Before we dive into the preparation strategies one must follow in order to ace their CLAT exam, we must understand anything and everything about the exam.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) exam, conducted by the Consortium of NLUs, is divided into 5 sections that test your different skill sets like Language, Reasoning, General & Legal Knowledge, and Quantitative Ability. Most of the questions are asked in passage form, making it really important to have good reading skills similarly while preparing for CLAT there are a few pointers that you need to focus on to score good marks in the CLAT exam. In this article, we will discuss the CLAT Preparation Strategy for each section of the CLAT exam.
Now that we have a deeper knowledge about the CLAT exam, let us look at the section-wise syllabus of the same.
SECTION-WISE SYLLABUS FOR CLAT UG:
| Section | Topics |
| English Language | Reading Comprehensions, Error spotting, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, Antonyms & Synonyms, Sentence Completion, Idioms & Phrases, Proverbs & Adverbs, Fill ups |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Politics, National & State Affairs, Science & Tech, Court Judgments, Awards, International Events, Art & Culture, Significant Historical Events |
| Legal Reasoning | Indian Constitution, Important Amendments and Provisions, Important Judgments, Current Legal Affairs Law of Torts, Constitutional Laws, Laws of Contract, IPR Law, Family Laws |
| Logical Reasoning | Topics like Syllogisms, Arrangements, and Blood relations are very commonly asked in the CLAT exam. |
| Quantitative Techniques | Algebra, Profit & Loss, Time and Work, Averages, Time, Speed and distance, Permutation & Combination and Venn diagrams, statistical estimation |
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) exam is divided into 5 sections which test your different skill sets like Language, Reasoning, General & Legal Knowledge, and Quantitative Ability. Most of the questions are asked in passage-form making it really important to have good reading skills similarly while preparing for CLAT there are a few key points that you need to focus on to fetch a good score in the CLAT exam. In this article, we will discuss the CLAT Preparation Strategy for each section of the CLAT exam.
CLAT PREPARATION STRATEGY AND TIPS:
The CLAT exam has undergone a huge change in recent years. Now most of the questions will be asked in the passage form (long paragraphs), also the General Knowledge and Current Affairs section will be asked in the passage form. Since the pattern has changed, the CLAT Preparation Strategy also has to be changed or rather it should be upgraded. You should go through the CLAT 2023 exam paper to get a comprehensive understanding of the paper pattern. Following old materials is not advisable. Here, we will be providing you with a comprehensive CLAT Preparation Strategy based on the New CLAT exam pattern:-
- SELF STUDY OR COACHING:
The most common question that comes to mind of the students is how to prepare for the CLAT exam and whether to take a coaching or not. The best decision would be a combination of both. Now, the CLAT Syllabus is not something that you have previously covered in your school curriculums. Hence, coaching would give you direction in your preparation by providing you with relevant study material and tests. You can then solve assignments and practice material for self-study. Online classes are good option if you do not wish to travel to attend offline coaching classes.
- STUDY MATERIAL:
Choosing a relevant study material that follows the exact exam pattern is highly recommended for an efficient CLAT Preparation Strategy. Books are not frequently updated, so relying on them entirely is not recommended. Use a combination of online resources and books that take care of both your basic concepts and practice to cover your preparation.
- PREVIOUS YEAR PAPERS:
Previous year question papers are the best resource to understand the type and variety of questions asked in the CLAT exam. Solving PYQs will help you get accustomed to the actual CLAT exam and make you familiar with high-weightage and important topics. You can also take previous years’ papers in the form of tests on our website.
- PREPARE A TIMETABLE:
There is no one timetable that can fit into everyone’s schedule. Everyone has different priorities and preferences for study time. Hence, prepare your own timetable and stick to it. This will inculcate discipline in your CLAT Preparation strategy.
- WORK ON FUNDAMENTALS:
Building basic concepts should be the first priority before jumping on to the CLAT exam-level questions. There is enough time if you’re starting now. So focus on studying the fundamental concepts and practice easier questions at first. Then, gradually move on to the higher-level questions.
