In India, being accepted into one of the National Law Universities (NLUs) or other elite law institutions requires an applicant to pass the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), which is a very competitive examination. In order to achieve success on the examination, it is necessary for an individual to develop a strategic and well-organized preparation plan. Students who attend Vivechna IAS & Judiciary Academyreceive guidance regarding their appropriate timeline and study schedule based on their personal objectives, level of education and the amount of time available to them.
Understand the CLAT exam pattern first
CLAT (UG) tests five core areas:
- English Language — reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge — national/international news, static GK, legal developments.
- Legal Reasoning — principles of law, case-based problem solving.
- Logical Reasoning — analytical reasoning, puzzles, critical thinking.
- Quantitative Techniques — basic arithmetic and data interpretation.
The exam is two hours long, normally with 150 multiple-choice questions; there’s negative marking (usually -0.25 for wrong answers). Because the test is comprehension and reasoning heavy, a long-term reading habit and consistent practice are critical.
Best time to start CLAT
1. Class 9–10: The Early Advantage
If you are sure about pursuing law, beginning in Class 9 or 10 gives you a huge edge.
- Why: Plenty of time to build reading habits, vocabulary, and logical skills.
- How to start: Read newspapers daily, solve puzzles and basic reasoning exercises, and begin following current affairs.
Vivechna tip: Early starters should focus on reading-intensive tasks and weekly summaries of current affairs.
2. Class 11: The Balanced Window (Highly recommended)
In-class 11 is one of the most popular and is quite effective.
- The reason behind this is that two years is a good length of time to cover the syllabus, take regular mocks, as well as balance school study/work.
- Preparation method: Spend about 1–2 hours preparing every day after school; have a structured study plan that covers all sections; do sectional practice daily on a weekly basis; take full length tests monthly.
Vivechna tip: You should join a 2-year course so you can take advantage of concept classes, progressive testing and personal mentoring.
3. Class 12: The Focused Push
Starting CLAT preparation in 12th Grade is possible but requires discipline.
How you do this: Balancing your board exams with your CLAT studies — managing your time effectively is essential.
How to study: you will want to spend 2-3 hours a day on preparing for CLAT, determining which topics carry the most weight and increasing your number of mocks as you get closer to your exam dates.
Vivechna’s tip: Develop speed by doing timed mocks and also doing previous year’s question papers.
4. After Class 12 / Drop Year: The Intensive Approach
A full-year or 6–12 month crash course can work well if you can devote full time.
- Why: Full-time study allows more mocks, deeper revision, and targeted improvement.
- How to prepare: 6–8 hours daily, 3–4 mocks per week, detailed analysis of weaknesses.
Vivechna tip: Enroll in an intensive crash course that offers frequent tests and one-to-one mentoring.
Sample study routine (daily)
- 2 hours — English & reading comprehension
- 1 hour — Current affairs / GK
- 2 hours — Legal reasoning & logical reasoning
- 1 hour — Quantitative techniques
- 30 minutes — Revision / error analysis
Adjust hours according to your start point and time available.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring current affairs or reading habit
- Not taking mock tests seriously
- Studying without a timetable
- Focusing only on one section (e.g., legal reasoning)
- Last-minute cramming
At Vivechna, our structured test series and personalised feedback help students avoid these pitfalls.
Why choose Vivechna IAS & Judiciary Academy for CLAT?
At Vivechna, you will receive:
- Concept focused classes and hands on practice.
- Regular sectionals tests and mock tests.
- Small group sizes and 1-on-1 mentoring.
- Current study materials and briefs of current events.
- Specialised coaching by class level (11th grade, 12th grade, and repeat-years).
FAQs — Best Time to Start CLAT
1. When is the ideal time to begin CLAT preparation?
Class 11 is ideal for balanced preparation; early starters (Class 9–10) gain advantage; Class 12 and drop-year candidates can also succeed with focused plans.
2. Is it possible to crack CLAT starting in Class 12?
Yes — with disciplined study, regular mocks, and targeted revision. Expect to study 2–4 hours daily alongside school.
3. How many hours per day are enough for CLAT?
Depending on your start time: early starters 2–3 hrs, Class 11 starters 3–4 hrs, Class 12 / drop-year 4–8 hrs daily.
4. Should I join coaching or self-study?
Coaching helps with structure, test series and mentorship. Vivechna offers both classroom and online options.
5. How important are mock tests?
Extremely — mocks build speed, accuracy and exam temperament. Analyse every mock thoroughly.
6. Which subjects need the most time?
English comprehension and legal reasoning typically need more practice; logical reasoning can be improved with regular puzzles and timed tests.
7. Can Class 9–10 students prepare without coaching?
Yes — begin with reading, puzzles and current affairs; coaching can be taken later for structured guidance.
8. What resources should I use?
Standard CLAT preparatory books, daily newspapers (The Hindu / Indian Express), monthly current affairs compilations, and mock test series.
9. How to balance boards and CLAT in Class 12?
Set a clear timetable, study high-weightage CLAT topics first, and increase mocks during holidays and weekends.
10. Why is personalised mentorship important?
Every student has different strengths and weaknesses; personalised mentoring helps create a focused improvement plan.
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