CLAT Preparation Strategy for UG & PG Exams: Tips, Books & Timetable

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is one of the most competitive entrance exams for law aspirants in India. With thousands of candidates vying for limited seats in the top NLUs, a solid Clat preparation strategy is not just helpful—it’s essential. Whether you are preparing for the CLAT UG (Undergraduate) or CLAT PG (Postgraduate), this article provides a detailed roadmap, including study plans, recommended books, mock tests, and time management tips.

Understand the CLAT Exam Pattern

For CLAT UG 2026:

• Total Questions: 120
• Duration: 2 hours
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Subjects Covered:
  • English Language
  • Current Affairs, including General Knowledge
  • Legal Reasoning
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Techniques

For CLAT PG 2026:

• Total Questions: 120
• Duration: 2 hours
• Question Type: MCQs
• Subjects Covered:
  • Constitutional Law
  • Jurisprudence
  • Other areas like Criminal Law, Contract, Torts, International Law, Family Law, etc.

Knowing the structure helps you identify which areas require more attention and practice.

CLAT UG : Subject-Wise Preparation Tips

1. English Language
   Focus on vocabulary, reading comprehension, and grammar.
   • Recommended Book: Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
   • Read editorials from The Hindu or The Indian Express
2. Current Affairs & GK
   Regularly follow news websites and legal developments.
   • Monthly current affairs magazines like GK Today
   • Follow CLAT-specific current affairs on YouTube or blogs
3. Legal Reasoning
   Understand legal principles and apply them to factual scenarios.
   • Practice past year legal reasoning passages
   • Read Bare Acts for basics (IPC, Contract Act, Constitution)
4. Logical Reasoning
   Practice pattern-based questions like puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding.
   • Recommended Book: A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
5. Quantitative Techniques
   Brush up on Class 10-level Maths—percentages, averages, time & work, etc.
   • Use NCERT books or Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

CLAT PG : Subject-Wise Preparation Tips

1. Constitutional Law
   Focus on landmark judgments, fundamental rights, and structure of the Constitution.
   • Recommended Books: M.P. Jain, J.N. Pandey
2. Jurisprudence
   Understand legal theories, schools of law, and analytical jurisprudence.
   • V.D. Mahajan is a must-read
3. Criminal Law
   Focus on IPC, general exceptions, and case laws.
   • K.D. Gaur and Bare Act of IPC
4. Other Subjects
   Study Family Law, Law of Torts, and Contract through Bare Acts and class notes.
5. Previous Year Papers
   Solve CLAT PG papers from 2020 onwards for understanding MCQ trends.

How to Make an Effective Timetable

6-Month Preparation Plan:

• Hours/day: 3–4 hours
• Start with foundational subjects
• Weekly mock tests
• Monthly revisions

3-Month Crash Plan:

• Hours/day: 6–7 hours
• Alternate between new topics and revision
• Focus on high-weightage topics
• Take 2–3 full-length mocks per week

Mock Tests & Practice Papers

• Enroll in an online test series (Career Launcher, LegalEdge, LawPrep, etc.)
• Practice at least 30 mock tests before the final exam
• After every mock, spend 1–2 hours analyzing mistakes

Study Materials & Resources

Top Books for CLAT UG:

• Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning – Pearson
• Objective Legal Aptitude – Universal’s
• Lucent’s General Knowledge for static GK
• Norman Lewis, Wren & Martin for English

Top Books for CLAT PG:

• M.P. Jain (Constitution), V.D. Mahajan (Jurisprudence)
• K.D. Gaur (Criminal Law), Avtar Singh (Contract)
• Bare Acts (Download free from India Code website)

CLAT Preparation Tips from Toppers

1. Consistency beats cramming: Study small portions daily rather than long sessions occasionally.
2. Focus on concepts: Don’t just memorize—understand why an answer is right or wrong.
3. Use online platforms: Telegram groups, CLAT-dedicated YouTube channels, and legal websites can help.
4. Maintain a journal: Note down tricky legal concepts and revise them weekly.
5. Mental & Physical Health: Don’t ignore your sleep, diet, and rest. A tired brain retains less.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the importance of mock tests
• Studying without a proper timetable
• Relying only on one book or one type of source
• Skipping current affairs after July-August
• Memorizing Bare Acts without understanding them

Conclusion
Cracking CLAT requires a balance of discipline, strategy, and smart work. Whether you are aiming for CLAT UG or PG, the key is to start early, revise often, and test yourself regularly. Stick to your timetable, follow the right sources, and stay motivated.

Also Read :

• Check whether you’re eligible in our guide: CLAT 2026 UG & PG: Eligibility Criteria
• Learn about exam dates, syllabus, and application steps here: CLAT 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Cut-off & Application Process