CLAT 2023 Topper Priyam Mitra in an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com spoke about his journey and tips to crack the exam with just two weeks of preparation. "I relied completely on self-study, hence, did not take any coaching for CLAT," he says. My strategy for the exam not only helped me to get AIR 13 in CLAT 2023 but also Rank 1 in MP state. Read further to know more about the books he referred to, the study pattern he followed to excel in the CLAT 2023 exam.
Q. Congratulations! Did you expect to be the topper of CLAT 2023?
A. Thank you. No, I did not expect to be AIR 13 as well as MP state rank 1, although after appearing for the exam I was happy and thought that I might get a rank in the top 100. And after I calculated my marks from the answer key, I was hoping to be in the top 50.
Explore colleges based on CLAT
Q. What was the preparation strategy that helped you crack CLAT 2023?
A. As I was enrolled in coaching for JEE prep, therefore I had strategized to devote a month of dedicated preparation for CLAT. However, I fell terribly ill a month before the exam and could only give 2 weeks to the preparation. I first tried to understand the CLAT exam pattern well, and then I practiced some past year papers, the 2 sample papers released by the CLAT Consortium, and gave some mocks.
Q: Will CLAT be held twice in 2026?
Q: When will the CLAT 2026 exam be held?
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) will conduct the CLAT 2026 on December 7, 2025 tentatively. The exam authority will first publish the admission notification for CLAT 2026 with details of syllabus, exam pattern and events on the official website.
Q: Is there Maths in CLAT 2026?
Yes, there is math in CLAT exam. The section carries 10 per cent weight. Scoring well in maths can give candidates big boost over competition. The CLAT syllabus for Quantitative Techniques includes the following important highlights:
- The section includes 13-17 questions in the exam
- Unlike other sections, the Quantitative Techniques section includes short sets of facts, propositions, graphs or other textual, pictorial, diagrammatic representation of numerical information
- Majority of the questions in the section are created specifically for the exam, however, few graphs and histograms are also derived from public sources such as the official website of Reserve Bank of India
- The difficulty level of questions in the exam is of Class 10 level, however, the questions are more logic-based rather than formulae-based
- Important topics on which Maths questions are based in the exam include:
CLAT Syllabus for Quantitative Techniques | |
---|---|
Number Theory & Basic Arithmetic | Averages & Percentages |
Ratio & Proportion | Mixtures & Allegations |
Time & Work | Time, Distance & Speed |
Fractions & Equations | Monetary Evaluations |
Probability | Permutations & Combinations |
Data Interpretation to analyse Charts, Tables, Histograms & other Graphical Information |
Q. How did you manage time between board exams and entrance exam prep?
A. It’s pertinent to understand what’s of greater significance to one. My priority was entrance exams and not the boards. Luckily, there was a 2-month gap between the two during which I focussed solely on board exams.
Q. Did you take any coaching for this exam?
A. No, I didn’t take any coaching for CLAT and rather relied on self-study.
Also Read: AILET 2023 Topper Interview: Shubham Thakare AIR 2 says expect the unexpected in entrance exam
Q. What study plan did you follow for this exam?
A. For the sections of English, logical reasoning, and legal reasoning, my study plan was to practice as many questions as I could in a timed fashion to enhance my speed, accuracy, and comprehension. As for the maths section, my focus was especially on practicing questions on DI. For GK section, my plan was to go through any year end compilation available in the market, although I was keeping myself abreast of the daily current affairs too.
Q: Where can I get the CLAT 2025 invite list?
Only those aspirants who have been included in the CLAT 2025 invite list will be allowed to appear for CLAT 2025 Counselling. The counselling procedure of CLAT 2025 is conducted through an online centralised system. The counselling is conducted separetly for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The entire process is conducted as per the CLAT 2025 counselling dates that is released by consortium. After every round, the consortium will announce the seat allotment for national law universities (NLUs) that are pariticipating in the admission process.
Q: How to Check CLAT Merit List 2025?
Candidates can check the NLU-wise CLAT merit list by following the below steps:
Step 1: Visit CLAT official website
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Notifications’ section
Step 3: Click on ‘CLAT 2025 Allotment List’ link
Step 4: View and download the CLAT allotment list 2025
Candidates must note that they can appear for CLAT Counselling 2025 only if there name is there in the merit list. CLAT counselling will be conducted in online mode. Candidates must appear for the counselling to get admission to one of the NLUs in the country.
Q: Will CLAT be conducted in regional languages?
CLAT 2026 is expected to be held in regional language. The Bar Council of India is planning to include vernacular languages as medium of paper in the coming years. Till CLAT exam 2024, it was held in the English language only like in previous years. CLAT 2025 PG Exam is also expected to be conducted in English only.
Q: What are the things to carry to CLAT Exam Centre 2024?
On the day of the exam, candidates must carry the following documents and items to the CLAT centre:
- CLAT admit card: Since, it is a mandatory document to be carried to the test centre, candidates must carry their admit card as issued to them. Candidates without a valid admit card on the day of the exam will not be allowed to appear in exam.
- Photo ID proof: Along with the admit card, candidates must also carry an original photo ID proof issued by the Government of India. Documents that can be presented as an ID proof include PAN Card, Driving License, Voter ID, Passport, Aadhaar Card and Ration Card.
- Photo: Candidates will also have to carry an attested passport size photograph (the same as uploaded at the time of filling the application form).
- Stationary: Since the CLAT 2025 is an offline exam, candidates have to carry at least two good-quality ball-point pens of blue or black ink and an HB pencil to the test centre
- Disability certificate: The certificate is mandatory for candidates who have applied under the Persons with Disability (PwD) category
- Other items such as an analogue watch, transparent water bottle, face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer must also be carried to the test centre.
