Preparation is the key to cracking the Common Law Admission Test

For most law aspirants, the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the acronym that matters the most. However, one need not be a Barrister to practice for the entrance test. All it needs is some skill, aptitude, dedication, access to good test prep books and the correct preparation to accomplish the mission.

Figuring out what stops you from staying consistent – your environment, motivation, or feelings can be a game changer. Students and seniors need to set meaningful goals, not just based on hours of study, but on personal achievements like overcoming laziness, waking up early, scheduled study time to complement their studies at school or work. 

Critical thinking, analytical skills, and knowledge mainly mark the evaluation approach in these admission tests. Other features, like objective-type questions, follow across all the modules: English language, current affairs, general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning and quantitative techniques.  

CLAT aims to test the student’s aptitude and analytical skills in legal studies and practice. Reflecting on the common types of logical reasoning, in the context of the entrance test, are various questions based on syllogism, analogies, logical sequences, arguments, assumptions, conclusions, cause and effect, inferences, logical puzzles and data sufficiency that serve a larger purpose. CLAT targets a diverse student adult community, making the admission test more accessible, with no imposition on the upper age limit for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Do it right: Students must break down achievement goals and set specific measurable and time-bound targets. They must establish a consistent study routine and allocate time slots for different modules. Partner with your co-investants or join a study prep coaching institute for motivation. Having a certified trainer can make learning more enjoyable and help understand concepts. Additionally, focus on time management, mock tests and tracking performance. Finally, cultivate mental preparation through mindfulness, goal setting, positive self-talk, peer support and a reward system.

Interactive learning: Those students seeking something avant-garde can engage in app-based challenges like Quizlet and Unacademic (flashcards and practice tests for vocabulary) to improve scores, tapping into basic foundation skills for English. They can enhance proficiency through reading comprehension, vocabulary building and grammar practice, besides helping track achievements online, adding a fun element to the spirit of competition to learning, and keeping one inspired as you progress towards your goal. LawSikho, Oliveboard, and other apps for practice questions, mock tests, and video lessons for legal reasoning are not to be missed.

Those who carve gaming tools can enhance learning with popular gamified learning apps for general knowledge: platforms like ‘Quizlet’ have interactive quiz games, while Kahoot and Jagran Josh roll out interactive quizzes and lessons on daily general knowledge, current affairs and practice questions.

Additionally, those seeking extra logical reasoning practice can log on to Magoosh and Unacdemy; both offer excellent online interactive training sessions, video explanations, personalised feedback and online support for question types and solving strategies.

Alternative approaches: Universities have curated a lineup of holistic admissions that honours traditional academic assessments, recommendation letters and extracurricular activities of students seeking a career in law. Some use board exam scores as a criterion that helps reduce stress. In contrast, others pitch on aptitude, case studies and group discussions that assess skills like critical thinking and analytical reasoning. Interactive tools like games and virtual reality also redefine the boundaries of competitive assessments.

The lesser-known facts: Students can also apply for the other diverse lineup of entrances like AILET, LSAT MH, and CET that are also widely accepted: Jindal Global Law School, Sonepat, Ailet for National Law University, Delhi, and some others in the country offer direct admissions to students who have achieved outstanding results or have demonstrated exceptional extracurricular activities