Cracking CLAT 2026 in the first attempt is not a difficult task. With the right approach and effective preparation strategy, candidates can crack CLAT in their very first attempt. Go through the article to know how to ace your CLAT preparation.
CLAT is a very popular law entrance exam and aspirants must be wondering if it is extremely difficult to crack the exam in the first attempt. Let us tell you that you can crack CLAT 2026 in your first attempt if you follow the correct preparation plan and have the right approach towards the exam. You need to start early, create a study plan, enhance your preparation and cultivate a reading habit for newspapers, magazines, and legal journals to elevate vocabulary, comprehension, and general awareness.
It is possible to get a good score in CLAT 2026 on your first try if you are thorough with the preparation and understand the law entrance exam well. Candidates who will be getting the top ranks will get into the top NLUs (National Law Universities) . This article will act as a guide to help you in your exam preparation and provide tips and tricks that will help you achieve your target.
CLAT 2026 Highlights
The first step towards acing any entrance examination is to know all the details of it. The table given below provides a brief overview of CLAT 2026.
Particulars | CLAT UG | CLAT PG |
|---|---|---|
Mode of Exam | Offline Mode | Offline Mode |
Type of Questions | Objective | Objective and Subjective |
Medium of Instructions | English only | English only |
Exam Duration | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
Total Questions | 120 Questions | 120 Questions |
Total Marks | 120 Marks | 120 Marks |
Marking Scheme for Each Correct Attempt | +1 | +1 |
Marking Scheme for Each Incorrect Attempt | -0.25 | -0.25 |
Number of Sections | 5 Sections | 2 Sections |
Name of the Sections |
|
|
CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Anyone planning to take CLAT 2026 must be well-versed in the exam pattern and type. They should start their preparation after understanding the structure of the question paper. The table given below explains the CLAT 2026 exam pattern in short.
CLAT UG Exam Pattern
Take a look at the CLAT UG Exam Pattern below to understand more about the examination.
CLAT Section Name | Total Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
Legal Reasoning | 28-32 | 25 percent |
Current Affairs, including General Knowledge | 28-32 | 25 percent |
English Language | 22 -26 | 20 percent |
Logical Reasoning | 22- 26 | 20 percent |
Quantitative Techniques | 10-14 | 10 percent |
CLAT PG Exam Pattern
Below given is the exam pattern for CLAT PG:CLAT Section Name | Total Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
Constitutional Law | 60 | 50 per cent |
Other law subjects such as Torts, International Law, Contract, Criminal Law, IPR and Jurisprudence | 60 | 50 per cent |
Tips to Crack CLAT 2026 in First Attempt
Now that you have gone through the basic overview and exam pattern of CLAT 2026, take note of some helpful tips that will prove to be beneficial for acing CLAT in the first attempt.
- Make a Preparation Plan
It is essential that you make a detailed CLAT 2026 preparation plan before delving into anything else. Be thorough with your strategy and allocate enough time to each and every section of the exam. Stick to the routine and devote significant time to studying for CLAT daily.
- Take Time into Account
The time needed by each candidate to prepare for CLAT varies from person to person. It is important for you to understand how much time you will need to complete your CLAT preparation. Candidates who don’t have much time left to prepare for the exam can think of taking the CLAT exam next year.
- Cover the Entire Syllabus
You must complete the entire CLAT 2026 syllabus and not leave out any topic. Include every subject and topic in your study routine, making sure that you have enough time for revision later on. Skipping topics will impact your CLAT score negatively and stand in the way of acing the exam.
- Keep your CLAT Preparation Separate
Maximum CLAT UG aspirants are in their final year of school and taking their Class 12th exam alongside the CLAT exam. This means that the students have to prepare for their board exam and the CLAT exam. It often becomes difficult for these students to balance the preparation level for both these exams, so many aspirants take a year gap after their 10+2 to prepare for the upcoming CLAT exam. During this one-year gap, students study thoroughly for the law entrance exam and take the exam the next year.
- Solve as many Mock Tests as Possible
The CLAT 2026 mock tests are one element that can provide a significant boost to your CLAT score. It is of utmost importance that you practise as many mock tests as possible. Make it a point to solve at least 1-2 CLAT sample papers every week and increase the frequency as you near the exam date. Through CLAT mock tests, you will understand the question paper much better and be comfortable with the exam pattern. It will also help you in managing your time throughout the exam.
- Analyse Your Performance and Alter the Preparation
Another advantage of solving CLAT mock tests, previous years’ question papers and sample papers is that you will get to know your strong and weak points. After taking a mock test, analyse your performance and find out the topics on which you need to spend more time. Revise your preparation strategy to accommodate your strengths and weaknesses and work towards a better score.
- Refer to the Trusted Books
Many students tend to hoard a huge pile of CLAT 2026 books because they think the more, the better. This practice will not provide any fruitful results and will most likely hamper your preparation. You must consult only the renowned and reliable books for CLAT preparation, as they will give you the correct study material. Studying from various sources will confuse you since different authors have different preparation techniques.
- Read the Newspaper Daily
Develop the habit of reading the entire newspaper every day. The most popular newspapers among CLAT aspirants are 'The Hindu', 'The Telegraph', etc. Reading the paper daily will not only help to prepare you for the General Awareness section of CLAT but will also assist you in improving your English language.
CLAT 2026 Section-Wise Preparation Plan
The most important law entrance exam CLAT, consists of five sections: English Language, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques and Current Affairs, including General Knowledge.
CLAT 2026 Overall Preparation Plan
Given below is the overall preparation plan for CLAT 2026.
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FAQs
Develop the habit of reading the entire newspaper every day. The most popular newspapers among CLAT aspirants are 'The Hindu', 'The Telegraph' etc. Reading the paper daily will not only help to prepare you for the General Awareness section of CLAT but will also assist you in improving your English language.
The marking scheme of CLAT is set by the Consortium of the NLUs. Candidates will get +1 for correct answers for MCQs, +25 for correct answers for Descriptive Type questions, - 0.25 mark for incorrect answers, and 0 mark for unanswered/ unattempted questions.
It is essential that you make a detailed CLAT preparation plan before candidates start their preparation. Be thorough with your strategy and allocate enough time to each and every section of the exam. Stick to the routine and devote significant time to studying for CLAT on a daily basis.
There are 5 sections in CLAT UG consisting of 120 objective-type questions, where each question is of one mark. Every wrong answer will cost the aspirant 0.25 points. Students will be asked questions from English Language, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.
It is not mandatory to join a coaching class for your CLAT preparation. If your basics are clear and you can rely on self study by following a disciplined schedule, you can crack CLAT without the assistance of a coaching institute.
You can enhance your CLAT preparation by solving mock tests and the previous year question papers of CLAT.
Yes, most of the students appearing for CLAT are those who have just taken their class 12 board exams. You can prepare for CLAT side by side and manage to get a good score.
Yes, you can crack CLAT in the first attempt and get a good score if you follow the correct preparation strategy.
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