Your Complete Guide to AIBE Preparation
The All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is a certification exam conducted by the Bar Council of India that tests your basic legal knowledge and analytical skills. You must pass this exam to obtain your Certificate of Practice (CoP), which is mandatory to practice law in any court in India. Without clearing AIBE, you cannot represent clients or appear before courts, even if you have an LLB degree.
AIBE consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) worth 100 marks, conducted in offline pen-and-paper mode. You get 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam (plus 20 extra minutes if you have 40%+ disability). There is no negative marking—each correct answer gives you 1 mark, and incorrect or unanswered questions score zero. The passing criteria is 45% for General/OBC candidates and 40% for SC/ST and disabled candidates. AIBE Super answers each legal concept with mark weightage details according to the syllabus.
AIBE is no longer an open-book exam as of 2021. However, you are still allowed to carry Bare Acts without notes or commentary into the examination hall. This makes it essential to know how to navigate these Acts quickly and efficiently during the exam. AIBE Super gives you the exact Law, Section, Sub-section, Part, etc. for easy navigation for each legal concept.
The highest weightage subjects (10 marks each) are Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC/BNSS), and Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). Indian Penal Code (IPC/BNS) and Indian Evidence Act (Evidence/BSA) carry 8 marks each. Family Law also carries 8 marks. Together, these six subjects account for 54 marks out of 100, so prioritising them is crucial.
From 2024 onwards, AIBE has replaced the Indian Penal Code with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), CrPC with Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Indian Evidence Act with Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). You must study these new laws instead of the old ones, focusing on both the statutory provisions and conceptual understanding.
Start by understanding the structure of each Act—table of contents, chapter divisions, and section numbering. Create a detailed index and use color-coded tabs to mark frequently tested sections, definitions, and important provisions. Practice navigating Acts quickly by solving previous year papers with Bare Acts in hand, simulating exam conditions. Focus on key sections, definitions, illustrations, and schedules for each subject.
Essential materials:
Allocate your 210 minutes strategically: spend the first 5 minutes reading instructions carefully. Then divide your time into three rounds:
Keep the last 10 minutes for final review to ensure every question is attempted.
Follow the "three-pass strategy":
Since there's no negative marking, never leave any question unanswered.
Practice is key—you must know exactly where to find information in each Act. Tab your Bare Acts with color-coded markers for quick navigation. Don't waste time flipping pages aimlessly—if you can't locate something in 30 seconds, make an educated guess and move on. Use Bare Acts only for confirmation or when you're genuinely unsure, not for every question.
In the final week, avoid learning new topics entirely. Focus on:
Light revision and confidence building are more important than intense cramming.
Practice daily MCQ sets from previous years' papers—aim for at least 25-50 questions per day. Time yourself strictly (1-2 minutes per question). Use the elimination method for difficult questions—eliminate obviously wrong options first to increase your chances. Review every incorrect answer immediately to understand why you got it wrong. Regular practice will naturally improve both speed and accuracy over time.
Constitutional Law carries 10 marks and requires focused attention. Study:
Focus on article numbers, landmark judgments, and constitutional principles. Practice at least 50-100 MCQs specifically on this subject.
These subjects together carry 18 marks and are highly important.
For IPC/BNS: Focus on general exceptions, classifications of offenses, offenses against body and property, and criminal liability.
For CrPC/BNSS: Emphasize arrest procedures, bail provisions, investigation processes, trial procedures, and appeals.
Study both theoretical concepts and practical applications through case-based questions. The new laws focus more on application than mere memorization.
CPC carries 10 marks—focus on suit procedures, jurisdiction, appeals, revisions, and execution of decrees.
For the Evidence Act/BSA (8 marks): study types of evidence, admissibility rules, presumptions, burden of proof, examination of witnesses, and documentary evidence.
These are Bare Act-intensive subjects, so practice locating relevant sections quickly. Solve at least 100 MCQs from each subject to understand question patterns.
Family Law carries 8 marks covering both Hindu and Muslim personal laws.
For Hindu Law: Focus on Marriage Act, Succession Act, Adoption and Maintenance Act, and Minority and Guardianship Act.
For Muslim Law: Study marriage, divorce, maintenance, and inheritance provisions.
Focus on definitions, conditions for validity, grounds for divorce, and maintenance rights. This subject is conceptual and requires understanding of both religious and secular legal principles.
Professional Ethics carries 4 marks and is often overlooked but relatively easy to score. Study the Bar Council of India Rules, cases of professional misconduct, duties to court and client, and advocate's rights.
For minor subjects (Environmental Law, Cyber Law, Company Law—2 marks each): focus on basic definitions, key provisions, and landmark cases. Don't ignore these subjects—they provide easy marks with minimal effort.
AIBE assesses your fundamental legal knowledge across diverse subjects, testing your ability to quickly locate and apply statutory provisions—a critical skill for courtroom practice. It evaluates your analytical reasoning through application-based questions requiring legal problem-solving. The exam measures your time management skills under pressure and your capacity to handle multiple legal issues simultaneously. Successfully clearing AIBE demonstrates you possess the minimum competence required to serve clients and uphold justice.
Approach AIBE with a strategic, not panicked, mindset. Understand that success requires smart preparation over superficial coverage—focus on high-weightage subjects first, practice consistently with mock tests, and master Bare Act navigation. Maintain a disciplined study routine balancing theory (40%), MCQ practice (40%), and mock tests (20%). Stay physically healthy with proper diet, exercise, and 7-8 hours sleep. Build confidence through consistent practice rather than last-minute cramming. Remember, AIBE rewards preparation, strategy, and calm execution—not just knowledge.
AIBE Super offers subject-wise preparation tracking, practice questions based on previous years' solved papers (10+ years), and strategic guidance on Bare Act navigation—all designed to maximize your first-attempt success rate.