Q: Can I appear for CLAT 2025 if I forget to carry my photo ID?
No, candidates will not be allowed to appear for the examination without a valid photo ID. Candidates are advised to keep the following three things ready with them, a day before the examination; a valid photo ID proof, CLAT admit card 2025, and a recent passport-sized photograph. These are the mandatory documents to be produced during entry to the CLAT exam centre. The valid photo identity card which would be allowed at the CLAT 2025 exam centre include Aadhaar card/ Driving Licence/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Voter Id. The admit card should also have the passport and postcard-sized photographs pasted on it.
Q. Which books did you read to prepare for the exam?
A. I didn’t refer to any book, but rather relied on online resources and question-solving.
Q. How did you deal with your strengths and weaknesses while preparing for the exam?
A. My reading speed and the sections of maths, legal, English, and logical reasoning were my strengths while GK section was my weakness. To build further upon my strengths, I focussed on practicing questions on the respective sections. To tackle my weakness, I tried to go through an year-end compilation. I think its imperative to devote sufficient time towards tackling our weaknesses.
Q. What other law entrance exams did you take or are planning to take?
A. I am not planning to take any other law entrance exam although I did appear for AILET 2023 but I was terribly ill during that and couldn’t secure a good rank.
Q. Was law always your first preference?
A. It wasn’t so initially although I always maintained a keen interest in the current legal affairs of the nation and the world. I really admire the power of knowledge that one acquires after knowing the law of the land. I believe everyone should know the law since ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take the exam next year?
A. Make sure to solve previous year's papers and sample papers released by the Consortium plus give mocks in a timed manner. Reading speed is important to complete the paper on time. This can be enhanced by reading novels, and also by reading newspapers. Do work on comprehension skills to perform well in passage-type questions. Practicing previous year's questions will help one in this area. Keep yourselves abreast with current affairs by regularly following the news on TV, YouTube, newspapers, or the compilations available in the market. Make sure to work on your weak areas to strengthen them. Practice is the key to converting your weaknesses into strengths. Don’t forget to be confident in your abilities & preparation, and don’t panic in the examination hall. Lastly, this quote inspired me a lot, “it always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Q. What are your future plans?
A. Well, am excited to join NLSIU, Bangalore in July. And I look forward to having a great holistic learning experience there.
Read More:
AILET 2023 Topper Arshiya Gupta (AIR 3) says no "book" one can read to prepare for this exam
"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
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
16 May '25 | AILET Fourth Provisional Merit... |
12 Dec '25 | AILET 2025 Final Answer Key |
Aug '24 | LSAT India 2025 May Session Re... |
Mar '25 | LSAT India 2025 May Session Te... |
15 Jan '25 - 15 Mar '25 | ULSAT 2025 Application for LLM |
15 Jan '25 - 15 Mar '25 | ULSAT 2025 Applications (3-yea... |
20 Jan '25 - 27 Jan '25 | SLS Hyderabad First Merit List |
20 Jan '25 - 27 Jan '25 | SLS Pune First Merit List |
21 May '25 - 10 Jun '25 | RULET 2025 application process |
12 Jun '25 | RULET 2025 correction window |
27 Dec '24 - 13 Feb '25 | MH CET Law 2025 Application (f... |
3 Mar '25 | MH CET Law 2025 Admit Card (3-... |
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... |
Student Forum
Answered 14 hours 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 Yesterday
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
Answered Yesterday
Based on your OBC category rank of 1,721 in the CLAT 2025 examination and your domicile status in Uttar Pradesh, your chances of securing admission to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) in Lucknow appear favorable.
Historically, RMLNLU has admitted OBC candidates with UP domicil
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered Yesterday
Considering your AIR in CLAT is 19202 and EWS rank is 1775, admission at tier 2 NLUs will be competitive. Cutoff CLAT EWS will be issued for the year 2025 by Consortium NLUs at its website. NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad are predicted to obtain a rank above 500. The cut-off for GNLU Gandhinaga
L
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
The approval process for entering the 5-year law program at Institute of Law Nirma University through the B.A. LL.B. Hons. degree relies on obtaining a passing score in the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) as well as meeting the qualifying cutoff score for the particular admission year. Secure admis
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Your probability of securing admission in National Law Universities (NLUs) stands poor due to an All India Rank (AIR) of 26746 and a category rank of 1439 in the SC category. Although your chances are limited you possess eligibility to enter admission competitions at selected NLUs with reduced cutof
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Success in the Common Law Admission Test offers students several different professional options within the law field. The success in CLAT examination enables you to achieve entry at top National Law Universities to study their five-year integrated law program. Students who finish their studies at NL
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
With an All India ST Rank of 721, you have a good chance of getting admission to NALSAR based on your category, as the cutoff for the ST category is usually much lower than the general category, making it likely that your rank falls within the admission range for NALSAR for the ST category.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
It's difficult to say whether you can get a seat at National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam (NLUJA) with an AIR of 51586 and a ST category rank of 1206 in CLAT. The admission process for NLUJA is based on CLAT ranks, and the cut-offs vary each year.
Explanation
CLAT ranks
The CLAT 2025 rank
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days 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 5
In 2022, CLAT exam was held twice, I. e. on June 19 as CLAT 2022, and on December 18, 2022 as CLAT 2023. However, from 2024 onwards, CLAT exam is to be conducted once in a year only, as confirmed by the exam officials in the latest notification. Earlier, CLAT exam was conducted in May or June, but from 2024 onwards the entrance exam will be conducted in December (of preceding year to the admission year) itself for concluding admissions on time. Therefore, CLAT counselling process will be completed by May of each academic year.