How to Start CLAT 2027 Preparation?

How to Start CLAT 2027 Preparation begins with a comprehensive and well-planned strategy. Success in a competitive exam like CLAT depends on clearly understanding the challenges ahead, including the exam structure, section-wise demands, and subject-specific requirements. 

Aspirants should approach their preparation like Arjuna—aware of both entry and exit strategies—rather than Abhimanyu, who knew how to enter the Chakravyuha but not how to escape it. This means completely analysing previous years’ papers to understand the exam’s difficulty level, question patterns, and expectations.

Understanding the CLAT Examination Pattern

Before beginning subject-specific studies, it is crucial to understand the fundamental structure of the CLAT exam.

• Examination Name: CLAT UG 2027

• Conducting Body: Consortium of NLUs

• Mode of Examination: Offline (Pen-and-paper mode).

• Application Release (Tentative): First week of August.

• Exam Date (Tentative): First Sunday of December.

• Maximum Marks: 120

• Marks per Question: 1 mark

• Negative Marking: Yes, -0.25 marks for each incorrect answer (a 1/4th negative marking scheme).

Section-wise Weightage in CLAT Exam

The CLAT paper is divided into five sections, each with distinct weightage. Understanding this distribution helps in allocating study time effectively.

Total Weightage Distribution:

• English & Logical Reasoning: ~40%

• Current Affairs & Legal Reasoning: ~50%

• Quantitative Techniques: ~10%

How to Start CLAT 2027 Preparation: The First Step

The initial steps in preparing for CLAT are crucial for building a strong foundation and establishing consistent study habits.

Read the Newspaper Daily: This habit simultaneously improves reading speed and covers Current Affairs. Diversify your reading across topics like politics, economics, and science & technology, not just legal or political editorials.

Use Maps: Place large, visible maps of the World and India in your study area. Maps make Current Affairs preparation more intuitive, clarifying geographical contexts for various events and regions.

Analyze Previous Year Papers (PYPs): Download and print CLAT papers from 2020 to 2026. Analyze them gradually to understand the actual difficulty, question types (e.g., CR vs. AR), and the nature of Static GK and Current Affairs questions.

Read the CLAT Syllabus Daily: Make it a habit to read the one-page CLAT syllabus every morning. This helps set boundaries for vast subjects like English and Current Affairs, ensuring you focus only on relevant material.

Subject Wise Demands and Fulfilment Strategy

To master each section, understanding its specific demands and adopting the right approach is key.

1. English Language

• Demands: Comprehend main points, arguments, draw inferences, summarize passages, compare arguments, and understand contextual word meanings.

• Fulfillment: Engage in diversified reading across various genres. Attend classes, create clear notes, focus on grammatical concepts, revise regularly, and practice consistently.

2. Current Affairs (including General Knowledge)

• Demands: Awareness of contemporary events (India and world), knowledge of Arts and Culture, International Affairs, and historical events with continuing significance.

• Fulfillment: Read newspapers daily for current events and perform analysis to understand background context. Attend classes, make precise notes, and use magazines for revision and practice.

3. Legal Reasoning

• Demands: Identify and infer rules from passages, apply these rules to factual situations to reach conclusions, understand rule alteration impact, and maintain Current Legal Knowledge (CLK).

• Fulfillment: Read newspapers for CLK. Trust teachers for Static Law subjects (Contracts, Torts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law); attend classes and make thorough notes. Balance preparation between Static Law and CLK.

4. Logical Reasoning (CR & AR)

• Demands: Recognize arguments, premises, conclusions; critically analyze reasoning patterns; assess argument strengthening or weakening; and apply relationships, analogies, and inferences (AR).

• Fulfillment: Read newspaper editorials to build critical and logical thinking. Attend classes, prepare notes on core concepts, revise repeatedly, and practice extensively.

5. Quantitative Techniques (QT)

• Demands: Derive, infer, and manipulate numerical information from passages or data sets; apply basic 10th-grade level mathematical operations.

• Fulfillment: The strategy is: Understand the concept -> Revise -> Practice. Concepts are cleared in classes. Create notes for formulas and methods, revise them regularly, and prioritize practice, practice, practice.

Month-wise Preparation Plan for CLAT

A structured timeline is essential to cover the syllabus effectively and manage stress. Create a realistic daily schedule for consistent adherence.

Phase 1: January – June (6 Months)

• Goal: Foundational Strength & Habit Building.

• Understand exam pattern and syllabus using PYPs.

• Complete theory and concepts for all subjects (English, CR, AR, QT, Static Law). Cover foundational Current Affairs topics.

• Build a strong reading habit and improve reading speed.

• Never skip the newspaper.

Phase 2: July – Mid-August (45 Days)

• Goal: Consolidation and Backlog Clearance.

• Clear any accumulated backlogs, especially due to school exams.

• If no backlogs, complete a first full revision of all material studied from January to June.

• Begin to appreciate the importance of newspaper reading as mocks start.

Phase 3: Mid-August – Mid-September (30 Days)

• Goal: Strategy and Mock Implementation.

• Deep-dive into taking mocks and sectional tests.

• Thorough analysis of every mock is crucial for improvement.

• Focus on practice with an emphasis on time management.

Phase 4: Mid-September – Mid-October (30 Days)

• Goal: Score Maximization and Intensive Practice.

• Aim to push mock scores from 60-70 to 90+.

• Conduct your second or third revision of all theory.

• This is an intensive practice phase.

• Revise Current Affairs compilations/magazines.

Phase 5: Mid-October – Mid-November (30 Days)

• Goal: Final Polish and Doubt Clearance.

• Address any remaining doubts or leftover topics.

• Complete a second full revision of all subjects.

• Continue practicing to improve accuracy and time management.

• Increase the frequency of mocks per week.

Phase 6: Last 15-20 Days (End of November – Exam Day)

• Goal: Final Sprint.

• Focus heavily on Current Affairs revision.

• Take 2-3 full-length mocks per week, followed by detailed analysis.

• Dedicate time to revising two sections daily.