How to Prepare for CLAT 2026: Best Books, Preparation Tips, Strategy & Revised Syllabus
Common Law Admission Test 2025 ( CLAT )
Counselling - To be notified
Find out how you should strategise CLAT 2026 preparation, exam pattern and syllabus to score well in the paper.
The Consortium of NLUs will conduct the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) tentatively in December 2025. The CLAT Exam 2026 will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode. Candidates need to have specific strategies to gear up their preparation for CLAT Exam. The CLAT Question Paper will be based on five subjects namely, English Language, Current Affairs and General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques. The weightage for all these subjects in CLAT question paper 2026 will be different but they carry equal importance. Therefore, candidates are required to prepare for five subjects equally for CLAT Exam 2026.
Also Read:
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- How to prepare for CLAT in 6 months: Tips, Tricks & Study Plan for CLAT 2026
Only a strategic preparation for CLAT 2026 will help candidates secure more than cutoff marks. In this article, we have shared some tips for CLAT preparation that candidates can incorporate into their exam preparation plan. Based on performance in the CLAT exam, candidates can secure admission to NLUs and top law schools in India. Therefore, candidates appearing for the national-level law entrance exam should know how to prepare for CLAT 2026 to score well and crack CLAT Exam in first attempt.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.CLAT Preparation 2026: Know the exam pattern
The new exam pattern for CLAT 2026 as shared CLAT Consortium along with key features is as under:
Exam mode - Pen-paper based test mode
Exam duration - 120 minutes
Test timings - 2 pm to 4 pm
Total questions - 120 questions
Q: Which are the best books for CLAT 2026?
Q: Which books are there for CLAT exam?
For general knowledge, one can refer to the Lucent GK. The Current Affairs for CLAT 2026 can be prepared by reading daily newspapers and monthly magazines. The CLAT legal aptitude will have questions on topics such as Constitutional law, Law of Torts, Personal laws, Law of Contract, Jurisprudence, legal Current Affairs etc. There are various study materials available in online mode, including online coaching. The e-paper, articles, journals, and YouTube videos on CLAT preparation are important resources. Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey Bare Acts of Indian Constitution LexisNexis Butterworths Legal Awareness and Legal Aptitude by Andhra Pradesh Bhardwaj Universals CLAT Guide
Q: Which are the CLAT best books for Legal aptitude?
Candidates must note that it is most important sections in CLAT 2026 as it carries 25% weightage. The legal aptitude sections carries questions that are mostly concepts bases on topics such as Law of Tort, Law of Contract, Constitutional law, Indian Constitution, Polity, preposition and facts etc. Candidates can follow the study material and reference given here to prepare for CLAT legal aptitude section: Bare Acts of Indian Constitution, LexisNexis Butterworths, Legal Awareness and Legal Aptitude by Andhra Pradesh Bhardwaj, Universal’s CLAT Guide.
Total marks - 120 marks
Marking Scheme - For every correct answer, 1 mark will be awarded. For a wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
Besides, the section-wise marks and questions allotment has been changed too and it will be as under:
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| Subject |
Questions |
Marks |
Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 - 32 questions |
28 - 32 marks |
20% |
|
| 35 - 39 questions |
35 - 39 marks |
25% |
|
| Quantitative Techniques (Elementary Mathematics) |
13 - 17 questions |
13 - 17 marks |
10% |
| 28 - 32 questions |
28 - 32 marks |
20% |
|
| 35 - 39 questions |
35 - 39 marks |
25% |
|
| Total Marks |
120 questions |
120 marks |
100% |
The preparation strategy of CLAT is what we recommend for candidates undergoing full-time preparation that can bring about a remarkable improvement in scores and performance in CLAT exams! Candidates must check the CLAT Exam Pattern and syllabus properly before beginning their preparation.
CLAT Preparation 2026: Understand the CLAT syllabus
This is the single most important tip and the most common mistake we see students making. Time and again, we have seen students spending disproportionate amounts of time on Mathematics and Logical Reasoning, solving tougher and tougher problems from a wide range of topics.
Q: Which are the best books for English to crack CLAT 2026?
English sections of CLAT will test the reading, comprehension and basic grammar skills of the aspirants. Aspirants must focus on improving their reading skills while preparing for CLAT English section. Candidates should concentrate on grammar and vocabulary too. Candidates can check CLAT 2026 best books for English Language including comprehension here: English is Easy by Chetananand Singh, Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary, Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, Objective General English by RS Aggarwal, High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin.
Q: Are NCERT books enough to complete the CLAT syllabus?
Yes, NCERT books are sufficient to complete the CLAT syllabus. A number of past years' CLAT toppers have claimed that they referred only to NCERT books for preparation. NCERT text books act as the base to complete the syllabus and develop conceptual clarity and understanding of the topics and chapters. However, for practice purposes, students may refer to other books and resources as well. It is advised that while starting the CLAT preparation, candidates refer to the NCERT books and move towards other books and advance resources after that.
Q: Which are the best books for CLAT 2026 General Knowledge and Current Affairs?
CLAT 2026 general knowledge section is very important and questions are asked from history, geography, economy and environment. Candidates can easily prepare for CLAT GK section by reading the standard books. But for the current affairs, they are advised to religiously read the newspapers and monthly magazines. Apart from this, the CLAT Books for General Knowledge and Current Affairs that candidates can refer are: Pearson General Knowledge Manual, Lucent’s General Knowledge, Manorama Year Book, India Year Book, Competition Success Review, Pratiyogita Darpan and Newspapers like: The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Telegraph.
Q: How many CLAT preparation books are required to crack the test?
