NLSAT

NLSAT (3-Year LL.B.) Exam Structure

The National Law School Admission Test (NLSAT) for NLSIU Bengaluru is a 150-minute competitive assessment. It is designed to evaluate a candidate's aptitude for legal study through analytical reasoning and communication skills, rather than prior legal knowledge.

I. Examination Overview

The NLSAT consists of two primary components, Part A and Part B, both conducted within a single session.

Component	Format	Marks	Scoring Policy
Part A	Objective (MCQs)	75	+1.0 for correct; -0.25 for wrong or unanswered
Part B	Subjective (Written)	75	No negative marking

Evaluation Note: Part B is only evaluated for candidates who meet the requisite cutoff in Part A (typically at a 1:5 ratio of available seats).

II. Part A: Objective Assessment (75 Minutes)

This section serves as a filter to test speed and accuracy across three distinct domains:

Comprehension (25 Questions): Focuses on passages of approximately 500 words. Candidates must identify main ideas, authorial tone, and draw logical inferences.
Current Affairs & General Knowledge (25 Questions): Covers significant national and international developments from the preceding 12–18 months. The emphasis is on policy, economy, and social impact.
Critical Reasoning (25 Questions): Evaluates the ability to analyze arguments, identify assumptions, and resolve logical paradoxes.

III. Part B: Subjective Assessment (75 Minutes)

This section measures the candidate's ability to structure coherent legal and social arguments.

Short Answer Questions (5 Tasks, 15 Marks Each): Candidates are presented with factual or hypothetical scenarios and a governing principle. The goal is to apply the principle to the facts to reach a logical conclusion.
Legal Essay (25 Marks): A single long-form essay on a socio-legal topic. Evaluation is based on the structure of the argument, the use of evidence from current events, and the ability to present a balanced perspective.

IV. Strategic Preparation Guidelines

Reading Habits: Regular analysis of editorials in "The Hindu" or "The Indian Express" is essential for both the Comprehension and Essay sections.
Negative Marking Management: Note that unanswered questions in Part A incur a penalty. An "educated guess" strategy is generally more statistically favorable than leaving a question blank.
Writing Framework: Utilize the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) for Part B Short Answers to ensure a professional and logical flow.