CLAT 2025 Topper Devansh Agarwal, AIR 70: “Consistency and self-discipline will help you reach your goal”

CLAT 2025 Topper Devansh Agarwal shares his journey, background, preparation strategies and other suggestions to crack the toughest law exams; the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). CLAT 2024 Topper Devansh Agarwal in an interview with Careers360 speaks about how it is difficult for him to quantify a fixed number of hours put in each day for CLAT preparation. He says, “There are going to be many challenges in the journey, but you have to maintain your calm and remain consistent”. Read the full interview as the CLAT topper shares his success story with Careers360.

Q. What is your overall CLAT 2025 score and sectional score?

Ans: I scored 96.00 in CLAT 2025 overall and secured an All India Rank of 70. My sectional scores were :

1. English - 19

2. GK - 25.50

3. Legal - 30.75

4. Logic - 17.50

5. Maths - 3.25

Q. How did you feel when you checked your CLAT 2025 result? Were you expecting this rank?

Ans: I was really elated and also felt really grateful when I got to know about my result. It was really an exuberant feeling because I knew that now, I definitely would be going to my dream college, NLSIU Bangalore.

However, a person never gets what they deserve, it's either slightly less or slightly more and I think it turned out to be something very similar. Although I expected something higher, I am content with the rank I have received.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about your background - your education, your family?

Ans: I am presently in class 12th, studying in the prestigious Don Bosco School Park Circus, Kolkata. I have taken Humanities with Mathematics and Economics. I am the headboy of my school and also undertook various leadership activities this year which include being the secretary general of my school Model United Nations and being the core committee head of my school fest.

Q. What made you choose law?

Ans: Law is a field which has constantly intrigued me and which has always captured my attention. Moreover, the constant legal-based discussions I have had with my father, an advocate who also played a major role in igniting my interest towards the field of law. MUNs also helped foster my interest in the spectrum of international law and the various legalities in relation to it.

Q. When did you start your preparation? How did you prepare for the CLAT exam? How many hours did you put in per day as per the stage of preparation?

Ans: I started my preparation for the CLAT exam in August 2023; I was in 11th grade at that time.

It will be very difficult for me to quantify a “fixed” number of hours put in each day. Also, more than the quantity it's about the quality put in. A person can put in 12 hours of studies and still get done with 3 topics while another person can put in 6 hours of studies and get done with 5 topics. So I believe that a person should be focused and dedicated and try to enhance their efficiency. consistent efforts will play a huge role.

During my initial stage of preparation, I used to solve LSAT-GMAT type of questions. I personally used to give a lot of mocks and analyse them thoroughly. I used to enjoy giving mock tests. I believe that a proper analysis of the mock test is as important as giving the mock test, if not more. This is because analysis is what helps us understand the nature of our errors and correct them. This prevents us from making those same mistakes again and again.

Apart from mocks, GK preparation was also something which I used to focus on. I used to refer to different sources, including but not limited to UPSC websites, different compendiums and news articles. Every person might have a different approach, but I used to make digital GK notes and this helped me a lot in my revision during the final stage as well.
Moreover, quantitative techniques and analytical reasoning were also regularly practised by me.

Q. Can you share any preparation strategies with our readers? When should one start their preparation for CLAT? How to schedule study time and make timetables?

Ans: In regard to preparation strategies, I believe that dedicated studies are definitely needed. All 5 sections - English, GK, Legal, Logic and quant are equally important for CLAT and any of them might become the deciding factor for CLAT. Therefore, it is imperative to have a clear understanding of all the sections.

Giving mock tests and analysing them, helps cover all these sections. Apart from that, sectional tests based on different needs are helpful. Also, prepare GK regularly, and make notes if possible. One should read newspapers daily as well, it has two benefits:

i) Having diversified knowledge about various topics

ii) Improving the reading speed.

Another very important thing which one should regularly practice is analytical reasoning and quantitative techniques. To improve logical reasoning one can also solve LSAT and GMAT CR (Critical Reasoning) and RC (Reading Comprehension) type questions. I believe, that if one religiously does this and prepares well then this should be sufficient enough.

Timetables should be scheduled based on the priority list at hand. One should categorise different tasks based on how important and how urgent they are and then based on it should schedule study time and prepare a proper timetable.

Q. Did you follow any specific daily timetable to prepare for the exam?

Ans: Yes, I did follow a timetable to prepare for my exam but I kept it flexible and not very rigid. This helped me incorporate all my school activities and at the same time balance it with my CLAT preparation as well.

Q. Have you taken any coaching? If yes- from where? How did it help?

Ans: Yes, I took coaching in CLAT Essentials under Mr. Rajneesh Singh. It was really helpful and I can surely say that all of this would not have been possible without Rajneesh sir. He was my mentor and he constantly ensured that I kept giving my best. He motivated me, guided me, and boosted me during all the stages of my preparation. He and all the other teachers helped clear my base and brought in conceptual clarity in a really simple manner. The preparation schedule made by sir also gave structure to my preparation and helped me prepare in an organised manner.

Q. What was the toughest aspect of your CLAT preparation?

Ans: For me, the toughest aspect of the CLAT preparation was balancing this preparation along with all my different extracurricular activities and my school studies.

Q. Which books did you follow for CLAT preparation? Please name some very important must-read books for CLAT.

Ans: I used books mainly to improve my reading speed and to practise quantitative techniques. For QT, R.S. Aggarwal was very resourceful, as it had a wide array of questions and practising which helped me clear my concept. I have always been an avid reader, and therefore I used to read a lot of books. This year, I read quite a few books by Dan Brown. However, for CLAT purposes, I feel one should practice through RS Aggarwal and just regularly read, whatever source it might be.

Q. Can you tell us the NLU choices and courses you will be submitting in the order of your preference?

Ans: My first preference is NLSIU, Bangalore. CLAT has mandated the listing of 15 preferences, so here they are :

• National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru

• NALSAR University of Law (NALSAR), Hyderabad

• The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata

• National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur

• Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar

• The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal - B.A.LL.B (Hons.)

• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow

• Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai

• Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab

• Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur

• National Law University Odisha (NLUO) - B.A. LL.B.

• The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi

• Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna - B.A., LL.B. (Hons.)

• Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Silvassa

• National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi - B.A.LL.B (Hons.)

Q. What did you do for leisure? Are there any specific activities that helped you unwind?

Ans: During preparation, I used to take occasional breaks to make sure that I didn't get too worked up and had maximum productivity. I used to listen to music to lighten my mood and cheer myself up. I also used to go hang out with my friends for some time, this helped me remain positive and keep aiming for the best.

Q. What would be your message for future law aspirants who will be appearing for CLAT in the future?

Ans: As my message for future law aspirants who will be appearing for CLAT, all I would like to say is to trust in the process and not get overwhelmed due to it. There are going to be many challenges in the journey, but you have to maintain your calm and remain consistent. Consistency and self-discipline are the two things which will help you to reach your goal.