Keep both CLAT and AILET options open to maximize your chances.
UPES Integrated LLB Admissions 2026
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CLAT Exam Date:07 Dec' 25 - 07 Dec' 25
Want To Crack CLAT 2026 In Your First Attempt? You’re in the right place! Whether you’re just starting or feeling overwhelmed by the vast CLAT 2026 syllabus, this beginner-friendly article will simplify your CLAT 2026 Preparation. From understanding the CLAT Exam pattern to crafting a smart study plan, we’ve got everything you need to stay ahead — Right from day 1. Let's turn our CLAT 2026 first attempt into our final attempt.
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Every year, over 50,000 candidates appear for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), but only around 3,000 candidates can secure NLU seats. Even though it is difficult to clear CLAT first attempt, it is not impossible, as many students do it. Clearing CLAT 2026 in the first attempt will require consistency and hard work in the right direction with the right strategy. This article deals with How to Crack CLAT in first attempt and discusses the strategy and preparation tips to pass the CLAT 2026 Exam.
Full Form | Common Law Admission Test |
Exam-taking body | Consortium of NLUs |
For undergraduate | UG CLAT |
For post-graduation | PG CLAT |
Mode of application | Online |
Frequency of exam | Once a year |
No. of attempts | No limit |
Given below is the CLAT 2026 Month-wise Study Plan for June to December 2026.
Month | Month-wise Study Plan |
June |
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July |
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August |
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September |
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October |
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November |
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December |
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CLAT preparation generally requires seven to eight months to prepare and clear the examination. The examination date of CLAT 2026 will be in December, which gives students approximately 6 months to prepare. The question that arises in a students mind is how to clear CLAT in first Attempt. Below are subject-wise preparation tips for CLAT 2026
The CLAT 2026 English section will have 5-6 passages to check candidates’ English communication, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. Here are a few tips for the section’s preparation
Improve your vocabulary by reading novels and newspaper editorials
For reading speed, make a slot for reading novels every day. Reading regularly improves speed, which will eventually help in time management on the D-Day.
After reading a book or newspaper article, try to write down the summary or conclusion. This will help candidates in improving their summarising skills.
Candidates can also make a separate vocabulary diary, where they keep adding all the new words they read along with their meanings, synonyms, and antonyms.
Do reading comprehension practice regularly.
To score 20+ marks in English for CLAT, follow these simple guidelines:
Practice Comprehension: Read paragraphs attentively. Practice recognising primary ideas, tones, and topics rapidly.
Improve your vocabulary by regularly learning new terms and their meanings. Learn contextual use from texts.
Grammar Rules: Review important grammar concepts such as subject-verb agreement, tenses, and modifiers.
Practice Past Papers: Solve CLAT English problems from previous years to become acquainted with the format.
Time Management: Use your time effectively by focussing on comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary issues.
Consistent practice and reviewing mock tests can help you improve your score.
In the CLAT 2026 current affairs and general knowledge section, passages will be given that will be derived from news, articles, and other non-fictional books. From those passages, questions will be given to the candidates. This is to assess if the aspirant has general knowledge or not. Here are a few things that a candidate can do to prepare for this section
Read newspaper articles and editorials daily. Stay up to date with news and world
Candidates can also refer to the current affairs booklets provided by various coaching centers. Some examples are Drishti IAS, Vision IAS, Insights on India, etc.
Aspirants can also refer to the Indian Yearbook as it covers news from 10-12 months.
In question papers, generally, basic law knowledge is asked in a passage, for that student can refer to the Bare Act of India and study things like Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, DPSP, Schedules, etc.
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To score 20+ marks in Current Affairs and General Knowledge for CLAT, use these proven strategies:
Daily News Updates: Stay informed on key national and international events, government policies, awards, and sports.
Monthly Current Affairs Compilations: To keep up with key news events, use monthly compilations from reliable sources.
Focus on legal developments: Pay close attention to current legal and constitutional developments, including historic decisions and amendments.
Revise Important Topics: Make notes on government programs, international organisations, significant treaties, and historical events.
