For students preparing for CLAT 2026, especially those balancing Class 12 or taking their first shot at the exam, the Quantitative Techniques section can feel like a mountain to climb. But it’s not about being a math prodigy, it’s about using Class 10-level skills to solve real-world problems with confidence and speed. This section, though just 10% of the exam, is a make-or-break moment.
Quantitative Techniques isn’t just another section it’s your chance to shine. With 10-14 questions worth about 10% of CLAT’s 120 marks, these are marks you can’t afford to miss. This guide offers a detailed plan with the best resources, key topics, group study ideas, and tips to make this section your strength.
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Based on the Consortium of NLUs’ guidelines for CLAT 2025, Quantitative Techniques tests your ability to work with data, not just crunch numbers. Questions come wrapped in short passages (up to 450 words) or visuals like bar graphs, pie charts, or tables, with 2-4 questions per set. You’ll need to:
Extract key numerical data from text or visuals.
Use basic math skills like percentages, ratios, or averages.
Think logically to connect numbers to answers.
Arithmetic: Percentages, profit and loss, ratios, proportions, averages, time and work, time-speed-distance, simple and compound interest.
Unlike school math, CLAT’s questions are practical, like calculating a company’s profit from a sales table. Practice is your best friend here, and skipping this section isn’t an option it’s too valuable.
Looking at CLAT papers from 2020 to 2025, certain topics show up more often, so you can focus your efforts:
Data Interpretation (40-50%)
Most questions involve tables, bar graphs, or pie charts, asking for things like percentage changes or averages. CLAT 2024 had a table on sales data for profit calculations.
Percentages and Ratios (20-25%)
These pop up in DI or arithmetic questions, like comparing growth rates or splitting quantities.
Time-Speed-Distance and Time-Work (10-15%)
Often in passages, like figuring out travel times or work rates.
Mensuration (5-10%)
Questions on areas or volumes, usually tied to real-life scenarios like measuring land.
Probability and Combinations (5%)
Less common but growing, often simple questions about dice or seating.
DI and percentages are the big players, so spend extra time on them while keeping arithmetic and mensuration sharp.
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Forget generic books for CAT or banking exams, they cover too many advanced things. Stick to these CLAT-friendly resources:
Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
Covers arithmetic and algebra well. Focus on percentages, ratios, profit and loss, time-speed-distance, and mensuration. Try 15-20 questions per topic daily.
Magical Book Series
Data Interpretation by BSC Publication: A must for CLAT’s DI questions. It breaks down tables, graphs, and charts with clear steps, perfect for exam practice.
NCERT Mathematics (Class 8-10)
Free online, great for freshers brushing up. Zero in on percentages, ratios, mensuration, and linear equations.
Consortium’s Official CLAT Prep Materials
Available after applying, these sample papers and mocks match CLAT 2026’s style.
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
A shorter option with tricks for quick calculations, especially percentages and ratios.
If you’re starting fresh, spend 2-3 weeks with NCERT to build confidence, then move to Aggarwal or Verma. Add BSC for DI and Consortium materials as the exam nears.
Balancing CLAT with school takes planning. Here’s a 12-week schedule you can implement for 2026:
Weeks 1-3 (Build Basics)
Use NCERT for 2 hours daily. Tackle one topic per week (like percentages or ratios), solving 50-60 questions each.
Weeks 4-7 (Get Stronger)
Switch to Aggarwal and BSC for 2.5 hours daily. Mix arithmetic (percentages, time-speed-distance) and DI, solving 2-3 passages daily. Do 10-15 mensuration questions weekly.
Weeks 8-10 (Practice Mocks)
Spend 3 hours daily on Consortium samples and past papers. Solve 2-3 Quantitative Techniques sections weekly, checking mistakes to spot weak areas.
Weeks 11-12 (Polish Up)
Revise weak topics for 1 hour daily and take one full CLAT mock daily (2 hours). Spend 15 minutes daily on mental math.
Studying with friends makes math less lonely and clears up confusion. Form a small group (3-5 people) to:
Work through one DI passage or arithmetic set together each week, talking through your steps to understand better.
Have each person explain a topic (like percentages or mensuration) to the group—it’s a great way to learn.
Post questions on online forums or Telegram groups for quick answers from peers or mentors.
Compare answers to past-year questions, like CLAT 2023’s profit-loss set, to see different ways to solve.
CLAT’s questions hide numbers in passages or visuals. Here’s how to handle them:
Read actively
Underline key numbers, units, or phrases (like “sales grew by 15%”) to stay focused.
Break down visuals
Check axes, labels, and trends in graphs or tables. For a pie chart, see if percentages add to 100%.
Round smartly
CLAT options are usually spread out, so round 49.2 to 50 for quicker math.
Use past papers
Practice with CLAT 2020-2025 papers (on the Consortium’s site) to get the hang of passages. CLAT 2022’s rainfall bar graph asked for percentage differences.
CLAT’s 120-minute clock is tight, so try these shortcuts:
Percentage shortcuts
Know that 1/5 = 20%, 1/8 = 12.5%. For 15% of 60, do 10% (6) + 5% (3) = 9.
Simplify ratios
Divide by the greatest common divisor (e.g., 36:48 ÷ 12 = 3:4).
Estimate in DI
Compare table values in your head to rule out wrong answers fast.
Vedic math
Try the “base method” for multiplication (like 23 × 24) to save time.
Apps like Math Tricks or IndiaBIX are great for daily practice with CLAT-relevant topics.
To feel ready:
Take weekly timed mocks (from the coaching materials).
Set a 15-minute timer for 10-14 questions to match CLAT’s pace.
Check mistakes right away to see if they’re from misunderstanding or carelessness (like mixing up units).
Students who score high focus on consistency and creativity:
Solve one DI passage daily, treating it like a puzzle to stay interested.
Draw quick sketches for mensuration or time-speed-distance to “see” the answer.
Keep a formula sheet (like area of a cylinder = 2πr(r+h)) and glance at it daily.
Use tricks like “PAPA” (Profit = Actual Price – Acquisition) for profit-loss questions.
Celebrate progress: After a tough set, take a 5-minute break with a favorite song to stay motivated.
Track wins: In a notebook, mark correct answers with a star. A page full of stars feels amazing.
On CLAT day:
Skip tricky DI sets first to grab easier arithmetic marks.
Double-check units (like km vs. m) to avoid slip-ups.
Spend 12-15 minutes on Quantitative Techniques, aiming for 80% accuracy.
Final Thoughts
Quantitative Techniques for CLAT 2026 can feel tough, but every step forward counts. Don’t skip those 10-14 questions, they’re your shot to climb the rank list and reach a top NLU. Think of each question as a small challenge, not a wall.
If percentages feel hard, start with five questions today, then five ratios tomorrow. Progress adds up, and soon those tricky DI sets will feel doable. Make time daily, even 20-30 minutes, for consistent practice to build confidence.
When stuck, ask teachers or mentors to clear doubts quickly. NLTI’s study buddy groups and mentors offer personalized tips and mock feedback to keep you on track.
