What to Study First When Starting CLAT Preparation
- Himanshi Goyal
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Starting CLAT preparation can feel confusing at first because there are multiple subjects and different types of questions involved. Many students try to study everything at once, which leads to confusion and a lack of clear progress. The best way to begin is to build a strong foundation through reading and understanding before moving to speed, practice sets, and mock tests. When you know what to study first and how to proceed, your preparation becomes easier and more organized. This blog is designed to help you start your CLAT preparation step-by-step with clarity.
1. Understand the CLAT Exam Structure First
Knowing the exam pattern before you start studying helps you focus on the right areas. CLAT 2027 is not a memory-based exam; it is an understanding and interpretation-based test. Once you know what the exam expects, your preparation becomes much clearer and more meaningful.
CLAT tests five areas: English Language, Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques.
The exam is comprehension-heavy, meaning you will need to read long passages and answer questions based on understanding.
There are 120 questions in 120 minutes, so you must balance accuracy and time efficiency.
Understanding the exam structure helps you move forward with the right mindset and clarity.
2. Start With Reading Practice Every Day
Reading is the foundation of CLAT preparation because almost all sections involve reading long passages and understanding their logic. If your reading is slow or unclear, it will affect every section. That’s why building reading habits should be your very first step.
Read editorial pages from newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express regularly.
Choose opinion articles, analysis columns, or reports where authors express perspectives and arguments.
Do not worry about remembering every detail at first-focus on fluency and understanding tone and meaning.
Daily reading trains your mind to process information faster and think critically while reading.
3. Begin Current Affairs from Recent Headlines
Current Affairs is one of the most important sections, and leaving it for later creates unnecessary pressure. Start from recent events and gradually move backward so that you stay updated without feeling overwhelmed.
Focus on national and international events, major government decisions, global developments, and landmark legal events.
Use monthly compilations from reliable educational platforms to summarize what you read.
Avoid spending too much time on entertainment news and distractions that don’t help your preparation.
Starting early in Current Affairs ensures that by the exam time, your understanding is strong and consistent.
4. Learn Basic Legal Reasoning Concepts
Legal Reasoning in CLAT is not about memorizing laws; it is about understanding principles and applying them logically. A strong basic understanding helps you read case-based passages and interpret them correctly.
Learn common legal terms like jurisdiction, breach, consent, negligence, offence, and liability.
Practice reading small case scenarios and try to identify what principle is being applied.
Focus on understanding logic rather than trying to memorize acts or sections.
A basic familiarity with legal language makes Legal Reasoning simpler and more enjoyable.
5. Start Logical Reasoning with Argument-Based Questions
The Logical Reasoning section evaluates how well you can analyze arguments, find assumptions, and draw conclusions. Many students jump straight into puzzles, but CLAT focuses mainly on long comprehension-based reasoning.
Practice identifying the central idea and author’s viewpoint in a given passage.
Learn to recognize assumptions, analogies, strengthening/weakening arguments, and inference patterns.
Use shorter reasoning passages at first before moving to longer ones.
Starting with argument-based reasoning builds a strong foundation for more advanced logical tasks.
Read more about CLAT Past Year Paper Pattern Trends
6. Brush Up Basic Grammar for the English Section
Even though the English section mainly tests comprehension, grammar plays an important role in understanding context and eliminating incorrect answer choices. A basic revision helps you avoid confusion while reading.
Revise core grammar rules like subject-verb agreement, sentence correction, and punctuation usage.
Practice understanding tone, intent, and implied meaning in passages.
Avoid spending time on very advanced grammar topics which are not needed.
A light but consistent grammar foundation makes your reading more accurate and confident.
7. Strengthen Basic Maths for Quantitative Techniques
Quantitative Techniques does not require advanced mathematics, but strong basics are essential. Many students ignore this section thinking it contributes fewer marks, but performing well here can boost your overall score.
Focus on percentages, averages, ratios, basic arithmetic, profit & loss, and simple equations.
Practice interpreting numerical data such as charts and graphs for quick understanding.
Do not memorize formulas without understanding how and when to use them.
Building comfort with numbers helps you solve questions faster during the exam.
8. Identify Your Strong and Weak Sections Early
As you begin studying, you will naturally realize which subjects you understand well and which require more effort. Recognizing this early allows you to plan in a balanced and effective way.
Take short topic-based quizzes regularly to track your performance.
Spend more focused time on weaker areas instead of only revising what you already know.
Do not compare your progress with others because every student learns at a different pace.
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you prepare realistically and consistently.
9. Strengthen Your Preparation by Joining CLAT Coaching
Many students face confusion in the beginning because they don’t know what to study, how to study, or how to maintain consistency. Joining online CLAT coaching can give clarity, step-by-step direction, and expert guidance. It helps you avoid mistakes like using too many books or studying without a plan. Online coaching also creates discipline because you follow a proper schedule.
Attend regular live classes or recorded lectures to understand concepts clearly.
Practice from curated question sets that match the CLAT exam pattern.
Clear doubts through discussion groups or faculty sessions to avoid confusion.
Get guidance from mentors who help you stay consistent and focused.
Having structured coaching support early makes your preparation stable and reduces stress or guesswork.
10. Start Giving Small Mock Tests Once a Week
Mocks are essential for CLAT, but you should start slow. At the beginning, the goal is not to score high-it is to understand how you think during the exam and how your speed and accuracy progress.
Start with sectional and topic-based tests before attempting full-length mock tests.
Analyze your mistakes thoroughly instead of getting discouraged by low marks.
Notice which questions take longer and which types you find easier or harder.
Giving mock tests consistently trains your mind to handle pressure and timing effectively.
Conclusion
The best way to start CLAT preparation is by building a strong foundation step-by-step instead of rushing into difficult questions. Begin with reading, understanding basic concepts, and staying updated with current events. Gradually build your reasoning abilities and analytical thinking while maintaining a consistent study routine. When your fundamentals are strong, scoring well in CLAT becomes much more achievable. Stay patient, stay consistent, and keep improving a little every day.
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