For any law aspirant, getting a good score in CLAT and getting admission to one of the top NLUs like NLSIU Bangalore and NALSAR is a dream. But being the go-to law entrance exam in the country, the competition for CLAT is so immensely high. Unless a candidate’s preparation is top-rung, they will not get a rank good enough to break open the doors of the top NLUs. The question then is how does one prepare for CLAT 2024 exam within next six months? 

Prepare for CLAT 2024

Around 70,000 candidates will appear in CLAT 2024, which is considered the only gateway for admission to 23 national law universities. That being said, getting success in CLAT 2024 is not an easy task as it is one of the most competitive law entrance exams in the country. Candidates not only have to pass the examination but also have to secure a decent rank on the CLAT merit list to ensure a seat in any of the top national law universities (NLUs). The CLAT preparation should revolve around covering the given syllabus, making short notes, practising sample questions and making strategies for exam day.

CLAT 2024 Preparation: Know about Syllabus and Pattern

Before starting the CLAT preparation, candidates should go through the exam pattern and syllabus to make themselves familiar with the test scheme and the types of questions asked in the examination. The CLAT 2024 syllabus will also help the candidates in knowing about the sectional distribution of marks. Candidates can check the details of the syllabus as well as the pattern below.

CLAT syllabus and test structure 2024

How to Prepare for CLAT 2024 – Important Preparation Tips

Candidates appearing for CLAT CLAT 2024 should try to give around six to seven months for CLAT preparation. The more time they give to CLAT preparation, the better the results would be. Some of the important CLAT preparation tips given below would be helpful for candidates.

1. Make a Study Routine

Candidates preparing for CLAT should have a well-planned study routine. They are required to complete the vast syllabus in just a few months, therefore, study hours should range from around six to seven hours a day. Candidates should try to complete the CLAT syllabus around two months before the exam date. The last two months should be given to practising sample papers and mock tests and revising the important topics.

2. Make Handwritten Notes and Revise

While reading the standard books or newspapers, candidates should simultaneously make some handwritten notes. Writing notes, important points or making flow charts or diagrams would make the preparation easier. In later stages of preparation, the CLAT notes will also come handy when you have to revise several books in a very short time.

3. Improve Reading Skills

Last year, many candidates who gave CLAT said that it was a lengthy paper and had complex passages. So, it became difficult for them to complete the CLAT within two hours even if they knew the answers to many questions. So, CLAT 2024 aspirants can learn from their mistakes and work on their reading skills. High reading speed while also comprehending the text is one of the most important aspects of CLAT preparation.

Reading skills for CLAT 2024 can be improved by making it a habit. Candidates should read an English national daily newspaper such as The Hindu or The Indian Express. Reading editorials, legal documents, and journals is particularly helpful in improving reading skills and making candidates familiar with legal terminologies.

4. Solve CLAT Sample Papers and Mock Tests

Candidates should solve as many sample papers as possible. In general, candidates are advised to solve around 30-40 sample papers along with all previous year CLAT question papers. The CLAT mock tests will help the candidates understand the difficulty level, question trends and several other important aspects of the paper. Most importantly, these papers will make candidates habitual of solving CLAT paper problems within the stipulated time.

Subject Wise CLAT Preparation Tips and Tricks

1. Work on traditional CLAT Subjects for Legal Aptitude

As per the previous year’s CLAT exam analysis, legal aptitude was majorly dominated by traditional subjects. A majority of CLAT passages were derived from topics such as Law of Contracts, Hindu Marriage Act, Volenti Non fit Injuria etc. Therefore, while preparing for CLAT legal aptitude, candidates should have a good hold of such subjects. The language in legal aptitude happens to be technical, therefore understanding key terms and legal vocabulary/theory is very important.

2. CLAT Current Affairs Preparation

Current affairs is a dynamic section. Therefore, candidates should cover at least seven to eight months of current affairs. In this section also, questions are asked from passages (5 Questions per Passage covering 32-35Q in total). The paragraph will be based on ongoing issues, therefore, candidates should have a complete understanding of such issues. The topics of passages may be drawn from topics such as;

1. Political
2. Economic issues
3. Environmental
4. International relations
5. India’s foreign relations,
6. Government schemes.

Candidates with an understanding of current issues would be able to easily attempt current affairs questions by reading the passage.

CLAT English Preparation

The English section will also have 5 to 6 comprehensions. These questions will be asked from non-fiction, fiction and short story based (from journals, newspapers etc). The questions are straightforward. Candidates preparing for CLAT English should work on grammar skills and improve their vocabulary. Candidates should also read idioms and phrases, it will help them in understanding complex comprehension easily.

Recommended Books for CLAT 2024 Preparation

Books for CLAT legal aptitude

• Universal’s CLAT Guide
• Legal Awareness and Legal Aptitude by AP Bhardwaj

CLAT current affairs and general knowledge books and study material

• Lucent’s General Knowledge
• The Hindu Newspaper
• The Indian Express Newspaper

Books for CLAT English including comprehension

• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin

CLAT logical reasoning books

• Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
• Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey

Books for CLAT maths

• Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal

CLAT Previous Year Exam Analysis

How to Attempt CLAT 2024 Question Paper – Exam Day Tips and Tricks

Candidates should make a strategy for attempting the test. In most cases, candidates may develop their strategy while attempting CLAT mock tests and solving sample papers. Some important tips for attempting CLAT question papers are mentioned below.

1. Read the CLAT instructions carefully within the first five minutes.
2. Attempt the easier question first to save time for the difficult sections.
3. Candidates should attempt the question paper and simultaneously mark the answers in the OMR sheet.
4. Do not waste excessive time on comprehension passages.
5. Candidates should not overthink while answering the comprehension based questions, such questions should be answered the questions in the context of the passages.
6. Candidates should try to complete the question paper around 20 minutes before the given time.
7. In the last 20 minutes, candidates should revisit the complete question paper and try to attempt the doubtful questions. Candidates should try to attempt around 110-120 questions.

Read Also: How to Crack Judicial Examination in 2024?