Cracking CLAT requires more than just hard work. It demands the right strategy, consistent practice, and smart time management. If you’re starting your preparation, the first question that comes to mind is how to prepare for CLAT effectively in the time you have.
With subjects like English, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Current Affairs, and Quantitative Techniques, a clear plan for CLAT preparation is essential. In this blog, we’ll guide you step by step on building a preparation strategy that works, along with tips, resources, and expert insights to help you achieve your NLU dream.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
About CLAT Exam 2026
The CLAT question paper consists of 120 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 2 hours, covering 5 subjects in CLAT, which include:
- English Language
- Current affairs, including General Knowledge
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques
The table given below has details of the CLAT exam:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) |
| Exam Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
| Frequency of Conduct | Once a year |
| Exam Level | National-level |
| Application Fees | ₹4000 for General/ OBC Category ₹3500 Reserved Categories |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Question Paper Language | English |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Official Website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in. |
CLAT Exam Pattern
The clear and updated CLAT exam pattern and syllabus are listed below; candidates can check the same:
- For the CLAT UG exam, there are 120 questions. Each question has 1 mark, but if you answer one wrongly, you lose 0.25 marks. The exam is 2 hours long.
- The CLAT PG exam also has 120 questions. Each question has 1 mark, but if you answer one wrongly, you lose 0.25 marks. The exam is 2 hours long.
CLAT Exam Syllabus
Despite not demanding any prior legal knowledge, the CLAT test is essentially a problem-solving assessment. It aims to evaluate your ability to think critically and analytically, skills crucial for a high-level law career.
It’s a test of your legal knowledge and your English communication skills. It evaluates your ability to articulate your ideas, defend your opinions, and critically analyze arguments. These are the areas you should concentrate on during your CLAT preparation strategy.
| Sections | Topics |
| English | Grammar, comprehension passages, word meanings, correct/incorrect sentences |
| Mathematics | Algebra, speed and distance, time and work, profit and loss, average, permutation & combination and Venn diagrams, statistical estimation, Mensuration |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Static general knowledge, including politics, history, geography, and the environment. Current affairs of national and international significance, new appointments, sports, awards, honors, etc. |
| Logical Reasoning | Logical and Analytical reasoning skills |
| Legal Reasoning | Research aptitude, Study of law, Problem-solving ability, Questions on hypothetical situations, and Important court decisions |
Find more about CLAT Eligibility Criteria.
How to Prepare for CLAT?
1. Recognize Your Current Level
- Most candidates start their CLAT preparation in the 11th or 12th grade. But before you start, know your current aptitude level. Identify where you stand at present by giving a practice test. Outline your preparation strategy depending on your scores in the diverse sections.
2. Designate a Target Law School
- Choose the best law college based on your current aptitude, location, logistics, affordability, and passion for law. Do you want to study in your city and region? Or go to another city? Are the fees affordable of NLUs? If not, is an education loan an option?
- Answer these questions, shortlist plausible law colleges, and match them to the score you need in the CLAT exam. These will be your target marks, and your whole focus will be on reaching this score. Nothing more. Nothing less.
3. Identify and Collate All Your Resources
- List all the available content at the beginning of your preparation. Books, previous years’ papers, videos, practice questions, and notes from toppers must be part of your list.
- Although your coaching center will offer considerable content and cover most topics, you should invest in self-study books, too.
4. Make a Timetable and Stick to it
- Once you have understood the CLAT exam syllabus and the material you must finish, now it’s time to allocate time.
- Find out the number of hours you can regularly dedicate to CLAT preparation. Avoid overburdening yourself, and include plenty of breaks in between. Keep your weekends free for hobbies and extracurricular hobbies to refresh yourself.
- Fix a particular time for daily study and revision. Studying at the same time daily can condition your mind correctly. Remember, the aim is not to burn out with studies but to find the appropriate balance between your books and rest.
Explore the 3 Months Preparation Plan for CLAT
5. Enroll in a Renowned Coaching Institute
- While many candidates prefer self-study, most attend leading coaching institutes like Law Prep Tutorial. Coaching programs offer curated content, practice sessions, access to the best faculty, and mock tests, ensuring that you are thoroughly prepared to face the rigors of CLAT.
- With coaching, you can instill a sense of discipline within yourself and give your CLAT preparation strategy the needed edge. It also offers a structured approach, curated learning pathways, and comprehensive material.
6. Make the Most of Your Preparation
To make the most of your CLAT preparation, follow the below steps:
- Skim through that day’s content 10 minutes prior to the class begins.
- Pay proper attention during concept classes. Ask queries and discuss issues with your mentors to clarify your concepts thoroughly.
- Solve all the in-class exercises. Revise them again after a week.
- Solve all the at-home practice questions. Revise them again after a week.
- After covering a topic, attempt a topic-wise test and analyze your score.
- Verify your mistakes, discuss them with your mentors, and repeat steps 3 to 5 again.
7. Read Newspapers Regularly
The CLAT examination pattern is heavily focused on comprehension and reading. You must familiarize yourself with the language and the hours of concentrated reading necessary during CLAT.
Newspapers give you a two-pronged advantage:
- Firstly, you revise your current affairs by reading the national, international, and judicial news.
- Secondly, reading the editorial sections improves your reading speed and comprehension.