There isn't a set amount of CLAT prep books that students need to read in order to pass the test. They should concentrate on the quality of preparation rather than the quantity. CLAT applicants should consult NCERT books in addition to at least one section-specific CLAT study book for each section, followed by a comprehensive preparation guide, in terms of numbers. You should solve old question papers and take lots of practise tests in addition to consulting the well-known literature.
Q: Which books I should refer to prepare for CLAT 2026?
Among all the books of CLAT 2026 in the world, candidates were advised to first go for the NCERT books. Candidates must complete all the NCERT books first before moving to other reference books available in the market. After completing the NCERT books, they could refer to the following books to boost up their practice and concepts: Universal’s LLB Entrance Guide, Lexis Nexis, Objective Arithmetic, GK Today, India Year Book and Analytical, Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, Word Power Made Easy, Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, Manorama Year Book and Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey.
CLAT 2026 Preparation Strategy by Experts
For Current Affairs, pick one or two reliable sources and religiously follow them, rather than reading randomly from a bunch of different sources. That will make your preparation more systematic. And again, remember that in CLAT the depth of knowledge tested is not the same as that of the UPSC exam, so be sensitive to over-preparing.
| Download CURRENT AFFAIRS 2026 Guide - Click Here |
Writing Mock Tests – You should plan to write a few mock tests. However, aim to finish at least 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the syllabus before starting the mocks. That’s the only way that you will receive any benefit from writing the test. Look for a good mock test series, and aim to write at least 6-8 CLAT previous years papers before the actual exam. Reproduce the exam conditions as much as possible – including the time limit and turning your phone off to avoid distractions!
Question Selection – It is essential to remember that all questions carry equal marks and there are no sectional cutoffs in CLAT! So feel free to start from any section you are comfortable with, and if a question is taking too much time skip it without prejudice.
Negative Marking – CLAT has 1/ -0.25 negative marking. So you get 1 marks for every correct answer and -0.25 marks for every wrong answer. You get 0 marks for any unattempted questions. This means there is a penalty for uneducated guessing. My advice to you – guess, but carefully. It makes sense to guess only if you can eliminate at least 2 of the choices in the question. So keep that in mind while taking a guess.
English – Being strong in Reading Comprehension and basic grammar will take you a long way in the English section. Remember to also practice Para jumbles, CLAT has traditionally favoured them.
Also Read: Best Books for CLAT Preparation: English, GK, LA, LR, Mathematics
These strategies are meant to be a guide to assist you in your preparation for CLAT. If you can incorporate all of these into your preparation, I am confident you will see a definite boost in your scores. All the best!
About the Author:
Vivek Subramanian
Vivek Subramanian has a BTech from IIT Bombay and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. He has worked internationally in New York and Hong Kong in investment banking and management consulting, before deciding to return to India to pursue his love for teaching. He is the co-founder and Chief Instructor at ExamVictor.
"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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
CLAT is not manadatoey for every law college. The score is accepted by NLU and other top law colleges for admissions.
You can explore about -
- AILET
- LSAT
- CUET
- MHCET
- Other states law entrance exams
Scholar-Level 16
Answered 2 days ago
You will know your CLAT exam center by downloading your admit card, which is released a few weeks before the exam. The admit card contains all the important details, including the exam center's name, address, and instructions for the exam day. To download the admit card, visit the official CLAT webs
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
If you forget to carry your CLAT admit card 2026 on the exam day, you may not be allowed to sit for the exam. However, you should immediately contact the exam center authorities and inform them about the situation. In some cases, they may provide you with a temporary solution if you have other valid
A
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
No, you cannot edit your CLAT exam center after submitting the CLAT application form. Once the application form is submitted, the exam center preferences are considered final. However, if you realize a mistake or need to make changes, you should immediately contact the CLAT helpdesk for assistance.
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
To download your CLAT admit card, you need the following details:
Registered Email ID: The email address used during the CLAT registration process.
Password: The unique password you created during registration.
Visit the official CLAT website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in), log in using your email ID and pas
A
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
If you have forgotten your CLAT roll number, you can retrieve it by following these steps:
- Visit the official CLAT website: consortiumofnlus.ac.in.
- Log in to your account using your registered email ID and password.
- Once logged in, go to the admit card or application form section. Your roll number will
D
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
The CLAT exam centers list is released along with the official notification for the exam, which is typically published several months before the exam date. The notification provides the complete list of cities where the exam will be conducted, allowing candidates to select their preferred centers du
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
You can check your CLAT exam center details on your admit card, which is released by the CLAT Consortium a few weeks before the exam. To access it, visit the official website (consortiumofnlus.ac.in) and log in using your registered credentials. Once logged in, download the admit card, which contain
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The CLAT exam center is allocated based on the preferences provided by the candidate during the application process. While filling out the form, candidates can select up to three preferred cities for their exam center. The allocation is done on a first-come, first-serve basis, considering availabili
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
Choosing the CLAT exam center requires careful consideration to ensure convenience and a stress-free exam day. Select a center close to your residence to minimize travel time and avoid last-minute delays. While filling out the application form, review the list of available centers and choose based o
C
Beginner-Level 4
CLAT Notifications
Among all the books of CLAT 2026 in the world, first, go for the NCERT books. You must complete all the NCERT books first before moving to other reference books available in the market. After completing the NCERT books, you can go for the following books to boost up your practice and concepts: Universal’s LLB Entrance Guide, Lexis Nexis, Objective Arithmetic, GK Today, India Year Book and Analytical, Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, Word Power Made Easy, Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, Manorama Year Book and Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey.