How to Prepare for CLAT from Class 11th? Strategies to Crack the Exam
Are you in class 11th and want to make a career in law background? It’s high time to kickstart your CLAT preparation and get admission to your dream college. You will have two years to work on all the basics and advanced knowledge of the exam with a detailed plan and strategies.
Here, we have curated all the required information along with an efficient strategic guide about the exam. Let’s start a journey to the future!
CLAT Exam Overview
Exam Name |
Common-Law Admission Test |
Conducting Body |
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
Mode of Exam |
Offline |
Duration |
2 hours |
Frequency of Exam |
Once a year |
Question type |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Exam subjects |
English Language, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques |
Number of Questions |
120 |
Marking Scheme |
● +1 for every correct answer ● -0.25 for every incorrect answer |
Medium of Exam |
English |
Official Website |
CLAT Exam Syllabus and Pattern
Subject |
Number of Question |
Topics Covered |
English Language |
22-26 |
Comprehension of 450-word long passages, grammar, and vocabulary-based questions about synonyms & antonyms, spotting errors, sentence correction, etc. |
GK and Current Affairs |
28-32 |
Covers recent Indian and global events, general knowledge, static GK, arts & culture, history, awards, sports, significant dates, etc. |
Legal Reasoning |
22-26 |
Legal matters, public policy, and moral philosophical enquiries from constitutional law, criminal law, torts, and contracts. |
Logical Reasoning |
28-32 |
Relationships, analogies, logical patterns & sequences, and arguments, conclusions, & assumptions. |
Quantitative Techniques |
10-14 |
Asks questions about ratios and proportions, percentages, profit & loss, algebra, mensuration, charts, graphs, and tables, and statistics. |
Eligibility Criteria for CLAT
There is no upper or lower age limit for the candidates to appear in the exam. However, some educational criteria must be fulfilled, including:
● The candidate must have completed education up to the 10+2 level or its equivalent from a recognised board.
● Applicant should have scored a minimum aggregate percentage of 45 for the general, OBC, PWD, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories and 40 for the SC/ ST categories.
Note: You can take the CLAT entrance exam while appearing for your intermediate exams. However, at the time of admission, you need to provide the evidence to clear the qualifying exam.
Preparation Strategies for CLAT
1. Know the Exam Pattern
First, you need to understand the exam pattern, sections, types of questions, marking scheme, duration, mode, and other details. This will help you to manage your time better.
2. Collect Study Material
Now, start collecting appropriate and trusted study material for all the sections. You can consider joining a coaching institute for structured guidance. In case, you are doing self-preparation, Pearson’s books and workbooks will be your best partner throughout the journey.
3. Develop a Study Schedule
After that, work on a structured study plan by dedicating enough time for the preparation of each section. Provide regular time for revision and practice as well.
4. Practice Mock Test and Sample Papers
Finally, give the maximum number of mocks, previous year's CLAT question papers and sample papers to stimulate the actual exam environment. After every test, analyse your performance, and identify the areas for improvement. Eventually, work on your accuracy and speed while solving the questions.
Section-wise Preparation Plan
1. English Language
This section tests your comprehension, analytical, grammar, and vocabulary skills. To upgrade them, make a habit of reading newspapers, have discussions on various topics with your peers or groups, practice grammar, and work on your vocabulary.
2. Current Affairs and General Knowledge
Stay updated with the latest events and news around the world and national importance. Also, learn about famous personalities & events, awards & recognitions, history, art & culture, etc. You can get help from trusted newspapers like The Hindu, GK Today, and Economic Times and follow various magazines and apps.
3. Legal Reasoning
Read newspapers, magazines, and blogs related to static and current legal issues. Also, go through important cases, amendments, and enactments done in the parliament.
4. Logical Reasoning
Regularly solve puzzles relationships & analogies based questions, practice analytical reasoning, and refine critical thinking skills.
5. Quantitative Techniques
Clear all fundamentals till class 10th to get your hands on basic algebra, arithmetics, mensuration, and statistics. For this, you can cover one concept a day and practice with mock papers regularly.
Closing Up!
Apart from all the strategies and information given above, there are some additional tips as well that you can follow to accelerate your CLAT preparation such as staying updated with current affairs, getting your hands on fundamentals in each subject, setting realistic goals, staying consistent, and learning from the mistakes.
Finally, please remember, don’t lose motivation!
Best wishes for your future exam!
Check out our Law Entrance Exam Prep series here.