If you decide to excel in the CLAT exam, you should adopt the strategies of successful toppers. The first step is to begin with a structured study plan that formats the syllabus into manageable sections. Set aside time slots for each subject, and make sure you cover all the topics; pay particular attention to your less strong subject. 

Try to take at least two mock tests per week so that you get used to the style of the exam and develop your time management skills better.

Reading extensively, especially newspapers and legal articles, is something you should prioritise. If reading isn’t your forte, toppers suggest that you dedicate at least 30 minutes per day to the subject, not only for the English section but also to remain updated on current affairs, which are an important aspect of the exam.

It will be easier for you to tackle quantitative aptitude when you master basic concepts. Practising calculations regularly will significantly reduce errors during the exam. And shoot for at least 100 practise questions a week to build speed and accuracy.

And finally, keep a positive mindset. To manage stress well, do meditation or yoga. Keep in mind, it takes consistent effort and a strategic approach to secure a top score in CLAT exam.

Also Read:How to Score 100+ in CLAT 2025?

CLAT Preparation Tips by Toppers

Going through the arduous journey of preparing for the Common Law Admission Test requires strategic planning, constant work and great study techniques. CLAT toppers insights can prove to be a treasure trove of functional and practical tips that go a long way in improving preparation strategies. 

In this section, we are going to look at CLAT toppers’ recommendations in depth with a strong focus on mock tests, time management, and targeted study habits.

Mock Tests: Preparing Cornerstone

Mock tests are one of the most stressed upon aspects of CLAT preparation. Arnav Maheshwari, who ranked AIR 4 in CLAT 2023, shares that he had extensively analysed mock tests as his success stems from it. He points out that not only can it familiarise candidates with the exam format, but it can help identify strengths and weaknesses. 

Maheshwari found a direct relationship with his mock test scores to his scoring on the real examination.

In addition, aspirants should strive to do at least 50 mock tests during the time of preparation. This also confirms what we get from many toppers, that practise, especially for speed and accuracy, is very important. 

For example, Shubh Mittal (AIR 8) said he managed to crack 120 questions in 120 minutes because he practised over 120+ mock tests. The important thing to take away from this is that you need to practise under timed conditions for the pace of the exam.

Structured Study Plans

The other critical thing that CLAT toppers share is creating a structured study plan. Harsh Tomar (AIR 2) divided his preparation into two six-month segments: The first focused solely on strengthening weaker subjects; the second covered in its entirety thorough revision of all subjects. 

This systematic method enables students to organically build a firm foundation before going into more complicated CLAT topics for the exam preparation.

Moreover, toppers recommend following a subject-wise timetable and at least study three subjects every day. This is a tactic that not only helps to keep students engaged but allows them to be equally focused on strong and weak areas. 

For instance, Mohit Jain (AIR 5) said that he set days aside for each subject he studied, in order to memorise and grasp the material better with many days of concentrated study sessions.

Time Management Techniques

Managing your time well is important when getting ready for CLAT. A lot of toppers have started using methods such as the Pomodoro Technique (where you study for 25-30 minutes and then take short breaks). Mouli Jain (AIR 5) found that it helps to increase the productivity and concentration level.

In addition, practising maths and logical reasoning questions with the timer set can prepare candidates in speed and accuracy for the actual examination. It will not only increase your confidence but also reduce anxiety on the date of the actual test. 

According to CLAT toppers, one should devise time slots for each section that take difficulty and personal proficiency into consideration and no important topics should be left out. 

Current affairs and Reading Comprehension

The English section in CLAT requires reading comprehension skills to perform well. Priyam Mitra (AIR 13) stresses the significance of improving reading speed with various reading materials and novels as well as newspapers. By exposing yourself to such a wide range of materials, you’re not just getting better at understanding what you read, but also retaining more information.

The exam also depends heavily on current affairs. To assist you in staying updated on the national and international, toppers recommend that you read two recommended English papers daily like The Indian Express or Times of India. Reading such newspapers and materials will not only be an aid to quench the thirst of general knowledge questions, but also it helps in polishing understanding of the current legal ongoings being spinned in different situations.

Focus on Weaknesses

In general, successful candidates are good at identifying and addressing weaknesses. To many toppers, they believe that one must perform regular self assessments to identify areas that they need to work on. For example, Harsh Tomar said to concentrate more intensely on weaker sections in initial preparation phases before switching to a balanced approach.

However, in weaker subjects, candidates can build confidence and competence as they spend the time to understand the concepts and theories. This targeted approach ensures that study resources are effectively used, ensuring that energy is spent wisely throughout the preparation period.

Revision Strategies

Consolidation of knowledge that was learned during preparation requires revision. Revising every weekend is what the toppers recommend as it helps you revise what you have learnt during the week. Revision sessions that happen on a regular basis provide a great opportunity to keep fresh ideas in mind and reduce stress around the time we have our exam.

Your revision should include topic reviews and practise questions from previous years’ papers. This gives a dual approach so that candidates are not only aware of the content but have the understanding of how they can apply the same in order to answer questions under exam conditions.

Resource Utilisation

This implies that the choice of materials for study can greatly determine quality of preparation. Most of the toppers suggest the use of books, websites, and guides which are specifically dedicated to CLAT preparation. For instance, the books authored by R S Aggarwal are used throughout the country and are commonly recommended as indispensable to students.

