CLAT PG 2020 Topper Interview: Sahil, AIR 5, says take mock tests for better results

Sahil Mathur, a native of Sonipat, Haryana, secured the AIR 5 in CLAT PG 2020 exam. Shiksha got talking to him to know more about his preparation process, secret to success and his future plans. 

Sahil Mathur, who did his BALLB from Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, bagged the AIR 5 in CLAT PG 2020 exam by securing 67.50 out of 120 marks. Sahil is currently pursuing Master of Business Law from National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore. His father is a contractor and mother a businesswoman. He believes that candidates can surely get through CLAT if they study 5-6 hours daily and keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in law. He says he gets attracted towards law as it is applicable in every sphere of life whether it is politics, science, sports, or anything else. Below are the excerpts of the interview.

Q. Congratulations on your success! Did you expect to be the topper of CLAT PG 2020?

A. The CLAT PG 2020 question paper was a combination of predictable and surprising questions. As I had worked hard, I was expecting a good rank, but I was definitely not expecting AIR 5.  

Q. What was your preparation strategy that helped you crack CLAT PG 2020?

A. There are six primary points that helped me in my CLAT LLM preparation. 

Basics: You must have a solid basic grasp of all legal disciplines, which you will develop over the course of your law school career and not just in a month or two. 

Planning: You must prepare a schedule for studying but not at the expense of other activities. Once you have made a plan, stick to it religiously.  

Consistency: Consistency is the key. Taking a long vacation will just set you back. 

Discussions: This is something not everyone believes in, but having frequent discussions with my classmates helped a lot in my CLAT preparation. 

Revision: Always revise what you study, otherwise all efforts will go waste. It is always good to revise when the topic is still fresh in your mind. Revise at least 2-3 times for better retention. 

Mock tests: Mock tests are quite useful for any exam. Attempt as many mocks as feasible for good results. 

Besides, give at least 5-6 hours every day to your CLAT preparation. Keep a tab on the bar and bench and live law for latest changes in the law. 

Q. Did you take any coaching for the exam?

A. Yes, I joined an academy which really helped in my preparation. The academy conducts live lectures, examinations, mock tests and also provides study material for CLAT preparation.

Q. What study plan did you follow for the exam?

A. After changes were made in CLAT LLM pattern and curriculum in January 2020, I began reading Supreme Court judgments. Some decisions are lengthy, but in law school, you learn to focus on the most crucial portions. I mostly focused on cases, however the fundamentals of each topic must also be covered.

Q. Which books did you read to prepare for CLAT PG exam?

A. As Constitution is one of the most important subjects for the CLAT PG test, I focused on reading current and previous historic cases, and if any Article of the Constitution was mentioned in the judgment, I read it from the Constitution Bare text. Besides, one must study the key concepts of the Constitution. In view of the presence of several other legal subjects inCLATLLM syllabus, my method for other subjects is mostly case study, although the fundamentals of each subject must be covered, which may be achieved through various sources. Below are the books I consulted during preparation. 

• PM Bakshi for CLAT PG - Constitutional Law 
• SN Dhyani for Jurisprudence 
• AK Jain’s Guide for LLM or Universal’s Guide for LLM 
• Criminal manual for CRPC, Evidence Act and IPC 

Also Read: 

• Best  Books for CLAT 2021 Preparation 
• CLAT  Question Papers PDFs 
• How  to  Prepare for CLAT 2021- Tips, Books, Planning, Syllabus

Q. How did you deal with your strengths and weaknesses while preparing for CLAT PG exam?

A. CLAT mock tests can help identify your strengths and weaknesses. Also, analysis of CLAT PG previous year question papers can be useful in identifying key areas of focus. With the new CLAT pattern, reading the passage attentively can help you prepare comprehension-based questions. It is possible that reading a large comprehension will take a long time, so practice reading in advance.

Q. What other law entrance exams did you take or are planning to take?

A. I attempted and successfully cleared AILET in 2020. I am planning to take UGC-NET exam in the future.

Q. Was law always your first preference?

A. Yes, law has always been my first preference. I decided to pursue a career in law in Class 11.

Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take these exams in future?

A. You can easily prepare yourself for CLAT UG if you start studying a year or so before the exam, but in CLAT PG, if you do not focus on the fundamental concepts of legal subjects taught in law schools in the beginning of the first year, you will be at a severe disadvantage.

Initially, I was stressed due to the constant postponement of CLAT PG exam, but what kept me calm was my focus on the end goal. Do not overburden yourself psychologically and keep a cool mind even when you have to face failures as failures always lead to success. 

Q. What are your future plans?

A. I am still exploring different opportunities, preferably in the area of insolvency and restructuring.

 Read more: 

• CLAT  2020 Topper Interview: Aprajita, AIR 1, says regular practice,  consistency key to success 
• CLAT,  AILET 2020 Topper Interview: Take mocks, manage time to score good,  says Anhad Kaur 
• CLAT  2020 Topper Interview: Pratyay, AIR 10, says try to make the most of  your mock tests