Legal help is something that everyone needs

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is an entrance exam adopted by a select group of law schools to enable them to admit students into their LLB courses. Course director Anita T speaks to Team DNA about the test and the specialisations available to students

Author : DNA Correspondent/DNA

Awareness amongst students with respect to 'law as a career' has increased over the last couple of years. Students who are not keen on taking up either medicine or engineering are looking at law as an alternative and thus more students are choosing to appear for the CLAT, making it more competitive.
Just like how CAT scores are accepted by several MBA colleges, the CLAT score is now being accepted by an increasing number of law schools.
Law schools find it easier to have a single administrator for the exam. We hope to have more law schools accepting the CLAT score in the future.
The exam pattern has changed this year. However, any student who has prepared well for this exam will be able to tackle all sections. Due to the increase in the number of applicants and the slight change in pattern, the students will  have to score anywhere between 160 and 175 over 200 in order to get into the top law schools like National Law School of India University( NLSIU), NALSAR University of Law and National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS).
Time management is critical for tackling the exam. The CLAT paper has 200 questions and a time limit of 120 minutes; hence, students have to manage their time well. Since there is no negative marking, they should try and answer as many questions as they can. The first five minutes should be used to quickly scan the test paper. The student can then begin with the section they are most comfortable with.
The validity of the LLB degree is not connected to CLAT. Even if a law school or college does not accept the CLAT score, the degree awarded by them will remain valid. The Bar Council of India has to approve of the law school and the LLB degree being given by that particular law school.
The Constitution provides reservations for different classes and castes. It's an inherent part of our educational system. It should not affect the students — for them, it's a competitive exam; they should just focus on excelling.
Legal services have always been in demand. But now, with globalisation, there is an increase in demand for transactional lawyers and legal services. Of late, companies from the US and the UK have even started outsourcing their legal services to India in order to cut costs.

Anita T is course director, Paradygm Law Entrance Coaching Centre, Koramangala