CLAT 2025 Topper AIR 1 Saksham Gautam says 'biggest challenge was staying away from social media'

CLAT 2025 Topper Saksham Gautam shares his journey, his preparation tips, and many other suggestions to crack one of the toughest law exams; Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) with shiksha.com. Read further to know more.

CLAT 2025 Topper Saksham Gautam says 'biggest challenge during preparation was staying away from social media'

CLAT 2025 Topper Saksham Gautam opens up about his journey and the strategies that helped him ace one of the most challenging law entrance exams in the country. In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, Saksham shares invaluable preparation tips, insights into his study routine, and advice for future CLAT aspirants. Read on to discover his approach to cracking the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).

What was your preparation strategy for CLAT, and how did you balance school studies with your law entrance exam preparation?

I started preparing for CLAT in class 11th alongside regular schoolwork. Balancing between the two was a challenge I had to overcome. After a few months of struggling to switch between them, I developed a strategy. Instead of a rigid schedule, I used a dynamic study structure, often fluctuating the hours devoted to school and CLAT depending on the task at hand.

My main focus was always on CLAT, and consequently, it took up most of my time. However, I also prepared for my class 11th final exams seriously, catching up on CLAT material in the subsequent weeks. Class 12th was mostly CLAT-heavy given that less than a year was left for the exam, but I still kept in touch with schoolwork, thus effectively balancing the two.

Also Read:  How to Prepare for CLAT along with Class 12 Board?

⁠Which books, online platforms, or coaching institutes did you rely on, and what role did they play in your success?

To boost my CLAT preparation, I joined coaching in class 11th. To be honest, I owe a huge part of my success to my coaching. Their material was exceptional, more detailed and intensively researched than anything else I had seen.  Their reputation for having CLAT mock tests that are the standard level is well-known.  These mock tests familiarised me with all kinds of situations that could be on the exam day.  The most significant contribution came from the faculty, who connected with me on a personal level. They were not only my teachers but also my mentors, guiding me in both the academic and non-academic aspects of preparation.

Also Read:  How to prepare for CLAT in one year?

⁠Can you share your daily schedule during the final months of preparation, and how did you maintain consistency?

During the final 3-4 months of my CLAT preparation, my average day was packed with CLAT-focused practice and revision. The major tasks I undertook included newspaper reading, CLAT GK revision, theory revision of the other three sections (Legal Reasoning, English, Logical Reasoning), quantitative techniques practice sheets, sectional tests, mock tests with analysis.  Newspaper reading, GK revision, and QT practice were daily activities. As for the other three sections, I focused on one each day, rotating them twice a week.

I took two mocks weekly, and this number increased to three or four in the last two months. However, the only condition for adding a mock test to my schedule was that it had to be accompanied by a detailed post-mock analysis.  Rather than setting fixed study hours each day, I prepared a task-based schedule for each day of the week and a broader one for each week leading up to the exam day. Planning helped me avoid uncertainty and anxiety.  Planning also helped me maintain consistency during this period because when we have tasks planned out ahead of us, it's easier to actually accomplish them. There were days when I wasn't able to complete my to-do list, and consistency took a hit, but I consulted with my teachers and mentors who helped me get back on track.

Also Read: How to prepare for CLAT in 6 months: Tips, Tricks & Study Plan

⁠What challenges did you face during your CLAT preparation journey, and how did you overcome them?

The major challenge in my journey was distractions, primarily from social media. During the initial months of my preparation, it was an intense struggle to battle the web of notifications and entertainment.  During the first year and a half of my preparation, I gradually and effectively phased out unnecessary technology use.  I wasted less time on these platforms and was better able to focus on my preparation.  However, earlier this year, with less than a year to go, a kind of complacency set in, and I fell back into the cycle of excessive smartphone use. 

Keeping in mind the seriousness of the issue, I reached out to my parents and teachers and openly explained my problem.  They understood the issue and helped me out.  With their external support, I was able to completely cut off these distractions for the first few weeks, although urges were common.  However, as a month passed by, I developed self-discipline and no longer needed external support. Talking with others helped me tackle this problem effectively.

Also Read: How to Prepare for CLAT without Coaching - Important Books, Strategy & Tips

⁠What tips or advice would you give to future CLAT aspirants to help them achieve their goals?

To all future CLAT aspirants, your journey to the top law schools begins with believing that you can do it. Seek appropriate guidance and mentorship to help you gauge the right direction of your preparation and then stick to it.  There will be periods of self-doubt and distractions, but have your goal firmly established in your mind. Have faith in yourself and your preparation, and stick to it consistently. Never hesitate to seek help when you are struggling. This is your preparation, make it your own, give it your best and you shall emerge victorious at the other end of the tunnel.

Also Read: CLAT Past Year Question Paper with Answers: Download 17 Years CLAT PYQ PDFs

Why were you interested in studying law and how do you want to take your career ahead in future?

Social Sciences caught my attention in classes VI and VII, especially political science and have since remained my favourite subjects. While  considering various career options in humanities discipline, I zeroed in on law with the guidance of my parents and elder brother. Public space and legal discourse have always intrigued me. As a result I took up Humanities in class 11th and 12th and started preparing for CLAT.

As for future plans, I have not yet restricted any options, for I feel like I have a lot to learn about this field yet. All alleys are equally open for me but to be specific, I wish to serve in the public space, be it bureaucracy, policy making, judiciary, politics or any such avenues.

 Also Read: Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT With Meaning

Please tell us in brief about your family and educational background.

I live in a joint family with my parents, elder brother and grandparents. My father works as a director in an MNC while my mother is a homemaker. My family background has largely heen dominated by science and engineering. Both my father and my elder brother are engineers by profession. However, I have a cousin sister pursuing law from an NLU too. She was a source of guidance early on in my preparation.

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