Physics Wallah

What is a Good Rank in CLAT? CLAT Score 2026 And Rank

Good Rank in CLAT refers to securing a position that ensures admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs) or desired law programs. Read on to learn about what factors constitute a good rank in the CLAT exam and how they relate to your CLAT score in 2026.
authorImagePraveen Kushwah12 Mar, 2025
Share

Share

What is a Good Rank in CLAT

What is a Good Rank in CLAT: The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is highly competitive, with more than 60,000 applicants vying for around 4,000 seats in prestigious law universities. Achieving a high score in the CLAT PG exam is essential for admission to a top National Law University (NLU). However, what really matters is your rank in the exam. Securing admission to these respected NLUs is tough, and your rank decides your success.

It's not merely about achieving a high score, it's about scoring high enough to secure a place in your desired NLU. Understanding CLAT PG Marks is crucial for aspirants. Determining what constitutes a good score in CLAT 2025 exam involves considering previous university cutoffs, available seats, reservation policies, and other key factors influencing admissions.

Checkout Law Books from PW Store

LAW Online Coaching

What is a Good Rank in CLAT? Overview

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a tough entrance exam for getting into top law colleges in India like the National Law Universities (NLUs). Many students wonder what rank they should aim for in CLAT. In this detailed talk, we'll look into what affects CLAT ranks, why different NLUs have different rank expectations, and how to aim for a good CLAT rank.

For general category candidates, aim for a score of around 80 or more to get into top NLUs. Reserved category students should target a score of 70 or above for NLU admissions.

Performance Level Score Range
Excellent 85 and above
Strong 75 - 84
Moderate 65 - 74
Below Standard Below 65

Is 50 a Good Score in CLAT?

A score of 50 in CLAT is considered relatively low and may limit your chances of securing admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs). Based on the typical CLAT marks vs rank analysis, a score around 50 usually falls in the 20,001 to 30,000 rank range, which means you are unlikely to get into a premier law school. To be competitive, candidates should aim for a score of 80 or above, which increases the probability of getting into top 20 NLUs.With this score, students are likely to be admitted to lower or new NLUs like NLU Sonipat. To secure admission to tier 1 and tier 2 NLUs such as NLISU Bangalore, NLU Delhi, NALSAR Ahmedabad, NUJS, GNLU, candidates should aim to score above 75 marks in CLAT 2026.

Analyzing CLAT PG 2026 Marks vs Rank

The connection between your CLAT marks and your rank can change each year. It depends on how hard the exam is and how well everyone else does. Usually, if you get higher marks, you'll have a better rank, but this can change depending on the exam's difficulty and how others perform. Here are some important things to know:

  • Relative Performance: CLAT is a competitive test. Your rank is decided by how you do compared to all the other students who took the test that year. If you do better than most others, you'll have a higher rank.
  • Normalization: CLAT adjusts marks to make up for differences in question difficulty. This makes sure everyone is treated fairly when ranks are calculated.
  • Cutoffs: Each National Law University (NLU) or law school may set its own minimum marks for admission. If you score above this cutoff, you're considered for admission. Cutoffs can differ between institutions and affect how important your rank is.
  • Variability: CLAT difficulty can change from year to year, affecting how marks and ranks match up. If one year's test is harder, everyone might get lower scores, changing rank order.
  • Merit List: CLAT makes a list of all candidates' scores, ranking them accordingly.
  • Tie-breaking: If two or more candidates have the same score, other factors like age or random selection may be used to decide who gets which rank.
  • Category-wise Ranks: CLAT gives separate ranks for different categories like SC/ST/OBC/PwD. Your rank within your category might be different from your overall rank, depending on others' scores in that category.

Remember, while higher marks usually mean a better rank, the details of how ranks are decided can change each year. It's important to check the official CLAT website and counseling information for the latest details on marks and ranks for each CLAT exam.

Also Read: CLAT Consortium

Marks Calculation Process for CLAT PG 2026

The marks calculation process for CLAT PG 2026 involves the assessment of candidates' performance in the entrance exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions covering subjects like Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and other legal topics. Each correct answer earns one mark, while an incorrect answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks (negative marking). The final score is based on the total marks earned, which are then used to determine the candidate's rank for admission to postgraduate law programs at participating institutions.

Here's how the Consortium decides:
Particulars Description
Making the Merit List The Consortium makes a list of all CLAT candidates, arranging them from highest to lowest scores. Ranks are given based on marks, with higher scores getting higher ranks.
Resolving Ties
  • If two candidates have similar scores:
  • First, they look at who scored higher in the legal aptitude section of CLAT.
  • If the tie still isn't broken, they give preference to the older candidate.
  • If it's still tied, they use a computer to randomly pick who gets the higher rank.

Understanding CLAT Rank 2026

The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) rank is a critical factor determining admission to National Law Universities (NLUs) and other prestigious law colleges in India. The Consortium of NLUs releases a merit list based on candidates' scores to determine these ranks. Understanding how CLAT ranks are determined helps candidates assess their chances of admission and prepare effectively. The CLAT rank list marks a pivotal milestone, and a strong position on this list requires understanding the ranking criteria and tie-breaking procedures. 

 

Aspect Description
Ranking Structure CLAT is scored out of 150 marks, and each question carries one mark. Your overall score determines your rank, with higher scores resulting in better ranks.
Merit List and Rank Distribution A merit list is prepared based on CLAT ranks. Those with top ranks get priority in choosing their preferred National Law University during counseling. Ranks can range from single digits to several thousand, depending on the number of test-takers.
Cutoff Ranks for NLUs Each NLU sets its own cutoff ranks for admission. Candidates within the cutoff range are eligible for admission. Cutoff ranks vary depending on factors like available seats, exam difficulty, and candidate performance.

