How to prepare for CLAT 2026 in 1 Year? Check Month-wise preparation Strategy
  • Law Exams
  • CLAT Exam
  • How to prepare for CLAT 2026 in 1 Year? Check Month-wise preparation Strategy

How to prepare for CLAT 2026 in 1 Year? Check Month-wise preparation Strategy

Upcoming Event

CLAT Exam Date:07 Dec' 25 - 07 Dec' 25

Ritika JonwalUpdated on 08 Jul 2025, 11:19 AM IST

Ever wondered if a whole year is enough to crack one of India’s toughest CLAT 2026? Pitch this with a focused 12-month study plan, and you can turn your CLAT 2026 dream into reality, even if you’re starting from scratch today!

How to prepare for CLAT 2026 in 1 Year? Check Month-wise preparation Strategy
How to prepare for CLAT 2026 in 1 Year

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is not just another entrance exam; it's your golden ticket to the top National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. But with thousands of aspirants and limited seats, a smart, well-planned strategy becomes your ultimate weapon.

In this article, we break down a comprehensive month-by-month preparation plan for CLAT 2026. From building strong fundamentals to mastering advanced CLAT 2026 Mock Test strategies, you’ll discover how to pace your CLAT 2026 preparation, stay motivated, and boost your chances of getting into your dream NLU - all within one year!

Why a 12-Month Preparation Strategy is Essential?

Cracking CLAT needs more than just hard work; it necessitates a purposeful, systematic strategy. A 12-month preparation Strategy ensures:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Allocates enough time to comprehensively cover the whole CLAT 2026 Syllabus, leaving no topic uncovered.

  • Strong Fundamentals: Allows enough time to understand fundamental concepts, particularly in difficult areas such as legal reasoning and quantitative procedures.

  • Effective time management: It entails doing regular CLAT Mock Tests and analyses to increase speed, accuracy, and exam-day efficiency.

  • Consistent revision: It ensures retention by focusing on work and revisiting weaker areas.

  • Motivation and Discipline: Keeps preparation reasonable by setting clear goals and preventing burnout.

CLAT 2026 12 Months Preparation Strategy

Given below is a breakdown of the 12-month preparation Strategy to maximise your preparation:

Months

Month-wise Strategy

Short Tips

1st Month- 2nd Month

  • Focus on the foundation more in the first two months of preparation.

  • Start by learning in depth about the syllabus and the types of questions asked in the exam.

  • Analyse the previous year's question paper.

  • Knowing that the CLAT exam consists of five sections, allot time equally to all the sections.

Even if you don't comprehend everything right away, start by answering a few questions from prior papers. The purpose is to become acquainted with the examination style.


3rd Month- 4th Month

  • For the 3rd and the 4th month of preparation, it is advised to divide the sections and start subject-specific preparation.

  • For example- focus on comprehension and grammar, for the General Knowledge sections take up current affairs and law-related changes, followed by the legal sections where you can focus on basic law, new judgements and amendments, next comes the Logical Reasoning sections emphasize repeating questions topics in the previous year exams and lastly the Quantitative Aptitude Section practice as much as possible.

If you find difficulty in managing time with all the sections in the CLAT exam. Start by creating a road map for preparation by ensuring that you don't miss out on any of the sections.

5th Month- 6th Month

  • As in the first 4 months of preparation, the strategy and road map are ready.

  • Now, in the 5th and 6th months of preparation, allocate more time for preparation, increase your study hours, and try allocating more time to the weaker sections.

  • It is advised to appear for a mock test now and try to appear for one test per week, as it will help you to keep up with the pace of the preparation.

Join a reliable batch or coaching program to get expert guidance and peer support.


7th Month- 9th Month

  • It's time to increase the intensity of practice in the 7th and 9th months. Attempt 2-3 mock tests a week.

  • After appearing for the mock test, review the answers and try spotting the errors and weak points.

  • It is also advised to solve past years' question papers to improve time management.

Take guidance from seniors or teachers who have prior experience or have appeared in the CLAT exam.

10th Month- 11th Month

  • In the 10th- 11th Month of preparation, focus on polishing what you have learnt earlier.

  • Keep handwritten notes ready, as they will help in quick revision.

  • Focus on the weak areas and try to revise them again and again for better results.

Take regular pauses to prevent burnout and retain mental clarity.

