CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is India’s most popular law entrance exam, with over 60,000 students appearing every year. Although there are more than 1,800 law colleges in the country, most aspirants dream of securing a seat in the top 26 National Law Universities (NLUs). These NLUs are regarded as the best institutes for legal education in India.
NEW DELHI : CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is India’s most popular law entrance exam, with over 60,000 students appearing every year. Although there are more than 1,800 law colleges in the country, most aspirants dream of securing a seat in the top 26 National Law Universities (NLUs). These NLUs are regarded as the best institutes for legal education in India.
However, clearing CLAT in the first attempt with a good rank is not easy. The competition is tough, and the exam requires strong preparation, time management, and a well-planned strategy. If you are a CLAT aspirant, this guide will help you understand how to prepare smartly and crack CLAT in one go.
Start Early and Plan Smartly
One of the best ways to succeed in CLAT is to start your preparation early. Ideally, students should begin preparing at least a year in advance. This gives enough time to cover the entire syllabus, practice mock tests, and improve weak areas.
Understand the CLAT Exam Pattern
Before starting preparation, it is important to understand the exam pattern and syllabus.
The CLAT UG exam consists of five sections:
- English Language
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques (Maths)
The questions are passage-based, requiring good reading speed and comprehension skills. Knowing the pattern will help in preparing smartly and efficiently.
Make a Study Schedule and Stick to It
A well-structured study timetable is essential. Allocate separate time slots for each subject and keep enough time for revision. Here’s a simple daily study routine you can follow:
- 2-3 hours for reading newspapers and current affairs
- 2 hours for Legal and Logical Reasoning
- 1-2 hours for English and Maths
- 1 hour for solving mock tests and previous years’ papers
Consistency is key. Even 3-4 hours of focused study daily can give great results.
Read Newspapers Every Day
Reading The Hindu, The Indian Express, or other reputed newspapers daily helps in General Knowledge, Current Affairs, and Reading Comprehension. Focus on important legal news, government policies, Supreme Court judgments, and major international events.
Solve Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers
Practicing mock tests and previous year question papers regularly helps in:
- Understanding the exam difficulty level
- Improving speed and accuracy
- Identifying strengths and weaknesses
- Managing time effectively during the exam
Try to attempt at least 30-40 mock tests before the actual exam. Analyze mistakes and work on them.
Focus on Legal Reasoning
Legal Reasoning is one of the most important sections in CLAT. It tests logical thinking and legal aptitude, not legal knowledge. Read about important legal principles, fundamental rights, landmark judgments, and constitutional amendments.
Strengthen Logical Reasoning and Maths
Many students fear Maths and Logical Reasoning, but regular practice can make these sections easy. Solve puzzles, riddles, and numerical reasoning questions to develop problem-solving skills.
Even practicing basic school-level maths (Class 9 & 10 syllabus) is enough.
Take Care of Your Health
Exam preparation is stressful, but staying healthy is equally important. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and take short breaks while studying. Meditation and light exercise can help improve focus and concentration.
Stay Positive and Believe in Yourself
A positive mindset is very important for success. Stay motivated, believe in yourself, and never give up. Surround yourself with supportive mentors, friends, and family.
If you follow these tips with dedication and discipline, you can crack CLAT in your first attempt.
