NLSAT 2027 exam pattern:
Part A, Part B and marking.
NLSAT is the entrance test NLSIU Bengaluru uses for its three-year LL.B. (Hons.), a law degree for graduates. It has two parts taken in one sitting: an objective Part A and a written Part B. This page explains how they work together and how the final rank is decided.
- Admits to
- NLSIU’s 3-year LL.B. (Hons.)
- Candidates
- Graduates, any discipline
- Seats
- 120
- Mode
- Pen and paper, one sitting
- Parts
- A (objective) and B (written)
What NLSAT is today
NLSAT is NLSIU’s own admission test for its three-year LL.B. (Hons.). The programme is for people who already hold, or are completing, a bachelor’s degree in another subject. It has 120 seats, filled from the NLSAT rank list with the reservations NLSIU notifies each year.
The two parts
| Part A | Part B | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Objective, multiple choice | Written: short answers and an essay |
| What it tests | Reading comprehension, current affairs, and critical and legal reasoning | Structured writing and argument |
| Marking | Negative marking: 0.25 deducted for each wrong answer | Marked by examiners |
| Who is evaluated | Every candidate | Only a shortlist of the top Part A scorers |
Both parts are taken in the same sitting, so you write Part B without knowing whether it will be read.
How the final rank is decided
- 01Part A is scored for everyoneYour Part A score decides whether you are shortlisted for Part B evaluation. A candidate needs a positive Part A score to be considered.
- 02Part B is marked for the shortlistOnly the top Part A scorers have their written answers marked. The size of the shortlist is set by NLSIU relative to the number of seats.
- 03The rank combines bothThe admission rank list is prepared from the combined Part A and Part B scores, with category-wise and horizontal reservations applied.
What this means in practice: a weak Part A ends your application before your writing is read, and a strong Part A is not enough on its own, because Part B decides the order within the shortlist.
Who can sit NLSAT
Graduates of any discipline. The minimum marks in the qualifying degree, the reservation rules and whether final-year students may apply are set in each year’s admission notification. There is no requirement to have studied law.
NLSAT and CLAT compared
| NLSAT | CLAT UG | |
|---|---|---|
| Admits to | NLSIU’s 3-year LL.B. (Hons.) | Five-year integrated law degrees at the NLUs |
| Candidates | Graduates | School leavers |
| Written section | Yes (Part B) | No |
| Negative marking | Yes, in Part A | Yes |
CLAT-style practice helps with Part A, since comprehension, legal principles and critical reasoning carry over. Part B needs its own practice. A plan is in How to prepare for NLSAT, and topic lists are on the NLSAT syllabus page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NLSAT exam pattern?
Two parts in one sitting: an objective Part A (reading comprehension, current affairs, critical and legal reasoning) with negative marking of 0.25, and a written Part B (short answers and an essay) marked only for the top Part A scorers. The rank combines both.
Is there negative marking in NLSAT?
Yes, in Part A: 0.25 is deducted for each wrong answer. Check the current notification for the exact scheme.
How many seats are there through NLSAT?
120, in NLSIU’s three-year LL.B. (Hons.).
Can I get into NLSIU’s BA LLB through NLSAT?
No. The five-year BA LLB admits through CLAT. NLSAT is for the three-year LL.B., for graduates.
Is NLSAT online or offline?
It has been a pen-and-paper test. Check the current notification for the test mode and centres.
How long is NLSAT?
The duration and the marks for each part are set in NLSIU’s admission notification each year.
Last updated 26 September 2026. Always confirm the pattern against NLSIU’s current admission notification.
Related options and guides
Preparing for NLSAT?
The NLSAT Programme covers both Part A and the written Part B. Register interest; no payment is collected yet.