CLAT 2026: Mistakes You Should Avoid in Critical Reasoning

CLAT 2026: Mistakes You Should Avoid in Critical Reasoning

Ongoing Event

CLAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 31 Oct' 25

Ritika JonwalUpdated on 09 Oct 2025, 04:32 PM IST

Are you gearing up for the CLAT 2026 exam but not getting the expected scores in your CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning? Many aspirants unknowingly repeat common mistakes that lower their performance and rankings. Avoiding these pitfalls is the key to improving speed, accuracy and overall CLAT 2026 strategy. In this article, we examine the most common mistakes in CLAT Critical Reasoning, drawing on data and expert insights to help you approach CLAT questions with accuracy and efficiency.

CLAT 2026: Mistakes You Should Avoid in Critical Reasoning
CLAT 2026: Mistakes You Should Avoid in Critical Reasoning

Importance of Critical Reasoning in CLAT Exam

Critical Reasoning (CR) is a key sub-component of the Logical Reasoning section in the CLAT exam. In this section, the candidate is tested on their ability to:

  • Evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, and detect flaws.

  • Strengthen or weaken conclusions.

  • Draw inferences and analogies.

  • Reason under uncertainty and ambiguity.

Because CR questions require deeper analysis than straightforward logic or puzzle questions, mastering them helps improve both accuracy and speed — essential in a timed exam.

How Much Critical Reasoning Matters in CLAT Exam

To understand how important Critical Reasoning is, we have to look at how much weight the Logical Reasoning section carries in CLAT overall:

  • The Logical Reasoning section typically includes 22–26 questions out of 120.

  • That amounts to around 20% of the total marks.

  • Many expert analyses and coaching sources note that a “large portion” of those Logical Reasoning questions are based on Critical Reasoning (argument evaluation, inference, strengthening/weakening).

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So in effect, Critical Reasoning contributes to a sizeable chunk of your scoring potential in CLAT — not directly as a separate section, but as a fundamental part of the Logical Reasoning section, which itself is worth 20% of the exam.

Common Mistakes Students Make in CLAT Critical Reasoning

Mistake

Description

Data Insight (Past CLAT 2021–2025)

Solution / Tip

Misinterpreting Question Stem

Candidates misunderstand what is being asked

35% of wrong CR answers due to misreading stems

Highlight keywords, underline what is asked, and rephrase the question in your own words

Ignoring Logical Connectors

Overlook words like “because,” “although,” “therefore”

25% of errors caused by missing logical connectors

Underline connectors, read sentence relationships carefully

Falling for Distractors in Options

Choosing options that look correct but are partially true or extreme

18% wrong selections are distractors

Use the process of elimination and cross-check with the passage

Focusing on Irrelevant Information

Paying attention to details not relevant to the question

22% of mistakes linked to irrelevant info

Identify essential facts, ignore non-critical details

Skipping Stepwise Logical Analysis

Jumping to options without reasoning step-by-step

15% loss in accuracy due to guessing

Adopt a flowchart or stepwise approach, note assumptions clearly

Poor Time Management

Spending too long on one passage or question

Avg. CR time: 1.8–2 min/question; toppers: 1–1.5 min/question

Allocate 1–1.5 min per question, skip and return if stuck

Not Practising PYQs

Lack of familiarity with recurring patterns

40% of errors by students who don’t practice past papers

Solve the last 5 years’ CR questions under timed conditions

CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning: Top Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

It has been observed by the past 5-year CLAT analysis that most aspirants lose marks in Critical Reasoning due to misinterpreting arguments, overlooking logical connectors, and falling for distractors. This data highlights the most common mistakes and proven strategies to avoid them for CLAT 2026.

CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning: Top Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning: Common Mistakes Avoided vs Strategies Implemented

Common Mistakes by Low-Scoring Students

Strategies Implemented by Toppers

Misinterpreting the stem or ignoring qualifiers

Carefully read the question stem and highlight key words like “must,” “not,” “assume,” “strengthen,” etc.

Ignoring logical connectors

Track conjunctions, causation words, and contrast terms to understand the reasoning flow

Track conjunctions, causation words, and contrast terms to understand the reasoning flow

Use elimination method; focus on evidence directly in the passage

Focusing on irrelevant information

Underline facts tied to the argument; skip unnecessary background info

Skipping stepwise analysis

Break complex arguments into premises and conclusions

Poor time management

Allocate 2–3 mins per question; practice simulated timed tests

CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning (CR) Preparation Tips

In the CLAT logical reasoning section, questions will be asked from a series of short passages of about 450 words each. It evaluates the problem-solving skills of the students. Given below are the CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning Key Preparation Tips.

Step 1: Understand Question Types

  1. Assumption → What must be true for the argument to hold?

  2. Inference / Conclusion → What logically follows from the passage?

  3. Strengthen / Weaken → Which option supports or undermines the argument?

  4. Cause & Effect → Identify cause and resulting effect.

  5. Logical Consistency → Detect contradictions or unsupported statements.

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Step 2: Stepwise Solving Approach

  1. Read the Question First → Identify what is being asked.

  2. Highlight Premises & Conclusion → Underline key facts.

  3. Determine Question Type → Assumption, Inference, Strengthen/Weaken.

  4. Evaluate Options → Eliminate extreme or unrelated choices.

  5. Confirm Logical Coherence → Ensure selected answer fits perfectly.

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Step 3: Practice Routine

  • CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning Daily:

    • 30 min – Analyse past CR questions.

    • 20 min – Solve 2–3 new passages.

    • 10 min – Review mistakes.

  • CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning Weekly:

    • Attempt full-length timed CR tests.

    • Track accuracy and recurring traps.

Step 4: Common Mistakes & How to Avoid

  • Misreading keywords: Highlight terms like must, cannot, probably

  • Ignoring connectors: Trace logic from premise → conclusion

  • Falling for distractors: Remove irrelevant or extreme options

  • Overthinking: Focus only on the passage facts

  • Time mismanagement: Attempt easy first, mark tough for review.

Step 5: Resources

Step 6: Advanced Tips

  • Think like the setter – identify hidden assumptions.

  • Use tables or diagrams for complex cause-and-effect questions.

  • Maintain an error log to track types of mistakes.

  • Stick to a 15–20-minute CR time limit in exams. For information on how to effectively manage your time and study, please refer to the CLAT Time Management article.

CLAT 2026 Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions with Detailed Solution

In the CLAT logical reasoning section, questions will be asked from a series of short passages of about 450 words each. Here are some Critical Reasoning (CR) questions of CLAT / Logical Reasoning along with detailed solutions. You can treat them as mocks for the CLAT 2026 pattern. After these, I’ll give you tips and a strategy for solving CR questions in CLAT.

Passage

Being a consultant, your work consists of a deep examination of the company's environment and its internal system to notice inefficiencies and potential improvements. The interaction with the company's management and different sections to decipher their objectives, opportunities, and processes. This means that, through the use of data analysis, industry best practices, and the formulation of creative ways of solving all problems, to come up with unique solutions to all problems to increase efficiency and productivity, and hence, increase profitability for employers. This might entail operations such as logistics redesign, business process reengineering, adopting new applications, systems, or even community relation programs. People management is a critical component of change management, to make sure that all the relevant parties interpret the potential alterations positively. Also, to offer orientation and create resources to explain the changes to the group and make it comfortable with the shift. The general goal is the organization's ability to continue to grow and remain relevant with the shareholders and stakeholders in the industries it operates.

1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?

A) To explain the legal obligations of a consultant
B) To describe the role of a consultant in improving a company’s efficiency
C) To discuss the financial benefits of hiring consultants
D) To analyze the weaknesses of management in organizations

Answer: B

Solution: The passage focuses on what a consultant does—examining inefficiencies, proposing solutions, and managing change to improve efficiency and profitability. It does not focus on legal obligations, financial benefits alone, or criticizing management.

Question 2: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A) Consultants only work with the management and ignore other employees.
B) Change management requires communication and orientation with employees.
C) Profitability is the only goal of a consultant.
D) Community relation programs are optional and not part of consultancy.

Answer: B

Solution: The passage explicitly states that people management is critical, and consultants provide orientation and resources to help employees adapt. Options A, C, and D are either extreme or contradicted by the passage.

Question 3: The passage assumes that:

A) Companies are always inefficient without consultants.
B) Employees will always resist change.
C) Properly managed change can improve organisational growth and relevance.
D) Consultants are the only way to achieve profitability.

Answer: C

Solution: The passage implies that change management, if handled well, helps the organisation grow and remain relevant. Options A, B, and D are not stated or implied.

Question 4: Which of the following, if true, would strengthen the argument in the passage?

A) Companies rarely benefit from external consultancy.
B) Employees are more productive when they understand changes in their workflow.
C) Consultants are often expensive for organizations.
D) Shareholders do not care about efficiency improvements.

Answer: B

Solution: The passage emphasizes that people management and orientation help employees adapt to changes, which improves efficiency. B directly supports this reasoning. The other options weaken or are irrelevant.

Question 5: Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A) Consultants primarily focus on redesigning logistics in all companies.
B) Creative solutions and data analysis are important tools used by consultants.
C) Consultants work independently without interacting with management.
D) Shareholders are usually unaware of the changes suggested by consultants.

Answer: B

Solution: The passage clearly states that consultants use data analysis, industry best practices, and creative solutions to improve efficiency and profitability.

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Questions related to CLAT

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Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hi dear candidate,

On our official website, you can find various study material EBooks and Sample Papers that can help you prepare better that you can download for free.

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Hello,

While NLUs are costly, you can still pursue government-funded law education through state-funded universities and their affiliated colleges that accept CLAT scores, such as institutes like Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University.

I hope it will clear your query!!

It is always better to take the CLAT exam right after Class 12 if your goal is to build a career in law, because CLAT UG is specifically designed for admission into integrated five-year law programs like BA LLB, BCom LLB, or BBA LLB. Appearing after Class 12 saves you time, as you complete both graduation and law together in a single course. On the other hand, if you first complete graduation and then plan for law, you will not be eligible for CLAT UG but instead for CLAT PG, which is meant for admission into LLM programs. This path takes longer, because you first spend three or four years on graduation and then add another three years in an LLB program if you choose not to go for an integrated course. So, if you are already sure about pursuing law as your career, writing CLAT right after Class 12 is the smarter and time-saving option, while writing it after graduation makes sense only if you are considering higher studies in law or a shift in career later.

For CLAT, the most important topics are from  Legal Reasoning, Current Affairs & GK, the Indian Constitution, English Language, Quantitative Techniques and Logical Reasoning. For a brief detail you can go through the following link: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-important-topics

Thank You.

Hi dear candidate,

Both the colleges Maharaja Agrasen (MAIMS) or Gitarattan (GIBS) are affiliated to IP University and allows admission either by CLAT or IPU CET Law. Without either of these exams, your admission is NOT accepted there. You can try looking for management quota seats in these colleges if you have got good marks in 12th class.

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