Anupama
Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content
Updated on Dec 17, 2024 15:55 IST

Preparing for the CLAT exam while in Class 12 is quite common, but your success depends on employing the right strategies. Here are some CLAT 2026 preparation tips specifically for Class 12 students to help them succeed in the exam.

How to Prepare for CLAT in Class 12- If you are in Class 12, you might be wondering how to effectively prepare for CLAT without compromising your board exam preparation. This concern is valid since both exams are often scheduled close to each other. Students frequently question when to start their CLAT 2026 preparation.

Explore colleges based on CLAT

Bangalore
₹13.45 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.A. LL.B. (Hons) Colleges
Hyderabad
₹7.75 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.A. LL.B. (Hons) Colleges
Gandhinagar
₹6 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.A. LL.B. (Hons) Colleges
Bhubaneswar
₹7.5 L
Also preferred by students

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Delhi
₹3.5 L
Positive review ratings provided by students
Lucknow
₹6.07 L
Trending amongst B.A. LL.B. (Hons) colleges in the last 1 month
Bhopal
₹7.3 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.A. LL.B. (Hons) Colleges
Patiala
₹7.25 L
Positive review ratings provided by students
Guwahati
₹4 L
Also preferred by students
Nagpur
₹10.07 L
Also preferred by students
View allCollections

Q:   Which is the most difficult section of the CLAT 2025?

A:
As per the exam analysis of CLAT exam held in previous years, the difficulty level of all the sections are as under: English Language - Generally the questions asked in this section are considered easy. However, candidates can find them lengthy and time-taking as the questions are based on passages only. Current Affairs including General Knowledge - The questions in this section are of Easy to Moderate difficulty level depending on the events and technicality. Logical Reasoning - The questions asked in this section of CLAR paper are of easy to moderately difficult level due to facts and data interpretation. Legal Reasoning This section of CLAT paper is of easy to moderate difficult level as the questions are mostly asked from Legal domain, trending events, lex maxims, and current landmark judgements. Quantitative Techniques - Although the weightage of this section is lesser than the rest, the questions asked around Mathematics subject can be tricky/ twisted, which makes it moderate to difficult level. Know all about CLAT question paper analysis here - https://www.shiksha.com/law/clat-exam-analysis.

Q:   What is a good rank for CLAT?

A:

Students who wish to be admitted to this university should strive for a score of roughly 70% (80-84 marks) or above under the revised pattern. Because the CLAT cut-off marks are lower for reserved categories, a rank of about 4000 would be suitable for admission. According to CLAT 2024 analysis, candidates from the general category should aim for a score of 90 or more in order to be admitted to one of the top three NLUs. In CLAT 2024, 60–70 points are considered a decent score for SC/ST categories. The Consortium of NLUs will release the closing rank of candidates for each round at the time of CLAT counselling.

Q:   Is CLAT a tough exam?

A:
Dear Student, A competitive entrance exam tests your aptitude for the subject. Be it law or fashion or design, be it CLAT NIFT, or NID. With so many aspirants vying for limited seats in the premier institutes of the country, you have to display a very high level of aptitude for the chosen field. If you are good in your basics then CLAT exam is not a tough journey to cross. It depends on your level of knowledge, dedication and your preparation. In the initial level it is not easy but a regular practice can make it easy for you to pass the CLAT Exam. If you are going to sit for CLAT exam then it is very much important to know about the CLAT Exam pattern, syllabus, questions type. There are five important Topics which you need to focus on CLAT exams. These five topics are English comprehension, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, Legal Aptitude, General Knowledge and Current Affairs. Depth knowledge and good practice can only give you the success. You can get in touch with any good law entrance coaching, they will help you to clear your CLAT exam. If you want to kick start a successful career in law, it is important to get admission into a good law college. There are a number of top law colleges in India that you can apply for, but you should know the admission process. Most of the colleges or universities that offer courses in law have their own entrance examinations. One of the most recognised examinations is CLAT which stands for the Common Law Entrance Test. The test score of CLAT is accepted by major universities as well as law colleges in India. There are multiple universities from where you can do 5-year LL.B. Like IILM University Gurugram offers BBA LL.B. & B.A. LL.B. & LL. M. with Moot Court Internship, Seminar, Workshops, Experiential Learning along with Inter-Disciplinary Curriculum. For more details check their website https://iilm.edu.in.

