How To Prepare For CLAT?

Law has lately been recognized as one of India’s most promising career options, with too many applicants registering every year for the entrance exam of the same. Like other fields in India, Law has become very competitive in recent times also. The number of applicants increases by fourfold every year. However, many are still confused about what the entrance exam is like and how to go about the preparation. Are you planning to pursue law in India? If yes and you are confused about the preparation strategy for one of the most competitive law entrance exams of today’s times, CLAT, this blog shall be helpful for you. Read on to find out how to prepare for CLAT.

Particulars	Description
Name of the exam	Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
Conducting Body	The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs)
CLAT official website	consortiumofnlus.ac.in
Mode of exam	Pen-and-paper mode
Number of questions	150 for UG CLAT, 120 for PG CLAT
Question type	MCQs
Number of seats	CLAT-based seat Intake: 5-year integrated LLB program – 2538 seatsLLM program – 742 seats
Participating NLUs	22
Purpose of exam	Admission to: BA LLB, B.Sc LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB, BSW LLB, and, LLM

Must Read: A Detailed Guide to Start a Career in Law

About CLAT

Before we find out how to prepare for CLAT, let us first dive into what CLAT actually is. Common-Law Admission Test popularly known as CLAT is the admission entrance exam for a five-year integrated course BA-LLB course in India. The exam is usually conducted in May. 22 National Law Universities are registered under CLAT. Many private law schools also consider CLAT scores during the admission process. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. The scheduled date for the exam this year is 13^th June. The mode of conduct is online.

Latest Updates on CLAT Exam

Find out below the latest information on the CLAT exam 2023: 

Event	Dates for CLAT 2023
Release of admission notification	July 15, 2022
Opening of CLAT 2023 application form	August 08, 2022
Release of first sample question set	October 8, 2022
Release of second sample question set	October 14, 2022
Last date to register	November 18, 2022
Last date to complete the application form and submit the registration fee	November 20, 2022
Release of admit card	December 06, 2022, 6 pm
Candidates to fill their admission preferences to NLUs	December 06, 2022
CLAT 2022 exam date	December 18, 2022 (2 pm to 4 pm)
Release of provisional answer key	December 18, 2022
Inviting objections on the provisional answer key	December 19, 2022
Release of final answer key	December 22, 2022
Declaration of results	December 23, 2022
Commencement of counseling	December 28, 2022

CLAT Colleges in India

Listed below are the 22 NLUs registered under CLAT, which are considered to be the best law colleges in India:

• National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)
• National Academy of Legal Study & Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)
• National Law Institute University, Bhopal (NLIU)
• The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata (WBNUJS)
• National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ)
• Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU)
• Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar (GNLU)
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (RMLNLU)
• Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala (RGNUL)
• Chanakya National Law University, Patna (CNLU)
• National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS)
• National Law University, Cuttack, Odisha (NLUO)
• National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSRL)
• National Law University & Judicial Academy, Guwahati, Assam (NLUJAA)
• Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam (DSNLU)
• Tamil Nadu National Law School, Tiruchirappalli (TNNLS)
• Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (MNLU)
• Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU)
• Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad (MNLU)
• Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU)
• Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur (MPDNLU)
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Rai, Sonipat (DBRANLU)

Also Read: Criminology Courses – Degrees and Career Prospects

Eligibility For UG Courses

To study law, not only are you required to find out about how to prepare for CLAT but also met the eligibility criteria at the law colleges. Listed below are the important criteria an aspirant must meet to secure admission through CLAT. An aspirant must have cleared 10+2 from any recognized board with-

• 45% marks in the previously attempted exams for General/SAP candidates.
• 40% min marks in the previously appeared exams for SC/ST/OBC candidates.

CLAT Exam Pattern 2023

Subject/topics	Number of questions	Percentage weightage
English Language	28-32 questions	20%
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge	35-39 questions	25%
Legal Reasoning	35-39 questions	25%
Logical Reasoning	28-32 questions	20%
Quantitative Techniques	13-17 questions	10%

Also Read: Everything About BA LLB Course

CLAT Syllabus

In order to find out how to prepare for CLAT, you need to do the most important thing – know your syllabus and have your CLAT books in place. The CLAT paper consists of the following subsections:

• English that includes comprehension passages, grammar, word meanings, incorrect/correct sentences
• Quantitative Aptitudes – Algebra, profit and loss, time and work, average, speed and distance, permutation-combination and Venn diagrams, statistical estimation, Mensuration
• Legal Reasoning – Research aptitude, Problem-solving ability, Questions based on hypothetical situations, Important court decisions
• GK/Current Affairs -Static general knowledge includes history, Polity, Geography, Environment, and current affairs- national and international importance, sports, new appointments, awards, and honors, etc.
• Logical Reasoning – Logical and Analytical reasoning skills

How to Go About The Preparation?

