With a score of 147.5 in CLAT 2017, Sumit Kumar Gupta secured Rank 4 in the law entrance exam. A Science stream student of Sainik School Goalpara, Assam, Sumit secured 87.2% in his Class 12 Board exams.
Apart from being passionate about making a career in Law, Sumit loves to read books and play volleyball. NLSIU Bangalore is mostly the national law university (NLU) of choice for most CLAT toppers. But that is not the case with Sumit who wants to secure admission at The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS).
In a candid interview with Shiksha, Sumit shared his CLAT prep strategy and future goals. Read the complete interview below for more details.
Q. Congratulations on your success! Did you expect to be the topper of CLAT?
Thank you, after the AILET results I was confident that I would be in top 10 of CLAT but Rank 4 came as a pleasant surprise. After I saw my result, I thanked almighty and informed my parents about the CLAT result.
Q. Whom do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents, teachers and my friends.
Q. Could you tell us your preparation strategy that helped you crack CLAT exam?
I gave many mock tests. After giving the test I used to jot down my weaknesses and strengths and started working on them accordingly. I stretched myself covering a variety of study material. Later on, I solved around 60 mock tests.
Q. Could you talk a little about how you prepared for the different sections of CLAT exam?
For vocabulary I referred to books by Norman Lewis. I read The Hindu on a daily basis. Also, I tried analysing grammar upto Class 10 and worked on it. I also read Qualitative English by S Chand publication.
For Maths, I read Quantitative Mathematics by RS Aggarwal and for Logical Reasoning I used a book by Arihant publication.
For Legal Aptitude, I had a simple formula i.e. sticking to the principle even if it is wrong.
For GK, I used various magazines like TIT-BITS and Pratiyogita Darpan.
Apart from this, I read study material that I received from my coaching centre.
Q. Did you take any coaching for this exam?
Yes, I enrolled for a correspondence course of CLAT Path, Patna which helped me immensely.
Q. What study plan did you follow for this exam?
I had a simple approach that is to work on my weaknesses and also keep my strengths in view. I devoted quality time to my studies (around 6-8 hours) and used to solve a mock test daily in the later stage of my preparation.
I worked on my weaknesses on a daily basis and devoted around 4-5 hours to that. In addition, I also kept in touch with my strengths.
Q. What other law entrance exams did you take?
I took AILET and secured 10th rank in it. View AILET 2017 Topper Profiles.
Q. Was law always your first preference?
No, since I studied in Sainik School, joining the Defence Forces was always my first preference but due to some medical issues I couldn't join the same. Later on, I analysed my strengths and chose Law as a career as this course also fascinated me very much.
Q. How was the CLAT exam this year?
CLAT exam was great this year. The pattern was a little different to that of the last year. Read CLAT 2017 Exam Analysis.
Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take the exam next year?
Tips for students appearing next year is that CLAT is a dynamic exam. You need proper planning along with a time table. Stick to your time table and stretch yourself to cover wide range of topics. Solve mock tests and work on your weaknesses and strengths. Don't panic and start working hard. All will be good at the end if you have prepared diligently.
Q. What are your future plans?
It is not decided yet but I will be considering two options i.e. either I will go for Corporate Sector or I will prepare for Civil Services.
Other related articles:
CLAT 2017 Topper Interview: AIR 1 Rajat Maloo shares his Success Mantra
Meet CLAT 2017 Girl Topper Radhika Sharda
CLAT 2017 Topper Interview: AIR 5, Himanshu Ashwani advises aspirants to take mock tests regularly
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Aug '26 | AILET 2027 Registration |
Nov '26 | AILET 2027 Admit Card |
8 Jun '25 | LSAT India 2025 May Session Re... |
May '25 | LSAT India 2025 May Exam |
15 Dec '25 - 15 Jul '26 | ULSAT 2026 Applications (5-yea... |
Aug '26 | SLAT Application Form 2027 |
Nov '26 | SLAT 2027 Mock Test |
26 Jul '26 | RULET 2026 First Merit List |
9 Jul '26 | RULET 2026 Third Merit List |
Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
Chanakya University considers the score of CLAT for admission into BA LLB programme. However, admission is offered by considering the valid score of other entrance exams such as: CLAT/LSAT or CUPP (Chanakya University Pravesh Pariksha).
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, candidates can get admission in BA LLB (Hons) at VIT-AP University without CLAT. Aspirants can appear for VSLAT instead or submit scores in LSAT to be considered for admission.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, CLAT is compoulsory for admission in BA LLB at Oriental University. The college accepts CLAT as one of the accepted entrance exams for BA LLB admission at Oriental University. It also considers merit in Class 12 for admission in BA LLB.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
CLAT is one of the accepting exams for admission in BA LLB (Hons) course at VIT-AP University. Aspirants can also get admission based on their VSLAT or LSAT scores. Selected aspirants are called for an interview round.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
No, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune does not accept CLAT-UG scores for BBA LLB admissions. This institute conducts its own entrance exam called BVP CET for law whose scores determine admission for all applying candidates.
Thus, if a candidate has appeared in CLAT-UG, they still need to appear in
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, CLAT is NIT required to get admission in BA LLB at GITAM Visakhapatnam. To get admission into the BA LLB programme at GITAM School of Law, Visakhapatnam, candidates can also qualify through the GITAM Admission Test (GAT) or the LSAT exam.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
CLAT is one of the option to get admission in BA LLB (Hons) programme of Amity Ranchi. Aspirants can also get admission based on their CUET or Class 12 scores. However, students 70 and above score in CLAT do get direct admission in the course. They do not have to participate in the selection process
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
No, CLAT-UG is not an accepted entrance exam for New Law College of Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune. Candidates are only admitted based on BVP CET scores only if they fulfill BA LLB eligibility criteria. Thus, candidates who have a valid CLAT-UG will still be required to appear in BVP CET during BA LLB adm
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Aspirants with CLAT scores can get admission in BA LLB (Hons) course at Invertis University. However, it is not mandatory. Candidates can also get admission based on their scores in AILET, CUET-UG or IUCET.
N
Guide-Level 15