However, the good news is that the CLAT syllabus is quite manageable. Many aspects of the syllabus can be easily prepared alongside your board exams, especially since sections like Quantitative Techniques are only of Class 10 level. In this article, we will guide you on how to prepare for the CLAT 2026 exam while you are in Class 12.

Also Read: How to prepare for CLAT in 6 months: Tips, Tricks & Study Plan for CLAT 2025

Explore more Law exams with upcoming dates

AILET Second Provisional Merit...

10 Jan '25

LSAT India 2025 January Sessio...

5 Jan '25 - 12 Jan '25

NMIMS LAT 2025 Exam (Phase 1)

1 Jan '25 - 14 Jan '25

SLS AIAT 2025 First Merit List

25 Jan '25

GLAT 2025 application

15 Jan '25 - 20 Feb '25

SAT Registration Deadline for ...

21 Feb '25

AIL LET 2025 Application Process

4 Apr '25

IILET Registrations / Applicat...

1 Dec '24 - 22 Jan '25

MH CET Law 2025 Application (f...

27 Dec '24 - 27 Jan '25

PU UGLAW 2025 online registrations

13 Mar '25 - 8 Apr '25

Now, let us go back to our primary discussion, which is how to prepare for the CLAT 2026 exam when you are in Class 12.

Tips to prepare for CLAT in Class 12th

Candidates can check out tips and tricks to prepare for CLAT 2025 along with board exams here. Ideally, candidates should start their CLAT preparations as early as possible. This gives them ample time to cover the entire syllabus, solve sample papers and previous years' question papers, and take mock tests. Starting early allows the candidate to adjust their strategy as needed without feeling rushed. 

Q:   Is 4000 a good rank in CLAT?

A:

A CLAT rank of 4000 is not considered as a good rank to get admission to one of the top NLUs. However, candidates who belong the reserved category still have chance to secure admission to NLUs with a CLAT Rank of AIR 4000.With the exam pattern for CLAT changing, candidates must aim to score above 100 to secure admission to one of the best NLUs in the country. Before starting the CLAT Preparation 2025 candidates need to understand how the marks are divided in each section. 

Q:   What is a good CLAT score?

A:

Aspirants who appeared for the CLAT 2025 Exam should have a clear idea about a good CLAT score. CLAT is a very competitive exam and candidates need to score high to clear the cutoff. All those candidates who appeared for the CLAT 2025 are advised to check out the previous year's CLAT cutoff scores and get a fair idea of the trends that are being followed by the NLUs in the country.  A score above 100 is definitely considered as a good score for CLAT 2025. Candidates must note that the expected CLAT cutoff score for NLUSIU Bangalore is 100 plus, whereas, for NLU Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur and NLU Bhopal, the expected score is between 94 to 98. Candidates who wish to take admission into NALSAR Hyderabad they need to score between 98 to 100. 

Q:   Which is the No. 1 university in CLAT?

A:

Since 2018, the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru has maintained its position as the top-ranked law college in India according to the NIRF rankings. 

Q:   When should I start preparing for CLAT 2025?

A:

The ideal time to start preparing for the CLAT exam varies from person to person and depends on several factors such as your familiarity with the subject, the level of understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus, and the amount of time and effort you can devote to the preparation. However, as a general guideline, it is recommended that you start preparing for the exam at least 6-8 months before the exam date. This will give you sufficient time to cover the entire syllabus, revise the important topics, solve mock tests and previous year papers, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you are already familiar with the subject and have a good understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus, you can start preparing for the exam 3-4 months before the exam date. However, if you are new to the subject or need to improve your understanding of the topics, you may need to start preparing earlier. It is important to note that the CLAT exam is a highly competitive exam, and the level of competition is increasing every year. Therefore, it is important to start preparing early and stay consistent with your preparation. With a focused approach and consistent effort, you can increase your chances of qualifying for the CLAT exam.

Q:   Is CLAT LLM exam tough or easy?

