Best Stream for Law/CLAT after 10th

16 May 2024  Read 2438 Views

After you finish 10th grade, you have many career choices to think about. One big question is: Which subjects are best for studying Law/ LLB/ CLAT after 10th—Science, Commerce, or Humanities? And more importantly, could your pick help you do well in the law/ CLAT exam? Preparing for the law entrance exam, such as the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), isn't just about working hard; it's also about making smart choices early on.

If you want to be a lawyer, don't worry! We're here to guide you through this.

This is your complete guide on which subjects are best for studying law in Class 11, helping you pick what fits your goals to do great in law or CLAT. Let's understand each subject's connection to law together. Let's begin!

Which Stream is Eligible for CLAT or Law?

Firstly, understand that there is no restriction regarding the stream of study at the 10+2 level. Students from any stream—Science, Commerce, or Arts—are eligible to appear for the CLAT UG exam.

Age Limit: The good news is that there's no upper/ maximum age limit! So, you're eligible whether you've just finished school or took a gap year (or two).

Minimum Percentage: This is where your 12th board results come in.

  • For General, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, or OCI categories- minimum 45%.

  • For SC/ST candidates- minimum 40%.

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Science Stream for CLAT or Law

After finishing the 10th grade, the Science stream mainly teaches subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics. Many students pick Science because it opens doors to careers in engineering, medicine, and research. 

But when it's time to get ready for the CLAT exam, which is for law admissions, you might wonder how Science fits in. However, there are ways Science studies can help you prepare for CLAT:-

  • Strong Analytical Skills: Science subjects like Physics and Chemistry teach strong analytical thinking. This helps students tackle problems step by step, a skill that's super useful for the Logical Reasoning and Legal Reasoning parts of CLAT.

  • Mathematical Section in CLAT: A good grasp of math up to 10th grade is essential if you're preparing for CLAT. Being in the Science stream helps build a strong math base, which is super helpful for the Quantitative Techniques part of the exam.

  • Keeps Options Open: The Science stream offers many career options, such as engineering, medicine, and now law through CLAT, which is great for students still deciding their future.

Strengths Weaknesses
Math Practice: Solving math problems in Physics and Mathematics helps a lot in the Quantitative part. Extra Time for GK: Science students may need extra time to study Current Affairs, including General Knowledge, which covers world events and history.
Analytical thinking: Science teaches us to think logically, which is great for the Logical Reasoning part. Requires lot of Practice: Because they already have a lot to study for their science subjects, they might find it hard to focus on preparing for law, too.
Science News Benefits: Knowing about scientific news and progress helps in Current Affairs and GK.

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Commerce Stream for CLAT or Law

Subjects in commerce stream like Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies, and Maths help with CLAT preparation. 

1. Economics—This course helps students understand legal frameworks related to economic policies and business laws. It is useful for the CLAT legal reasoning part.

2. Accountancy & Business Studies—This course helps students understand business operations, legal compliance in business, and financial management, offering a practical perspective that can enrich their insights into corporate law and related legal practices.

3. Maths—Helps in analytical and problem-solving skills honed through mathematics and also benefits the logical reasoning portion of the exam.

Advantages of Choosing Commerce for LLB

  • Advantage for Corporate Law: Students who want to specialize in areas like corporate law, tax law, or financial regulations may benefit from studying Commerce. This stream offers a strong foundation in subjects like Business Studies, Economics, and Accountancy, which are directly relevant to corporate law careers.

  • Develops Skills: Commerce subjects boost analytical thinking, numerical skills, and understanding of business environments, which are essential for legal studies.

  • Well-Rounded Prep: The Commerce curriculum allows students to develop a good balance between numerical ability and comprehension skills, preparing them for the diverse sections of the CLAT exam.

