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How to Prepare for CLAT 2026 in 6 Months: A Step-by-Step Guide
March, 21 2025

The CLAT 2026 (Common Law Admission Test) is a crucial exam for students aiming to secure admission to top National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. With only six months left for the CLAT examination, you need a structured study plan, smart strategies, and consistent practice to crack the exam.

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This guide will help you break down your six-month CLAT 2026 preparation into manageable steps, ensuring you cover every section effectively.

πŸ“… Month 1: Understanding the Exam & Building a Study Plan

βœ… Step 1: Know the CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Before you dive into your CLAT 2026 preparation, it’s crucial to understand the exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus. This will help you strategize your studies effectively and focus on the right areas.

CLAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Feature

Details

Total Questions

120 MCQs 

Exam Duration

2 hours

Mode of Exam

Offline (Pen-Paper Mode)

Marking Scheme

+1 for Correct Answer 

-0.25 for Wrong Answer

Type of Questions

Passage-based MCQs

Language of Exam

English

Subjects Covered in CLAT 2026

The CLAT 2026 syllabus is divided into five sections. Each section assesses different skills and knowledge areas essential for a law aspirant.


Subjects

What It Covers?

English Language

Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar & contextual meaning.

Current Affairs & GK

Static GK, legal current affairs, national & international news.

Legal Reasoning

Legal principles, case laws, legal facts & problem-solving.

Logical Reasoning

Analytical reasoning, syllogisms, puzzles & critical thinking.

Quantitative Techniques

Basic maths, percentages, ratios, algebra, and data interpretation.

βœ… Step 2: Gather Study Material πŸ“š

To crack CLAT 2026, choosing the right study material is just as important as the time you spend studying. Investing in high-quality books and trusted resources will ensure you grasp the concepts effectively and prepare strategically.

Best Books for CLAT 2026 πŸ“–

Each section of the CLAT examination requires a different approach. Below is a list of recommended books for each subject:

Subject

Best Books & Resources

English Language

Word Power Made Easy

The Hindu Editorials 

GK & Current Affairs

The Hindu & Indian Express newspapers 

Legal Reasoning

Universal’s Guide to CLAT

Logical Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

Maths (Quantitative Techniques)

R.S. Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude

βœ… Step 3: Set Up a Study Plan 

Now that you have the right study material, it’s time to create a solid study plan that ensures you cover all CLAT 2026 subjects effectively within six months.

Key Elements of an Effective Study Plan

Daily Study Hours πŸ“š

Dedicate at least 4-6 hours per day to your CLAT 2026 preparation. Ensure a balanced study schedule covering all subjects while maintaining consistency and focus.

Focus on Weak Areas ⚑

Identify the subjects or topics you struggle with and allocate extra time to improve them. Use concept-based learning and regular practice to strengthen these areas.

Mock Tests & Practice πŸ“

Take one full-length CLAT mock test every week to assess your progress. Analyze your mistakes, work on time management, and track your improvement.

Daily Reading πŸ“°

Make a habit of reading newspapers and editorials daily, especially The Hindu or Indian Express. This will enhance your English comprehension and General Knowledge (GK).

Legal & Logical Reasoning βš–οΈ

Solve 10-15 legal and logical reasoning questions every day to sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Practice different types of reasoning questions to improve accuracy.

Maths Practice πŸ”’

Set aside time to solve 5-10 quantitative technique questions daily. Focus on topics like percentages, ratios, and data interpretation to strengthen your maths basics.

Sunday Revision πŸ”„

Use Sundays to revise important concepts, review short notes, and analyze your mock test performance. This will help reinforce your learning and track your progress effectively.

πŸš€ Stick to this routine, and you’ll be on the right track to ace CLAT 2026! 🎯

πŸ“… Month 2-3: Concept Building & Daily Practice

After laying the foundation in the first month, it’s time to strengthen your concepts and increase daily practice. This phase is crucial for developing speed, accuracy, and confidence in tackling CLAT 2026 questions effectively.

βœ… Step 4: Strengthen Fundamentals

Read Newspapers Daily for GK & Reading Comprehension πŸ“–

  • Make it a habit to read The Hindu or Indian Express daily.

  • Focus on editorials, legal news, and major national & international events.

  • This will improve your reading speed, vocabulary, and general awareness.

Solve 10-15 Legal Reasoning Questions Every Day βš–οΈ

  • Practice principle-based legal reasoning and case law-based questions.

  • Focus on understanding legal principles rather than memorizing laws.

  • Use past CLAT papers and mock questions to familiarize yourself with patterns.

Regular Practice of Logical Reasoning & Maths 🧩

  • Dedicate time to solving logical puzzles, syllogisms, and critical reasoning questions.

  • Practice basic mathematics daily, including ratios, percentages, and data interpretation.

  • Strengthen calculation speed and accuracy with timed exercises.

βœ… Step 5: Attempt CLAT 2026 Mock Tests

Take One Full-Length Mock Test Every Week 🎯

  • Simulate the real exam environment by setting a timer and avoiding distractions.

  • Analyze your performance, identify mistakes, and note weak areas.

Improve Speed & Accuracy ⏳

  • Track time spent on each section and work on reducing it.

  • Focus on avoiding silly mistakes and managing negative marking.

  • Work on question selectionβ€”skip time-consuming questions and return later if time allows.

βœ… Step 6: Revise & Create Notes

Maintain Short Notes for Legal Reasoning & GK πŸ“œ

  • Write down important legal principles in a simple, easy-to-revise format.

  • Maintain a separate notebook for GK & current affairs summarize key events.

Revise Important Formulas for Quantitative Techniques πŸ”’

  • List out and memorize key formulas for profit & loss, averages, percentages, and time-speed-distance.

  • Regularly solve past CLAT maths questions to gain confidence.

πŸ“… Month 4-5: Intensive Practice & Mock Tests 🎯

At this stage, your focus should be on maximizing accuracy, improving time management, and strengthening weak areas. This phase is all about intensive practice to ensure you're fully prepared for CLAT 2026.

βœ… Step 7: Increase Mock Test Frequency 

Mock tests are the key to success in the CLAT examination. The more you practice under exam-like conditions, the better your time management, accuracy, and confidence will be.

Task

Action Plan

Take 2-3 Full-Length CLAT Mocks Per Week

Attempt 120 questions in 2 hours under timed conditions.

Analyze Mistakes & Weak Areas

Review incorrect answers and understand where you went wrong.

Improve Time Management

Track how much time you spend on each section and aim to reduce it.

Work on Accuracy

Minimize negative marking by avoiding guesswork in tricky questions.

βœ… Step 8: Improve Speed & Accuracy πŸš€

In the last two months, your goal should be to solve questions faster and with higher accuracy.

Solve Previous Year CLAT Papers (Last 5 Years) πŸ“œ

  • Get familiar with the exam pattern, difficulty level, and question types.

  • Understand trends in legal reasoning and GK sections.

  • Practice one previous year paper every 3-4 days.

Attempt Sectional Tests for Logical Reasoning & Legal Aptitude πŸ§ βš–οΈ

  • Take timed sectional tests for Logical Reasoning to improve critical thinking speed.

  • Practice Legal Aptitude questions to master principle-based problem-solving.

πŸ“… Month 6: Final Revision & Last-Minute Strategies 

The final month before CLAT 2026 should be focused on revision, daily mock tests, and building exam-day confidence. This is the time to consolidate what you have learned and fine-tune your performance.

βœ… Step 9: Revise Important Topics πŸ“š

Now is the time to go through your self-made notes, key formulas, and previously learned concepts.

Key Areas for Revision

Action Plan

Self-Made Notes

Revise short notes for Legal Reasoning, GK, and Quantitative Techniques.

Legal Principles & Landmark Cases

Focus on important legal principles, past judgments, and case laws.

GK & Current Affairs

Brush up on the last 6 months current affairs, international events, and legal updates.

Logical Reasoning

Practice critical reasoning & analytical puzzles to maintain speed.

Math Formulas & Shortcuts

Revise basic concepts in percentages, ratios, and data interpretation.

βœ… Step 10: Take Daily Mock Tests 🎯

Mock tests in the final month will simulate the real exam experience and boost confidence.

Task

Action Plan

Solve One Full-Length CLAT Mock Test Daily

Take a timed, 120-question mock under exam-like conditions

Analyze Performance & Improve Weak Areas

Identify time-consuming questions & improve speed accordingly.

Work on Time-Bound Solving Techniques

Practice sectional time limits and strategic question selection.

Stay Calm & Confident Before the Exam

Avoid stress, focus on strengths, and maintain a positive mindset.

Preparing for CLAT 2026 in six months might seem challenging, but with consistency, strategy, and the right mindset, you can ace the exam with confidence. By understanding the exam pattern, gathering quality study materials, practicing regularly, and analyzing mock tests, you set yourself up for success.

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