Clearing the CLAT exam with good marks and getting into a top national law university opens the doors for an edifying legal career in judicial systems, corporate offices, and PSUs. These pointers help you answer the question how to prepare for CLAT.
Discover the difference between CLAT vs AILET vs LSAT India.
Section-Wise CLAT Preparation Strategy
1. English Preparation
- Emphasize the power of reading. Engage with various texts, from books to editorials, to boost your speed reading, skimming, and comprehension skills. This active reading improves your skills and also keeps you engaged and motivated.
- Start reading passages with a purpose. Rather than just reading and moving on, write down their synopsis. Like this, you can judge your understanding of the passage, a crucial skill for the comprehension section of the CLAT exam.
- Empower yourself by taking control of unfamiliar words. When you encounter a word you don’t recognize, underline it and turn it into a flashcard. Write its meaning on the back and revise these cards daily. This simple yet effective technique will boost your vocabulary and confidence.
2. Legal Reasoning Preparation
- Reading about core concepts and terminologies such as ‘tort,’ ‘contract,’ ‘negligence,’ and ‘liability’ makes the passages easier to crack.
- Start reading essays and articles on blogs. Even newspapers carry various legal cases, which can further your knowledge in this field.
3. Logical Reasoning Preparation
- Learn to read sentences just like you do math equations. In an equation, every variable and constant is defined by a fixed relationship that doesn’t necessarily move in the order it is represented. However, once you know the relationship between the parts, you will realize that there can only be one subjective answer.
- Underline the distinct parts of the sentence. Relate them to one another: Which one modifies the other? What is the tense? Who is the subject? What is happening in the sentence?
- Develop your analytical skills by understanding the author’s perspective in critical passages. Underline key phrases and sentences, and delve into the author’s primary arguments and central premise. This will enhance your understanding and make you feel insightful and analytical.
4. Quantitative Aptitude Preparation
- Begin with the fundamentals. Revise all the major NCERT concepts you learned till the 10th standard. Practice basic questions to reinforce these concepts. Make it a point to practice a fixed number of quant questions every day to become faster and more accurate.
- Discuss with your mentors to create a list of shortcuts—tips and tricks for solving problems quickly. Learn the most frequently asked questions from arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and trigonometry.
5. GK and Current Affairs Preparation
- Reading monthly magazines, newspapers, and periodicals gives you sufficient knowledge about current affairs. Revise static GK from NCERT social science books.
- Sign up online for GK resources, as they have free quizzes across several topics to assess your knowledge level.
Also checkout CLAT Admit Card
Best Books for CLAT Preparation (UG)
The following are the best books for the subjects in the CLAT for UG:
| Sections in CLAT | Books to Refer |
| English Language | – 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Norman Lewis – English is Easy by Chetan Anand Singh – Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis – High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin |
| Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | – Manorama Year Book – Competition Review Yearbook – Pearson’s Concise GK Manual – Pratiyogita Darpan – Lucent’s General Knowledge |
| Legal Reasoning | – Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by Pearson – The Pearson Guide to the CLAT by Harsh Gagrani – Important Judgement That Transformed India by Alex Andrews George |
| Logical Reasoning | – Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal – GMAT Official Guide |
| Quantitative Techniques | – Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations (English) by RS Aggarwal – Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Pearson’s – Data Interpretation by BSC Publications – Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra |
Also stay updated on CLAT Exam Date
Best Books for CLAT Preparation (PG)
The following are the best books for the subjects in the CLAT for PG:
| Book Name | Author/ Publisher |
| S S Handbook for LLM Entrance Exam | Singhal’s Law Publications |
| Guide To LLM Entrance Examination, including Previous Year’s Solved Papers | Universal’s |
| Solved Papers of LLM Entrance Test (Faculty of Law, Delhi University, including ILI, AILET, and CLAT) | Singhal’s Law Publications |
| Ascent’s Law Guide for LLM Entrance Exam | Ashok K Jain |
Find more about the CLAT Marking Scheme
FAQs on How to Prepare for CLAT
Yes, you can. Many CLAT aspirants prepare for the CLAT exam from the comfort of their homes. It requires discipline, a structured study plan, and dedication.
Set short-term goals, celebrate achievements, and remind yourself of the end goal. Stay connected with fellow aspirants, and take breaks to avoid burnout. A positive mindset is crucial to success.
Utilize CLAT preparation books, online study materials, and mock test series. Online platforms offer video lectures, quizzes, and interactive resources to enhance understanding.
A proper study plan and regular study of every topic help you prepare for the CLAT. Ensure you study each subject from the right book and practice the previous year’s papers to understand the difficulty level. Also, the mock test series should be attempted regularly to analyze preparation levels.
Last-minute preparation refers to revision and a glance over all topics. This time is utilized to solve previous year’s papers, attempt mock tests, and revise each topic from all subjects.
Preparing for CLAT in one month requires constant dedication and concentration. Candidates must study each subject in depth and be well-prepared to crack the exam with a high score. However, it is difficult for an average student to prepare for CLAT in one month.
Free Resources for CLAT Preparation:
Use the following free CLAT preparation resources by Examcharcha:
| CLAT Mock Test | CLAT Previous Year Papers |
| Current Affairs Quiz | CLAT Post Magazine by LegalEdge |
| Daily Current Affairs | Weekly Current Affairs |
| Monthly Current Affairs | Last 6 Months Current Affairs |
Top CLAT Coaching Programs in India: