Three months may sound like a blink when you’re staring at CLAT 2026, however, it’s enough to turn things around if you play it smart. The last 90 days can make or break your NLU dream. And no, you don’t need 12-hour study marathons; what you really need is consistency, strategy, and the right mindset.
So, let’s break down a 90-day study plan on how to prepare for CLAT in 3 months that’ll help you move from panic to progress.
Upcoming CLAT Exams
Understanding CLAT 2026 Exam
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is India’s most competitive law entrance exam, opening doors to 26 NLUs. It checks your reading, reasoning, and analytical abilities, skills that define a future lawyer. That’s why smart preparation > endless hours of study.
CLAT Exam Pattern
Here’s a quick look at the CLAT exam pattern:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Language | English |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer -0.25 for every wrong answer |
Section-Wise Weightage in CLAT
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Weightage |
| English Language | 22–26 | 20% |
| Current Affairs (including GK) | 28–32 | 25% |
| Legal Reasoning | 28–32 | 25% |
| Logical Reasoning | 22–26 | 20% |
| Quantitative Techniques | 10–14 | 10% |
3 Months CLAT Preparation: Different Stages of Students
No matter when you started, there’s a strategy that works for you. CLAT Preparation strategies vary depending on when a student begins the journey.
1. Early Starters (Preparation initiated a year in advance)
- Students who began early should now focus on fine-tuning their performance. Clear any pending backlogs in General Knowledge, strengthen quantitative aptitude, and carefully analyze errors from past practice sessions.
- CLAT mock tests at this stage should be used not only for practice but also for refining test-taking strategies and identifying areas of improvement.
2. Mid-Year Starters (Preparation started around January–February)
- For these aspirants, time management becomes crucial. Instead of spending excessive energy on completing the entire syllabus, the priority should be to gain a strong conceptual understanding of key topics.
- Mock tests should play a central role, coupled with consistent revision, especially in General Knowledge and English comprehension. Detailed mistake analysis must guide preparation efforts to ensure steady progress.
3. Beginners (Starting preparation at present)
- While the timeline may appear constrained, focused efforts can still yield strong results. Enrolling in intensive crash courses can help cover the syllabus efficiently, while immediate exposure to mock tests ensures real-time learning.
- The emphasis should be on mastering core concepts, staying disciplined, and maintaining a focused approach. With consistency, students can achieve exam readiness within the available timeframe.
| Type of Aspirant | Key Focus Areas |
| Early Starters | Fine-tune weak areas, revise static GK, solve mocks for advanced test-taking strategy. |
| Mid-Year Starters | Strengthen core concepts, prioritize revision, give 2–3 mocks/week, and analyze mistakes. |
| Beginners | Go for a crash course, dive into mocks immediately, cover high-weightage topics, and stay super-disciplined. |
Read more about CLAT Eligibility Criteria
How to Prepare for CLAT in 3 Months?
Follow these 8 powerful steps, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can achieve in 3 months of CLAT preparation:
1. Build a Structured Study Plan
Break your preparation into weekly and daily schedules, assigning each subject a fixed slot. But go deeper than just writing “Legal Reasoning” or “GK.” Instead, specify tasks like “practice case-based questions,” “revise vocabulary notes,” or “attempt sectional test.”
- Make CLAT Current Affairs a daily non-negotiable. Spend at least 1.5–2 hours on newspapers, monthly magazines, and quizzes.
- Aim to touch each subject at least four times a week to ensure balance.
- Keep short-term goals (daily & weekly) and track progress regularly.
2. Attempt At Least 2 Mocks Per Week
Mock tests are your trial runs for CLAT. They train you to:
- Manage time effectively
- Handle exam pressure
- Spot strengths and weaknesses
Rule to follow: Attempt at least 2 mocks per week, and by the end of 3 months, you should have tackled 20–25 full-length mocks.
But remember, the real value lies in analysis:
- Review every mistake.
- Identify recurring weak areas (Reading Comprehension, Quant, Logical Reasoning, etc.).
- Adjust your strategy based on what the data tells you.
3. Balance All Subjects
It’s tempting to dedicate maximum hours to weak areas, but CLAT rewards balance across all sections and a fair distribution of time among all CLAT subjects.
- Revise your strong areas consistently to maintain accuracy.
- Dedicate extra hours to weaker topics, but don’t let them overshadow the rest.
- Mix “comfort subjects” and “challenging subjects” in your daily plan to stay motivated.
4. Stay Disciplined Without Burning Out
With 90 days left, discipline is your fuel. Cut down distractions, manage your screen time, and surround yourself with people who keep you focused.
- Take 60–90 minute breaks for non-screen activities like walking, light reading, or music.
- Keep one light study day every week to recharge.
- Remind yourself daily why you’re preparing. Motivation will keep you going when fatigue sets in.
5. Use the Right Resources for 90 Days CLAT Preparation Plan
In the last 3 months, quality > quantity. Overloading with endless materials only creates confusion. Stick to:
- CLAT Previous Year papers (2020–2025)
- Monthly current affairs magazines (CLAT Express, CLAT Post, etc.)
- If needed, opt for a crash course or mentorship program for structured guidance
6. Sharpen Your General Knowledge (GK & Current Affairs)
GK is one of the most decisive sections in CLAT. To ace it:
- Read The Hindu or The Indian Express daily.
- Revise monthly current affairs without fail.
- Practice online and offline quizzes of current affairs
- Engage in peer discussions to strengthen recall.
7. Conquer Logical Reasoning with Micro-Strategies
Instead of treating Logical Reasoning as one big block, break it into smaller question types (critical reasoning, syllogisms, arguments, etc.).