Strengths Weakness 
Quantitative Edge: Commerce students, because they study Accountancy and Business Mathematics, may find the 'Quantitative Techniques' part easier. Legal Reasoning: Commerce students may need to work extra hard on the 'Legal Reasoning' part because it might be new to them.
Current Affairs: Subjects like Economics can also help students better understand some global news for the 'Current Affairs' section.

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Humanities (Arts) Stream for CLAT or Law

Subjects of humanities or arts like political science, history and sociology will help you prepare for LLB in such a way:- 

1. Political Science: Provides a deep knowledge of how governments and laws work, which is very helpful for CLAT. It helps students understand Indian politics and laws better, which is important for future lawyers.

2. History: Helps students learn about India's past, how laws have changed over time, and important events worldwide. This knowledge is helpful for the CLAT exam because questions often ask about important historical events in law.

3. Sociology: Helps to understand how social dynamics, including its rules, changes, and laws, need to protect & regulate society. This knowledge is handy for looking at legal situations and social problems in the CLAT exam.

Advantages of Choosing Arts for LLB

  • Directly Related to Exam: Humanities subjects, such as general knowledge and legal reasoning, cover much of what's on the CLAT exam.

  • Boost Critical Thinking: Studying Humanities helps develop thinking, analyzing, and arguing skills needed for law studies and CLAT.

  • Improve Reading Skills: Reading a lot in Humanities subjects helps understand and interpret text better, which is helpful for the English and Reading sections in CLAT.

Strengths Weakness 
Fitting with Syllabus: Subjects such as 'Current Affairs and General Knowledge' and 'Legal Reasoning' need a good grasp of history, societal issues, and current events. Arts/Humanities subjects cover these well, making it simpler for students to understand them. Maths & Quantitative Techniques: Maths & quantitative subjects in this stream are not the main focus, so students may need to put in extra work for the 'Quantitative Techniques' part.
Strong Reading Skills: This stream teaches comprehensive reading, essential for English Language and Logical Reasoning sections where passages are important.

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Which Subject or Stream to Choose for CLAT/ Law/ LLB in 11th?

1. Follow Your Passion: Pick a stream that matches your interests and what you love studying. It'll keep you excited about learning and focused on your goals.

2. Consider Future Careers: Think about the jobs each stream can lead to. If you're keen on law, think about how each stream can help, but also keep an open mind about other careers they offer.

3. Know Your Strengths: Think about the subjects you're good at. If you're great at analyzing and arguing, Humanities could be good. If you like solving problems and are good at math, consider Science or Commerce.

4. Get Advice: Talk to teachers, career counsellors, and lawyers in the family or friend circle. They can give you tips on how each stream relates to law studies and CLAT prep.

5. Plan Well: You might need extra classes or self-study for CLAT, no matter the stream. Make time for this in your schedule.

6. Try Extracurriculars: Join clubs or do activities that boost your skills for a law career, such as debates or volunteering with NGOs.

7. Decide Wisely: Research each stream and think about how they fit with your interests and skills. Think about both short-term and long-term effects.

8. Stay Flexible: Your career plans might change. Choose a stream that leaves options open for different careers.

9. Final Thoughts: All streams have pros and cons for CLAT prep, but it mainly depends on what you like and are good at. While each stream has its benefits, Humanities/Arts has a slight advantage because of its focus on reading, understanding society, and knowing historical and current events.

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Conclusion

So, to sum up, when you're thinking about which subjects to pick for Law after 10th grade, think about what you enjoy, what you're good at, and what you want to do in the future. 

Whether it's humanities, science, or commerce, each has its perks. So, think about your strengths and where you see yourself heading in the legal world. That way, you'll be all set for a successful journey in Law.

About the Author: Anirudh Nikhare | 82 Post(s)

Anirudh did his Bachelor's in Law and has practical experience in IPR, Contracts, and Corporate. He is your go-to legal content writer turning head-scratching legal topics into easy-to-understand gems of wisdom. Through his blog, he aims to empower readers with knowledge, making legal concepts digestible and applicable to everyday life.

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