Historical CLAT score-to-rank data, the practical effect of a 1-mark difference at different score bands, and a target-score calculator for your preferred NLU — based on CLAT 2024 and 2025 actuals.
The table below shows the approximate relationship between CLAT score (out of 120) and General category rank across the last two cycles. Numbers are indicative, not guaranteed — exact cutoffs vary each year based on paper difficulty and candidate distribution.
| Score Range | CLAT 2024 Rank | CLAT 2025 Rank | NLUs Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110+ | 1–20 | 1–20 | NLSIU Bangalore |
| 100–109 | 20–80 | 25–90 | NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS |
| 95–99 | 80–150 | 90–160 | NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS, NLIU |
| 88–94 | 150–300 | 160–320 | NLIU, GNLU, HNLU |
| 80–87 | 300–600 | 320–650 | Tier 2 NLUs (mid-ranked) |
| 72–79 | 600–1200 | 650–1300 | Lower Tier 2 NLUs |
| 64–71 | 1200–2000 | 1300–2100 | State-focused NLUs |
| 56–63 | 2000–3500 | 2100–3800 | Reservation category cutoffs |
| Below 56 | 3500+ | 3800+ | Limited to private law schools |
At the top of the distribution (100+ marks), a single mark can move you 5–10 ranks. This is the range where NLSIU, NALSAR and NUJS cutoffs sit, so every mark matters enormously.
In the middle (80–95 marks), a single mark moves you 15–25 ranks. This is where most Tier 2 NLU cutoffs are decided, so the density of candidates here is high.
At the lower end (below 75 marks), ranks spread out — a single mark may move you 40–60 positions. At this level, marginal improvements have less impact because the candidate distribution is thinner.
The practical implication: the top of the curve is where every hour of preparation pays the most. A student with 88 marks who improves to 92 can move from rank 300 to rank 150 — a qualitatively different NLU outcome.
To secure a rank that comfortably clears your target NLU cutoff (with a safety buffer), aim for the following scores:
| Target NLU | Safe Target Score | Minimum Score | Time Buffer Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | 110+ | 105 | Consistent mock average 105+ |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 105 | 100 | Consistent mock average 100+ |
| NUJS Kolkata | 100 | 96 | Consistent mock average 95+ |
| NLU Delhi (AILET) | 108 | 102 | Parallel AILET preparation |
| NLIU Bhopal | 94 | 90 | Consistent mock average 88+ |
| GNLU Gandhinagar (Gen) | 90 | 86 | Consistent mock average 84+ |
| Tier 2 NLUs | 80–86 | 76 | Consistent mock average 76+ |
English (24 marks). Target 18–20 marks. This is the most forgiving section — strong readers routinely score 20+.
Current Affairs & GK (28 marks). Target 18–22 marks. CA is the highest-variance section for most candidates. Consistent monthly digest habits deliver the best return.
Legal Reasoning (32 marks). Target 24–28 marks. This is the section where top scorers separate from mid-tier candidates. Principle-application drilling matters more than case-law memorisation.
Logical Reasoning (24 marks). Target 18–20 marks. Analytical and critical reasoning passages.
Quantitative Techniques (12 marks). Target 8–10 marks. A compact section with high time pressure — accuracy matters more than attempting all questions.
Look at your latest mock score. Find the corresponding rank band in the first table. Compare against your target NLU’s cutoff. The gap tells you how much improvement you need.
Improvement is not uniform across sections. Use the section-wise tips to identify where you have the biggest gap between current and target score. That is where the next 20 hours of your preparation should go.
Historically, scores in the 100–109 range have landed in the top 100 general-category ranks. Aim for a consistent mock average of 100+ to be safely in contention.
NLSIU typically requires a score of 105+ for safe General-category admission. The last admitted General rank has been in the 55–60 range over the past three cycles.
Roughly, yes. Mock platforms calibrate their difficulty to CLAT, so your mock score is a reasonable indicator of your actual CLAT score, though exam-day variance is real.
At the top of the distribution (100+), 1 mark can move you 5–10 ranks. In the middle (80–95), 1 mark moves you 15–25 ranks. At the bottom, 1 mark has less impact but still matters.
Reserved category cutoffs are significantly lower than General category. For NLSIU, SC/ST cutoffs historically fall in the 400–700 rank band.
They are indicative. CLAT 2027 cutoffs will depend on paper difficulty and candidate distribution, and may shift by ±20 ranks from the 2025–26 baseline.