How to Achieve a Good CLAT Rank in 2026?

Below are some strategies that you can utilize to achieve good rank in CLAT 2026:
  • Start your preparation early and maintain consistency throughout.
  • Understand the syllabus thoroughly and focus on each section.
  • Practice effective time management and take regular mock tests.
  • Analyze your performance, identify weaknesses, and refine strategies accordingly.
  • Stay informed about current affairs and legal developments.
  • Aim for the highest rank possible and make informed choices during counseling.

Factors Influencing CLAT Ranks

Several factors influence CLAT ranks, including the candidate's score, the difficulty level of the exam, and the performance of other test-takers. Understanding these factors is crucial for candidates to gauge their chances of securing a good rank and plan their preparation accordingly.

Aspect Description
Exam Preparation Thorough understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and regular practice through mock tests contribute to higher scores.
Time Management Effective time management during the exam is crucial to ensure optimal utilization and improve speed and accuracy.
Accuracy in Attempting Questions Balancing the number of attempted questions with accuracy is important to avoid losing marks due to penalties.
Understanding Question Patterns Analyzing previous years' question papers helps identify patterns and prioritize topics for preparation.
Subject-wise Preparation Balancing preparation across all subjects, including Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques, English Language, and General Knowledge & Current Affairs, is essential.
Mock Tests and Practice Papers Regular practice through mock tests simulates exam conditions and aids in performance analysis and improvement.

What Rank is Considered Good in CLAT?

A "good" rank in CLAT depends on your target university and category, but generally, aiming for a rank within the top 1000 is advisable. For premier NLUs, securing a rank in the top 100 significantly boosts your chances. Ultimately, a good CLAT rank enhances your options and chances of admission.

Rank Range Description
Top 100 Ranks Excellent, high chance of admission to top NLUs.
Top 500 Ranks Very good, wide choice of NLUs.
Top 1000 Ranks Above average, good chance of admission to NLUs.
Top 2000 Ranks Satisfactory, admission to NLUs possible.
Beyond 2000 Ranks Admission possible but less predictable.

Category-Wise Expected Good Score in CLAT 2025 for Top NLUs

The category-wise expected good score in CLAT 2025 for admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs) will vary based on factors such as the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and seat availability. It’s essential to monitor trends from previous years, as the cut-off scores tend to fluctuate annually depending on these variables. Candidates aiming for top NLUs should target scores above the expected cut-offs for their respective categories.
 
NLU Name General EWS OBC SC ST NRI
NLSIU Bengaluru 100+ 95+ 90+ 83+ 78+ -
NALSAR Hyderabad 100+ 95+ 90+ 82+ 78+ -
WBHUJS Kolkata 98+ - 56+ 80+ 74+ 89+
NLU Jodhpur 95+ - 88+ 79+ 74+ 88+
GNLU Gandhinagar 95+ 90+ 87+ 77+ 70+ 84+
MNLU Mumbai 93+ 81+ 77+ 71+ 41+ 43+
RMLNLU Lucknow 91+ 85+ 82+ 53+ 41+ 72+

What is a Good Rank in CLAT? Key Takeaways

  • Understanding the relationship between CLAT marks and rank is essential for securing admission to CLAT participating colleges.
  • While marks and rank are connected, other factors like the difficulty level of the exam and the performance of other candidates also influence rank.
  • Having high marks doesn't guarantee a top rank if other candidates perform exceptionally well.
  • A good rank is crucial for securing a seat in prestigious law universities, so it should not be underestimated.
  • To improve your rank, focus on consistent preparation and aim to balance accuracy and speed during the exam.
  • Stay informed about previous years' cutoff marks and ranks to set realistic targets for yourself.
  • By keeping these key takeaways in mind, you can better understand the dynamics between CLAT marks and rank and plan your preparation for success.

 

What is a Good Rank in CLAT FAQs

What is a good score in CLAT?

A good score in CLAT typically ranges from 80 to 90 marks to secure admission to the top 10 NLUs. Tier-2 and tier-3 NLUs generally have slightly lower cut-offs compared to the top ones. However, the difference in cut-off marks among the top five to six NLUs is not as significant as it seems when considering previous cut-offs in terms of rank.

How to determine CLAT marks vs rank 2025?

To determine CLAT marks vs rank in 2025, one important aspect to consider is the difficulty level of the exam. Analysis of the previous year's CLAT question paper reveals that scoring 90 or above was considered a good score in CLAT 2024 for general category candidates to secure admissions in the top three NLUs. For SC/ST categories, a score of 60-70 marks was deemed good.

What is a good score in CLAT 2025?

A good score in CLAT 2025 is expected to be higher compared to previous years due to the exam being less difficult. Last year, an average percentage score of around 66% was considered good, with general category candidates needing to score around 110 marks for admission into top-ranked NLUs.

How difficult is it to get a CLAT rank?

It is quite challenging to obtain a CLAT rank due to the intense competition. Achieving a rank that guarantees admission to prestigious NLUs can be exceptionally difficult. Ultimately, admission to NLUs depends on the rank achieved in CLAT 2024.

Is 4000 a good rank in CLAT?

A CLAT rank of 4000 is not considered a good rank for securing admission to one of the top NLUs. However, candidates belonging to the reserved category still have a chance to secure admission to NLUs with a CLAT Rank of AIR 4000.
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.