Read this to get rid of your CLAT demons

By: Kandarp Patel

Preparing for competitive exams like CLAT, section-wise preparation plays a key role in scoring high marks to get admission in the dream law college. Knowledge of each section including marks and important topics are of utmost importance for CLAT exam preparation.

Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is considered as one of the important exams for law aspirants to get admission in NLUs and other top institutes of law. This article would reflect on some effective preparation tips to score well in CLAT.

There are five sections in CLAT Examination, namely English Language, GK & Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques. Every year 50% of total questions (150) are from GK & Current Affairs and Legal Reasoning Section while the remaining 50% questions are from the English Language, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques Section.

The section-wise preparation tips for CLAT are given below:

GK & Current Affairs

This is one of the important sections of the CLAT exam in terms of the weightage and difficulty level. In this section, the understanding ability of issues and events would be tested by one passage and questions. Read the whole passage and carefully answer the questions asked.

To score well in this section, keep the following points in mind:

• Read newspapers and magazines regularly
• Also, read journals & periodicals (if possible); this would help in keeping updated of all happenings and situations

For GK section, try to focus more on Indian & World History, Business & Economy, Geography, and Literature, etc.

English Language

This section will also test your understanding and analysing ability in the given passage. Generally, this passage would have one main point along with statements – arguments supporting it. Hence, find the main point and its favour and against statements and arguments.

Tips for English section

• Read newspapers daily
• Practise grammar regularly

Logical Reasoning

This section includes a short passage which could be from a newspaper or magazine. Read the passage carefully and try to find the overall meaning or theme of the passage.

Generally, questions would be based on Syllogism, Logical Games, etc. Practise these topics well.

Legal Reasoning

This section is important and could be easily prepared if students keep updated on legal and moral issues. Questions could be asked from the latest articles and law books.

lso keep in mind that this year, factual context would not be given. So, practise various papers to get a grip on this section. The knowledge of legal matters could prove helpful in this section.

Quantitative Techniques

For scoring well in this section, basic knowledge of concepts of Mathematics of Class 10 and 12 are required. Practise questions regularly to maintain speed during the exam.

Practise questions from previous year papers would help in maintaining speed and accuracy.

General tips

The general tips to prepare for CLAT examination are as follows:

• Solve as many mock tests as possible
• Practise at least 5 years of previous papers
• Read more to improve the reading speed and understanding ability

About the Author:

Kandarp Patel is a student at Nirma University, Ahemdabad, pursuing Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering (final year). He is also a campus representative with Shiksha.com since 2016.