How to Crack Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)?

Published On: May 19, 2025
How to Crack Common Law Admission Test

Every year, over 60,000 students appear for CLAT — the gateway to India’s top National Law Universities (NLUs), the nation’s most competitive law entrance exam. Although the country has more than 1,800 law colleges, the top choice for most aspirants remains the prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs). With only 26 NLUs offering limited seats, gaining admission is incredibly challenging. Cracking CLAT with a top rank on the very first attempt requires not just ambition, but rigorous hard work and a smart strategy.

CLAT has 5 subjects to be studied for:

  • English Language
  • Current Affairs including GK
  • Legal Reasoning
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Techniques

What Does the Subjects Contain?

  • The English language contains Comprehension passages, Grammar, word meanings, incorrect/correct sentences.
  • Mathematics contains Algebra, profit and loss, time and work, average, speed and distance, permutation-combination and Venn diagrams, statistical estimation, Mensuration.
  • The General Knowledge section contains Static general knowledge, including history, politics, geography, and the environment.
  • Current affairs include national of national and international importance, sports, new appointments, awards, honours, etc.
  • Logical and Analytical reasoning skills is contained in the logical reasoning section
  • Legal Aptitude section contains Study of law, Research aptitude, Problem-solving ability, Questions based on hypothetical situations, and Important court decisions.

To enhance your CLAT English preparation, engage deeply with newspapers, particularly editorial and opinion sections, to build comprehension, critical thinking, and vocabulary.

Go beyond passive reading—actively identify main ideas, summarize content, and note frequently used words. Practice inferring meaning, recognizing the author’s viewpoint, and analyzing underlying messages in both fiction and non-fiction. Comparing contrasting opinions sharpens analytical skills, while understanding context helps decode unfamiliar vocabulary.

Make it a habit to summarize arguments and draw logical conclusions. Reading diverse texts and focusing on interpretation and analysis will not only improve your language skills but also align your preparation with CLAT’s core demands.

The Quantitative Techniques section challenges students to interpret and analyze short sets of facts, numerical data, and graphical representations. Success in this section requires more than just basic mathematical knowledge—it demands conceptual clarity, critical thinking, and consistent practice.

A strong start involves mastering foundational topics one at a time, ensuring a clear understanding before moving on to the next. As your preparation progresses, regular engagement with Data Interpretation (DI) sets and mathematics-based problems is essential to build confidence and fluency.

Equally important is the ability to carefully read and comprehend the information presented—whether in the form of charts, tables, or short passages—and accurately extract key data points. From there, applying the appropriate mathematical operations such as percentage calculations, ratios, averages, algebra, and basic statistics becomes crucial. Practicing with a variety of examples and mock tests exposes aspirants to different question types and strengthens their problem-solving approach.

To truly excel, time-bound practice is indispensable. It not only sharpens accuracy but also trains you to maintain an optimal pace during the actual exam.

It is essential to read newspapers regularly for general knowledge preparation, papers such as Statesman, Indian Express and The Hindu. Try to understand the reasons behind it instead of memorizing the dates. Create notes and pointers and highlight important dates for easy reference and memorization. Consider using a comprehensive guide for preparing yearlong current affairs. IAS websites and magazines such as Pratiyogita Darpan are important guides for studies to study current affairs.

For performing well in the Logical Reasoning section, it is essential to develop a strong grasp of key concepts such as assumptions, conclusions, statement-based question types, and questions that require strengthening or weakening an argument.

Taking the time to thoroughly understand these foundational elements is critical for accurate analysis and reasoning. In addition, using reliable and well-regarded resources especially for practicing higher-difficulty Critical Reasoning (CR) questions—can significantly enhance preparation.

A disciplined approach to reading is also crucial. Passages should be read carefully, line by line and word by word, with important details highlighted for better comprehension. It is important to base your answers strictly on the information provided in the passage, avoiding the use of outside knowledge or assumptions. This focused, methodical strategy will help develop clarity, precision, and critical thinking—core skills needed to succeed in the Logical Reasoning section.

The Legal Reasoning section is known for being the most reading-intensive and time-consuming, primarily due to the length and density of the passages. To navigate this section effectively, aspirants should focus on familiarizing themselves with commonly tested legal concepts, principles, and terminology. While no prior legal knowledge is required, having a basic understanding of legal language and frameworks can significantly enhance reading comprehension and boost confidence.

It is important to approach this section strategically by reading each passage carefully, line by line and word by word, while highlighting key information. All answers should be based solely on the content provided in the passage, without relying on outside knowledge or assumptions. There’s no need to memorize legal maxims or delve deeply into legal doctrines; instead, focus on becoming comfortable with the style and vocabulary of the legal texts featured in the exam. This familiarity will make the content feel less intimidating and enable more efficient and accurate analysis during the test.

How to Study for the Exam?

  • Get to Know the Exam Pattern: Having a deep understanding of the exam patterns by going through past years’ papers can give you a good idea on how the pattern is and how to crack it. The pattern just does not reveal the type of questions but also the weightage of the marks distributed, and importance given to the sections. After thoroughly studying you can chalk out a proper schedule for your preparations.
  • Give as Many Mocks as Possible: Prepare and give as many mocks as possible which will help you understand which are the topics you are weak at. Give more time to topics which you are weak at but carry more weight. Many of them who are weak in math don’t give much focus but prepare other topics well. Even concentrating on 4 topics well is enough to land you a seat.
  • Time Management: Some sections will be more time-consuming than the others. So, while prepping itself, time should be accordingly planned and given. It is a 2-hour exam with 5 sections according to the mark’s weightage and your capability you should plan accordingly.

How Much Time is required to Prepare for future CLAT Exams?

Preparing for CLAT typically requires 6 to 12 months of dedicated and structured study. This duration gives you ample time to thoroughly understand the exam pattern, master each section—English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques—and build the necessary analytical and comprehension skills.

A well-planned daily schedule helps balance reading, practicing questions, and revising consistently. Mock tests play a vital role and should be a regular part of your preparation, especially in the final months, to enhance speed, accuracy, and exam endurance.

If you already have a strong grasp of the subjects, a focused 3 to 4-month preparation plan with intensive daily practice can also be effective.

A smart and strategic approach is essential for effective preparation for CLAT 2026. It’s important to maintain a balanced focus across all sections, begin your preparation early, create a personalized study timetable, and consistently track your progress to ensure steady improvement and success.

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