CLAT 2022 Topper Interview: Harshit Gupta, secured AIR 4 with a consistent prep strategy, Read here full story

Know here how CLAT 2022 AIR 4 rank holder, Harshit Gupta prepared for this achievement. Read the article for more details on CLAT 2022 topper tips. 

Harshit Gupta, a Class 12th student, secured AIR 4 in his second attempt for CLAT. He also attempted CLAT exam, while he was in Class 11. He has been preparing for his feat for the past two years, and finally the hard work paid off. He secured 117.75 marks out of 150 marks for CLAT 2022.  

Shiksha got in touch with Harshit Gupta to learn more about his CLAT preparation strategy. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Q. Congratulations! Were you expecting AIR 4 in CLAT UG 2022?

A. Thank you! Basically, I did not expect AIR 4, but yes I was expecting to be among top 10 CLAT 2022 candidates. I prepared for CLAT 2022 for two years consistently, and my target score was 135, but I couldn’t secure the marks because of the General Knowledge section. When I exited the CLAT 2022 exam centre, I was still hoping to secure a good rank. This was because I did well in all other sections of the CLAT 2022 question paper. 

Q. What was your paper analysis for CLAT 2022?

A. The question paper for CLAT 2022 was mostly easy, except for the General Knowledge section. The GK section was difficult to score, as compared to last year. This is why students could secure 30+ marks in GK last year, but for CLAT 2022, the score range was 20-25 only. The remaining sections were on the line of previous years, which made them easy to attempt. The GK section, ultimately, reduced the cutoff marks/ toppers marks for CLAT 2022. 

Also read: CLAT 2022 Student Reaction and Preparation Analysis

Q. What is your section-wise score for CLAT 2022?

A. The exam authority has not shared break-up of CLAT 2022 scores in the results, however, after analysing my responses with the answer key, I can say my section-wise marks are as under: 

Q. What preparation strategy did you follow to achieve AIR 4 in CLAT 2022? How helpful CLAT Coaching proved to be for this achievement? 

A. I prepared for two years consistently, and my strategy was to do and learn, to prepare for CLAT 2022. My strategy included, getting the basics right, prepping vocabulary, and reading the newspaper for daily GK and Current Affairs. Thereafter, I would analyse my preparation for the gap areas, which have scope for improvement. This was my 2 years preparation strategy for CLAT 2022. During this time, I faced a low performance phase, where I could secure only 80-90 scores, as well as a good performance phase wherein I secured perfect marks in mock-tests consistently. 

Q. What was your daily plan for CLAT 2022 preparation?

A. I mostly followed a consistent preparation plan i.e. a daily routine of reading newspapers and attending a class. Besides, I would plan my mocks, grammar prep, and mathematics practice spontaneously depending on my area of improvement. I, however, devoted 6-8 hours on each day for the past two years for CLAT 2022 preparation. 

Q. Which books did you refer to prepare for CLAT 2022?

A. I took the opportunity of the last two years for CLAT 2022 preparation, and hence covered a lot of books for the preparation. Some of the books, I have referred for CLAT 2022 preparation are:

• LegalEdge Study Material 
• Crack CLAT Coaching Material 
• Wren n Martin and R S Aggarwal 
• Word power made easy

Because the CLAT topics are unpredictable, my main concern was to get the basic concepts right with help of these books. One should know how to approach the questions in each section of the CLAT question paper, even if they are not practising sufficiently. 

Q. How did you deal with your strengths and weaknesses while preparing for CLAT?

A. My strengths are English and Mathematics, and I have great accuracy for these two sections. I hardly get any question wrong in the sections. Although, I couldn't secure perfect scores in the sections for CLAT 2022. Moreover, my weak section was GK as it was unpredictable, the syllabus was vast and I was not sure about the topics that will be covered in the CLAT 2022 question paper. I was tensed for these sections, and gave my preference to them while preparing for the exam, with over 4 hours in the last few months. Other than these sections, Legal Reasoning is my area of worry. 

Q. What other law entrance exams did you take or are planning to take?

A.I’ll be appearing for AILET 2022 on June 26, and my test centre is Doon University, Dehradun.

Q. How well are you prepared for AILET 2022?

A. I'm not really well prepared for AILET 2022, as my primary focus was only CLAT 2022. I am not hoping top ranks in AILET 2022, however, with CLAT preparation, I believe I'll score good marks.

Q. Was law always your first preference? 

A. I’m yet to get my results for Class 12, but I was always focused on CLAT because I decided to pursue law as early as when I was in Class 9th. So, I appeared for CLAT when I was in Class 11. I am expecting 95% scores in Class 12. My priority was always CLAT before Board exams, as it was the main exam to secure a top NLU. 

Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take CLAT in future?

A. I would suggest that they focus on the basics, conceptual clarity, and consistent practice for securing good marks in CLAT 2023 or future exams. They must read newspapers to grasp all the general awareness and current affairs, because it is one of the most unpredictable sections in the CLAT exam. 

Q. What are your future plans after your CLAT 2022 results?

A. I’m hoping to secure a seat in NLSIU Bangalore, and I’ll take the next five years to explore the law domain. I am open to all fields like Litigation, Corporate law, Civil Services, but I will decide the area of interest when I learn about the subjects well during my graduation, which is the reality-check phase. 

Also read: CLAT 2022 College Predictor on the basis of your scores

Q. What are the key areas of concern/ interest at a national level that you would like to work on in future as a law practitioner? 

A. My primary interests/ focus areas are Constitutional Law and Torts Law, as they serve national justice. 

Harshit, will be participating in CLAT 2022 counselling, and is hoping to secure a seat among top NLUs.

Read More:

• CLAT 2022 Counselling 
• CLAT 2022 Cut off Marks 
• CLAT 2022 Colleges List