Throughout history, law has been regarded as a respectable profession. In modern context, not only is it highly respectable but also it is one of the most sought after career option in India. Once you complete your higher secondary education, you’ll be able to sit for the CLAT exam or common law aptitude test. You will be able to qualify for a BA LLB course, which will take you five years to complete.  You can do this from any of the National Law Universities, of which, there are 16.

However, you won’t be able to get into NLU Delhi solely on the basis of CLAT exam. There’s a separate exam called AILET which the NLU conducts, to admit students into the course. To be able to gain admission into GLC Mumbai or ILS Pune, only the result of 12th standard is enough.

Pursuing law after graduation

If you want to get into law after you complete your graduation, you’ll have to enroll in a law course that will span three years. Arguably, the best institution for doing so is Delhi University. To be able to secure DU LLB admission, you’ll have to clear their entrance exam which is conducted by their law department. However, you won’t be able to find law courses for three years in National Law Universities.

Some of the best national law schools which require you to qualify in the CLAT exam are as follows:

  • NLSIU Bangalore
  • NALSAR Hyderabad
  • NUJS Kolkata
  • NLU Jodhpur
  • NLIU Bhopal
  • GNLU Gandhinagar

What is the CLAT exam like?

The CLAT exam takes two hours to complete. Its questions are all either objective type or MCQ type. The English portion will carry 40 marks, Logical Reasoning will carry 40 marks. Legal aptitude will carry 50 marks, General knowledge will have 50 marks and there is a small mathematics part which carries, 20 marks.

The language in which the test has to be taken is English. In order to do well in this examination, you must have excellent English skills. It takes a lot of hard work to prepare for CLAT. You should read a lot if you want to do well in this test. It is recommended that you read easy texts first and then move on to comparatively harder texts. If you develop a habit of reading, not only will your language skills be enhanced but also your comprehension skills will get better. This also develops your analytical skills.

LSAT

There’s another test which has virtually been standardized as an entrance test for those willing to pursue law as a career. That test is known as LSAT. A number of privately owned law colleges in India admit students on the basis of LSAT.

SET

To be able to get into one of the symbiosis schools, be it in Pune, Noida or Hyderabad, You’ll have to qualify in the SET exam, also known as Symbiosis Entrance Test.

After you get LLB admission in any of the law colleges and you complete the three year course, you’ll have to sit for the Bar Exam. Passing which, you’ll be able to practice law.