Tricks to Solve Time Based Questions in CLAT

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the most important exams for students who want to study law in India. It is a highly competitive exam, and apart from testing your knowledge, it also challenges your ability to manage time effectively. One of the most challenging parts of the CLAT is solving time-based questions. These questions test your ability to think quickly and solve problems under time pressure.

However, with the right strategies, you can solve time-based questions faster and more accurately. This guide will give you practical tips that will help you improve your speed and accuracy when solving time-based questions in CLAT.

1. Know the Exam Structure & Organize Your Time

The first step to solving time-based questions is understanding the exam structure. Knowing how to prepare for CLAT involves familiarizing yourself with its five sections: English Language, General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. The sections that generally have more time-based questions are Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques.
Once you know the structure, you can organize your time better. Start with the questions that are easier for you. For example, if you're good at English, start with the English Language section. This will give you confidence and help you gain momentum. When you begin with the sections you are more comfortable with, you will be able to answer faster and have more time left for the tougher sections.
You should also be aware that some questions might take longer than others. So, don’t spend too much time on a question that is difficult. If you find a question too time-consuming, leave it for later and move on to the next one. The goal is to attempt as many questions as possible, not to focus on just one. Time management is key to scoring well.

2. Improve Your Mental Math Skills

In the Quantitative Techniques section, you will encounter many questions that require calculations. While these questions are not very difficult, they can take time if you are not fast with calculations. Improving your mental math skills will help you solve problems more quickly without the need to use a calculator.
You don’t need to be a math genius, but practicing a few tricks will go a long way. For example, you can learn shortcuts for multiplying large numbers or finding percentages. Also, practice squaring numbers or calculating simple ratios in your head. The more you practice, the faster you will be able to do these calculations.
Regular practice of basic math operations like multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction can make a huge difference. These might seem simple, but being fast in these basic operations can save a lot of time when you face complicated problems in the exam.

3. Increase Your Reading Speed for English and GK

In the English Language section, you will face reading comprehension questions, which can be time-consuming if you don’t read efficiently. The key here is to read smartly rather than reading every word in detail.
Start by skimming through the passage. Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph, as they usually contain the main ideas. Then, while reading the rest of the passage, focus on key terms or phrases that tell you what the passage is about, which is a great strategy for CLAT 2026 preparation. This way, you get the gist of the passage without wasting too much time.
Also, while reading comprehension passages, try to highlight or underline important points. This will allow you to quickly locate and refer back to relevant information when answering the questions.
For the General Knowledge section, keeping up with current affairs is important. Read newspapers, watch the news, and stay updated with important events in India and the world. The more you know, the faster you can answer questions in this section. The quicker you recognize familiar topics, the less time you’ll waste on answering.

4. Practice Regularly with Timed Mock Tests

One of the best ways to get faster at solving time-based questions is to practice regularly. Taking timed mock tests is a great way to improve your time management skills. It will help you get used to the time pressure and teach you how to manage your time better during the actual exam.
Set a timer while taking each mock test to simulate real exam conditions. Practice answering questions in the time limit for each section. This will help you build speed and also help you figure out how much time to spend on each section.
After each mock test, take some time to review your performance. Look at the questions that took you the longest to answer. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve. Spend extra time practicing those topics and techniques that slow you down. As you take more mock tests, you will get better at solving questions faster and more accurately.

Also checkout Online Judiciary Coaching if you want to crack the judiciary exam and become a judge.

5. Use Elimination Method for Logical Reasoning

The Logical Reasoning section can be tricky because some questions involve complex thinking. However, you don’t have to solve every detail of the question to answer it correctly. One of the best ways to save time in Logical Reasoning questions is by using the elimination method.
If you are unsure about the answer, look for options that can clearly be eliminated. Often, some options are clearly wrong and can be ruled out. By eliminating these wrong options, you reduce the number of possible answers, which makes it easier to find the right one. This method is faster than trying to solve each option from scratch.
Read the question carefully and look for clues in the text that can help you narrow down your options. The more you practice this method, the faster you’ll get at eliminating the wrong answers and focusing on the right one.

6. Stay Calm and Focused During the Exam

It’s natural to feel nervous when taking an important exam, but staying calm is essential to solving time-based questions. When you’re anxious, you can lose focus, and that can slow you down. The key is to stay focused and calm throughout the exam.
If you come across a question that feels difficult, take a deep breath and move on. Don’t waste time stressing over one question. Skip it and come back to it later if you have time. It’s better to answer easier questions first and come back to difficult ones later. This way, you’ll have more time to think through the tough ones.
If you feel overwhelmed, take a few seconds to calm yourself. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and then get back to the question with a clearer mind. Keeping calm during the exam can actually help you save time and avoid mistakes.

7. Focus on Improving Your Weak Areas

One of the best ways to improve your speed is to focus on areas where you struggle the most. If there are particular sections or types of questions that slow you down, dedicate extra time to practicing them. Whether it’s a tricky math problem or a logical reasoning puzzle, the more you practice, the faster you’ll get at solving them.
You should not only practice the sections you find difficult but also continue practicing the ones you’re already good at. This will help you maintain your speed in those areas while also improving in others. A great way to do this is by solving CLAT Previous Year Papers, as they give you insight into the types of questions asked and help you practice both strengths and weaknesses.
Make a list of the sections or question types that take you the longest to solve. Spend extra time practicing those areas and track your progress over time. With consistent practice, you’ll see improvements in both speed and accuracy.

Conclusion

Solving time-based questions in CLAT can be challenging, but with the right approach and enough practice, you can improve your speed and accuracy. Understanding the exam format and prioritizing the easier questions will help you manage your time better. Improving mental math skills and reading faster will allow you to solve questions more quickly. Additionally, taking mock tests will help you practice under pressure, and using the elimination method in Logical Reasoning will save you time.

Lastly, staying calm and focusing on your weak areas will help you stay confident and solve questions more efficiently. By practicing regularly and applying these strategies, you’ll be able to solve time-based questions in CLAT with confidence.

Remember, the more you practice, the faster and more accurate you’ll become. Keep working on your time management skills, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself answering questions more quickly and effectively. Keep practicing, and you’ll see the results on exam day!