How to crack CLAT in the first attempt? 5 tips from an exam topper and Apeejay Faridabad alumnus

This year, around 62,000 candidates appeared in the national-level Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admissions to one of the 23 National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. Apart from these NLUs, a number of other colleges also accept CLAT scores. Triakshveer Singh, an alumnus of Apeejay School, Faridabad, secured an admirable All India Rank of 270 which earned him a seat in the prestigious National Law University, Jodhpur. It’s ranked among the top 5 NLUs of India in the National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF) Report 2020, released by the Ministry of Education. In an interview, Triakshveer, who wants to become a corporate lawyer, says there are no shortcuts to success, but there are some tricks, if followed properly, which would help you do well in CLAT. Here they are:

1. Be consistent in your preparations

Unlike JEE and NEET, CLAT is relatively easier to crack as you don’t have to study NCERT books rigorously or have a firm grip on all the concepts. Consistency holds the key to cracking the exam on your first attempt. You must study regularly, with short breaks to ensure your mind stays refreshed.

2. Master the Mock

Solving mock tests will make you ready for exam day. There are numerous CLAT coaching institutes in India which provide Mock tests at an economical rate. Taking Mocks will help you gauge your strengths and weaknesses, improve your time management skills, make you aware of actual exam pattern and most importantly, improve your speed and accuracy. Remember, CLAT is a two-hour duration exam in which students need to attempt 150 questions in 120 minutes with negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. So, speed and accuracy are crucial.  Also, do not depend solely on a single source for Mock Tests.

3. Work on your General Knowledge and reading skills

General awareness and English are among the sections in the written examination which demand you to read newspapers every day. You can also read various GK magazines. This will help expand your vocabulary and improve your reading skills. The CLAT paper has comprehension-based questions and candidates will be required to read a lot of passages. However, developing reading skills requires consistent practice.

4. Attempt the exam smartly

No matter how good your preparation is, you will encounter some unanswerable questions.  The key is how you handle such questions. Don’t freak out. Rather be calm and move on to the next question. Don’t let a few questions spoil your confidence. You can also use the elimination method to answer tricky questions. Eliminate answer options which you’re 100 per cent sure are incorrect before selecting the answer you believe is correct. You can also make an educated guess.

5. Stay positive

It’s important to stay positive and motivated during exams. When you are positive and confident there’s a less chance of committing a mistake. There’s clarity in your thought process and that’s what matters the most.