12th Month

  • In the final months of preparation, it is advised to appear for mocks 4-5 times a week.

  • Prioritise accuracy above attempting every question.

  • Maintain a positive mindset and avoid studying new things at this time.

To handle pre-exam anxiety, practise mindfulness or relaxation techniques.

Books To Follow For CLAT 2026

The Common Law Admission Test consists of five sections: English language, general knowledge (including current events), legal reasoning, logical reasoning, and quantitative techniques. The CLAT books listed below are subject-specific recommendations from legal experts for CLAT preparation.

Subjects

Books to Follow

English language

  • English is Easy by Chetananand Singh

  • General English by SP Bakshi

  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

  • 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Norman Lewis

  • Barron's Pocket Guide to Vocabulary Objective


General knowledge (including current events)

  • General Knowledge by Lucent Publication

  • Competition Success Review

  • Pratiyogita Darpan

  • Manorama Yearbook by Manorama

  • General Knowledge 2023, 2022, and 2021 by Arihant Publications


Legal Reasoning

  • Objective Legal Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal

  • Important Judgment That Transformed India by Alex Andrews George

  • The Pearson Guide to the CLAT by Harsh Gagrani

  • LST’s Legal Reasoning Module

  • Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by Pearson


Logical reasoning

  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

  • Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma

  • Analytical Reasoning by M. K. Pandey

  • Analytical and Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

  • A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal


Quantitative techniques

  • Data interpretation by R.S Aggarwal

  • Elementary Mathematics with Numerical Ability by Prateek Jain

  • Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra

  • Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal

  • Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Arihant Publications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What was the difficulty level for CLAT 2025?
A:

The difficulty level for CLAT 2025 was easy to moderate.

Q: When will be the CLAT 2026 be conducted?
A:

The Consortium of NLUs conducts the CLAT exam in the december month of the preceding year.

Q: Will CLAT 2026 be easy?
A:

After analysisg the previous year question papers and the types of questions asked in the CLAT exam it is expected that CLAT 2026 will be moderate to difficult.

Q: What is the pattern for CLAT 2026?
A:

The CLAT 2026 consists of 5 sections, and the total number of questions will be 120 questions and 120 minutes is the time allotted for the exam.

Q: When will the registration process for CLAT 2026 begin?
A:

The tentative registration dates for CLAT 2026 will start from july 2025.

Articles
|
Certifications By Top Providers
Study from Still Life
Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Introduction to Econometrics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Intellectual Property
Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Introduction to Political Theory
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Philosophy of Gandhi
Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Indian Poetry in English
Via Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Swayam
 162 courses
Edx
 129 courses
Futurelearn
 74 courses
NPTEL
 74 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to CLAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CLAT ?

Hello,

Yes, you can prepare for CLAT through self-study. Many students do it and score well. But self-study works only if you are disciplined and follow a proper plan.

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

1. Know the syllabus and pattern.
Understand each section: English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quant.

2. Make a fixed timetable.
Study a little every day. Consistency matters more than long hours.

3. Use good books and online sources.
Choose reliable material so you don’t waste time.

4. Practice a lot.
Solve mock tests and previous papers regularly. This is the most important part of CLAT prep.

5. Analyse your mistakes.
Check where you go wrong and improve those areas.

6. Stay updated with current affairs.
Read daily news or monthly current affairs PDFs.

If you can follow these steps honestly, self-study is enough. If you feel stuck or need guidance with strategy, you can always use online classes or doubt-clearing support.

Hope it helps !

According to our prediction the date is tentatively on December 14, 2025 or CLAT 2026 admissions. You may read more about it here law.careers360.com/articles/clat-result

Choosing the right CLAT coaching is a personal decision that should align with your learning style, budget, and location. There isn't a single "best" one.

A humanistic approach suggests you consider these factors:

  1. Faculty & Focus: Look for institutions with experienced faculty who offer personalized doubt clearing, not just recorded lectures.

  2. Material Quality: The study material must be updated to the latest CLAT pattern, emphasizing Legal Reasoning and Current Affairs.

  3. Peer Environment: A strong peer group and competitive environment boost motivation.

The linked article from Careers360 provides context and lists major national players in the CLAT prep space, which you can use to start your comparison: https://law.careers360.com/articles/clat-online-coaching . Choose the one that feels like the best investment in your future

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