How is MHT CET Law Exam Different for 3-year and 5-year LLB?

So you're planning to take MHT CET Law 2026 and wondering whether the exam is the same for both 3-year and 5-year LLB programs? Good question! Many students, however, tend to assume that it's the same exam, whereas it has some differences that you may need to know about. The State CET Cell conducts exams separately for graduates who pursue a 3-year LLB after completing an undergraduate degree. It also conducts a completely different examination for students who have completed the 12th standard with a 5-Year integrated LLB. And there are differences in coursework, not merely in subject matter, and it will lead you down a different career path in some cases, with varied duration of the courses and legal practice.

Differences Between 3-Year and 5-Year LLB Programs

Check here the difference between a 3-year and 5-year LLB program:

Section-Wise Breakdown: The Core Difference

This is where the biggest differences come in. Let me show you how the question distribution varies:

For 5-Year LLB Exam

For 3-Year LLB Exam

What Subjects Will You Study in the Actual Course?

Read here what subjects you will be studying in both the LLB courses:

Subjects in 5-Year Integrated LLB

In the first two years, you'll study general subjects alongside law:

• Constitutional Law
• Contract Law
• Criminal Law
• Family Law
• Property Law
• Plus foundation subjects like Political Science, Economics, Sociology, History

The integrated approach means you get a well-rounded education combining humanities with legal knowledge from day one.

Subjects in 3-Year LLB

Since you're already a graduate, the focus is purely on law:

• All core law subjects (Constitutional, Criminal, Contract, Tort, Property, Family Law)
• Specialized papers in your chosen area
• More focus on practical aspects and legal practice
• No general education subjects - straight to law

Career Outcomes: How Your Choice Affects Your Future

This is probably the most important part - how does choosing between 3-year and 5-year affect your career?

After 5-Year Integrated LLB

Age Advantage: You finish around 23 years old with a law degree - that's young!

Career Paths Available:

• Start practising as a lawyer immediately after enrollment with Bar Council
• Appear for judicial services exams in your early 20s
• Join corporate law firms with a fresh perspective
• Pursue higher studies like LLM right after graduation
• More time to prepare for competitive exams like UPSC
• Can switch careers if law doesn't work out (you're still young)

Real-World Impact: Many top lawyers today recommend the 5-year route because you enter the legal profession earlier and have more years to build your practice.

After 3-Year LLB

Experience Advantage: You already have a graduation degree - that's a plus!

Career Paths Available:

• Combine your previous degree with law (like Engineering + LLB, Commerce + LLB)
• Specialised legal practice in your field of graduation
• Corporate legal departments prefer dual-degree holders
• Teaching positions in law colleges (need two degrees)
• Better understanding of client needs due to life experience
• Can leverage previous career connections

Real-World Impact: If you're from Commerce background, you can specialize in tax law or corporate law. Engineers with law degrees are in demand for intellectual property and patent law. Your previous degree becomes your unique advantage!

Which Program Should You Choose?

This isn't just about the exam - it's about your life plan:

Choose 5-Year LLB if:

• You're sure about law as a career right after 12th
• You want to start practicing early
• You're comfortable with a longer academic commitment
• You want to keep other career options open (you're still young)
• You can handle 10th standard mathematics

Choose 3-Year LLB if:

• You discovered your interest in law after graduation
• You want to combine law with your existing degree
• You have work experience you can leverage
• You prefer a shorter, focused law course
• You're strong in English language

While the 3-year and 5-year LLB programs differ in subject weightage, that is their only significant point of difference concerning the MHT CET Law examination. It includes Mathematics and places greater stress on reasoning abilities than does the 3-year examination, which is predominantly English and current affairs.

Beyond the examination, it also influences the time when you enter the profession, the scope of specialisations available to you, and the age at which you commence your legal practice. With both 5-year integrated and 3-year professional degrees leading to legally recognised careers, choose according to your age, your background, and your plans for the future!

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

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