AILET Exam Pattern

The All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) is a highly competitive exam conducted by National Law University (NLU), Delhi. It is one of the key gateways for admission into BA LLB (Hons), LLM, and PhD programs at NLU Delhi. Understanding the AILET exam pattern is essential for aspirants to strategize their preparation and maximize their score.

In this blog, we will break down the exam structure, marking scheme, section-wise syllabus, and smart preparation tips to help you crack AILET.

AILET Exam Overview

• Conducting Body: NLU Delhi

• Mode of Exam: Pen-and-paper (Offline)

• Language: English only

• Duration: 120 minutes for both UG and PG versions

• Negative Marking: Yes; –0.25 for each wrong answer

Exam Pattern: Program-wise Breakdown

1. AILET for BA LLB (UG)

• Total Questions: 150 MCQs

• Total Marks: 150

• Section-wise Distribution:

  • English Language: 50 questions (50 marks)

  • Current Affairs & General Knowledge: 30 questions (30 marks)

  • Logical Reasoning: 70 questions (70 marks)

2. AILET for LLM (PG)

• Total Questions: 100 MCQs

• Total Marks: 100

• Syllabus Coverage: Various branches of law (e.g., Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Company Law, Public International Law, etc.)

• No section for English / GK separately — all questions are from law subjects.

3. AILET for PhD

• Total Questions: 100 MCQs

• Test Composition:

  • 50 MCQs from Research Methodology

  • 50 MCQs from different branches of Law

• Negative Marking: –0.25 per incorrect answer

Why the AILET Exam Pattern Matters

• Time Management: With 2 hours for 150 questions (UG), speed is crucial.

• Accuracy + Strategy: Negative marking penalizes wrong attempts, so guessing blindly can hurt.

• Preparation Focus: Knowing section weights helps prioritize — for UG, Logical Reasoning is the largest part.

• Mock Tests: Aligning your practice tests to this pattern makes your preparation realistic and effective.

Section-wise Syllabus & Key Topics

Here are the main topics you should focus on for each section in the UG exam:

English Language (50 Marks)

• Reading Comprehension

• Synonyms and Antonyms

• Idioms & Phrases

• Sentence Correction

• Jumbled Sentences

• Error Spotting / Fill in the Blanks

Current Affairs & General Knowledge (30 Marks)

• National and International Current Affairs

• Awards, Books & Authors

• History, Geography, Politics

• Science & Technology

• Major Government Policies

• Legal News / Important Judgments

Logical Reasoning (70 Marks)

• Syllogisms & Analogies

• Series (Number / Logical)

• Statement Assumption / Conclusion

• Blood Relations

• Directions & Distances

• Seating Arrangements / Input-Output (if applicable)

Syllabus Highlights

English Language: Reading comprehension, vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms), grammar, error‑spotting, jumbled sentences etc.
Current Affairs & GK: Recent happenings (national & international), politics, economy, environment, science & tech, awards, static GK (geography, history) etc. 
Logical Reasoning: Syllogisms, analogies, series, coding‑decoding, directions & distance, statement‑conclusion, input‑output, critical reasoning. Legal aptitude in the sense of logical/legal reasoning may feature — but no requirement of prior law knowledge or technical legal terms.

Pattern & Section‑wise breakdown

Changes in Recent Exam Patterns

• • The exam pattern for the UG (BA LLB Hons.) programme has been consolidated into three sections (instead of five).

  • The total is 150 questions for 150 marks, in 120 minutes (2 hours) for the UG exam.

  • The mathematics / numerical ability section has been removed from the current AILET UG pattern.

  • The LLM exam no longer has a descriptive part: it’s now purely MCQ-based

  • Negative marking applies: for every wrong answer 0.25 marks will be deducted (so 4 wrong = −1).

  • Tie‑breaker rules: if two candidates score equal marks, first the higher score in Logical Reasoning section is preferred; then older candidate; then draw of lots.

Smart Preparation Tips for AILET

1. Solve Mock Tests Regularly

   • Take full-length mocks under exam conditions.

   • Analyze which sections you are weak in (GK? Reasoning?) and focus there.

2. Current Affairs Daily Practice

   • Read newspapers or GK compilations.

   • Maintain monthly notes for revision.

3. Build Logical Reasoning Skills

   • Practice from previous year papers and reasoning books.

   • Focus on syllogisms, puzzles, and critical reasoning.

4. Improve English Ability

   • Read newspapers / editorials to improve comprehension.

   • Practice vocabulary, error-detection, and grammar exercises.

5. Time Strategy

   • Don’t spend too long on any one question.

   • If a question is taking too much time, mark and move on (if unsure).

6. Avoid Blind Guessing

   • Because of negative marking (–0.25), guess only if you can eliminate one or more options.

7. Revision Plan

   • Revise core GK topics weekly.

   • Re-solve mocks every 2 weeks to gauge improvement.

Day-of-Exam Tips

• Reach the exam center at least 30 minutes before the test time.

• Carry your admit card, ID proof, and pen (if allowed).

• Fill the OMR answer sheet carefully—shade circles properly.

• Read instructions on the OMR sheet / question booklet before starting.

• Keep a steady pace: don’t rush the early questions, but don’t dwell too long on difficult ones.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trying to attempt all 150 questions in 120 minutes without a plan.

• Ignoring GK / Current Affairs — since it’s a small but scoring section.

• Not practicing previous year papers — pattern familiarity is key.

• Guessing wildly without eliminating options (penalty is real).

• Leaving last-minute preparation — consistent practice works better.

Why AILET Pattern Is Student-Friendly

• The test is offline, which some students prefer over online mode.

• Only three sections — simpler than some multi-section exams.

• No descriptive section in LLM, making it faster to prepare for law topics.

• Worth it: AILET opens doors to one of the best law schools in India, NLU Delhi.

Conclusion

The AILET exam pattern has evolved, but its core remains: to test a candidate’s legal aptitude, reasoning, and general awareness in a fair, timed, and competitive environment. By understanding the structure, syllabus, and marking scheme, you can plan a preparation strategy that’s both smart and effective.

If you’re serious about cracking AILET, start early, practice regularly, and use mocks wisely. Balance speed with accuracy, and don’t neglect any section. With dedication and the right strategy, you can aim for a top score and secure your seat at NLU Delhi.