A:

CLAT is one of the highly competitive law exam and is considered to be one of the toughest exams to clear. However, aspirants should not worry, as with the right preparation and attitude you can definitely ace in the CLAT exam. The toppers of CLAT have suggested that aspirants should trust BA LLB books and a habit to read newspaper daily to crack the CLAT PG exam. The difficulty level of CLAT paper is usually moderate. For complete insights on CLAT paper difficulty level, check analysis for current and previous years above. 

If candidates are unable to begin in Class 10, they don't need to worry. They can still succeed with a bit of extra effort and smart planning. Prioritise the important CLAT topics first, and once you are comfortable with those, move on to the other topics. If you encounter difficulties with a particular problem, don't spend too much time on it. Seek help or move on to other, more manageable topics.

How and How Much to Study: Balancing CLAT preparation with your board exams can be challenging, but it is manageable with proper planning. Make sure you give 3-4 hours a day to CLAT preparation. 

Tips for Effective Study: Candidates can follow the following study plan to score well in CLAT Exam:

  • Create a Study Plan: Develop a weekly and monthly study plan. This helps you stay organized and focused, ensuring you have a clear goal in mind.
  • Assess Your Progress: Regularly evaluate your progress to see what is working and what needs adjustment. This keeps you grounded and on track.
  • Focus on Important Topics: Start with the most important CLAT topics. Once you are confident in these areas, move on to other subjects.
  • Seek Help When Needed: If you find a topic challenging, don't hesitate to ask for help. This can save your lot of time and prevent frustration in later stage
  • Stay Consistent: Consistency is key. Make sure to study regularly and avoid long breaks that can disrupt your momentum. By starting early and maintaining a disciplined approach, you can effectively prepare for CLAT while also managing your board exams.

The CLAT UG question paper will have questions from five sections:

  1. Current Affairs including GK
  2. English Language
  3. Legal Reasoning
  4. Logical Reasoning
  5. Quantitative Techniques

When preparing for these sections, remember the weightage carried by them.

CLAT 2025 - Section-wise questions and weightage

Subject

Number of questions

CLAT English Section

28-32

CLAT Current Affairs including GK

35-39

CLAT Legal Reasoning

35-39

CLAT Logical Reasoning

28-32

CLAT Quantitative Techniques

13-17

Reference material or CLAT books - If you closely analyse the CLAT exam pattern and syllabus released by the consortium for CLAT exam, you will note that not all sections are equal. Also, each section in the question paper is designed to test a different skill set. So to succeed you need to follow the best CLAT reference material that is out there.

Here are some of the features of good reference material or best books for CLAT

  • Error-free - If a book is filled with errors, stay away from it. Because rather than help you in your effort to crack CLAT, it will only sabotage your plans. So, ensure that the books are clean, well written, and contain few to no errors. If you can’t do it yourself, take help from a senior.
  • Well-known published - Good books are typically published by reputed publishers. 
  • Contain examples, illustrations, charts, etc - These items make learning fun, easy, and engaging. Also, it helps to memorize important points.
  • Comes with question sets - These problem banks can be found at the end of each chapter or at the end of the book. Problem sets can help edify what you have learned, develop problem-solving skills, and understand how different concepts interact. 

Topic-wise tips to prepare for CLAT 2026 from Class 12

The CLAT test is designed to test the comprehension and reasoning abilities of the candidate. Also, typically no prior knowledge is needed to solve the CLAT question paper, apart from maybe the Current Affairs section.

  • English Language - The section will contain 45–word passages and test your comprehension and language skills. 
  • Current Affairs including GK - Will assess your awareness of current affairs and GK. Questions are asked from given passages and can be answered without any prior knowledge of legal subjects. To prepare for the section, make it a habit to read leading dailies, especially opinion pieces and editorials. Also, instead of memorizing things, try to develop comprehension, analytical, and reading abilities.
  • Quantitative Techniques - This section will test your ability to derive, infer and manipulate numerical information. The level of questions asked in the 10th standard.
  • Legal Reasoning - Questions will be passage-based and you are required to identify, and infer rules and principles, and use these rules and principles to solve problems.
  • Logical Reasoning - This section will test skills like the ability to recognize an argument, its premise, conclusions, etc. This section can only be mastered through practice, as simple rote learning won’t work.