- PRACTICE MULTIPLE QUESTIONS:
After completing a topic, practice as many questions as you can from that particular topic. Go from lower to higher difficulty level questions. Only revising the concepts multiple times through practice can get you prepared for the CLAT exam. For the same reason, we provide topic-wise practice assignments for all the topics that are covered in class. These will be available on your student dashboard and will be unlocked after completion of each respective topic
- MOCKS AND ANALYSIS:
A mock test is a simulation of the actual exam. So as the exam nears, taking mocks regularly should be a part of your CLAT Preparation strategy. Additionally, analyzing the mocks you take and figuring out your weaker areas is equally important. Taking mocks will give you an idea of where you stand with your preparation for the CLAT exam. Analysing them will give you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses which in turn will help you give a final touch to your CLAT preparation.
Now that you have a good knowledge of preparation strategies of overall CLAT exam, let us look at the tips and strategies of section-wise syllabus.
CLAT ENGLISH LANGUAGE PREPARATION STRATEGY
The English section of the CLAT exam mostly comprises of passages. This section will check how well you can comprehend the passages and what you make out of them. The nature of passages could be descriptive, narrative, historical, philosophical, etc. The questions mostly revolve around inferences with a few vocabulary-based questions. The length of passages varies between 300-400 words, and might even go unto 500 words sometimes.
TIP: If you do not know the exact meaning of a word, the sentences if carefully read can give you a clue as to what the word might mean.
HOW TO APPROACH A PASSAGE?
There are multiple ways to approach a passage. One might go through the entire passage and then attempt the question, read the questions first and then start reading the passage; or simultaneously answer the question while reading the passage. While either of the first two options is a good approach, the third option might cause some chaos when it comes to analyzing the passage. It’s totally up to you to decide which strategy to include or abide by for your CLAT Preparation, as every student has their own preferences. The tone and gist of the passage can only be analyzed once it is thoroughly read. Note down the important key pointers in the passage separately so that you do not have to skim the passage again and again in case you forget something. This can prove to be a major time saver for you.
HOW TO APPROACH THE QUESTIONS?
Some of the questions might be very direct. For others that are not, the options might be very confusing and related. Sometimes you might feel that there could be more than one right answer. So instead of finding the right answer, start eliminating the wrong options. The rule of elimination works when it comes to RCs. Include this approach in your CLAT preparation strategy for the English Language.
Take the author’s words as they are. Even if you know what the author is saying might not be universally true, you’ll have to assume the author’s statements as the truth and answer accordingly.
CLAT LEGAL REASONING STRATEGY
The Legal reasoning section assesses a candidate’s ability to reason legally and consider the evidence from the standpoint of several modern moral theories. The Legal Reasoning section is considered to be the lengthiest and the most time-consuming section out of all five sections of the CLAT exam. Hence, preparing for this section is also an important part of the CLAT Preparation, as you may have never come across such topics in school.
You have to be aware of the significant cases from the past year, landmark decisions, and both static and contemporary legal challenges. It helps a great deal in comprehending the questions more quickly. Learn about the latest topics as well as all the new enactments and changes made throughout the parliament sessions. In situations where you do not have sufficient time to fully understand the question, having read things beforehand can prove to be beneficial in the CLAT exam.
CLAT LOGICAL REASONING PREPARATION STRATEGY
The logical reasoning section might be one of the most unpredictable sections in the CLAT exam and a very integral part of the CLAT Preparation. Here, theoretical learning is not of much use, and application-based learning, solving as many question sets as possible would be the best strategy. Start your preparation by first of all going through the previous years’ papers and analyzing what types of questions are asked.
Candidates must learn to be able to read between the lines to derive the insight to solve the logic questions. So, develop attentive reading and pay small attention to details. Before you start answering a question, take your time and thoroughly read it.
