Preparation Tips for CLAT 2024
Advised by:
Manisha Kayal, University Research Fellow, LLM., B.A LLB. (Hons).
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
Unlike other competitive exams, CLAT is based on passages and interpretation and not objective isolated questions. The exam focuses on evaluating candidates' comprehension and reasoning skills and abilities. Overall, it is designed to be a test of aptitude and skills that are necessary for a legal education rather than prior knowledge, though prior knowledge occasionally may be useful to respond to questions in the Current Affairs section.
General Strategies for CLAT 2024 Preparation
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Staying updated with current affairs is crucial, and it is imperative to dedicate time every day without fail
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Make it a habit to read leading newspapers daily and diligently take notes on significant topics
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Give special attention to sectional tests to strengthen your skills in each section.
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Pay equal attention to all sections and avoid neglecting any particular section, as each carries its weight.
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Do not have a pre-set pattern while attempting mocks, be ready to adapt based on the difficulty of the paper
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Regularly practice mock exams to familiarize yourself with the exam format and time management and aim to improve your score gradually with each attempt.
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After each mock exam or practice session, carefully analyze your mistakes, note the areas where you went wrong, and ensure you don't repeat the same errors.
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Dedication, devotion, discipline, determination, and desperation are the essential qualities needed to crack CLAT and secure admission to your dream college.
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Leverage your strengths to score well in your exam.
Section-wise preparation tips for CLAT 2024
Preparation Tips for English Language
1. Emphasize Reading: There are no shortcuts; reading extensively is essential
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Regular reading practice enhances vocabulary, and spoken English, and keeps you updated.
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Make a note of difficult words encountered while reading, including their meanings, synonyms, antonyms, etc.
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"Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis is an excellent book for vocabulary preparation.
2. Improve Reading Speed
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Constantly practice increasing your reading speed.
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While the level of reading comprehension is easy, the passages can be lengthy.
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Develop the habit of skimming and speed reading.
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Start reading an article daily, preferably an editorial from a newspaper or magazine, to cultivate speed reading skills.
3. Review Grammar Concepts
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Revise essential grammar concepts such as prepositions, figures of speech, tones, etc.
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Ensure a strong grasp of these concepts to excel in the English language section.
4. Give Sectional Tests
Preparation Tips for General Knowledge & Current Affairs
1. The General Knowledge (GK) and Current Affairs section in CLAT holds immense importance, and candidates must approach them with seriousness. A thorough preparation is crucial to excelling in the CLAT GK section, which lacks a definitive syllabus but requires a good grasp of current affairs and static GK.
2. The GK section in CLAT can create pressure for candidates, but with proper preparation, it also offers an opportunity to score maximum marks in minimal time. Based on CLAT analysis, the GK section comprises questions on both static GK and current affairs. The questions are typically sourced from news, journalism, and daily occurrences. The Current Affairs section covers the following topics:
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Major national events from the past year
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Major international events from the past year
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Legal domain events, both national and international
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Significant contemporary events from India and around the world
Additionally, Static GK in CLAT focuses on the following topics:
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History
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Art and Culture
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Legal domain and Indian Constitution
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To keep up with current affairs, it is important to cultivate the habit of reading newspapers. By reading newspapers, you will stay informed about national and international issues, allowing you to prepare effectively for the GK section of CLAT.
3. Maintaining a dedicated copy to jot down important news bites along with relevant information is advisable. Dedicate some time each day to reading newspapers, as this investment will yield significant returns. Review your notes at least once a week to reinforce your understanding.
4. It is recommended to read at least one current affairs compendium. If possible, consult resources like Manorama Yearbook or similar.
5. Remember, the ability to make concise notes and retain information is more important than the number of resources you refer to. If you have an in-depth understanding of a particular passage, you can expect to secure 5-7 marks easily.
6. Regularly take sectional tests and mock exams to gauge your progress and improve your performance in the GK and Current Affairs section of CLAT.
Preparation Tips for Logical Reasoning
1. Approach the preparation for this section similarly to the English language section.
2. Familiarize yourself with the various question types, including strengthen, weaken, inference, assumption, conclusion, central idea, blood relations, indication, fact-judgment, suggesting a title, logical deduction, and direct questions based on the content of the passage. Also, be prepared for "Most Likely Agree" questions, which require making inferences or combining statements/ideas from the passage.
3. Read extensively to increase your reading speed and comprehension.
4. Solve mock tests and sectional tests to practice and improve your skills.
5. Ensure a solid understanding of the basics of logical reasoning.
6. Pay attention to the conclusion of each passage, as it is important for answering related questions.
7. Avoid making assumptions and carefully follow the questions, marking answers based on the information provided in the passage.
8. Practice with GMAT papers and engage in critical reasoning exercises from online sources.
Remember that consistent practice and a thorough understanding of the question types and passage analysis are key to performing well in the Logical Reasoning section.
Preparation Tips for Legal Reasoning
1. Be thorough with the basics of:
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Tort Law
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Contract Law
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IPC (Indian Penal Code)
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Family Law (marriage, divorce)
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Constitutional Law, especially fundamental rights
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International Law (in brief)
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Prepare with the laws to save time while reading passages
2. Stay updated with current affairs by reading newspapers and websites like Bar & Bench.
3. Read the passage first and then attempt the question to form an unbiased answer/approach.
4. Consider the view of the author as paramount and avoid imposing personal views while answering questions.
5. Give preference to answers that have a clear reference in the passage.
6. Don't miss any mock tests or practice tests.
7. Work consistently on improving your reading skills.
8. In your preparation list, include:
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Static and current world issues, mainly from the last 12 months.
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Landmark judgments and important cases from the past year and earlier.
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New amendments and enactments from the budget, monsoon, and winter sessions of the parliament.
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Basics of IPC, Contracts, and Torts.
As you progress, you'll become more familiar with basic laws, allowing you to save time by skimming through passages.
Remember, practice and consistency are the key to success in legal reasoning.
Preparation Tips for Quantitative Techniques
1. Never neglect the Quantitative Techniques section; it holds significant weightage with 15 marks that can make or break your CLAT performance.
2. The Mathematics section can be a differentiating factor in cracking CLAT with a good rank or obtaining a lower rank.
3. Utilize mathematical techniques, particularly with the aid of answer options, to solve questions efficiently.
4. Employ smart work strategies; some questions may act as speed breakers, and it is crucial to identify and skip them in a time-bound exam.
5. Practice fundamental concepts such as percentages, simple interest and compound interest (SI/CI), profit and loss, time, speed, and distance (TSD), time and work, averages, and ratio-proportion.
Remember, consistent practice and understanding of basic mathematical concepts will greatly contribute to your success in the Mathematics section of the CLAT exam.
