CLAT English Language Preparation Strategy: Tips to Attempt Questions, Important Topics

Common Law Admission Test 2025 ( CLAT )

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Anupama
Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content
Updated on Dec 17, 2024 10:31 IST

Are you appearing for CLAT 2026? Know the right way to approach passages and questions in English Language section of the CLAT exam here.

CLAT 2021 preparation strategy & tips to attempt questions in English Language Section

CLAT 2026 Exam Date is likely to be December 6, 2024. The Consortium has not announced the CLAT Exam Dates 2026 yet. However, the Consortium is expected to announce the CLAT Exam Date in an official CLAT Notification 2026. The Common Law Admission Test will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode. While much has already been talked about the CLAT preparation strategy, it is also extremely important for you to know the right technique to approach passage-based questions. This article aims to provide you the tips and tricks to attempt comprehension-based questions in English Language section of CLAT exam. Read on to get complete insights on CLAT 2025 English Language Preparation.

Also Read: 110+ Important Vocabulary Words for CLAT Exam 2025

CLAT Preparation 2026 for English Language: Syllabus Highlights

Let us first check out important highlights on CLAT syllabus for English Language section:

  • This section will include passages of about 450 words each
  • There will be about six passages in the section
  • Passages will be derived from contemporary or historically significant sources of both fictional and non-fictional writing
  • The topics of the passages may cover different technical and scientific matters, however, you do not need any prior knowledge of the topics to understand the passage
  • The difficulty level of questions in this section will be of Class 12

Also, let us check the type of questions that will be asked in the law entrance exam:

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  • Comprehension and fact-based questions derived from the passage
  • Summarization questions in which you will be expected to identify the main point of the passage
  • Compare and contrast questions
  • Basic grammar and vocabulary-based questions; i.e. synonyms-antonyms, etc.

Also Read

CLAT Preparation 2025: How to attempt questions in Legal Reasoning section?

CLAT Preparation 2025: How to attempt questions in Current Affairs & GK section?

CLAT Preparation 2025: How to attempt questions in Logical Reasoning section?

CLAT Preparation 2025: How to attempt questions in Quantitative Techniques section?

CLAT Preparation 2026 for English Language: Skills to Enhance

To ace the English Language section of CLAT exam 2025, you must work on improving the following skills:

  • Ability to comprehend and analyse
  • Summarise the given passage
  • Compare and contrast different viewpoints and arguments given in the passage

How to attempt CLAT 2026 English Language Questions?

While attempting for English Language section of the CLAT UG 2026 exam, you should keep a note of the below pointers:

Q:   What kind of questions are included in CLAT question paper?

A:

The CLAT question paper for UG courses had objective-type questions from subjects such as Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning Quantitative Techniques, English and Current Affairs including General Knowledge. The CLAT paper for the LLM. course had both objective questions from law subjects such as Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Torts, Family Law, etc. Generally, the questions are designed as passage followed by series of questions of one mark each. Candidates had to attempt the questions by reading and interpreting the passages only. 

Q:   What type of questions are asked in CLAT exam?

A:

The CLAT Exam 2025 carried 120 questions. UG CLAT syllabus 2025 consisted of five sections - English language, General knowledge and current affairs, legal aptitude, logical reasoning and quantitative abilities. The CLAT LLM syllabus consisted of topics from common law subjects of LLB programmes.

Q:   From where can I download the CLAT previous year question papers?

A:
The question paper of CLAT exam is released alongwith the answer key after the exam is over. Candidates can obtain it from the official website, however, the exam authority removes it when the admission notification for next session is announced. Therefore, Shiksha keeps a bank of CLAT question papers from the past years that candidate can download from the links provided here. Candidates should also note that they will be able to obtain past 5 years question papers for CLAT exam when they fill and submit the application form of upcoming session. They will have to purchase the question paper with additional fee - INR 500.

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  • You should be able to read a passage within five to seven minutes
  • Usually a passage will have one point followed by arguments or statements that support or counter that point
  • You need to try and identify the main point been made in the passage
  • Once you have discerned the main point, extract the usable information from the passage in the form of Who, What, Why, When and Where
  • Pay attention to the paragraph structure in the passage. Usually, a change in paragraph is accompanied by change in speaker, or a change in the viewpoint being presented. This will help you find different viewpoints and counterarguments more easily when a question asks you to do so. The same trick applies to the usage of words and phrases such as ‘however’, ‘on the other hand’ and ‘conversely’.
  • Vocabulary questions will be broadly of two types – asking the simple meaning of a word/phrase and asking the meaning of a word/phrase in the context of the passage. In either case, it is recommended to read one-two lines before and after the line in which a word/phrase being asked about appears. It is important so as you are better able to understand the context in which the word is used.
  • Once you have read the passage in the recommended manner, start attempting the questions. Note you do not need to remember each detail of the passage; however, you should have a good idea about the main point of the passage and the overall structure of it.   
  • While attempting the questions, pay close attention to the wording used in them, as they can be tricky. For example, a question that asks, ‘Which of the following is the author likely to agree with’ would imply that there is only one option that the author is agreeing with. On the other hand, a question like, ‘Which of the following is the author likely to most strongly agree with’ would imply that there is more than one option that the author agrees with, however, there is one particular option with which the author provides his/her strongest support.
  • Make sure to read all the four options of a question before choosing the right answer. Even if you are confident of the answer after reading the first two options, read all the options, as sometimes there may be subtle differences in wording in the options that can lead to errors.

Also Read:

CLAT Preparation 2026 for English Language: Tips & tricks

Check out some important tips and tricks to ace the preparation of English Language section of CLAT 2025 exam:

  • Read reputed newspapers and magazines daily, especially the editorial section of the newspapers as many passages are derived from such sources
  • Try to discuss the same passage with fellow candidates. While discussing, try to ask each other questions like what is the main point of the author in the passage, what can be concluded from the passage, what arguments would weaken or strengthen the author’s arguments in the passage.
  • Practice grammar from any good Class 10 grammar book. Some classics such as Wren and Martin’s English Grammar are good resources of preparation.

Also Read: Best Books for CLAT 2025

Q:   Is 'Legal Aptitude' section removed from the CLAT question paper?

A:

As per the CLAT exam pattern released by the NLU Consortium, Legal Reasoning remained a part of the question paper along with Quantitative Techniques, English Current Affairs including General Knowledge and Logical Reasoning. If the exam authority decides to remove any of the sections of CLAT UG question paper in 2025, then it will inform the candidates in admission notification itself, so that candidates can prepare for the exam accordingly.However, no such announcement has been made so far. The Legal Reasoning section has been removed from AILET question paper only.

Q:   Please tell me the number of questions asked per section in CLAT exam.

A:

The CLAT question paper for UG course admissions carried 120 multiple-choice questions for a total of 120 marks like previous year. Candidates can check the section-wise questions weightage for each section as under:

Sections

MCQs per section

Maximum Marks

Approximate Weightage (in %)

Quantitative Language

28-32 

28-32 

18.66 - 21.33

Current Affairs including General Knowledge

35-39 

35-39 

23.33 - 26

Logical Reasoning

28-32 

28-32

18.66 - 21.33

Legal Reasoning

35-39 

35-39

23.33 - 26

Quantitative Techniques  (Elementry Mathematics up to Class 10)

13-17 

13-17 

8.66 - 11.33

Total 

120

120

100%

Q:   How many questions are asked from CLAT Legal Aptitude section?

A:

The CLAT 2025 Legal Aptitude section consists of passage-based questions. Check details below:

  • Length - Each passage will be around 450 words.
  • Source - The passages may relate to fact situations or scenarios involving legal matters, public policy questions, or moral philosophical inquiries. 
  • Prior knowledge of law - No prior knowledge is needed to answer these passage-based questions. The answers will be hidden in the passage.   
    • However, general awareness of contemporary legal and moral issues may help you better apply general principles or propositions to the given fact scenarios.
  • Estimated time needed to read a passage - 5-7 minutes.  
  • Questions - Each passage will be followed by a series of questions

Questions will be based on:

- News articles and books associated with topics of law

- Certain passages will be created specifically for the exam

- the candidate has to find the facts and applicable rules. Until 2019, the proposition and factual context were clearly presented.

- The purpose is not to test the knowledge of law but the application of rules to a factual context based on the constraints presented to you.

Q:   What is the level of questions to be asked in CLAT 2025 question paper?

A:

The level of questions for CLAT 2025 paper defines the difficulty level of the question paper. Therefore, the level of the questions asked in CLAT UG exam is of Class 12 or above except for Quantitative Techniques questions. The difficulty level of Quantitative Techniques section is of Class 10 or basic level. Candidates should note that the level of questions asked in General Knowledge and Current Affairs is not defined, and it can be asked from any where including newspapers and past one year Current Affairs.

Q:   What is the benefit of solving CLAT sample/question papers?

A:

Here are some of the key benefits of solving CLAT 2025 sample and question papers:
The sample paper will contain similar types of questions to the ones asked in the actual CLAT exam. So, by solving the sample papers, the candidate will be able to develop problem-solving and time-management skills. Another thing is previous years questions papers may throw light into the types of questions asked, marking scheme, difficulty level, etc. With better insights into the exam, the candidate will be able to adopt a better strategy for success. The more sample papers the candidate solves, the better place the candidate will be to do well in the CLAT 2025 exam.

  • To improve your vocabulary, find meaning of every word you come across in any book, newspaper or TV in the dictionary and try to memorise them
  • Make sure you attempt CLAT 2025, CLAT 2024, CLAT 2023 question paper, CLAT 2020 question paper and CLAT 2021 question paper, as these are the closest to what you may witness in the CLAT 2026 exam ( (in terms of pattern, and difficulty level)

Important FAQs on CLAT Preparation for English Language Section

Q: How do I score good marks in English in CLAT?

A: To score good marks in English Language section of CLAT, follow some quick tips below:

  • Read editorial section of newspapers daily
  • Practice Class 10-level English grammar regularly
  • Improve your vocabulary by finding and memorising new words
  • Solve plenty of CLAT question papers

Q: How can I learn vocabulary for CLAT?

A: To improve vocabulary for CLAT exam, follow the below tips:

  • Develop a habit of reading
  • Mark any new words that you come across with a pen/pencil
  • Search for those words in dictionary
  • Note down the words and their meanings
  • Revise the new words learnt everyday
  • Try to use the new words while speaking or writing

Q: How can I improve my English for CLAT?

A: The best way to improve your English for CLAT exam is by developing a habit of reading and writing along with practicing grammar and vocabulary questions on a daily basis.

Q: Is Word Power Made Easy enough for CLAT?

A: Word Power Made Easy is a good book to improve vocabulary for CLAT exam, however, it is recommended to also keep reading good newspapers and magazines.

Q: Is it possible to crack CLAT without coaching?

A: Yes, it is certainly possible to crack CLAT exam without coaching. However, for the same you would need a proper CLAT preparation strategy and complete dedication. 

About the Author
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Anupama Mehra
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"The pen is mightier than the sword". Anupama totally believes in this and respects what she conveys through it. She is a vivid writer, who loves to write about education, lifestyle, and governance. She is a hardcor... Read Full Bio

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