Meet CLAT 2023 Topper Priyam Mitra (AIR 13) who cracked the exam with two weeks of preparation

CLAT Topper 2023 Priyam Mitra shares his journey, tips and strategy to crack the law entrance exam with just two weeks of preparation. Read further to know more.

Meet CLAT 2023 Topper Priyam Mitra (AIR 13) who cracked the exam with two weeks of preparation

CLAT 2023 Topper Priyam Mitra in an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com spoke about his journey and tips to crack the exam with just two weeks of preparation. "I relied completely on self-study, hence, did not take any coaching for CLAT," he says. My strategy for the exam not only helped me to get AIR 13 in CLAT 2023 but also Rank 1 in MP state. Read further to know more about the books he referred to, the study pattern he followed to excel in the CLAT 2023 exam.

Q. Congratulations! Did you expect to be the topper of CLAT 2023?

A. Thank you. No, I did not expect to be AIR 13 as well as MP state rank 1, although after appearing for the exam I was happy and thought that I might get a rank in the top 100. And after I calculated my marks from the answer key, I was hoping to be in the top 50.

Q. What was the preparation strategy that helped you crack CLAT 2023?

A. As I was enrolled in coaching for JEE prep, therefore I had strategized to devote a month of dedicated preparation for CLAT. However, I fell terribly ill a month before the exam and could only give 2 weeks to the preparation. I first tried to understand the CLAT exam pattern well, and then I practiced some past year papers, the 2 sample papers released by the CLAT Consortium, and gave some mocks.

Also Read: CLAT 2023 Topper, AILET 2023 Topper (AIR 1) Abhinav Somani read newspapers religiously, made notes from them

Q. What study plan did you follow for this exam?

A. For the sections of English, logical reasoning, and legal reasoning, my study plan was to practice as many questions as I could in a timed fashion to enhance my speed, accuracy, and comprehension. As for the maths section, my focus was especially on practicing questions on DI. For GK section, my plan was to go through any year end compilation available in the market, although I was keeping myself abreast of the daily current affairs too.

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

A. My reading speed and the sections of maths, legal, English, and logical reasoning were my strengths while GK section was my weakness. To build further upon my strengths, I focussed on practicing questions on the respective sections. To tackle my weakness, I tried to go through an year-end compilation. I think its imperative to devote sufficient time towards tackling our weaknesses.

Q. Was law always your first preference?

A. It wasn’t so initially although I always maintained a keen interest in the current legal affairs of the nation and the world. I really admire the power of knowledge that one acquires after knowing the law of the land. I believe everyone should know the law since ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take the exam next year?

A. Make sure to solve previous year's papers and sample papers released by the Consortium plus give mocks in a timed manner. Reading speed is important to complete the paper on time. This can be enhanced by reading novels, and also by reading newspapers. Do work on comprehension skills to perform well in passage-type questions. Practicing previous year's questions will help one in this area. Keep yourselves abreast with current affairs by regularly following the news on TV, YouTube, newspapers, or the compilations available in the market. Make sure to work on your weak areas to strengthen them. Practice is the key to converting your weaknesses into strengths. Don’t forget to be confident in your abilities & preparation, and don’t panic in the examination hall. Lastly, this quote inspired me a lot, “it always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Q. What are your future plans?

A. Well, am excited to join NLSIU, Bangalore in July. And I look forward to having a great holistic learning experience there.