In addition, practising using supplemental online resources can give exposure to different types of questions and difficulty levels, which is crucial to develop versatility in answering them.

Mental Well-being

Last but not the least, it is equally important to keep a healthy mind during this hectic preparation and training period. Most of the toppers advocated the need for one to be relaxed throughout preparation and examination regimes. It is much simpler to control stress with techniques of mindfulness meditation or simple exercises like deep breathing.

The state of mind plays a crucial part; picturing a successful performance as well as having faith in one’s studies are tactics commonly used by successful candidates.

CLAT Preparation Tips by Topper Pradhyot Shah (AIR 2 - CLAT 2024)

Here how to prepare for CLAT 2025 tips from AIR 2 topper, Pradhyot Shah:

• To enhance English language proficiency and get updated on current affairs, newspapers like The Indian Express, which contain editorials, should be read.
• To remain motivated during CLAT preparation, one needs to talk to friends and peers and also be gentle on themselves if the day is not going well.
• Group study with fellow learners such as coaching mates and forming learning groups for notes on general knowledge assisted Pradhyot in enhancing the drive to learn.
• Preparation of GK notes from different newspapers and other study materials, along with proofreading, helps in checking comprehensive syllabus coverage of this subject.
• Practice with mock tests as if each is a real exam as often as possible. It is the key to honing one's skills and getting ready to face the actual CLAT exam.
• Dividing the time for each section sensibly according to the level of difficulty, weightage, and proficiency helps in managing time effectively during the CLAT exam.
• Some pitfalls to be avoided include OMR errors and fast reviewing through the logical questions.
• Do not spend too much time in a particular section and try moving from one section to the other in the proper course of time during the exam.
• You should utilise the mock examinations to increase speed and find your shortcomings.
• Math section anxiety can be easily calmed by constant practice and avoiding complicated calculations.
• Remain punctual, try as much as possible, and believe in yourself in order to excel in CLAT preparation.

Best Books for CLAT Preparation: Toppers Recommended

Here’s the list of some of the best books for CLAT preparation that toppers had studied to get high ranks in the exam:

CLAT Revision Tips by Toppers

In addition to CLAT toppers preparation advice, it's important that you have techniques in place for an efficient exam preparation that will offer you a great advantage and significantly boost your chances of scoring well. Therefore, the following advices from CLAT toppers on mock exam preparation and revision strategies will undoubtedly be very beneficial to you as you continue your education:

• Keep note that when preparing for your exams, it is essential to analyse your mock tests very carefully. Ideally, compare and contrast them, looking at the correct as well as the wrong answers to determine areas of strength and areas of improvement. 
• When you complete the test, try to analyse whether you answered the questions from understanding or through guesswork and whether there are other quicker ways of solving them. 
• When it comes to studying, maintain a concentration on problem areas according to their level of priority so that you do not neglect other areas of study. Solving practice/ mock tests regularly enables the candidate to become acquainted with the nature of the test and the type of questions therein. 
• To prepare for the English section, the basics of grammar must be understood very well, writing must be done consistently, and one must read relevant books/ articles to increase their vocabulary. Be careful when writing about Legal Reasoning: Don’t give in to personal opinions, read the passages carefully, and work in line with the current legal and moral relativism. 
• In case of giving mock tests, prepare in advance the amount of time you will need to spend on each of the sections to balance your time wisely. This will help you with better time management during the real exam. 
• Learn to create reachable objectives for each study session and not to overwork due to over stress level. In case you are lost, you can always seek advice from other people, like your superiors.
• Some more helpful tips especially related to CLAT mock tests and overall preparation plans by various toppers are:
• Review the subjects that you have prepared during the week during weekends. Throughout your study plan, practise questions with 5 minute breaks so you don't forget concepts.
• Go through all CLAT subjects’ notes and try to find out the flaws. Solve previous year question papers then. Practise minimum 5 questions in each subject everyday, so that you learn tips and tricks to solve questions quickly from day 1. Practise at least 50 mock tests during revision time for all around preparation.
• In the last four months, practise mock tests seriously for faster question solving speed. You can use a timer to control the time when you take mock tests.
• Practise thoroughly over 120 mock tests in a timed fashion to reach the required speed to solve 200 questions in 120 minutes. Also, follow up by revising each subject daily to fortify and recall your knowledge.

Past CLAT Toppers suggest that, to crack the CLAT 2025 exam, aspiring candidates should prepare with different techniques. It’s all about consistent practise that involves going through mock tests and previous years’ papers; this not only familiarises students with the exam format but also helps improve time managing skills, a core skill needed to tackle 120 questions in 120 minutes. 

Aiming for at least 50 mock tests by progressively increasing frequency towards the exam date will help build confidence and accuracy, according to top scorers.
In addition, subject mastery is important. Reading comprehension and logical reasoning are two skills candidates should strive to sharpen across all sections. For example, quality newspapers can be very useful for both the English and Legal Reasoning sections because they will help enhance vocabulary and comprehension abilities which are essential for making a successful score on both of these sections. 

Secondly, a structured study plan where each subject is allotted specific time slots for studying also inculcates discipline and a thorough course review.
However, with dedication and strategic preparation, it’s possible to achieve more than 100. To increase the chances of getting admission in prestigious national law universities in India, aspirants can give priority to conceptual clarity, regular revision, and efficient time management.

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