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
- 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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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: What are the important topics I should study for CLAT Legal Reasoning section?
The Legal Reasoning section in the CLAT exam assesses your ability to apply legal principles and reasoning to given situations. Key topics to focus on include:
1. Law of Torts:
Negligence, Defamation, Nuisance
Strict and Absolute Liability
Vicarious Liability
2. Contract Law:
Offer and Acceptance
Consideration
Breach of Contract and Remedies
3. Criminal Law:
General Principles (Mens Rea, Actus Reus)
Offenses like Murder, Theft, and Assault
4. Constitutional Law:
Fundamental Rights and Duties
Directive Principles of State Policy
Separation of Powers
5. Legal Maxims and Terms:
Understand commonly used legal phrases like ubi jus ibi remedium, volenti non fit injuria, etc.
6. Legal Current Affairs:
Recent legal judgments, amendments, or developments.
Preparation Tip:
Practice reading passage-based legal scenarios and focus on applying reasoning rather than memorizing laws. This will help you develop the skills necessary for this section.
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.
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 17 hours ago
The Andhra Pradesh PGLCET and CLAT PG (Common Law Admission Test for Postgraduate) exams are both law entrance exams, but there are some key differences in their difficulty levels:
AP PGLCET: The difficulty level is generally considered moderate. It focuses on areas like Constitutional Law, Jurisprud
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 20 hours ago
With the rank of 37 in ST category rank in CLAT ,the 37 rank in st category in a very good rank , specially belonging to ST category
You will definately get the admission in B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore in the Reserved Seats.
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 20 hours ago
With a category-wise rank of 28 in Telangana for CLAT 2025, you have a very good chance of securing admission to NALSAR, especially if you belong to a reserved category; however, it's important to monitor the cut-offs as they can vary slightly each year.
To appear for counseling, you need to register
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 21 hours ago
With a CLAT general quota rank of 38291 and 39 marks, you can expect to get admission into lower-ranked National Law Universities (NLUs) like the Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, or potentially the newer NLUs in states like Assam or Jharkhand, depending on their cut-offs; admission to to
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 21 hours ago
With a CLAT 2025 rank of 6845, your chances of admission to a National Law University (NLU) are very less, as this rank falls outside the range for most top NLUs but you can be considered for lower-ranked NLUs or could potentially miss out on admission altogether depending on your category and chos
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 21 hours ago
With a CLAT score of 59.75 and an ST rank of 207, your chances of getting into a top-tier NLU are very slim, there are more chances to secure admission to some newer or less competitive NLUs, often considered "third-tier" NLUs; it's crucial to check the specific cut-offs for each NLU based on your
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 21 hours ago
You can not get any National Law University (NLU) with a CLAT rank of 37,000 in 2025.
A rank of below 30,000 is considered low, and the chances of getting into an NLU are limited.
You can get NLU by improving score in CLAT exam and by practising more with previous year questions papers
to improve the
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 21 hours ago
You have a good chance of getting admission to several National Law Universities (NLUs) across India with a 2023 rank in the DC category of CLAT 2025, allowing you to pursue a quality undergraduate law degree with opportunities to specialize in various legal fields depending on the NLU you choose an
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 21 hours ago
To get the RMLNLU requires a strong score on the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test). Scoring around 70-75 in mocks can be a good starting point, being a OBC candidate, since some NLUs have reserved seats for OBC categories, which increases your chances to get the college for that reserved seat.
If you
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
If a rank lies within the CLAT range of 5000 to 10000, then such a candidate will most probably get admission into several colleges: starting from most of the private colleges to some of the lower-ranked NLUs. Major options here are as follows:-
MNLU Aurangabad: Offers both BA LLB and BBA LLB.
Nirma
L
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.