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:
- Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 With Meaning
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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 sufficient for CLAT preparation?
NCERT books can be a good starting point for CLAT preparation, particularly for subjects like English and Mathematics, as they cover basic concepts and fundamentals. NCERT books for Classes 8 to 10 are helpful for brushing up on elementary mathematics and grammar. For General Knowledge, NCERT books on history, polity, and economics for Classes 6 to 10 can provide foundational knowledge.
However, NCERT books alone are not sufficient for CLAT preparation. The exam requires a deep understanding of legal reasoning, logical reasoning, and advanced comprehension skills, which are better addressed through specialised CLAT preparation books, practice papers, and mock tests. Combining NCERTs with targeted study material is essential for a comprehensive preparation strategy.
Q: How useful are CLAT books?
CLAT books are incredibly useful for preparing for the Common Law Admission Test. They provide a structured approach to understanding the syllabus, covering key topics like Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. These books often include detailed explanations of concepts, solved examples, and practice questions that mirror the CLAT exam pattern. Many also offer previous years' papers and mock tests, helping students familiarize themselves with the question format and improve time management skills. Reliable CLAT books, when used alongside other resources like sample papers and coaching material, can significantly boost preparation and confidence for the exam.
Q: How to choose the best books for CLAT Exam 2026?
To choose the best books for CLAT 2026, look for comprehensive, well-structured study material that covers the entire syllabus. Opt for books that focus on Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, English, Current Affairs, and Quantitative Techniques. Choose books with clear explanations and ample practice questions, such as Arihant's CLAT Guide for reasoning and legal sections, RS Aggarwal for logical reasoning, and Word Power Made Easy for English vocabulary. For Current Affairs, refer to monthly compilations and daily newspapers like The Hindu. Additionally, select books that provide mock tests and papers from previous years for better exam preparation.
Q: Which are the best preparation books for CLAT 2026?
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.
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 19 hours ago
Yes, students without a valid CLAT score are also eligible to apply for BBA LLB (Hons) at Sharda School of Law. The law school offers admission based on SUAT and CUET scores as well. Besides, the aspirants must meet the course-specific eligibility requirements as well. Students who are Class 12 or e
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
With an EWS rank of 1,700 and an All India Rank (AIR) of 19,202 in the CLAT, it could be difficult to get accepted to Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna. In prior years, the general category closing ranks for CNLU's BA LLB programme were about 1,285.
State reservation policies, however,
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered Yesterday
1. GITAM Admission Test (GAT): Since your CLAT rank may not fall within the typical scholarship brackets, you can consider appearing for the GAT, which serves as an alternative admission pathway for candidates without CLAT or LSAT scores.
2. Application Process:
Eligibility: Ensure you meet the basi
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered Yesterday
Based on your All India OBC category rank of 3,100 in CLAT 2025, securing admission to Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) under the OBC Home State quota may be challenging. Historically, the closing ranks for the OBC category at GNLU have been significantly lower. For instance:
CLAT 2024: The cl
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered Yesterday
To change your CLAT rank, the only way is to improve your score on the CLAT exam by retaking it as your rank is directly determined by your overall score in the exam; you cannot directly modify your rank after the results are declared, but you can potentially improve your position by choosing a more
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
With a CLAT rank of 22316, getting admission to a top-tier NLU is highly unlikely, but you might have a chance at lower-ranked NLUs, especially if you belong to a reserved category or are applying for a specific state-based NLU with domicile reservation; it is recommended to check the cut-offs for d
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
It depends on the cut-off rank for the EWS category in the year you take the exam. You can use a CLAT rank predictor tool to estimate your rank.
Explanation
The cut-off marks for CLAT can vary by a few percent year to year.
The expected cut-off rank for EWS in the 2025 CLAT exam at NLSIU Bangalore wa
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
With an EWS rank of 1600 and an AIR of 15000 in CLAT, you can expect to get admission into mid-tier National Law Universities (NLUs) like NLU Patna, NLU Lucknow, NLIU Bhopal, NLU Odisha, NLU Assam, MNLU Mumbai, and MPDNLU Jabalpur, depending on the specific cut-offs for the EWS category in each inst
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
After scoring the such great rank, you should visit the official website of CLAT, there when the admission portal opens, login using your I'd and password to your dashboard.
The portal will display the availability of NLU (NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY) and option available for filling preference.
There ac
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
101 marks is a very good in AILET score. Generally 70-100 marks are considered good score to be considered. With this marks you'll rank good enough.
While, 5095 rank is bit higher, it is seen and consider rank around 3.5k is a good rank to be considered. Try to came more closer near 3k, for better.
A
Beginner-Level 5
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.