Practice Previous Year Questions: To comprehend the pattern and crucial themes, practise answering GK and current affairs questions from past CLAT examinations on a regular basis.
Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your progress and become accustomed to time limits.
Questions asked in CLAT legal reasoning will be related to various scenarios involving legal or moral-ethical questions. No prior legal knowledge is necessary to attempt this part; however, having basic knowledge of articles will benefit the students. This section is to assess the critical thinking of the aspirants. Below are a few preparation tips that can help candidates in this section
In this section, having a general knowledge of contemporary laws and modern issues helps. To grasp such knowledge, candidates should read the newspaper daily.
Apart from having general knowledge, attempting lots of questions and mocks can also help. Attempting questions helps in building critical thinking.
Analyse various case studies, practice applying relevant laws, and draw logical conclusions.
Stay up to date with current legal developments and amendments in the constitution.
To score 20+ marks in Legal Reasoning for CLAT, follow these simple guidelines:
Understand Legal Principles: Concentrate on learning fundamental legal ideas such torts, contracts, criminal law, and constitutional law.
Practice Law Application: Use legal concepts to solve case-based problems in hypothetical settings.
Focus on Reading sections: Practice reading long sections quickly and effectively to extract crucial information about legal concerns.
Develop logical thinking: Train yourself to think like a judge, focussing on the meaning behind the rules rather than memorising them.
Analyse past papers: Regularly answer previous year's questions to have an understanding of the pattern and sorts of legal circumstances.
Time Management: Allocate precise time to each question to prevent getting stuck on difficult parts.
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.
Candidates can master puzzle practice, seating arrangement, and logical sequencing to improve their analytical skills.
Practicing mock papers can help build problem-solving skills
Read the questions carefully and understand what has been asked, identify the conclusions and premises.
Strengthen your deductive reasoning skills.
To score 20+ marks in Logical Reasoning for CLAT, follow these simple guidelines:
Understand the Different Types of Questions: Concentrate on topics such as assumptions, conclusions, arguments, cause-effect, and inference. Practice recognising logical patterns.
Develop the habit of critically analysing arguments. Concentrate on identifying logical errors and contradictions.
Practise puzzles and arrangements. Solve puzzles like seating arrangements, blood relations, and directions, which are frequently posed in logical thinking.
Passages are frequently used in logical reasoning in CLAT. Read carefully and discover the essence of arguments immediately.
Work on Time Management: Set aside time for each question and avoid concentrating too much on one subject.
Mock Tests and old Papers: Solve old papers on a regular basis and take mock tests to better grasp question patterns and speed.
The CLAT 2026 quantitative section in the paper will be at the 10th standard level. This section aims to judge the mathematical skills of the candidate. Even though the weightage of this section is a mere 10% but for students with a maths background, this can be a scoring section. Below are the tips that students can keep in mind while preparing
Candidates should maintain a formula diary which they can revise regularly.
The most important key in studying quantitative is to practice daily and attempt lots of questions and mocks. Solve a wide range of questions and sets
Aspirants should learn tricks, shortcuts, and speed maths which will help them save time in the main examination.
To score 20+ marks in Quantitative Techniques for CLAT, follow these simple guidelines:
Master Basic Concepts: Concentrate on fundamental concepts such as percentages, ratios, averages, profit and loss, time and labour, time-speed-distance, and simple and compound interest.
Data Interpretation: Work on solving bar graphs, pie charts, and tables fast and precisely.
Shortcut Methods: To save time, learn calculating shortcuts like mental math and Vedic math procedures.
Solve Previous Years' Papers: To become familiar with the pattern, practise CLAT-specific Quantitative Techniques problems from previous examinations on a regular basis.
Time Management: To improve speed and accuracy, practise answering questions within a set time constraint.
Take Mock Tests: Try mock tests on a regular basis to track your progress and correct your weaknesses.
Start Mock Tests: After 6 to 8 basic concept building (from August 2025).
Frequency: 1 mock per week initially, 3–4 per week from November.
Approach of Analysis: Give the mock analysis twice as much time as the test. To keep track of recurring errors, keep an error record.
