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How to Answer CLAT Questions Faster and More Accurately

  • Writer: Himanshi Goyal
    Himanshi Goyal
  • Nov 28, 2024
  • 6 min read

If you’re an aspiring law student preparing for CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), you’re probably feeling the pressure. The path to a career in law is exciting, but CLAT is no easy feat. The exam covers a wide range of topics and is known for its challenging questions. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ve got to answer 120 questions in just 2 hours. No wonder many students feel the weight of the clock ticking.


But here's the good news-getting faster and more accurate in CLAT is totally possible, and it’s not about rushing through the questions blindly. It’s about being smart with your preparation, managing your time well, and sharpening your accuracy. In this blog, I’ll take you through some simple yet effective strategies to help you answer CLAT questions both quickly and correctly-without stressing out. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!


 

1. Effective Time Management: The Key to Success


Let’s start with the most important thing in any exam-time management. CLAT has 120 questions, and you only have 2 hours to answer them. That’s a little more than 45 seconds per question. Sounds like a lot, right? But when you're faced with tricky questions, the clock can feel like it’s ticking faster than you expect. So, managing your time wisely is crucial. By mastering time management, you can increase your chances of joining the CLAT 2025 toppers list and make the most of each second.


Plan Your Time Before the Exam

First things first-have a clear plan for how much time you’ll spend on each section. CLAT is divided into 5 sections: English, General Knowledge, Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Mathematics. These sections vary in difficulty and the time you’ll need to tackle them. Here’s an example of how you can allocate time based on the exam format:

  • English: 30 minutes

  • General Knowledge: 20 minutes

  • Legal Aptitude: 35 minutes

  • Logical Reasoning: 30 minutes

  • Mathematics: 15 minutes

You might feel tempted to spend more time on your stronger sections, but remember that you can’t afford to spend too long on any one section. If you finish early in one area, you can always use the extra time in a different section. Time management is about balance.


The 5-Second Rule: Skip When Stuck

One simple strategy for time management is the “5-second rule.” This means that if a question is taking more than 5 seconds to think about, just skip it. Don’t waste time trying to crack a tough question. Mark it, move on, and come back to it later if there’s time. This way, you’ll avoid getting stuck on one question and end up wasting time.


 

2. Improve Accuracy: Practice, Eliminate Guesswork, and Focus on Concepts


Now that you have a strategy to manage your time, let's focus on accuracy. After all, speed is useless if your answers are wrong. In CLAT, accuracy is just as important as timing. So, how can you make sure you're answering the questions correctly? Let's dive into some practical tips.


Eliminate Guesswork

  • Many students tend to guess answers when they’re unsure, especially in a time crunch. But guessing isn’t a great strategy in CLAT. The exam has negative marking-f you answer incorrectly, you lose marks. So, before guessing, it’s best to eliminate options you know are wrong.

  • For example, if a question asks about a legal principle, try to rule out options that don’t make sense based on what you know. Even if you’re not entirely sure, narrowing down the choices improves your chances of selecting the correct answer. Process of elimination is your friend.


Understand the Concepts, Don’t Just Memorize

  • In subjects like Legal Aptitude or Logical Reasoning, understanding concepts is key to answering questions correctly. You might be tempted to memorize a bunch of legal facts or reasoning formulas, but understanding the logic behind these concepts is far more important. This approach will help you tackle questions from the CLAT 2025 Question Paper with greater ease, as it’s the application of these concepts that often determines your success.

  • For instance, in Legal Aptitude, rather than memorizing random legal facts, try to understand how laws work and what principles they’re based on. This will help you better analyze questions and select the most accurate answer.

  • In Logical Reasoning, practice is crucial. You need to recognize patterns and sequences quickly. By doing enough practice questions, you’ll get better at identifying these patterns without overthinking them.


 

3. Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Don’t Let These Mistakes Ruin Your Exam


Even with good preparation, some common mistakes can slow you down or hurt your accuracy. Let’s go over some of these mistakes and how you can avoid them.


