CLAT english language syllabus
English Language is the only CLAT section with a published reading time. The Consortium states that a 450 word passage should take a 12th standard student about five to seven minutes to read, which is a useful yardstick for the whole paper rather than just this section.
Passages come from contemporary or historically significant fiction and non-fiction writing, so the register shifts between literary prose and argumentative essay. The CLAT UG syllabus hub page covers the other four sections.
Pattern
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions in this section | 22 to 26 |
| Share of the paper | Roughly 20 per cent |
| Marks per question | 1 |
| Deducted for a wrong answer | 0.25 |
| Passage length | About 450 words each, pitched at five to seven minutes of reading for a 12th standard student |
| Sectional timing | None. Two hours cover the whole paper |
The Consortium publishes these counts as approximate ranges rather than fixed numbers, so the figure moves between cycles while the paper total holds at 120.
| Section | Questions | Share of the paper |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22 to 26 | Roughly 20% |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28 to 32 | Roughly 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28 to 32 | Roughly 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22 to 26 | Roughly 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10 to 14 | Roughly 10% |
| Total | 120 | 100% |
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What the section tests
- Reading and comprehending the main point discussed in the passage
- Identifying any arguments and viewpoints discussed or set out in the passage
- Drawing inferences and conclusions based on the passage
- Summarising the passage
- Comparing and contrasting the different arguments or viewpoints set out in the passage
- Understanding the meaning of various words and phrases in the context in which they are used
Vocabulary is tested in context rather than as a list, which is the distinction that makes word list preparation a poor use of time for this paper.
What is not in this section
- No grammar questions asked by name. The six listed skills are all comprehension skills
- No error spotting, sentence correction or fill in the blanks
- No separate vocabulary section. Words are tested in the context of a passage
- No para jumbles or sentence rearrangement
- No descriptive or essay writing
How to spend the time
Read the questions before the passage. At five to seven minutes a passage on the Consortium’s own benchmark, reading everything thoroughly first leaves nothing for the rest of the paper.
Inference and summary questions take longest and detail questions take least. Clear the detail and vocabulary items first, then come back.
Because there is no sectional timing, the decision that matters is whether to attempt a passage at all. A passage on an unfamiliar subject with inference heavy questions is worth skipping when another section has easier marks waiting.
Read long form journalism and essays daily rather than practising grammar. The skills listed are all comprehension skills, and comprehension speed only moves with reading. Browse the available CLAT UG practice papers.
Common mistakes
- Preparing grammar rules and vocabulary lists for a section that tests neither directly
- Reading every passage in full before looking at the questions
- Treating an inference question as a detail question and looking for the answer stated in the text
- Spending seven minutes on a passage and then rushing its questions
- Guessing blind at 0.25 a wrong answer
- Carrying a strategy built for the old 150 question paper, where there were 48 seconds a question rather than a minute
English Language against Logical Reasoning
| Feature | English Language | Logical Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 22 to 26 | 22 to 26 |
| Share | Roughly 20 per cent | Roughly 20 per cent |
| Passage length | About 450 words | About 450 words |
| What it asks | What the passage says and means | Whether the argument holds |
| Questions per passage | A series | One or more |
| Source material | Fiction and non-fiction writing | Short argumentative passages |
Frequently asked questions
How many English questions are in CLAT?
22 to 26, which is roughly 20 per cent of the 120 question paper. The Consortium publishes this as an approximate range.
How long are the passages?
About 450 words each.
How long should a passage take to read?
The Consortium benchmarks a 450 word passage at about five to seven minutes for a 12th standard student.
Is grammar tested in CLAT English?
Not directly. The six skills listed are all comprehension skills.
Where do the passages come from?
Contemporary or historically significant fiction and non-fiction writing.
Is vocabulary tested?
Yes, but in context. Questions ask for the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the passage.
Are there para jumbles or error spotting questions?
No. Neither is in the listed skills for this section.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, 0.25 for a wrong answer, the same as everywhere in the paper.
Does this section have its own time limit?
No. CLAT has no sectional timing.
How many passages are there?
The Consortium does not publish a passage count for any section.