How to Prepare for CLAT 2026 from Scratch: Best Strategy, Daily Study Plan & Top Books
Common Law Admission Test 2026 ( CLAT )
Registration - 1 Aug '25 - 31 Oct '25
How to prepare for CLAT 2026 From Scratch?
Are you wondering how to start preparing for CLAT 2026 from scratch? Whether you are in Class 12, a dropper, or just decided to pursue law CLAT Exam is a gateway to getting into the best NLUs and law colleges in the country. With a few months left for the CLAT Exam 2026, there is nothing to panic about. In this article we bring forward to you ultimate step-by-step CLAT 2026 preparation guide. CLAT 2026 Exam Date has been announced. The CLAT Exam Date is December 7, 2025
This article covers:
- How to prepare for CLAT 2026 from scratch
- Best books for CLAT 2026 preparation
- Daily study timetable for CLAT 2026 aspirants
- Section-wise strategy (Legal, GK, Logic, English, Quant)
- Mistakes to avoid and mock test tips
Read further to know more.
- What is CLAT 2026?
- How to Start CLAT 2026 Preparation from Scratch
- What are the best book for CLAT 2026 Preparation (Section-Wise)
- Also Read: CLAT 2026 Sample Papers PDF (Out) - Past Years' Free Sample Paper Download Link
- CLAT Mock Papers
- Final Tips to Crack CLAT 2026 from Scratch
What is CLAT 2026?
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT 2026) is the national-level entrance exam for UG law programs at 26 NLUs including NLSIU, NALSAR, NUJS. Except NLU Delhi, admissions to all other NLUs are done through CLAT Exam.
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CLAT 2026 Question Paper will have five sections, i.e. English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. The CLAT PG exam covers Constitutional Law and other legal subjects such as Jurisprudence, Torts, IPC, CrPC, CPC, Family Law, and IPR.
| Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Date |
07-Dec-2025
|
| Exam Mode |
Offline (Pen-Paper) |
| Duration |
2 Hours
|
| Total Questions |
120 |
| Subjects |
English, Legal Reasoning, GK, Logic, Quant
|
Also Read: CLAT 2026 Official website: Important Information, Check CLAT Consortium Official Site
How to Start CLAT 2026 Preparation from Scratch
It is never too late to start preparing for CLAT Exam if you are determined to work hard and give your best. It is important to thoroughly understand the CLAT Syllabus 2026 first. Read further to know step-by-step guide to start CLAT preparation from the beginning.
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Step 1: Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Before you begin, know what to expect:
CLAT 2026 Subjects and Weightage
| Section Approx. |
Questions |
Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 28–32 |
25% |
|
| 28–32 |
25% |
|
| 22–26 |
20% |
|
| 22–26 |
20% |
|
| 10–12 |
10% |
Focus more on comprehension-based practice. All sections are passage-based.
Step 2: Follow a 5-Month Study Plan
With only five months left for CLAT Exam. Candidates who are starting CLAT preparation in July can utilise the following study-plan to crack CLAT 2026 in first attempt.
Month-Wise Study Plan:
| Month |
Focus Area |
What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| July |
Build Basics |
Vocabulary, Legal Terms, GK habits |
| August |
Start doing sectional practice |
Practice Logic, Legal and Reading Daily |
| September |
Start practicing mock tests |
Make you practice mock tests daily keeping the duration in mind |
| October |
Start revising and practicing full length mock tests |
Note down your weak areas while attempting mock tests. Work on topics in which you are scoring low |
| Nov-Dec |
Final Revision |
Work on your speed, analyse which section you are putting more time, boost your GK section |
Also Read: How to clear CLAT 2026 in first attempt?