One question that strikes every candidate is how to prepare for CLAT. To get guaranteed admission to any of the NLUs, an aspirant must score well in the entrance exam. Scoring well can happen only when an aspirant has a well thought of strategy in place to clear the exams. Preparing with utmost dedication is quite a task, but with the correct plan, an aspirant can do wonders in the exams. What is of utmost importance for every candidate is that they must stay motivated throughout the journey for guaranteed returns.

Key Preparation Tips For CLAT 2021

Mentioned below are the key tips which answer our query of how to prepare for CLAT. You can have a look here: 

• Candidates must prepare a time plan keeping in mind the months left before the primary exam day.
• One year time plan is usually considered essential for strong preparation.
• The syllabus is divided into four segments so the candidate must prepare to keep in mind the division.
• Candidates must appear for as many mock tests as possible to get a real feel of the examination.
•  Taking tests is considered necessary; what is equally important is analyzing the mock scores to get knowledge of the weak areas that need attention.
• Choose the right study resources. A candidate might enroll in a preparation course or rely on self-preparation. For candidate who is preparing by themselves, they must select the right study resources. There are various options out there to choose from, but a candidate must select resources that perfectly suit their needs.
•  As they say, practice is the key; it truly is. Practicing several questions from every section is very important to understand the wide variety of problems that might come.
• Time management is also something that candidates should plan wisely. Candidates must know how many exact hours should be devoted to every section while preparing.
• Revising the syllabus two months before the exam is of utmost importance, the last two months should be devoted to revising all the areas covered.
• GK and current affairs are one of the most important sections of the exam, so to prepare for that a candidate must regularly go through the newspapers and editorials to keep in touch with everything that’s happening around.

Also Read: List of Exams Cancelled Due to Coronavirus in 2021

Here is the sectional preparation strategy to prepare for CLAT:

English Language 

• Read newspapers and magazines and focus on the editorial section of the newspaper.
• Have group discussions with your peers that will improve your engagement and learning.
• Strengthen a good command of vocabulary as much as you can and practice grammar with standard grammar textbooks.
• Practice sample papers.

Current Affairs and General Knowledge 

• Know about current events by reading the editorial section of newspapers and magazines.
• Read Journals and Periodicals available over the Internet.
• Discuss your issues with your study group and get your facts cleared.

Legal Reasoning 

• Attempt last year’s questions papers because it will be different this time in this section. 
• Extra cult over Legal matters is required.
• Sample papers and model test papers must be solved provided by The consortium and then from other sources.

Logical Reasoning 

• Carefully identify the various premises and conclusions given in the passage 
• Identify and separate the argument sets placed in the passage, as some may be in support and some may contradict each other
• Certain questions will be assumptions based wherein you will be asked to assume a situation to be true even when you know it’s false. At this moment, follow the instructions given and put up your smart logic.

Best CLAT Preparation Books

To get through any competitive exam, be it CLAT or any other entrance exam, books from the best of publishers like Arihant and S.Chand along with practice tests and online video tutorials. Glance over the following table containing toppers-recommended CLAT books and you can visit the ‘buy’ link to purchase. Are you searching for subject-specific books? Check out our blog on CLAT Books:

Name of the Book	Author	Link
Universal’s Guide To Clat &LL.B Entrance Examination	Lexis Nexis	Buy Here
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis	Buy Here
CLAT Study Kit	Lexis Nexis	Buy Here
English (CLAT)	R.K Gupta	Buy Here
CLAT 2021: 12 Mock Tests	GKP	Buy Here
Self Study Guide CLAT 2021	Arihant Experts	Buy Here
Lucent’s General Knowledge	Dr Binay Karna, R. P. Suman and others	Buy Here

As far as the CLAT exam pattern for postgraduate courses is concerned, there are a total of 100 multiple-choice questions asked which have to be completed in a span of 2 hours. Here, every question carries one mark and the two subjective questions carry 25 marks each. So, the total marks for the exam are 150 marks. In the case of MCQs, every incorrect answer would lead to the deduction of 0.25 marks. While the syllabus for objective questions covers Constitutional Law, Torts, Criminal Law, Contracts, International Law, Jurisprudence, and IPR, amongst other Law subjects, the curriculum for the subjective questions includes Law topics and Contemporary Issues. 

How to Prepare for CLAT from Class 10, 11 & 12?

Some students start preparing for the entrance exam years before they have to appear. The stage of selecting any career starts with selecting stream after class 10th. For CLAT you have chosen any stream. If you are from medical, commerce, or arts you will be eligible to apply for the CLAT. When you qualify to class 11 you will have 2 years for the CLAT preparation. Start by making your study timetable by trying to separate one hour every day for CLAT preparation. Make notes and watch YouTube videos to understand better about the exam. When you are in Class 12 you have to prioritize your boards as well as your CLAT preparation. It is vital that you maintain a balance between both. You can only ace both exams if you are focused and stick to your study schedule. This year you can start with solving the sample paper and the previous year’s question paper. 

Click Here for CLAT 2020 Question Paper

Click Here for CLAT Sample Papers

Explore: LLB: Bachelor of Law

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