CLAT EXAM STRUCTURE
| Exam Name | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities |
| Exam Conducted For | Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) |
CLAT UG Exam 2026
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Question Type | Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | 1 mark for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer |
CLAT Section-Wise Weightage 2026
| Section | Number of Questions | Percentage Weightage (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 22-26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge | 28-32 | 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22-26 | 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10% |
ALSO READ : NLU Consortium Filed Appeal Against Delhi High Court’s Order to Revise CLAT 2025 Results
SYLLABUS FOR CLAT EXAM 2026
1. General Knowledge & Current Affairs (25% Weightage)
- Comprehension-based questions on static GK and current affairs
- Questions sourced from journalistic sources, news articles, and non-fiction writing
- Key Topics:
- National & International Affairs
- Summits & Conferences
- Arts & Culture
- Awards & Honors
- Government Schemes
- Science & Technology
- Sports
- Important Historical Events
2. Legal Reasoning (25% Weightage)
- Passage-based questions (approximately 450 words per passage)
- Tests knowledge of legal principles and contemporary legal issues
- Key Topics:
- Indian Constitution (Fundamental Rights, Duties, Judiciary, Parliament, Local Governments, Directive Principles of State Policy)
- Important Judgments and Amendments
- Law of Torts, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Law, Laws of Contract, Family Law
- Current Legal Affairs
3. Logical Reasoning (20% Weightage)
- Passage-based questions (approximately 300 words per passage)
- Tests ability to analyze arguments and identify key points and supporting evidence
- Key Topics:
- Series & Analogies
- Syllogisms
- Blood Relations
- Calendars & Clocks
- Seating Arrangements
- Logical Sequences & Pattern Matching
4. Quantitative Techniques (10% Weightage)
- Questions based on numerical data, graphs, and text-based mathematical scenarios
- Tests the ability to analyze and apply mathematical concepts
- Key Topics:
- Algebra & Basic Algebra
- Mensuration
- Statistical Estimation
- Ratios & Proportions
- Standard of Questions: Class 10th Level
ALSO READ: Delhi High Court Calls for Roadmap to Conduct CLAT in Regional Languages
HOW TO ACE EACH SECTION OF THE EXAM SUBJECT WISE?
English (22-26 Marks)
- Develop a Strong Reading Habit: Read The Hindu daily and explore diverse materials like magazines, websites, and short stories to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
- Enhance Your Grammar Skills: Strengthen your basics by revisiting school-level grammar books and practicing grammar exercises regularly.
Legal Reasoning (28-32 Marks)
- Study Legal Theory and Current Legal Knowledge from newspapers (The Hindu, The Wire) and platforms like CLAT Post.
- Understand legal principles and apply them to different situations.
- Attempt mock tests regularly, analyze them, and focus on weak areas.
- Revise previous mock questions and practice various difficulty levels.
- Refer to CLAT Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to understand question patterns.
- Develop diverse reading habits from newspapers and legal websites (Legal Bites, Legal Service India).
- Always derive answers from the passage and avoid using outside knowledge.
General Knowledge (25% Weightage)
- Read The Hindu daily and make concise notes.
- Use daily, weekly, and monthly Current Affairs compendiums.
- Refer to CLAT Post for monthly GK updates.
- Understand the reasons behind events, rather than memorizing dates.
- Watch daily newspaper analysis for a better grasp of key events.
Logical Reasoning (22-26 Marks)
- Read diverse materials to improve comprehension of critical reasoning passages.
- Focus on understanding the author’s perspective rather than personal opinions.
- Summarize the passage before answering questions.
- Attempt familiar genre passages first before moving to the others.
- Practice different difficulty levels of questions regularly.
- Attempt mock tests, analyze mistakes, and identify weak areas.
- Use Shadow Answering—predict possible answers before checking options.
Quantitative Techniques (10-14 Marks)
- Clear fundamental concepts of elementary mathematics.
- Identify important topics and master each concept.
- Solve daily practice questions and refer to CLAT PYQs.
- Practice with time constraints to balance speed and accuracy.
- Avoid guesswork and move on if a question seems too tricky.
Cracking CLAT in the first attempt is achievable with smart preparation, consistency, and the right strategy. Focus on concept clarity, regular practice, and time management to maximize your score. Develop a strong reading habit, stay updated with current affairs, and practice mock tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
Remember, understanding the exam pattern, revising thoroughly, and analyzing mistakes are key to securing a top rank in CLAT. Stay motivated, follow a structured study plan, and believe in your preparation. With dedication and persistence, you can secure a seat in one of the top National Law Universities (NLUs) and take the first step toward a successful legal career.
Start your CLAT preparation today and make your first attempt count!
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