CLAT 2021 topper: Sukarm, AIR 5, says improve reading speed to manage time

Sukarm Sharma, a native of New Delhi, topped CLAT 2021 with AIR 5. Read below to know his strategy and tips that will help you prepare for the exam in the best possible way.  

With an overall score of 115.25, Sukarm Sharma, a student of Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi, managed to bag AIR 5 in CLAT 2021. He also claimed AIR 1 in the LSAT India 2021 by securing 479 out of 480 marks. Sukarm has provisionally been accepted by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, and is currently attending their orientation programmes. His father is a Sub-Divisional Magistrate and mother a government school teacher. 

Shiksha talks to Sukarm to know about his secret to success, what kept him motivated, his CLAT preparation strategy and more. Read the complete interview below. 

Q. Congratulations! Did you expect to be the topper of CLAT 2021?

A. No, I certainly expected a rank in top 100 but not in top 10. That was a pleasant surprise.

Q. What is your CLAT 2021 score?

A. I scored 115.25 in CLAT 2021. Below are section-wise scores:

Section	Score
English	22.5
General Knowledge	25
Legal Reasoning	27.75
Logical Reasoning	28.75
Quantitative Aptitude	11.25
Total	115.25

Q. What was your preparation strategy that helped you crack CLAT 2021?

A. I mainly focused on the general knowledge/current affairs section. I made personal notes on important topics using a variety of sources such as newspapers and websites. Apart from that, for quantitative aptitude, I regularly practised data interpretation (DI) sets and also focused on topics such as percentage, profit and loss, ratio proportion, etc.

Q. Did you take coaching for the exam?

A. Yes, I had enrolled at two private coaching centres, which helped me in my CLAT 2021 preparation.

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

A. My study plan was very variable. It involved regular reading of newspapers, solving frequent CLAT mocks and their subsequent analysis. I also used to practice quantitative aptitude as and when time permitted.

Q. Which books did you read to prepare for CLAT 2021?

A. I did not refer to any specific book for preparation of CLAT 2021. My focus was entirely on newspapers, mocks and current affairs compendia.

Also read: 

• Best  Books for CLAT 2021 Preparation 
• CLAT  Preparation Tips for New Pattern 
• CLAT  Exam Analysis from Past Years

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

A. My primary strengths are my reading speed and decent grasp over quantitative techniques, which are critical to clearing CLAT. My major weakness was general knowledge, which had proven to be an extremely unpredictable section in mocks, and even in the actual CLAT 2021. Considering the significant variance in general knowledge/current affairs over two years in the new CLAT pattern, it’s extremely important to build a broad base. Moreover, selecting the right current affairs topic is important to clear CLAT.

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

A. Apart from CLAT, I have taken LSAT, SLAT and AILET. I also claimed AIR 1 by securing 479 out of 480 marks and a score band of 478-480 in the LSAT India 2021.

Q. Was law always your first preference?

A. Yes, law was always my first preference. I decided to pursue a career in law because I enjoyed my experience with the intricacies of law while participating in MUNs ( Model United Nations). Moreover, law is a versatile field and the knowledge gained from an LLB can be utilised in a number of fields.

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

A. My only substantive tip to future aspirants is please do not get stressed over mock scores. They will vary a lot, our progress is not linear. If one does not do well in mocks, it is natural to feel discouraged, however, that does not represent your CLAT performance. Just sit and analyse mocks. This will help in your CLAT preparation. 

Moreover, CLAT is a fairly lengthy paper, so one must work on one’s reading speed to ensure that they are not short of time. Ideally, reading articles within time limit and then checking one’s comprehension levels post reading is one way to improve reading speed.

Q. What are your future plans?

A. As of now, I have no concrete plans regarding my future in law. I will decide during my years at whichever law school I end up in. At present, IPR Law seems to be an attractive option. 

Read more: 

• LSAT INDIA 2021 TOPPER: Sukarm, AIR 1, says analyse mistakes while attempting mock tests 
• 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