- Tackle one category at a time.
- Prioritize accuracy first; speed will follow naturally.
- Analyze how question-setters frame traps, so you don’t fall for them in the exam.
8. Focus on Mindset and Mental Resilience
CLAT is not only a test of knowledge; it’s a test of strategy, mindset, and stress-handling.
- Stop comparing your progress with others; focus only on improving yourself.
- Track small, consistent progress every week.
Tip: Every mock analyzed, every revision done, every weak area corrected gets you closer to your NLU dream.
Stay updated on CLAT Marking Scheme
Timetable to Crack CLAT in 3 Months
| Month | Week | Focus Areas |
| Month 1 – Foundation & Basics | Week 1–2 | – English: Grammar, 20 words/day, 2 RCs/day – Legal: Constitution basics, legal maxims (20/day) – GK: Static GK (History, Polity, Geography) – Quant: Arithmetic basics (percentages, averages, ratios) – Logical: Critical reasoning & argument-based practice |
| Week 3–4 | – English: Editorial reading, tone & inference – Legal: Intro to IPC & Torts, passage-based practice – GK: Current affairs (latest 3 months) – Quant: Time & Work, Speed–Distance–Time – Logical: Puzzles & seating arrangements – Mocks: 1–2 per week | |
| Month 2 – Consolidation & Practice | Week 5–6 | – English: 3–4 RCs daily, para-jumbles – Legal: Contracts, landmark judgments, IPR basics – GK: Revise CA (past 4–5 months) – Quant: Data interpretation (bar graphs, line charts) – Logical: Analytical reasoning practice |
| Week 7–8 | – English: RC + grammar correction – Legal: Family Law, case-law reasoning – GK: Weekly revision of CA + static GK recap – Quant: Arithmetic + DI mix sets – Logical: Strengthen puzzle-solving – Mocks: 2–3 per week | |
| Month 3 – Final Drills & Exam Simulation | Week 9–10 | – English: Speed reading, vocab quick revision – Legal: Passage-based reasoning + legal CA – GK: Last 6–8 months’ affairs + schemes – Quant: Shortcuts for arithmetic & DI drills – Logical: Timed mixed sets – Mocks: 3 per week (simulate 2–4 PM slot) |
| Week 11–12 | – English: Quick RC + grammar brush-up – Legal: Revise Constitution, Contracts, key judgments – GK: Last 6 months + legal updates only – Quant: Revise formulas, 10–15 sums/day – Logical: Revise weak areas from the error log – Mocks: 4 per week under exam conditions |
Also checkout CLAT Admit Card
Quick 3 Months CLAT Preparation Checklist
| Category | What to Do |
| Daily Must-Do’s | – 1.5–2 hrs Current Affairs (newspaper + monthly mag) – 2 Reading Comprehensions – 20 vocab words + 20 legal maxims – Revise 1 weak topic |
| Mocks & Analysis | – Month 1 → 1–2 mocks/week – Month 2 → 2–3 mocks/week – Month 3 → 3–4 mocks/week – Analyze mistakes after every mock |
| Subject Balance | – Mix 1 strong + 1 weak subject daily – Revise strong areas to keep accuracy high – Weekly GK revision is a must |
| Core Focus Areas | – GK + Legal = 50% (non-negotiable) – Logical: accuracy > speed – Quant: focus on DI + shortcuts |
| Mindset Hacks | – Stay disciplined (no excuses) – Take 1 light study day weekly – Track small wins to stay motivated |
Discover the difference between CLAT vs AILET vs LSAT India
Common Mistakes to Avoid During CLAT Preparation in 3 Months
While preparing for CLAT in just three months, every hour counts. Many aspirants put in the effort but still fall short because of avoidable mistakes. Here are some you should steer clear of:
- Skipping Mock Tests: Many students avoid mocks out of fear of low scores. But remember, mocks are your best teachers. They highlight your weak spots and train you for the real exam environment.
- Ignoring Current Affairs: Some aspirants leave GK for the last minute, only to feel overwhelmed. Instead, revise daily and keep updating notes. GK forms nearly 25% of the paper, so it can’t be neglected.
- Focusing Only on Strengths: It’s tempting to keep practicing what you’re already good at. But CLAT is about balance. Work on weaker sections too, so they don’t drag your score down.
- Not Analyzing Mistakes: Simply taking mocks isn’t enough. The real progress comes from analyzing every wrong answer and understanding why you made that mistake.
- Overloading with Study Material: Jumping between too many books or coaching notes can confuse you. Stick to reliable sources and revise them multiple times.
- Neglecting Time Management: Even if you know the concepts, poor time management can cost you marks. Practice solving questions under strict time limits.
Stay updated on CLAT Exam Date
FAQs on How to Prepare for CLAT in 3 Months
Yes! With focus, mocks, and revision, 3 months is enough to score high and secure an NLU seat.
At least 20–25 full-length mocks, with detailed analysis after each.
Revise monthly CA magazines, read newspapers daily, and focus on the last 6–8 months of affairs.
4–6 focused study hours with daily GK, sectional practice, and 2–3 mocks weekly.
If you’re a beginner or feel lost, a structured crash course or mentorship program can save time and give you clarity. Otherwise, self-study with past papers and mock tests is also sufficient.
Prioritize Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs, as they together carry around 50% weightage. However, don’t ignore English, Logical Reasoning, and Quant.
Absolutely. Previous year papers help you understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and question framing. They also train you for time management under exam conditions.
Free Resources for CLAT Preparation:
Use the following free CLAT preparation resources by Examcharcha:
| 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: