INTRODUCTION
The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance
examination conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law
programs at various universities across India. It is an online-based examination
conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs), consisting
of 22 participating NLUs. The CLAT exam is highly competitive and attracts
thousands of students aspiring to pursue a career in law. The exam evaluates a
candidate’s aptitude in areas such as English, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning,
General Knowledge, and Legal Aptitude. The exam pattern for the
undergraduate program includes multiple choice questions (MCQs) from the
mentioned subjects, while the postgraduate program consists of MCQs as well
as essay writing. The duration of the examination is two hours. Successful candidates in
the CLAT exam are eligible for admission to various prestigious law colleges,
including the National Law Schools, which are renowned for their quality
education and strong faculty. The scores obtained in the CLAT exam are
accepted by many other law schools in India as well. Preparation for the CLAT
exam requires dedicated study and practice. Candidates need to stay up to date
with current affairs, and legal developments, and have a good command of the
English language. There are numerous coaching institutes, online study
materials, and mock tests available to help aspirants prepare for the exam.
Apart from undergraduate and postgraduate programs, CLAT scores
are also accepted for certain other law-related courses such as LLB (Bachelor of
Laws), LLM (Master of Laws), and PhD programs. In conclusion, the CLAT
exam provides a gateway for aspiring law students to secure admissions to
prestigious law schools in India. It tests their aptitude and knowledge in various
areas related to the legal field. With proper preparation and dedication,
candidates can aim to achieve good scores in the CLAT exam and fulfil their
aspirations of pursuing a career in law.
There are five topics/subjects in CLAT exam –
- English
- Current Affairs including G.K
- Legal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative techniques
Total no of questions in CLAT = 120
Subject-wise division of questions and their percentage are as follows – - English = 22 – 26 (20%)
- Current Affairs including G.K = 28 – 32 (25%)
- Legal Reasoning = 28 – 32 (25%)
- Logical Reasoning = 22 – 26 (20%)
- Quantitative techniques = 10 – 14 (10%)
Let us have a look at the preparation of CLAT – - English/English language –
The English part of the CLAT exam has been designed to test a candidate’s
proficiency in English language comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and
analysis. It includes various kinds of questions, which include reading
comprehension, para-jumbles, error-spotting, fill-in-the-blanks, vocabularybased questions, and grammar-based questions. - In the reading comprehension section, candidates are expected to read and
comprehend a given passage and answer questions based on it. This section
assesses the candidate’s ability to understand and analyse the information
provided in the passage. - Para jumbles require candidates to rearrange a set of jumbled sentences to
form a coherent paragraph. This tests the candidate’s logical thinking, sentence
arrangement, and coherence skills. - Error-spotting questions evaluate the candidate’s ability to identify
grammatical errors in each sentence. Candidates need to identify the incorrect
part of the sentence and choose the appropriate option. - Fill in the blanks to assess the candidate’s vocabulary and grammar
knowledge. Candidates are required to fill in the appropriate word or phrase in
the given blank space to complete the sentence correctly. - Vocabulary-based questions test the candidate’s knowledge of synonyms,
antonyms, and idioms. Candidates need to choose the correct option that best
fits the given context. - Grammar-based questions evaluate the candidate’s understanding of various
grammar rules, including sentence formation, tenses, prepositions, adjectives,
etc. Candidates need to identify and choose the correct grammatical option.
To perform well in the English section of the CLAT exam, candidates should
focus on improving their vocabulary, reading comprehension skills, and
grammar knowledge. Regular practice, solving previous year question papers
and mock tests can help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam
pattern and effectively tackle the English section. - CURRENT AFFAIRS and G.K –
Current affairs and GK play a crucial role in the CLAT exam, as they test the
candidate’s knowledge and awareness of the latest happenings around the world.
Here are a few important points to note regarding current affairs and GK in the
CLAT exam: - Syllabus: The syllabus for current affairs and GK in the CLAT exam is not
fixed. It can vary from year to year. However, the general topics that are
covered include current events of national and international importance, static
GK, sports, science and technology, awards and honors, books and authors, etc. - Importance: Current affairs and GK questions are included in the CLAT
exam to assess the candidate’s awareness and understanding of the world around
them. It helps in testing their ability to connect various events and draw logical
conclusions. - Preparation: CLAT aspirants need to stay updated with current affairs
regularly. Reading newspapers, following news websites, and referring to GK
books and magazines can help in staying updated. Additionally, solving
previous year’s question papers and taking mock tests can aid in improving
one’s GK skills. - Format: The current affairs and GK section in the CLAT exam typically
consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Candidates are required to select
the most appropriate option from the given choices. It is crucial to read the
questions carefully and eliminate the improbable options to arrive at the correct
answer. - Weightage: The weightage of current affairs and GK questions in the CLAT
exam can vary. Some years may have more questions from current affairs, while
in other years, the focus may be more on static GK. It is advisable to go through
the previous year’s papers to get an idea of the weightage and pattern of
questions. - Preparation Strategy: To excel in the current affairs and GK section,
candidates should develop a systematic study plan. They should make a habit of
reading newspapers daily, focusing on national and international news. It is also
recommended to make notes of important events and revise them regularly.
Additionally, referring to GK books, magazines, and online resources can help
in gaining in-depth knowledge of important topics.
In conclusion, current affairs and GK play a crucial role in the CLAT exam.
Aspirants should allocate sufficient time for their preparation and stay updated
with recent events. With consistent efforts and strategic preparation, candidates
can perform well in this section and increase their overall score in the CLAT
exam. - LEGAL REASONING –
The syllabus for legal reasoning in the CLAT exam generally includes questions
based on legal principles and their applications. The purpose of this section is to
assess the candidate’s ability to understand legal issues, analyse and apply legal
principles, and use logical reasoning to arrive at conclusions.
The topics covered in the legal reasoning section of the CLAT syllabus can
vary, but some common themes include – - Legal maxims and legal propositions: Candidates may be asked to analyse the
application of various legal maxims or given legal propositions and identify
their correct or incorrect application to a given situation. - Legal facts and principles: Questions may require candidates to evaluate
factual scenarios and identify the relevant legal principles applicable to the
situation. They may also be asked to determine whether a particular principle is
applicable in each situation or not. - Legal reasoning and logic: Candidates may be tested on their ability to reason
logically and draw inferences from given legal principles. Questions may
require candidates to analyse arguments, draw logical conclusions, and identify
flaws or weaknesses in legal reasoning. - Legal analogies: Candidates may be asked to draw analogies between
different legal principles or situations by comparing their similarities and
differences. - Legal deductions: Candidates may be given a set of facts and asked to deduce
certain outcomes or conclusions based on the given legal principles and
reasoning.
6.To prepare for the legal reasoning section of the CLAT exam, it is advisable
to study various legal principles, cases, legal reasoning techniques, and legal
vocabulary.
Candidates should also practice solving previous years’ question papers and
mock tests to familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and to improve their
speed and accuracy in answering legal reasoning questions. - LOGICAL REASONING –
The syllabus for legal reasoning in the CLAT exam generally includes questions
based on legal principles and their applications. The purpose of this section is to
assess the candidate’s ability to understand legal issues, analyse and apply legal
principles, and use logical reasoning to arrive at conclusions.
The topics covered in the legal reasoning section of the CLAT syllabus can
vary, but some common themes include: - Legal maxims and legal propositions: Candidates may be asked to analyse the
application of various legal maxims or given legal propositions and identify
their correct or incorrect application to a given situation. - Legal facts and principles: Questions may require candidates to evaluate
factual scenarios and identify the relevant legal principles applicable to the
situation. They may also be asked to determine whether a particular principle is
applicable in each situation or not. - Legal reasoning and logic: Candidates may be tested on their ability to reason
logically and draw inferences from given legal principles. Questions may
require candidates to analyse arguments, draw logical conclusions, and identify
flaws or weaknesses in legal reasoning.
4.Legal analogies: Candidates may be asked to draw analogies between
different legal principles or situations by comparing their similarities and
differences.
5.Legal deductions: Candidates may be given a set of facts and asked to deduce
certain outcomes or conclusions based on the given legal principles and
reasoning.
To prepare for the legal reasoning section of the CLAT exam, it is advisable to
study various legal principles, cases, legal reasoning techniques, and legal
vocabulary. - QUANTATIVE APTITUDE –
The syllabus for a quantitative aptitude exam in a class may vary depending on
the specific course or educational institution. However, in general, the following
topics are commonly included: - Number Systems: Basic operations on numbers, fractions, decimals,
percentages, and their applications. - Arithmetic: Problems on topics like average, ratio and proportion, profit and
loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, time, and distance, etc. - Algebra: Fundamental algebraic concepts, equations, and inequalities,
polynomials, factorization, exponents, etc. - Geometry: Basic geometrical concepts, lines and angles, triangles,
quadrilaterals, circles, polygons, mensuration, etc. - Statistics: Data interpretation, representation of data using charts and graphs,
measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, etc. - Probability: Concepts of probability, conditional probability, permutations,
and combinations, etc. - Data Interpretation: Analysing and interpreting data presented in tables,
charts, graphs, etc. - Logical Reasoning: Analytical and logical reasoning, pattern recognition,
series completion, coding and decoding, blood relations, seating arrangement,
etc.
To perform well in each section of the CLAT exam, candidates should focus on
Regular practice, solving previous year question papers and mock tests can help
candidates familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and effectively tackle
the English section.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO TACKLE CLAT EXAM – - Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern: The first step in tackling any exam
is to understand its pattern. Go through the CLAT exam pattern, which includes
sections like English, General Knowledge, Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning,
and Mathematics. Make a study plan accordingly. - Understand the syllabus: Once you are familiar with the exam pattern, look
at the syllabus. Understand the topics and sub-topics that need to be covered
in each section. Prioritize your preparation accordingly. - Develop a study plan: A well-structured study plan is crucial for effective
preparation. Allocate specific time slots for each section and topic. Include
revision time in your plan to consolidate your learning. - Practice mocks and previous year’s papers: Practice makes perfect. Solve
mock tests and previous year’s question papers to get a feel of the exam.
Analyze your performance, identify your weaker areas, and work on them. It
will also help you manage your time effectively during the actual exam. - Strengthen your reading and comprehension skills: The English section of
CLAT requires strong reading and comprehension skills. Read newspapers,
magazines, and books regularly to improve your reading speed and
comprehension abilities. Solve English comprehension exercises to further
enhance your skills. - Stay updated with current affairs: Since CLAT includes a section on General
Knowledge, make sure to stay updated with current affairs. Read newspapers,
follow news websites, and refer to current affairs magazines to stay informed
about the latest happenings in the world. - Improve your logical reasoning skills: Logical Reasoning questions can be
challenging but with regular practice, you can improve your skills. Solve
reasoning puzzles, practice analyzing arguments, and work on strengthening
your logical thinking abilities. - Enhance legal aptitude: This section tests your understanding of legal
principles and concepts. Read legal magazines, study legal GK books, and solve
legal reasoning questions to improve your legal aptitude. - Revise and review: Regularly revise the topics you have covered. Make notes,
create flashcards, and revise important concepts. Review your performance in
mocks and previous year’s papers to identify areas for improvement. - Keep a positive mindset: Maintaining a positive mindset is important during
your preparation. Stay focused, motivated, and determined. Believe in your
abilities, and work hard towards achieving your goal. Remember, preparation is
the key to success in any exam. With the right approach, practice, and
determination, you can tackle the CLAT exam effectively.
