Many students decide to prepare for CLAT late. Some start in Class 12. Some begin after boards and some wake up only when a few months remain. That’s okay. You can still clear the exam with a focused plan. This guide explains how to prepare for CLAT if you start late and still aim for a top rank.
Start by Understanding the Exam
CLAT tests your reading skills, reasoning ability, and awareness. It does not test deep legal knowledge. It rewards consistency and smart practice. Once you understand this, you know where to focus your time.
Create a Simple and Realistic Study Schedule
A late start needs a disciplined plan.
- Keep 4–5 hours daily for CLAT.
- Divide time wisely between reading, mocks, and revision.
- Stick to a fixed timetable every day.
Consistency matters more than long hours.
Prioritise High-Weightage Areas First
You don’t have time to treat every topic equally.
Start with:
- English Reading Comprehension
- Legal Reasoning
- GK (last 10–12 months)
- Logical Reasoning
These sections carry more weight. Quant comes later, but you must not ignore it.
Master Reading Early
CLAT is a reading-heavy exam. Build reading speed quickly.
- Read one editorial daily.
- Summarise articles in simple sentences.
- Practise comprehension passages regularly.
Reading skills improve every other section too.
Cover GK Smartly
Late starters struggle with GK because it looks huge.
Use a filtered approach.
- Cover monthly compilations.
- Focus on awards, appointments, international events, and Supreme Court cases.
- Revise weekly to improve retention.
Avoid scattered reading. Stick to structured notes.
Practice Legal and Logical Reasoning Daily
Legal and logical reasoning demand regular practice.
- Solve 3–4 passages of each section every day.
- Review your errors and track patterns.
- Learn to eliminate weak options quickly.
Reasoning improves only through repetition.
Learn Shortcut Techniques for Quant
Quant scares many late starters. You don’t need advanced maths.
Focus on:
- Ratios
- Percentages
- Averages
- Profit and loss
- DI charts
Solve at least 10–12 QT questions daily. Build confidence steadily.
Take Mock Tests Weekly
Mocks determine your progress.
- Start with one mock a week.
- Analyse mistakes carefully.
- Track accuracy and timing.
Increase to two mocks a week in the last month.
Fix Your Time Management Early
Time plays a major role when you start late.
- Attempt easy questions first.
- Don’t stay stuck on long passages.
- Keep a rough time limit for each section.
Small adjustments create a big difference.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Don’t try to study everything.
- Don’t skip mock analysis.
- Don’t compare your scores daily.
- Don’t over-focus on one subject.
Balance wins the exam.
Conclusion: A Late Start Still Works with the Right Plan
If you’re wondering how to prepare for CLAT if you start late, the answer is simple. Focus on reading. Practise reasoning every day. Follow a tight study plan. Take weekly mocks. Stay consistent. Many late starters crack CLAT because they work smarter, not harder.
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