“English language critical for success in LSAT─India” says Devyansh Atharv, LSAT─India June 2023 Topper

This year, the LSAT─India results for the June session were declared on June 24, 2023. Nearly 6,000 test takers take the Pearson VUE administered LSAT─India every year. Among them was Devyansh Atharv from West Bengal who secured the top rank with 99.96 percentile. Coming from a science background, Devyansh has now opted for BA LLB due to his inclination towards law. In conversation with Careers360, the LSAT─India topper says that a strong command of English is very important to crack the entrance exam and he acquired this skill by reading good books over the years. Read below the full conversation of LSAT─India 2023 topper with Careers360.
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Tell us briefly about your background - basic education details and your family

I studied in Don Bosco Park Circus, Kolkata till the 10th standard, after which I opted for the science stream (PCM) and shifted to Birla High School, Moira St. for 11th and 12th grades.

My father, Mr Tripurari Atharv, hails from Bihar and my mother, Mrs Divya Soni, is from Ranchi. I have an elder sister, Shreeyanshi who has just completed her undergraduate education.

What made you choose to study law?

Pursuing law after having been a science student in school is unusual, and more so because I don’t really come from a law family. However, after weighing law and other options, I found myself very inclined towards the skill set required to have a flourishing career in the field. While having its own fair share of technical knowledge which is undeniably valuable, the law also demands thorough social proficiency and familiarity with day-to-day events at global, national and local scales. These traits are crucial for building a strong and upright character, and I believe law will provide the best opportunity for me to learn and incorporate them, and grow as a person.

My family was also very supportive of my decision and spurred me on to pursue my goal, providing invaluable help along the way.

Which college are you looking to gain admission into and into which course?

I have taken admission to the BA LLB course provided by Jindal Global Law School.

How difficult is the LSAT—India test in general? What was your preparation strategy for the LSAT—India exam?

A key requirement to doing good in the LSAT─India exam is having a very strong grasp of the English language, which I would say is a skill acquired not just in the weeks preceding the exam, but instead by inculcating it as a habit over the years. Ever since childhood, my family has always made clear the indispensable value of reading good books. This practice greatly boosted my critical thinking and speed reading ability which are two of the most important skills demanded by LSAT─India.

In the weeks leading up to the exam, I took as many mock tests as I could, always giving enough time to work on my mistakes after finishing a test. Having the patience to go through your incorrect answers to recognize and work on your weak points is what made all the difference to me. My teachers helped me develop an efficient strategy for approaching questions, ensuring I could maintain accuracy and concentration throughout all the sections of the exam.

Did you take any coaching, or mentorship for LSAT—India? If yes, how helpful it was in clearing this exam?

Yes, I enrolled in the DoZen Institute where I was mentored by Mr. Rajneesh Singh. The personal help and attention provided by the teachers have brought several wonderful results from the students, not just in LSAT─India but in other entrance exams too - and I am lucky to be one of them. Mr Rajneesh was always reachable and utterly helpful. His efforts and hard work have played the most important role in my result.

How would you compare the LSAT—India exam with the CLAT which is also very popular among students?

LSAT—India and CLAT are different in the way they structure some questions, with LSAT’s logical reasoning section having a few sentences or dialogues, while CLAT mostly has long passages or articles. In my opinion, the level of English in LSAT is significantly more challenging, while CLAT’s legal reasoning, general knowledge and quantitative aptitude sections are what set it apart from LSAT. Both these exams are challenging in their own right, and I would encourage aspirants to prepare themself for both CLAT as well as LSAT─India.

What are your future plans after completing the study of law?

As of right now I’m just very excited to start law school, and would love to explore all the opportunities I come across in my time there. I will take further decisions once I realise where my inclinations lie.

What are your favourite hobbies and pastimes?

I absolutely love football and table tennis, and I’ve found that after an hour or two of playing with my friends, I can return to my day with a much clearer mind and a better attitude. Besides sports, I’m always willing to pick up a good book, or watch an engrossing movie in my free time, or talk to my friends and family.

What advice would you give to students preparing for law entrance exams?

The golden method to succeed not just in LSAT—India but every other competitive exam too, is to always make adequate time to work on your mistakes. Students get caught up in the idea of giving dozens of mock tests hoping to see improvement and often get discouraged once they see their performance plateauing. Instead, if they spend time reviewing their answers, they can have massive improvements even without having to give an absurd number of mock tests. Besides this, I would advise everyone to create a schedule that fits their needs and follow it strictly, and to never get disheartened throughout their preparation. All the best!