NEVER make assumptions or make use of any details that the question does not provide. When selecting from the available options, take into account only the details provided in the passages. At times there may not be a specific answer to the question, instead, there may be cases so before deciding on or ruling out a response, be sure to carefully read each option.
CLAT QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES PREPARATION STRATEGY
The Quantitative Techniques section is one of the highest-scoring sections in the CLAT exam. The questions generally range from easy to moderate levels. The first step towards clearing this section would be to work on the fundamental concepts. Topics such as averages, percentages, quick calculations, squares, and cubes should be included in your CLAT Preparation Strategy.
Practice is necessary for Quant problems rather than just studying theoretically. Practice strengthens the topics learned and increases accuracy and speed. Learn some helpful shortcuts and tricks for handling quantitative issues. These shortcuts frequently produce the right response quickly. Learn these shortcuts to strengthen your CLAT Preparation.
- Pro tip: Keep the rough sheet handy for any calculations you make throughout the exam. Given that the questions are comprehension-based, you might need to use the prior solution to respond to the one that follows.
SECTION-WISE BOOKLIST FOR CLAT PREPARATION
In addition to these, we have suggested section-wise books that will make your CLAT preparation journey easier.
| SECTION | BOOKS |
| English Language | High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin English is Easy by Chetan Anand Singh Objective General English by RS Aggarwal Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary |
| Legal Reasoning | Universal’s CLAT Preparation Guide Legal Awareness and Legal Aptitude by AP Bhardwaj LexisNexis Butterworths Bare Acts of the Indian Constitution |
| Mathematics | Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal Class 10th NCERT Textbook |
| Logical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey Analytical and Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Pearson General Knowledge Manual Lucent’s General Knowledge Manorama Year Book India Year Book Competition Success Review The Hindu Newspaper |
CLAT TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR CLAT UG
- PRE-DECIDE TIME FOR EACH QUESTION
It is recommended that aspirants allocate a certain amount of time for each portion of the examination to help them determine the types of questions they will be able to answer accurately and efficiently. Focus on answering straightforward questions as much as possible. Assign a time average and percentages in Mathematics, and in the reasoning section, track down the arguments, different ideas, and series. Examining the question papers is the best way to manage your time for CLAT.
- PRACTICE AS MANY MOCK TESTS AS POSSIBLE
CLAT success depends on practice. While completing the syllabus, one should take mock tests. Take mock tests to get familiar with exam patterns and to improve your time-management skills.
- STICK TO THE STUDY PLAN
The biggest challenge for any student is sticking to their study plan. It is essential to adhere to a schedule if one wishes to manage their time effectively. The preparation process should be strict and adhere to the timetable meticulously. When one does not adhere to it, it can adversely affect their studies and their preparation for the test.
- UNKNOWN QUESTIONS SHOULD BE SKIPPED FOR BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT
The aspirants should not become excessively engrossed in their preferred subjects and should complete them and move on to the next. One should not waste time on questions that they cannot answer or do not understand rather than being stubborn trying to look for the answer of a particular question and forgetting about the whole exam.
- PERFORM A STRENGTH, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS (SWOT) ANALYSIS
To gain a seat at any NLU, one should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. This requires SWOT analysis, and this will aid in identifying the blind spot. The SWOT analysis is done by analyzing the mock tests and identifying the sections in which one has taken more time or made more mistakes as compared to other sections.
The aspirants appearing for the CLAT exam should avoid distractions, and these could be anything that attracts attention and makes them lose focus. A fellow student’s terrifying look after looking at peculiar questions, or sitting close to you in the test could be a source of distraction. So, this time could have been utilized to answer a few unanswered questions.
Besides this, you should prioritize your workload, subjects, and time, so that anxiety and stress levels may be reduced. Also, one should prepare a schedule with dates and the number of topics to be covered each day. By doing this, one will be able to determine how much time one should devote to each topic and when one should begin the revision process.
