How to Prepare for CLAT: The Ultimate Guide

The Consortium of National Law Universities conducts the Common Law Admission Test, popularly known as CLAT, for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes offered by 22 NLUs across India. The test is conducted every year in the month of May.

CLAT is a highly competitive exam and thus, requires strategic preparation. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about how to prepare for CLAT so that you can ace the exam.

Start preparing for CLAT early

Join a coaching institute

Juris Academy is one of the best CLAT coaching institute in India with experienced faculty and comprehensive course material. Joining a coaching institute will help you to stay on track with your preparation and also give you an edge over other candidates who are self-studying. See their past years result now.

Start self-study

Self-study is important even if you are joining a coaching institute. You can supplement your coaching by doing extra reading on your own. This will help you to consolidate what you have learnt and also enable you to revise the topics covered in class more effectively.

Take mock tests

Mock tests are a great way to assess your progress and identify areas that need improvement. They also help to build exam confidence and reduce exam anxiety on the day of the actual test.

Understand the CLAT syllabus

English

The English section will test your reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and verbal reasoning skills. The passages given in the reading comprehension section will be based on legal or general topics. You will also have to answer questions on jumbled paragraphs and fill in the blank’s sections. For grammar, you will need to be familiar with basic concepts such as tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions etc. The vocabulary questions will test your knowledge of words often used in legal documents such as ‘lien’, ‘arraign’, ‘embezzlement’ etc. The verbal reasoning questions will include analogy and classification exercises.

General Knowledge

The General Knowledge section covers a wide range of topics from current affairs to history, geography, economics, politics etc. You should keep yourself updated with the latest happenings around the world by reading newspapers or following news channels. For static GK (i.e., facts that do not change over time), you can refer to standard books such as Lucent’s General Knowledge or Manorama Yearbook.

Legal Aptitude

This section is designed to test your interest and aptitude for the study of law as well as your ability to analyse legal problems and apply legal principles to given facts. The questions may cover various areas of law such as constitutional law, criminal law, contract law etc. You will also have to solve case studies and answer multiple-choice questions based on them.

Logical Reasoning

The Logical Reasoning section tests your ability to think critically and analytically. The questions are based on logical arguments and you will have to identify the flaws in them or strengthen them by adding premises if required. The question types include blood relations, seating arrangements, puzzles etc.

Create a study plan

Follow a daily routine

One of the best ways to prepare for CLAT is to follow a daily routine. This means waking up early and getting started with your studies right away. Make sure to set aside enough time each day to cover all the topics in the syllabus. A good way to do this is to break down each topic into smaller pieces and then focus on one piece at a time.

Set targets

Another important part of preparing for CLAT is setting targets. This means knowing how much you need to study each day and week in order to be ready for the exam. It is also important to set deadlines for yourself so that you stay on track. Make sure that your targets are realistic and achievable, so that you don't get discouraged along the way.

Take breaks

It is also important to take breaks while you are studying for CLAT. This will help you avoid burnout and keep your energy levels up. Make sure that you take breaks regularly and allow yourself some time to relax and rejuvenate.

Be physically and mentally prepared

Get enough sleep

A good night's sleep is crucial for students appearing for competitive exams. It helps them to focus better and recall things more easily. Hence, it is important to get at least 8 hours of sleep every day.

Eat healthy

What you eat also affects your performance in exams. Eating junk food or overeating can make you feel sluggish and affect your concentration levels. So, it is important to eat healthy meals that are rich in proteins and other nutrients. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and avoid processed foods as much as possible.

Exercise regularly

Exercise not only keeps your body fit but also helps improve blood circulation and boost brain power. So, make sure to include some form of physical activity in your daily routine leading up to the exam. Even a simple walk for 30 minutes a day can make a difference in your overall energy levels and concentration levels on the day of the exam.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this guide on how to prepare for CLAT. We hope that by following the tips and advice we have given; you will be well on your way to success. Remember to start preparing early, understand the syllabus inside out, create a study plan and take care of your physical and mental health. With hard work and dedication, we are sure you can achieve your dreams. All the best!