Registration - 1 Aug '26 - 31 Oct '26
In this article, we have provided one one-year preparation plan for CLAT 2026. Students can follow the tips for exam preparation and secure good marks.
How to prepare for CLAT 2026 in one year?
The CLAT exam is conducted for UG and PG admission to the NLUs and other private institutes. Common Law Admission Test is a higly competitive exam and requires a well planned preparation. Students have to follow the paper pattern and syllabus for preparation. The syllabus is based on English, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques, and Logical Reasoning.
Also Read: Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 With Meaning
You can start your preparation with basic concepts. Follow the current affairs and solve the past years question to know what types of questions are asked. You must have dedication for your preparation.
- Understand the CLAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- CLAT Syllabus 2026
- Create a Study Plan for CLAT Exam
- Best Books for CLAT 2026
- Section-wise Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
- Why appearing for CLAT Mock Tests is important?
- CLAT Free Mock Test by SHIKSHA
Understand the CLAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Before you start your preparation, check the CLAT paper pattern and syllabus. We have provided the syllabus for the CLAT UG and PG exams.
CLAT Exam Pattern
The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is conducted for admissions into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programs at various National Law Universities (NLUs) in India. The exam pattern varies slightly between the UG and PG programs.
| CLAT UG Pattern | CLAT PG Pattern |
| UG 2026 Exam Pattern: Mode of Exam: Offline, pen-and-paper-based. Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes). Total Marks: 120 marks. Total Questions: 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). |
PG 2026 Exam Pattern:Mode of Exam: Offline, pen-and-paper-based. Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes). Total Marks: 120 marks. Total Questions: 120 MCQs |
| Question Sections: English Language Current Affairs & General Knowledge Legal Reasoning Logical Reasoning Quantitative Techniques |
Question Sections: Candidates can check the CLAT PG Question Paper section below: Constitutional Law: Questions related to the Indian Constitution. Other Law Subjects: Questions are based on various law subjects like Jurisprudence, Contract Law, Torts, Criminal Law, International Law, IPR, etc. |
| Marking Scheme
|
Marking Scheme
|
Also Read: Quantitative Techniques for CLAT 2026: Syllabus, Topics, Marking Scheme, Books, Important Questions
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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.
CLAT Syllabus 2026
Students preparing for the exam can check the CLAT syllabus for UG and PG programs here.
CLAT UG 2026 Syllabus:
| Subjects | Topics |
| English Language |
|
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge |
|
| Current Affairs including General Knowledge |
|
| Legal Reasoning |
|
| Logical Reasoning |
|
| Quantitative Techniques |
|
CLAT PG 2026 Syllabus
Candidates must ensure that they check the CLAT LLM Syllabus 2025 before beginning their preparation. Candidates can check the same below:
- Constitutional Law: In-depth knowledge of the Constitution of India, key amendments, and landmark judgments.
- Other Law Subjects: Jurisprudence, Criminal Law, Contract Law, International Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property Law, and other significant legal disciplines.
Also Read:
| How to Prepare for CLAT 2026 Logical Reasoning | CLAT Legal Reasoning 2026: Legal Aptitude Questions, Preparation Tips & Tricks |
Create a Study Plan for CLAT Exam
Planning your preparation is very important. Create a monthly roadmap for your preparation. This way, you can complete the syllabus of CLAT 2026 and don't forget to revise.
Monthly Study Plan
Divide the syllabus into monthly goals. Allocate time for each subject. Read the complete monthly study-plan below:
| Months | Study Plan |
| Months 1-3: Foundation Building |
|
| Months 4-6: Intensifying Preparation |
|
| Months 7-9: Practice and Application |
|
| Months 10-12: Revision and Mock Test |
|
Also Read: CLAT 2026 Important Topics: Check GK, Mathematics, English, Legal & Logical Reasoning
Daily Study Routine for CLAT Exam 2026
Create a daily study schedule, dedicating specific hours to different sections. Include time for revision and practice tests.
| Time | Topics |
| Morning (2-3 hours) | Focus on Quantitative Techniques or Legal Reasoning. |
| Afternoon (2 hours) | Study Current Affairs and General Knowledge. |
| Evening (2 hours) | Practice English Language and Logical Reasoning. |
| Night (1 hour) | Revision. |
Also Read:
| How to clear CLAT 2026 in first attempt? | How to prepare for CLAT in 6 months: Tips, Tricks & Study Plan | How to attempt Current Affairs & GK questions in CLAT 2026? |
Commonly asked questions
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.