Step 3: Follow a Daily Study Timetable
To prepare for any exam it is very important to have a time table in mind. To help you as a beginner we have framed a daily CLAT 2026 study schedule below:
| Time |
Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 hour |
Legal Reasoning Section (2 passages/ day) |
| 45 minutes |
Current Affairs + GK revision |
| 30 minutes |
Vocabulary + English comprehension |
| 30 minutes |
Logical Reasoning practice |
| 30 minutes |
Quant (basic math + graph-based Qs)
|
| Practice full-length mock test |
Every Weekend |
Also Read:
- Synonyms & Antonyms for Law Entrance 2026: List of Most Commonly Asked Words
- Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 With Meaning
What are the best book for CLAT 2026 Preparation (Section-Wise)
Candidates always get confused while choosing books to prepare for CLAT 2026. While there is no scarcity of books to study for CLAT Exam, here we have listed the top books for CLAT 2026:
| Subject |
CLAT 2026 Book Recommendation |
|---|---|
| CLAT Logical Reasoning |
· A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal · Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal · Analytical Reasoning (English) by MK Pandey · A New Approach to Verbal and Analytical Reasoning by Arihant |
| CLAT Legal Reasoning |
· Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by Pearson · Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning by AP Bhardwaj · Objective Legal Aptitude by RS Aggarwal |
| · Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Arihant Publications · 30 days wonder for Maths by S Chand · Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Pearson's · Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal |
|
| CLAT GK & Current Affairs |
· General Knowledge 2025, 2024, and 2023 by Arihant Publications · Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant Publications · Manorama Year Book by Manorama Publications · General Knowledge 2025-2026 by Lucent’s · General Knowledge 2025-2026 by Tarun Goyal |
| CLAT English |
· Objective General English 2025 by SP Bakshi · Objective General English 2025 by RS Aggarwal · The Pearson Guide to the CLAT by Pearson's · Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis · CLAT Guide by Tata McGraw-Hill |
Also Read: CLAT 2026 Sample Papers PDF (Out) - Past Years' Free Sample Paper Download Link
CLAT Mock Papers
The Consortium shares the online mock tests for CLAT 2026 UG and PG exams. However, it starts mock test by September onwards. But, to help you prepare well Shiksha has created CLAT Free Mock Tests. Candidates can practice and get ready for the upcoming CLAT Exam 2026. Check the table below to access Shiksha’s free CLAT Mocks for practice:
| Clat Mock Test 1 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 2 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 3 |
CLAT Mock Test Set 3 Solutions |
| CLAT Mock Test Set 4 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 5 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 6 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 7 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 8 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 9 Solutions |
|
| CLAT Mock Test Set 10 Solutions |
Final Tips to Crack CLAT 2026 from Scratch
- Practice 100+ legal reasoning passages before the exam
- Read news daily and revise monthly current affairs
- Attempt at least 30–40 full-length mocks
- Keep a notebook for mistakes, revise every week
- Stay confident. CLAT rewards smart strategy, not rote learning
Q1. Can I prepare for CLAT 2026 without coaching?
As per the experience shared by toppers, it is very much possible to clear CLAT without Coaching and just by self-study. Consistency matters more than classes.
Q2. Is 6 months enough to crack CLAT 2026?
Yes, 6 months are enough to prepare for CLAT 2026. If you ensure that you study 4–5 hours daily with focused mock test practice and revision.
Q3. How many hours should I study daily?
Candidates who are in Class 12th must ensure that they study minimum 3-4 hours a day. However, aspirants who have dropped an year for the preparation are advised to spend 5-6 hours since they don’t have to worry for board exam.
Q4. When should I start mock tests?
Aspirants must ensure that they start with section-wise, then full-length at least two months before the exam.
Read More:
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
No you can't. To get admission in ipu in BBA LLB course you have to give CLAT Exam
H
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 4 days ago
While it is not impossible, it is a really challenging task. To score well, you must start preparing for CLAT at least six months before. It is very important to score well if you are looking forward to getting into good NLU. For top 10 NLU, you at least need to score between 100 to 105 as per past
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
The CLAT Syllabus is published by the Consortium. The syllabus has been announced. Candidates who are preparing for the exam must note that there are no changes made in the syllabus so far. Candidates can check the syllabus by visiting the official website. You can only download the PDF from websit
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
To know if you are eligible for CLAT Exam or not you can visit the official website and check the notification. The notification which was earlier released by the consortium carries all important details like elgibility criteria, fees, exam dates etc. Once you have checked if you are eligible to app
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
You don't have to worry. In case you have forgotten your ID and password, which is pretty much normal. You can go and click on the forgot password tab in the registration window. You will receive the mail and then you have to reset your password. Once day you will be able to login.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
See, it doesn't matter that you fill the form through laptop or phone. What matters is you fill the form. Yes, you should have good network connection and internet speed. It should not happen that you have filled the form and when you reach the last step you loose the connection. So what is importan
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, the application form for CLAT was released long back in August. Those who have not filled the form yet must understand that there is no right day to fill the form. You should fill is as soon as possible. Because if you miss it you have to wait one more year unnecessarily to appear in the exam.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
This is so sad. But unfortunately, even with all the right documents, if you have not paid the application fee, your application form will be rejected. Since the application process is currently underwa, y you can still go and submit the fees. Once the window will close you won't be able to pay the
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The last date to submit the application form is October 31, 2025. It must be noted that the consortium will open the application correction window after that. Sometimes the consortium do extend the last date for registration but it is better to fill the form way before and why to wait.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Students can fill the application form by visiting the official website. You should know that there is no other way to fill the registration form. The application form is not released offline neither you can download the form and send it to the consortium. You should fill the form by October 31, 20
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Contributor-Level 7
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