The Overthinking Trap

  • It’s easy to get caught up in overthinking. You might look at a question, get stuck on the details, and waste precious time. The truth is, CLAT questions are designed to be tricky. But the goal isn’t to make you second-guess yourself-it's to test your reasoning skills.

  • If you feel yourself overthinking, take a deep breath and move on. Trust your gut, and if you're unsure, use the process of elimination to find the best answer. The more you second-guess, the more time you waste.


The “I’ll Do It Later” Syndrome

  • This is the classic trap of thinking, “I’ll come back to that later.” It's tempting to skip questions that seem too hard, but if you leave too many questions unanswered at the end, you’ll have no time to return to them. Stay disciplined.

  • Even if you’re not sure about a question, try to eliminate options and make an educated guess. This way, you’re not leaving too many unanswered questions.


Don’t Let Stress Get the Better of You

  • It’s easy to get anxious in an exam as big as CLAT, especially with the clock ticking down. But stress can cloud your thinking and slow you down. Instead of focusing on how many questions are left, try to focus on one question at a time.

  • If you feel stressed during the exam, try taking a deep breath and pausing for a moment. It’s okay to slow down for a second to regain focus. You'll be surprised at how much it can help you think more clearly.


Download the CLAT Answer Key 2025 after the exam to instantly calculate your expected score while you await the results.

 

4. Practice Makes Perfect: Why Mock Tests Are Essential


You’ve heard it a thousand times: practice is key to mastering anything. This is especially true for CLAT. Mock tests are your best friend when it comes to improving both speed and accuracy.


Simulate the Real Exam Environment

  • The best way to prepare for the actual exam is to take full-length mock tests under timed conditions. No cheating! Sit down in a quiet space, set a timer for 2 hours, and treat the mock test like the real exam. This will help you get used to the exam environment and build your stamina for the actual test.

  • Taking mock tests also allows you to identify your weak areas. Maybe you’re taking too long on math problems or having trouble with the General Knowledge section. By practicing with mock tests, you’ll become aware of your weaknesses and can focus on improving them before the exam.


Review Your Mistakes

  • It’s not enough to just take mock tests-you need to review your answers afterward. Especially focus on the ones you got wrong.

  • Try to understand why you made the mistake and how you can avoid it next time. This is how you improve, and it’s what separates average students from top scorers.


 

5. Maintaining Composure: How to Stay Calm During the Exam


Finally, let’s talk about staying cool during the exam. It’s easy to get nervous when the clock is ticking, but staying calm is just as important as being fast or accurate. Here’s how you can keep your composure:


Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

  • If you feel anxiety creeping in, try some deep breathing exercises. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and relax your shoulders.

  • This helps clear your mind and keeps you focused. You don’t need to be in a rush-take a moment to reset when you feel stressed.


Positive Thinking

  • A positive mindset can make a huge difference. Keep telling yourself, “I can do this!” Even if you get a few questions wrong, don’t let it bring you down.

  • Remember, one question doesn’t define your entire performance. Keep moving forward, and don’t dwell on mistakes.


Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others

  • During the exam, it’s natural to wonder how other students are doing, but comparing yourself to others will only distract you.

  • Focus on your own progress and stick to your plan. You’ve prepared, and now it’s time to trust your preparation and give your best effort.


Check the CLAT 2025 Cut Off after the exam to know your eligibility for admission to your dream NLU.

 

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!


Preparing for CLAT can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can answer questions faster and more accurately. The key is to manage your time, avoid mistakes, stay focused, and practice regularly. CLAT is a test of both knowledge and strategy, and with the right approach, you’ll be able to handle both.

So, take a deep breath, trust your preparation, and remember that you can do this! Keep calm, stay focused, and give it your best shot. And hey, after the exam, you can reward yourself with a Netflix binge (just not before the exam).

Good luck, and remember: success is just a few smart moves away! You’ve got this! 💪

 
 
 

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