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,
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Best Books for CLAT 2026
The list of books for CLAT 2026 is provided below.
| Subject |
CLAT 2025 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 2023, 2022, and 2021 by Arihant Publications · Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant Publications · Manorama Year Book by Manorama Publications · General Knowledge 2022-2023 by Lucent’s · General Knowledge 2021-2022 by Tarun Goyal |
| CLAT English |
· Objective General English 2023 by SP Bakshi · Objective General English 2024 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: 110+ Important Vocabulary Words for CLAT Exam 2026
Section-wise Preparation Tips for CLAT 2026
The preparation tips for every section are provided below:
| Sections | Preparation Tips |
English Language |
Reading Comprehension: Practice reading long passages quickly and efficiently. Work on your vocabulary and grammar. Regular Reading: Read newspapers, journals, and books to enhance your comprehension skills and improve your vocabulary. |
Current Affairs |
|
Legal Reasoning |
|
Logical Reasoning |
|
Quantitative Techniques |
|
Also Read: CLAT Questions for Practice with Solutions: Free PDF Download
Why appearing for CLAT Mock Tests is important?
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Take full-length mock tests to simulate the actual exam.
- Analyze Performance: After each test, analyze your performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Work on Weak Areas: Focus on improving weak areas by revising concepts and practicing more.
Also Read:
| CLAT 2026 English Language: Questions, Syllabus, Preparation Tips & Tricks | CLAT 2026 GK questions: Preparation for current affairs including gk section |
Follow the preparation plan, and you will get success. By following this comprehensive approach, you can prepare for CLAT 2026 within a year and maximise your chances of success.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 16 hours ago
Yes, you can join a few law colleges in Patna without CLAT.
- CUSB BA LLB requires CUET
- Bihar Institute of Law's BA LLB course does not require any entrance.
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 20 hours ago
Many students feel the AILET exam is a bit tougher than CLAT because it has fewer seats and high competition. The AILET syllabus focuses more on reasoning and legal aptitude. Both tests need good preparation, but AILET 2027 usually has a higher cutoff for AILET colleges under NLU Delhi.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
No, the CLAT Admit Card 2027 is not out yet. The admit card will likely be released on November 15, 2026. The official schedule has not been announced yet.
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 3 days ago
Yes you can apply for LLM at without competitive exams score as you may appear toh IILM's entrance test or interview based on competitive exam merit. The benefit of these include that you may avail to scholarships and get wavier on tuition fees according to laws of IILM's University. You can check f
R
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
No, the CLAT scores are not accepted for BA (hons) admissions at National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Candidates need to appear for the NLSAT-BA in order to qualify for National Law School of India University, Bangalore admissions.
Candidates with a CLAT score will need to apply to app
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, the CLAT is compulsory entrance exam for all candidates who wish to apply for National Law University, Bangalore BA LLB (hons) admissions. In addition to the CLAT, candidates are also required to fulfill te BA LLB (hons) eligibility criteria to secure a seat.
The admission will be based on the c
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Admission to the IIULER BA LLB (Hons.) programme is now strictly and only integrated with the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) framework. As a member of the Consortium of NLUs, IIULER no longer conducts an independent entrance test for this program. Prospective students must register for CLAT during
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
No. Since IIULER has officially joined the Consortium of NLUs, it no longer conducts a separate entrance test for admission to IIULER BA LLB (Hons.) course. Admission is strictly based on the CLAT (UG) merit list. If you miss the CLAT window, you generally cannot apply for that academic year.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
Candidates who score 60% and above in CLAT are eligible for various levels of tuition fee reduction as follows:
- AIR 1 to 5,000 in CLAT: The adjusted tuition fee is Rs. 4.2 Lacs for the first year, with a total annual fee of INR 7.2 lakh.
- AIR 5,001 to 10,000 in CLAT: The adjusted tuition fee is INR 4.5
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Your CLAT rank acts as a direct "discount key" for your entire five-year journey at IIULER. If you work hard and rank in the top 5,000, your total expenditure drops significantly to INR 29,88,610. Even if your rank is between 10,001 and 15,000, you still benefit from a reduced total cost of INR 32,3
R
Contributor-Level 9
She has over 10 years of experience in the education and publishing sectors. She specialises in exam coverage and content creation. At Shiksha, she writes, analyses, and presents information for students preparing f
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