How to score like a topper or at least get a good rank in CLAT 2026? This article shares some tips to prepare like a top ranker for the upcoming law entrance exam.
The Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) will be conducting the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 on December 7, 2025. Now, the candidates (including the law aspirants who could not secure a seat in CLAT 2025) can apply for the upcoming CLAT exam before deadline. However, the CLAT 2026 application process is the first step towards admissions to NLUs, to be able to secure a seat in these law colleges, candidates need to qualify and secure a good rank in the CLAT exam. Moreover, a good rank in the CLAT exam ensures good scholarships from private law colleges offering admissions on the basis of CLAT scores.
Also Read: Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 With Meaning
When we discuss preparation tips with CLAT toppers, it is observed that they all follow a strategy, which is similar to the strategy followed by all other aspirants. However, below-mentioned preparation methods helped them stand out and score a top rank in CLAT exam:
- Self-study plan
- Effective methods of note making
- Performance/ Preparation Evaluation
- Mock-test practice
Self-study plan
You may be enrolled with a coaching institute for CLAT 2026 preparation, however, you will succeed with 90 per cent efforts from your end. Yes, all the candidates who secured top 10 ranks in CLAT exam in the past, shared that they put extra hours in self-studies along with coaching classes. Moreover, all the subjects of CLAT exam can only be prepared thoroughly with self-preparation. The coaching will help you in learning tricks and tips to attempt different types of questions in each section. If you decide to prepare for CLAT by yourself, then you can learn these tricks with online study material or preparation videos available on various platforms. Apart from this, you can make an effective self-study plan for CLAT 2026 as under:
- Scheduling - Subject-wise time table for conceptualisation, practice and evaluation.
- Performance and goal setting - Set monthly, weekly, as well as, daily goals for CLAT 2026 preparation with respect to time remaining till the exam day.
- Prioritization - Along with CLAT 2026, you must be planning to appear in upcoming exams like class 12 board exams, or entrance exams. Therefore, if your exclusive goal is to secure a good rank in CLAT 2026, and secure a seat in top NLUs then, you will have to prioritize your preparation goals accordingly. Many toppers applied for other entrance exams, as well as, appeared for Class 12 board examinations, but their priority was always to secure top rank in CLAT exam. They were able to achieve their goal favourably.
Commonly asked questions
Though CLAT Preparation takes months of practice, it is still not impossible. You can prepare for the CLAT Exam in one week with a correct and dedicated focus. But you should have at least some understanding of concepts to clear the exam.
Yes it is very much possible to clear the CLAT Exam in first go. You just need to be consistent and prepare well. Candidates must include attempting mock test and solving past years question paper in their study plan.
As per NIRF ranking 2025, NLSIU Bangalore is the No. 1 ranked NLU colleges in India. The table below has other NLUs in India rankwise.
Top NLUs in India | NIRF 2023 | NIRF 2024 | NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 | |
2 | 2 | 2 | |
4 | 4 | 4 | |
7 | 8 | 5 | |
18 | 21 | 27 | |
24 | 22 | 30 | |
30 | 26 | 15 | |
28 | 27 | 35 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website of the ranking body listed and may vary.
While it is bit challenging as its syllabus is not defined. Candidates can expect question on CLAT Current Affairs from anywhere. But if you do prepare well your chances to score high in this section also increases. The best way to prepare is to read the newspaper on a daily basis. Rest is to read GK books.
Effective methods of note making
Preparation for CLAT begins with planning and note making, so when a candidate starts taking classes, he/she should devise/ learn note-taking methods, which will be helpful during revision. Some of the highly effective methods for note taking that you can explore are:
- Mapping method
- Charting method
- Outlining method
- Cornell method
- Boxing method
You can either pick one method that you are most comfortable with or pick multiple to prepare different subjects for the CLAT question paper. The final goal is to score well in the CLAT exam, whichever (Fair) way. It is helpful to learn these methods even before you begin conceptualisation, as note-taking will begin thereafter.
Performance/ Preparation Evaluation
Without knowing where you stand, you cannot aim for a higher rank in CLAT 2026. It would be helpful to know the actual picture well in advance, as the exam is only a couple of months away. Many toppers shared that they did not expect a top rank in CLAT exam, rather they aimed for a certain score, which was accepted by their preferred NLU. This provided them with an additional boost and they leveled-up their preparation for the exam. Setting a high benchmark may not ensure you a good rank, rather knowing what you want and your preparation level will. Therefore, it is essential to know the CLAT cutoff for each institute, and aim for a rank accepted by your preferred NLU. Thereafter, prepare and regularly evaluate your performance as per the real-time exam.
Commonly asked questions
To prepare for this section which cover 10 percent marks of the total CLAT paper it is important to have a right approach. Candidates must note that you can score really well if you study the Class 19 level mathematics properly. Be regular and plan strategically rather than trying to learn advance maths,
The Legal Reasoning section in the CLAT exam checks your ability to apply logical legal principle to given situations. Some of the important topics are Law of Torts, Contract and Criminal Law, Legal Maxims, etc. Candidates must include practicing passage based legal cases to apply logic and memorise law related to them.
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Mock-test practice
CLAT consortium will be sharing mock-test practice papers in the next three months so that candidates can prepare for the exam day. You can include mock test practice papers as well as, analyse previous years' question papers into your self-study plan. Also, refer to the preparation books for CLAT that are exam pattern specific only.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 17 hours 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 17 hours 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 Yesterday
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 2 days 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 2 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 4 days 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
Answered a week ago
Yes, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University does accept CLAT scores for admission in BA LLB (Hons) course. However, aspirants can also get admission via CUET or CSMU-CET scores. Candidates must also complete Class 12 with at least 45% aggregate.
N
Guide-Level 15
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