Tough the Paper Feels

The way you prepare plays a big role in how the CLAT paper feels on exam day.

Let’s consider two students again:

Student A reads editorials every day, practices comprehension passages, and gives mocks regularly.
Student B only studies one-liner questions from guidebooks and avoids mock tests.

If both face a paper with 30 reading passages, who will feel confident?

It’s not about being more intelligent. It’s about being better prepared.

So, the same paper can feel tough or easy depending on your preparation style.

This is good news - because it means you have the power to control how the exam feels.

8. How to Prepare Smartly for CLAT

Now that we know CLAT is not about mugging up facts but understanding and reasoning, here is a smart plan to prepare the right way:

Start Reading Every Day: Pick a good English newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express. Read one editorial daily. Note down new vocabulary and try to summarise what you read in your own words.
Practice Reading Comprehension: Use past papers and mock tests to solve passage-based questions. Focus on understanding the tone, main idea, and what is being asked.
Learn Current Affairs in Context: Instead of just learning dates and events, understand: What happened? Why it matters? What are its legal and political angles? This approach helps you in both GK and Legal sections.
Take Weekly Mock Tests: Start with one mock per week and slowly increase. After each test, review your mistakes and see which areas you need to work on.
Join Updated Coaching or Material: Make sure your coaching follows the new CLAT pattern. Platforms like Exam Charcha and Law Prep Tutorial offer mock tests and reading material based on recent trends.
Focus on Improvement, Not Perfection: You don’t need to be perfect in every subject. You just need to keep improving every week.

Also checkout Ways to Build Productive Study Routine for CLAT

9. If CLAT Becomes a Little Tougher, You’ll Still Be Ready

Even if next year’s CLAT is a little more challenging than this year’s, you can still be ready - if your preparation is solid.
You don’t need to worry about difficulty levels. Instead, you should build habits that make you strong in any paper.
If you read regularly, practice smartly, and stay calm during the exam, you’ll be able to face even tricky papers with confidence.

Final Words: Should You Worry About CLAT Getting Tougher?

The simple answer is: No.

CLAT is not getting tougher. It’s just getting smarter. It’s designed to select students who can read, understand, and think - not just those who memorize the most facts.

If you prepare with the new pattern in mind and practice consistently, you will find the exam manageable and even enjoyable.

Don't let fear stop you. Let preparation lead you.

You don’t need to study 14 hours a day or score full marks. You just need to:

Start with one section at a time.
Be regular and consistent.
Practice and review regularly.
Keep a positive and focused mindset.

CLAT is not about being perfect. It’s about being prepared.

Law Tayari