Sectional Practice: Work on DI, Logic passages, and English RCs in discrete, time-bound portions.
Time Strategy: To replicate actual exam pressure, set a timer for every section.
The market is filled with books and materials for CLAT preparation, which is why aspirants must prepare and decide on a list of books they are going to use in their preparation. Students tend to get overwhelmed by the wide variety of books available or if their peer is using a different book, that’s when the booklist helps. Less is more when used wisely.
Recommended Books and Sources for CLAT 2026
Section | Books and Materials |
English Language |
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Current Affairs - general knowledge |
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Legal Reasoning |
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Logical Reasoning |
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Quantitative Technique |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A 5-6 focused hour is sufficient with consistency for CLAT 2026.
Yes, Students can crack CLAT 2026 in 6 months with a strategic plan, consistent mock practice, and the right resources.
No, many aspirants crack CLAT in their first attempt by preparing smartly.
Legal Reasoning and English can be most with practice.
On Question asked by student community
Yes, there are several law colleges in India that offer admission without requiring CLAT or other national-level entrance exams — and one such option is MERI Institute, Delhi .
At MERI Institute , students can pursue law courses based on their 12th-grade merit , without the stress of competitive entrance tests. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to build a career in law but prefer a more straightforward admission process.
The institute focuses on practical legal education , with experienced faculty members, regular court visits, moot court training, and interactive seminars that help students understand real-world legal practices. The campus environment is supportive and student-friendly, offering both academic guidance and personal growth opportunities.
So, if you’re looking for law colleges without CLAT , MERI Institute in Delhi can be a great fit—providing quality education, a balanced learning approach, and a pathway to a successful law career without the pressure of tough entrance exams.
For CLAT 2025, the General Knowledge and Current Affairs section has around 28 to 32 questions. These questions come from recent news, events, and general topics like the Constitution, international issues, awards, and government schemes.
You should mainly focus on current events from the last 12 to 18 months. The exam gives short passages from newspapers or magazines, and you have to answer questions based on those passages.
The most important topics are national and international current affairs, major government policies, legal news, awards and honours, science and technology updates, sports events, important personalities, and environmental issues.
Some of the most expected topics for CLAT 2025 are global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East updates, major elections in India and other countries, new laws, bills, and reforms in India, international meetings like G20 and COP climate conferences, important awards in 2024 and 2025, recent achievements in science and space technology, and new government schemes and court judgments.
To prepare, you should read current affairs daily, revise important news from April 2024 till now, and practice passage-based questions from mock tests. Static GK (like history, geography, or constitution) should also be studied but only the parts that are connected to current events.
Career360 website for CLAT GK: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-gk-questions
Hello dear candidate,
Yes, you are right UGC rules do not allow two regular full time courses simultaneously.
But for CLAT or NLU admission they only check if your 12th certificate is valid and is from a recognized board, not if you did another course along with it.
The BCI also do not reject candidate for this reason.
Thank you.
Hello,
If you are from Delhi and appearing for CLAT, then you come under the General (All India) category, as CLAT reservation is based on the domicile of NLUs, and Delhi does not have a National Law University under CLAT (NLU Delhi conducts AILET separately).So, you can apply for CLAT through All India Quota, and if you don’t get a seat in NLUs. You can apply through CLAT, AILET, or private law colleges like Amity, Symbiosis, or IPU for admission.
Keep both CLAT and AILET options open to maximize your chances.
Hope you understand.
Hello,
Since you are in class 11 and targeting CLAT 2027, you have enough time to prepare without coaching. First, understand the CLAT pattern – it has English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Start with basics and read daily to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
Best books to start:
Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
High School English Grammar & Composition – Wren & Martin
Legal Aptitude for CLAT – A.P. Bhardwaj
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
Manorama Yearbook or Lucent’s GK for current affairs
Read newspapers like The Hindu daily, practice mock tests regularly, and revise current affairs every month. With consistent practice and reading, you can easily prepare for CLAT 2027 along with JEE.
Hope it helps !
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