THE 7 ASPECTS OF EVERY CLAT TOPPERS STRATEGY:
- BEGIN YOUR CLAT PREPARATION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE
How long does CLAT prep take? How many months should you devote to CLAT training? While there is no straight answer to this question – each student has a different pace of learning – it is best to start as early as possible. Most CLAT toppers began their coaching from class 11th itself. A few started at the beginning of class 12th.
With more time in your hands, you’ll be able to give proper attention to all the topics and shore up your weaknesses. You can also allocate ample breaks in between the prep to rejuvenate and de-stress yourself without missing out on precious preparation.
- BEGIN YOUR CLAT PREP BY FIRST IMPROVING CONCEPTUAL STRENGTH
In the beginning of your CLAT study schedule, make sure to add more sessions for theoretical learning and conceptual understanding.
Fill out your schedule with dedicated lessons on legal aptitude, logical thinking, and numeracy. Grasp the nuances and question-solving methodologies of the different topics.
Another point to keep in mind is to set aside extra time to practice your weaker sections. Read, review, and practice questions that stump you until you’ve figured them out.
3. AFTER YOUR CONCEPTS ARE CLEAR, WORK ON YOUR SPEED AND ACCURACY
After gaining conceptual depth, now it’s time to focus on the application of all the knowledge.
Create a strict revision schedule that consists of daily timed practice, regular mocks, and exam-day techniques to build the right test-taking skills.
CLAT is an exam that perfectly balances question difficulty with speed and accuracy – missing out on any of the three will result in lower your potential score.
4. WORK ON YOUR READING, COMPREHENSION, AND VOCABULARY
Many students often become preoccupied with the theoretical syllabus of CLAT and end up neglecting other parts of the CLAT framework. Your approach to CLAT must account for its emphasis on reading comprehension.
The long passage-based questions are designed to probe your critical thinking skills. But without reading practice, you’ll end up spending too much time on each passage. Your reading speed and comprehension capabilities should be up to par with the exam’s high bar.
Here’s how you can improve in these areas:
Reading and comprehension – Read the editorial sections of The Hindu, The Telegraph, and The Statesman to become better acquainted with the academic socio-political style of writing.
Many students also recommend signing up for law-focused blogs such as barandbench.com and livelaw.in.
Vocabulary – Two comprehensive vocabulary books by Normal Lewis, namely, ‘Word Power Made Easy’ and ’30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary’ are all that you need to get better.
5. JOIN A REPUTED CLAT COACHING CENTER (OPTIONAL)
Even though each CLAT topper had a different strategy, one thing remained the same – they all underwent rigorous coaching as part of their CLAT strategy. Many students opt for self-study but find it hard to build a step-by-step plan to build up the skills required to crack CLAT.
Most leading CLAT coaching centers won’t just give you study material but also access to experienced mentors and guided doubt sessions. With the rise of online CLAT coaching classes, aspirants can learn right from the comfort of their homes without wasting time on travel.
6. HAVE THESE RECOMMENDED CLAT STUDY MATERIALS IN YOUR ARSENAL
We got the CLAT toppers to list out the books they referred to during their CLAT preparation.
| SECTIONS | BOOKS PREFERRED |
| ENGLISH LANGUAGE | English is Easy by Chetananand Singh, Objective General English by SP Bakshi, English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin |
| CURRENT AFFAIRS INCLUDING GK | GKToday, AffairsCloud ,The Hindu |
| LEGAL REASONING | CLAT past years’ papers Section-wise question papers for the Legal Reasoning section. |
| LOGICAL REASONING | Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal |
| QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES | Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal |
7. SOLVE AND ANALYSE 50-100 CLAT MOCK TESTS TO BOOST YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Answering 150 questions in just 120 minutes is a tall task – without proper time management techniques, you’ll be lost in the paper. The goal isn’t just to answer the questions correctly, but also to answer as many questions as possible.