How to prepare for CLAT 2026 with boards

One of the greatest challenges is to balance the preparation for CLAT with that of preparation for board exams. Here are a few tips to strike the right balance:

  1. Make a separate study plan for boards and CLAT exam - If you mix the two, it will be all messy and you will have a hard time figuring out which goes where or where you left off. Make weekly and monthly, and follow it up.
  2. Summer and winter vacations are ripe for exam preparation - As most of the classes are held offline, candidates can Add to that summer and winter vacations, and you get some free time to really dive into board and CLAT preparations.
  3. Some topics in CLAT carry more weightage; make sure that you pay special attention to these topics.
  4. For CLAT, make it a point to solve sample papers and previous years’ question papers. Closer to the exam, you will also have to take mock tests.

Read More:

About the Author
author-image
Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content

"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

Download Important Dates for Law Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

10 Jan '25

AILET Second Provisional Merit...

23 Jan '25

AILET Third Provisional Merit ...

Jan '25

LSAT India 2025 January Sessio...

Aug '24

LSAT India 2025 May Session Re...

15 Jan '25 -

15 Mar '25

ULSAT 2025 Application for LLM

15 Jan '25 -

15 Mar '25

ULSAT 2025 Applications (3-yea...

3 Dec '25

SLAT 2025 admit card for Test ...

3 Dec '25

SLAT 2025 Admit Card for Test ...

21 May '25 -

10 Jun '25

RULET 2025 application process

12 Jun '25

RULET 2025 correction window

May '22

Exam date

27 Dec '24 -

27 Jan '25

MH CET Law 2025 Application (f...

3 Jan '25 -

3 Feb '25

MH CET Law 2025 Application (f...

Jul '23

LFAT 2023 Declaration of Resul...

1 Jun '23 -

7 Jun '23

LFAT 2023 Reserved Exam Dates

2 Jul '24

ACLAT Exam 2024

1 Jul '24

ACLAT Admit Card 2024

Mar '25

PU UGLAW 2025 online registrat...

Apr '25

PU UGLAW 2025 last date of fee...

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 4 days ago

If you want to go through flat exam in university so you had to wait for 1 year but if you want to do your course you can take admission in private and better colleges

R

Rubi

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 6 days ago

To apply for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), follow these steps:

 

Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Criteria

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for CLAT, which typically includes:

 

  • - For UG Programmes: Passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates)
  • -

...more

78542734
Sankalp Anand

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a week ago

The CLAT ranks below 1000 are enough for getting INLU of Nirma University.

54114609
pradeep kumar

Scholar-Level 18

Answered a week ago

No, its not at all mandatory to give CLAT to become a lawyer. Candidates can enroll in Law courses offered by various universities and colleges to pursue UG and PG law courses. However, those who wish to take admission in one of NLUs except NLU Delhi will have to appear for Common National Admission

...more

M

Mani Shukla

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a week ago

Yes, Gujarat National Law University, accepts CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) scores for admission to its various undergraduate and postgraduate law programs, including the BA LLB, BCom LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB and LLM courses. CLAT is a common entrance test used by many of the top law schools in Indi

...more

S

Saakshi Kumari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Your prospects of getting into a National Law University (NLU) with an All India Rank of 37,778 and a SC category rank of 2452 in the CLAT rely on a number of variables including seat availability, cutoff trends and reservation rules

elite NLUs: Because of higher cutoffs admission to elite NLUs such

...more

R

Ravi Babu

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Chances of getting RGNLU Patiala can be made.

80048332
pradeep kumar

Scholar-Level 18

Answered 2 weeks ago

Chances of getting the following NLUs CA be made.

  1. NLU Kochi
  2. NLU Assam
  3. NLU Tripura 

75674277
pradeep kumar

Scholar-Level 18

Answered 2 weeks ago

NLUs are not possible on this rank. Please try some private colleges.

79909880
pradeep kumar

Scholar-Level 18

Answered 2 weeks ago

The National Law University (NLU) admission prospects are slim in view of a CLAT rank of 7616 and an EWS rank of 640. Most of the NLU cut-off ranks tend to be exceptionally lower as compared to general category and EWS candidates, even in some of the most sought-after courses like BA LLB.

Factors inf

...more

R

Rayamkula Harish

Contributor-Level 10