LPT: How do you feel about your success, and how long did you wait for this?
Shreyas: I feel elated because I had a goal to get into the law field from Class 12th. I started preparing for CLAT in the summer vacation of class 11th, during the first lockdown. Initially, I did not think that I would be able to crack an NLU, but then I took my studies seriously and believed in myself. I started preparing rigorously in the last five months, and now it feels like the hard work paid off.
Upcoming CLAT Exams:
LPT: How did you make sure to remain balanced and focused on your journey?
Shreyas: When I started preparing, I used to score around 60-70 marks in the mocks. However, I did not let that bog me down, and I started taking more mock tests and gave more time to analyze them. I analyzed more sectional tests and kept going until I could comfortably score 100 on every CLAT mock test.
It took me three months of hard work and rigorous CLAT preparation to get there. So, I want to tell everyone that it will not come easy; it will take your consistent efforts to get to a 100 score, so you have to keep going. But, I can assure you when the results are out, and you see your scorecard, it will be worth it.
LPT: Tell us about your section-wise CLAT preparation strategy.
Shreyas:
For Comprehensive English:
The first thing I would recommend to all the CLAT aspirants is to solve as many sectional tests as possible because that is the actual format of the exam, and you have to be familiar with it. This will also help you with the timing, and you’ll be able to complete the English section within 25-30 minutes of the CLAT exam.
Secondly, start reading; your reading speed should be really fast to crack CLAT.
Lastly, you have to improve your vocabulary, Idioms, Proverbs really well because every single question matters in the exam. Do not turn a blind eye to vocabulary and grammar because it is very important to solve the English section.
Useful Resources for You:
Reading Comprehension for CLAT
For General Knowledge:
I prepared for both Static and Current GK. Looking at this year’s paper, I would definitely recommend reading Static GK to the CLAT aspirants.
For Current GK, I used to read newspaper religiously. I read the Hindu, the Financial Express, the Indian Express every single page, every single article for 1-1.5 years every day. I read the Editorials, the explained columns in Indian Express, even if it was monotonous.
For Static GK, I noted all the important dates and days, the tribunals, the court judgments, etc.
In the GK section, you can expect anything, so it is better to do as much as you can.
Useful Resources for You:
CLAT General Knowledge Previous Paper Analysis
Important GK Topics for CLAT 2025
How to Prepare for CLAT GK 2025?
CLAT GK Questions With Answer Key
For Logical Reasoning:
The consortium has been showing us year after year that they are big fans of throwing surprises. So you can expect anything in the paper from the syllabus. This year, it was all CR, and there were no logical puzzles, arrangements, etc. Similarly, next year, there might be more LR So, I prepared for both AR and CR.
For CR, I solved as many questions as possible, and not only this, but after the months I have solved the questions, I went through those questions again, analyzing every answer. As knowing how to think in a CR section is very important because people might have different interpretations, but in order to maximize your score, you need to get into the mind of the paper setter; you have to know how he thinks, and for that analysis of the CR section is very important.
For AR also, I solved a lot of logical puzzles, circular arrangements, matrix, calendar, and other topics from the syllabus. So you cannot just assume that this will come and this will not. The best thing is that you complete your syllabus thoroughly.
Useful Resources for You:
Logical Reasoning Previous Year Paper Analysis
CLAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus
For Legal Aptitude:
I attempted a lot of sectional tests, mock tests and practiced a lot of questions, which applies to every section of CLAT. Apart from that, I also brushed up on my legal GK; I knew that it might not come, but I still did because there were questions from legal GK in some of the mocks. So I did not leave anything to chance and prepared thoroughly.
For the passage-based legal, I read about the Constitutional Law, Company Law, Arbitration, etc., so I wasn’t surprised by the idea behind any passage in the exam as I had already read about it. And it was definitely easier that way.
Useful Resources for You:
Legal Reasoning Previous Year Paper Analysis
For Quantitative Techniques:
This year, QT was the toughest of all because I was mentally prepared for the graphs and tables, and not seeing any of that was really surprising. There were only 10 minutes left until I reached the QT section, so I quickly tabulated the data and attempted the questions. But I did not waste any time if I couldn’t solve the question and moved to the next one.
LPT: Would you say compendiums or yearly compendiums are sufficient?
Shreyas: They are definitely not sufficient in itself. They are supposed to complement your other efforts, mainly the newspaper, because you get a compendium of 200 pages at the end of the preparation, and you cannot go through it and remember it. It can only serve as a revision to what you read in the newspapers months ago; that is what the compendium is meant for.
LPT: How do you keep yourself balanced when you see an unexpected question?
Shreyas: To remain focused and sane during the exam, you need to understand that these 2 hours are the most important hours of your life, and you cannot risk it for anything. Also, while taking mock tests offline, do not solve them out of time; try to complete them within the time period.
While taking the mock tests, simulate the exam environment at your home. This will help you to stay balanced in the exam and not create panic if you see any unexpected questions.
LPT: How many overall mocks did you take?
Shreyas: I took more than 100 mock tests of CLAT.
LPT: How much time did you invest in analyzing the test?
Shreyas: The analysis of the test is very important. I used to invest 1.5-2 hours on the analysis of the paper to know where I went wrong and to recheck the right ones too.
Also Read: Things CLAT Aspirant Must Know
LPT: How did Law Prep help you with the exam?
Shreyas: The mock tests of Law Prep were very relevant to the exam. Especially in English and Reasoning, Law Prep mocks had long passages, which helped me get used to reading long passages.
Secondly, the quality of content that Law Prep CLAT mocks had was stupendous. We had essays on Psychology, Politics, History, and grasping such complex topics in 3-4 minutes comes with practice. So solving mocks of LPT helped me a lot with that, and I could solve every passage in the exam.
In the legal section of mocks, LPT had a passage and a situation just the way it was in the exam.
In the QT section, the LPT mock test was difficult, but that was a good thing because the actual paper was also very difficult.
LPT: What do you want to tell the aspirants who are preparing for CLAT 2022?
Shreyas: I think it is very important that you don’t let your morale and confidence down during your preparation. When I was preparing, I spared 1-2 hours to engage in different hobbies to keep my mind fresh. I also made sure I exercised every day to keep my physical and mental health in good shape. It is a long journey, so you have to make sure your health is very good to keep you going.
Free CLAT Study Material for You: