Preparing for CLAT in Class 12 can feel challenging because you’re balancing boards, school work, and entrance exam pressure at the same time. But with the right plan, this year can become your strongest stepping stone towards a top NLU.
If you’re wondering how to prepare for CLAT in Class 12, you’ll find a clear, practical roadmap here.
This guide is designed to help you manage both boards and CLAT without stress. You’ll learn structured phases, a smart study routine, sectional practice methods, an effective mock-test strategy, and a simple GK system that actually works.
Whether you’re starting fresh or continuing from Class 11, this complete CLAT preparation from Class 12th will help you stay consistent, confident, and fully exam-ready.
CLAT 2027: Your Target Exam With Class 12th
The upcoming CLAT exam is the CLAT 2027, which will be conducted in December 2026. Find the details about:
| Parameter | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027 |
| Conducting Body | Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) |
| Exam Date | 6 December 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Mode | Offline, Pen-and-Paper Based |
| Timing | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Total Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 120 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answer, –0.25 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
| Sections | English Language, Current Affairs & GK, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques |
| Type of Questions | All questions are passage-based comprehension + reasoning |
| Eligibility | Class 12 passed/appearing from a recognised board |
| Minimum Marks Required | 45% (General/OBC); 40% (SC/ST as per previous guidelines) |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Participating Institutes | 26+ NLUs + several CLAT-affiliated law colleges |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate; reading-heavy and reasoning-intensive |
| Ideal Preparation Time | 8–12 months for Class 12 & droppers; 18–20 months for Class 11 |
| Best Prep Strategy | Reading habit, sectional tests, mock tests, monthly GK, legal principle practice |
| Useful Resources | CLAT Express, PYQs, full-length mock tests, sectional tests |
Syllabus to Prepare for CLAT in Class 12th
Your strategy for CLAT preparation in class 12th should begin with knowing the latest CLAT exam syllabus:
| Section | Topics & Skills Covered |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, main idea, inference, arguments, tone, vocabulary-in-context, passage analysis |
| Current Affairs & GK | National & international events, government schemes, laws in news, judgments, environment, economy, science & tech, awards, sports, history in news |
| Legal Reasoning | Principle–fact questions, passage-based legal application, torts, contracts, criminal law basics, constitutional basics, legal vocabulary, logical application of rules |
| Logical Reasoning | Critical reasoning passages, assumptions, strengthen/weaken, inference, conclusion, analogy, cause-effect, evaluation of arguments |
| Quantitative Techniques | Arithmetic (percentages, ratios, averages, profit–loss, SI/CI), Data Interpretation (tables, graphs, charts), basic quantitative logic |
Exam Pattern to Prepare for CLAT in Class 12
Know the latest exam pattern of CLAT:
| Parameter | Details |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-and-paper) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Marks per Question | +1 |
| Negative Marking | –0.25 for each wrong answer |
| Question Type | All passage-based MCQs |
| Sections | 5 (English, GK, Legal, Logical, QT) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate; reading + reasoning heavy |
CLAT 2027 Important Dates
Dates follow the usual CLAT cycle; adjust when official notification releases.
| Event | Expected Date |
| CLAT 2027 Notification Release | July 2026 |
| Application Form Opens | August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | November 2026 |
| CLAT 2027 Exam Date | 6 December 2026 (Sunday) |
| Answer Key Release | Next day |
| Result Declaration | December 2026 |
| Counselling Registration | December 2026 – January 2027 |
How to Prepare for CLAT in Class 12? (Section-Wise Strategy)
Preparing for CLAT in Class 12 requires a smart, time-efficient approach because you’re managing school + boards + CLAT together. Follow the section-wise strategy below to stay consistent without feeling overloaded.
1. English Language Strategy for Class 12
What You Must Focus On: CLAT English is 100% reading-based. No grammar, no direct vocabulary. Everything comes through passages.
How to Prepare:
- Read 20–30 minutes daily (editorials, long articles, CLAT-level passages).
- Practise 2–3 RCs every alternate day.
- Learn how to identify tone, central idea, opinions, and implicit meanings.
- Maintain a small notebook of words learned from context-not memorised lists.
- Once a week, practise long CLAT-style English passages from mock tests or sectional tests.
What to Practise:
- 40–50 RC passages per month
- Tone & inference drills
- Vocabulary-in-context questions
- English sectional tests (once a week)
Free Resources for English Preparation:
| CLAT English Syllabus | How to prepare for CLAT English? |
| CLAT English Questions | CLAT English Mock Test |
| CLAT English Grammar Preparation | Vocabulary for CLAT |
| How to improve Vocabulary for CLAT? |
2. Logical Reasoning Strategy for Class 12
What LR Really Tests: Your ability to analyse arguments, identify assumptions, evaluate reasoning, and make logical conclusions from passages.
How to Prepare:
- Master all core CR types: Assumption, Strengthen/Weaken, Inference, Paradox, Evaluation, Cause-Effect
- Practise 15–20 CR questions 4–5 days a week.
- Focus on why the correct answer is correct—this sharpens logic.
- Use LR sectional tests to build timing and consistency.
What to Practise:
- 50+ CR sets each month
- Passage-based LR (CLAT-style)
- Sectional LR tests weekly
- Mixed LR+Legal drills
- Review your mistakes after every set
Free Resources for Logical Reasoning Preparation:
3. Legal Reasoning Strategy for Class 12
What Legal Section Checks: Not your knowledge of law, but your ability to apply a principle to a factual situation.
How to Prepare:
- Learn the principle–fact method with absolute discipline.
- Focus on torts, contracts, criminal law, and constitutional basics (only principle-level).
- Practise short caselets first → then move to long passage-based legal sets.
- Avoid adding personal knowledge or assumptions—stick ONLY to the given principle.
- Take 1 Legal sectional test weekly.
What to Practise:
- 20–30 principle–fact sets weekly
- 5–7 passage-based legal sets per week
- Legal sectional tests
- CLAT PYQs for legal pattern familiarity
- Make a notebook of frequently used principles
Free Resources for Legal Reasoning Preparation:
| CLAT Legal Reasoning: All details | CLAT Legal Reasoning Questions |
| CLAT Legal Reasoning Mock Test | CLAT Legal Reasoning Passages |
4. GK and Current Affairs Strategy for Class 12
What GK Requires: Long-term revision + consistent awareness. This section cannot be built in the last few months.
How to Prepare:
- Use CLAT Express Magazine monthly for complete coverage.
- Follow daily CLAT current affairs from a trusted single source.
- Attempt weekly GK quizzes (very important for retention).
- Maintain monthly GK notes and revise them every 30–40 days.
- Focus on understanding the context behind news, not just headlines.
What to Practise:
- Monthly CA reading (1–1.5 hours every week)
- Weekly GK quiz
- Monthly revision lists
- Quarterly GK revision cycle
- Practice “background-based” GK questions
Free Resources for GK and Current Affairs Preparation:
5. Quantitative Techniques (QT) Strategy for Class 12
What QT Checks: Basic numerical ability + Data Interpretation. CLAT does not test high-level maths.
How to Prepare:
- Revise Class 8–10 arithmetic topics: Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Profit-Loss, Time-Work
- Solve DI sets: tables, pie charts, bar graphs, caselets.
- Practise 10–15 QT questions 4–5 days a week.
- Focus on accuracy first, then improve speed with time.
What to Practise:
- 2–3 DI sets per week
- 20–30 arithmetic questions weekly
- QT sectional tests
- Percentage + ratio questions repeatedly
- Note formulas in a small revision sheet
Free Resources for Quantitative Techniques Preparation:
| CLAT Quantitative Techniques Syllabus | CLAT Quantitative Techniques Questions |
| Tips to Prepare for CLAT Quants |
Daily Timetable for Class 12 CLAT Preparation
This routine fits perfectly with school + board workload. Total: 1.5–3 hours/day
| Time | Task | Purpose |
| 20–30 mins (Morning / After School) | Reading Practice (Editorials / Long Articles) | Improves reading speed, inference, comprehension |
| 20 mins | Current Affairs (Daily news + CLAT Express notes) | Builds long-term GK memory |
| 30–40 mins | Section Practice (English RC / LR / Legal) | Strengthens core CLAT reasoning skills |
| 20–30 mins | QT / DI Practice | Keeps arithmetic and DI concepts active |
| 20–30 mins (Night) | Revision (Notes, mistakes, GK lists) | Reinforces concepts; reduces forgetting |
| Optional 15–20 mins | Mini-test / Quiz | Boosts speed, accuracy, exam temperament |
Weekly Timetable for CLAT Preparation in Class 12
Below is how you can balance CLAT preparation and class 12th boards preparation:
| Day | Study Tasks |
| Monday | English RC + Daily GK + Vocabulary-in-context |
| Tuesday | Logical Reasoning drills (Assumption, Strengthen/Weaken, Inference) |
| Wednesday | Legal Reasoning (Principle–Fact + Passage sets) |
| Thursday | English RC + QT (Arithmetic / DI) |
| Friday | LR + Legal mixed sets + GK quiz |
| Saturday | QT practice + 1 sectional test (LR/Legal/English) |
| Sunday | Weekly Revision + (1 Full Mock in mid/late Class 12) + Long Reading |
Important Resources After CLAT Exam:
How to Prepare for CLAT in Class 12? Month-Wise Strategy
Below is the month-wise strategy on how to prepare for CLAT from class 12th, assuming you begin your prep from March 2026:
Month 1: March – Start Strong With Foundations
March is a good month to begin CLAT preparation because Class 11 exams just ended, and school pressure is still manageable. This is the time to join an offline or online CLAT coaching program, ideally by March or April.
Coaching helps you understand the CLAT syllabus, start reading the right way, and build strong basics before the actual academic load of Class 12 begins. You also start slowly developing a routine-reading daily, practising light reasoning, and getting familiar with GK.
Key Tasks for March:
- Begin CLAT classes (2–3 hours/day, 5–6 days/week)
- Build a daily reading habit
- Start basic Critical Reasoning (assumptions, arguments, strengthen/weaken)
- Begin principle–fact legal reasoning
- Use CLAT Express for monthly GK
Month 2: April – Build Comfort With English, LR & Legal
April is when your routine starts becoming stable. The initial concepts you learned in March now start making sense through daily practice.
You begin solving small RCs, CR sets, and legal principle questions. GK must continue from month to month. This month builds your first real layer of CLAT understanding and prepares you for heavier work during summer vacation.
Key Tasks for April:
- Practise RCs regularly
- Solve 15–20 CR sets
- Start passage-based Legal reasoning
- Weekly GK revision
- Attempt your first sectional tests
Month 3: May – Use Summer Vacation as a Big Advantage
May is your MOST productive month because you don’t have school, and boards are far away. Use this month aggressively. Students who use summer vacation well often score 20–30 marks higher later.
This is the time to practise heavily, finish major syllabus parts, and attempt more sectional tests. You can also catch up on any topic you felt slow in during March–April.
Key Tasks for May:
- Attend coaching regularly without school pressure
- Practise 30–40 RC passages
- Solve 100–150 Legal questions
- 4–6 sectional tests
- Finish Class 10 Maths revision
- Revise GK of March–April–May
Month 4: June – Strengthen All Sections Equally
June is about bringing balance. Now that summer has boosted your practice speed, you begin strengthening all five sections systematically. You move to tougher CR, higher-level RC, passage-based legal sets, and DI tables/graphs.
GK revision must continue without fail. June is also the right month to attempt your first full mock test.
Key Tasks for June:
- Attempt 1 full mock test
- Practise advanced CR and Legal sets
- Start DI table, pie-chart, and graph questions
- Weekly GK quizzes
- Improve section-wise accuracy
Attempt a free CLAT mock test online.
Month 5: July – Controlled Practice & Early Results
By July, your school syllabus increases, so you need a steady, balanced routine. Here, you combine school workload with CLAT practice without feeling overwhelmed. This month is about controlled study-fewer topics but consistent practice. The goal is to identify weak areas clearly and fix them quickly.
Key Tasks for July:
- 2–3 sectional tests per week
- Weekly GK quiz
- Strengthen weak CR/Legal topics
- 10–15 DI sets
- Update mistake notebook
Month 6: August – Accuracy Stabilisation
August focuses on deep accuracy. You begin solving harder passages and start understanding your consistent error patterns. Two mocks this month help you understand where your preparation stands. Regular revision cycles begin now because Class 12 workload increases too.
Key Tasks for August:
- Attempt 5 CLAT mocks
- Analyse mock errors
- Improve passage-solving consistency
- GK monthly + quarterly revision
- Advanced RC and LR practice
Month 7: September – Begin Serious Mock Testing
September marks the beginning of heavy mock-test preparation. You start attempting 3–4 mocks this month and learn how to manage time under real pressure. You also refine your section order, improve your approach to passage-based questions, and deepen your GK. By the end of September, your mock score patterns become clearer.
Key Tasks for September:
- Attempt 4-6 full mocks
- Improve speed + accuracy
- Fix section-order strategy
- Practise long legal + LR sets
- GK quarterly revision
Month 8: October – Major Revision & Mock Cycle
October is a serious month. Boards preparations begin increasing, but you must continue mocks and revisions. Quality matters more than quantity. You consolidate GK of the entire year and refine your accuracy. This month builds the base for your final performance.
Key Tasks for October:
- 1 mock every 6-7 days
- Weekly sectional tests
- Consolidate GK for 6–8 months
- Refine CR frameworks and legal principles
- Improve reading stamina
Month 9: November – Final Build-Up Month
November is the peak exam-prep phase. You attempt 6–8 mocks, analyse each one deeply, follow revision lists, and maintain a calm routine. Offline All India Open mocks become extremely valuable for building exam temperament. GK marathons help you revise the entire year efficiently.
Key Tasks for November:
- Attempt 6–8 full mocks
- Mocks strictly at 2–4 PM
- Attend offline All India Open Mocks
- GK Marathons + final CA revision
- Revise all principles, CR rules, DI formulas
Month 10: December – Exam Month
The final month is for light revision, confidence building, and mock polishing. You should not study anything new. Stick to your strategy, revise only known points, and maintain your sleep cycle. Confidence and clarity matter more than extra study now.
Key Tasks for December:
- 3–4 mocks in first 10 days
- Only revision-based study
- Maintain calm, consistent routine
- Light RC + legal sets
- Sleep cycle aligned with exam timing
Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:
| CLAT Exam Date | Career Opportunities after Law |
| CLAT Marking Scheme | CLAT Age Limit |
| CLAT Eligibility Criteria | Best books for CLAT Preparation |
Mistakes to Avoid During CLAT Preparation in Class 12
1. Starting Mocks Too Late
Many students wait until September–October to begin mock tests, which is a major setback. You should start with light mocks early and gradually increase frequency. Early exposure prevents panic and helps you discover weak areas in time.
2. Ignoring Daily Reading
Skipping reading is the biggest mistake. CLAT is a reading-heavy exam, and Class 12 students already have limited time. Daily reading (20–30 minutes) improves English, Legal, and LR simultaneously.
3. Using Too Many Study Sources
Collecting multiple books, PDFs, channels, and websites leads to confusion. Stick to limited, high-quality resources like good books, CLAT Express, and one CLAT mock test series.
4. Irregular GK Preparation
GK cannot be memorised at the end. Neglecting monthly GK and quizzes is one of the most common reasons for low scores. Consistency is key for GK retention.
5. Practising Only Strong Areas
Many aspirants keep revising English and Legal but avoid QT, LR, or GK because they feel weak. This creates imbalance. CLAT requires equal comfort across all sections.
6. Not Analysing Mock Tests Properly
Just taking mocks doesn’t help. Class 12 students must analyse every error, identify patterns, and work on accuracy. Mock analysis improves scores more than mock attempts.
7. Poor Time Management During Boards + CLAT
Some students study randomly without a routine, leading to burnout. A fixed weekly timetable helps manage school workload and CLAT practice without stress.
8. Adding New Sources Close to the Exam
Switching books or coaching notes late in the year harms revision. Stick to your existing sources and focus on refining accuracy and speed.
9. Studying Without Tracking Mistakes
Not maintaining a mistake notebook leads to repeated errors. Tracking wrong answers helps you avoid the same traps in the final exam.
Best Books & Resources for Class 12 CLAT Preparation
| Section | Books | Additional Resources |
| English Language | • Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis • 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary | • Editorials (The Hindu, IE) • English sectional tests |
| Logical Reasoning | • A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning – RS Aggarwal (basics) • Critical Reasoning – MK Pandey | • LR sectional tests • Passage-based LR sets |
| Legal Reasoning | • Legal Reasoning – AP Bharadwaj | • Legal principle–fact sets • Legal sectionals • PYQs |
| Current Affairs & GK | • Manorama Yearbook (reference) • Lucent’s GK (selected static) | • CLAT Express Monthly Magazine • Daily CA + weekly GK quizzes |
| Quantitative Techniques | • Quantitative Aptitude – RS Aggarwal • NCERT Maths 8–10 | • QT sectional tests • DI practice sets |
| Mock Tests | — | • 40–50 mock test package • All India Open Mocks |
Mock-Test Strategy for Class 12 CLAT Aspirants
Mock tests are the most important part of Class 12 preparation because you’re preparing under time pressure alongside schoolwork. Start light, then increase frequency.
- Start with 1 mock every 15–20 days between March–June
- Increase to 2 mocks per month in July–August
- Increase to 1 mock every 7–10 days from September
- In October–November, take 6–8 mocks
- Attempt mocks at 2–4 PM, same as CLAT exam timing
- Analyse every mock for 1.5–2 hours
- Maintain a mistake notebook to track patterns
- Appear for Offline CLAT All India Open Mocks to build exam temperament
- This structure ensures steady improvement without overwhelming your schedule.
How to Prepare for CLAT From Class 12 Without Coaching?
Preparing on your own is completely possible if you stay structured and follow the right system.
- Build a reading habit: 25–30 minutes daily
- Practise 2–3 English RCs every alternate day
- Solve 15–20 CR questions 3–4 times a week
- Follow monthly GK through CLAT Express + weekly quizzes
- Maintain GK notes & revise every 30 days
- Solve principle–fact legal sets daily or every alternate day
- Do 2–3 DI/QT sets weekly
- Buy a good mock test package (40–50 mocks)
- Attempt mini-tests: English, LR, Legal, QT
- Analyse every mock deeply—not just solve it
- Use your summer break for heavy practice
- Attempt PYQs of last 5 years for pattern familiarity
- Don’t overload books or jump between sources
FAQs About How to Prepare for CLAT From Class 12
No. Many toppers start in Class 12 and still get top ranks. With a structured plan and mock-test discipline, one year is enough.
Around 1.5–3 hours daily, depending on school workload.
Yes. With PYQs, mocks, CLAT Express, and consistent practice, self-study is completely possible.
Keep CLAT sessions short on weekdays and do heavier practice on weekends. Follow a fixed weekly timetable to avoid burnout.
Start with light mocks from March–June, increase frequency from September.
Aim for 40–50 full-length mocks before the exam.
Books by Norman Lewis, MK Pandey, AP Bharadwaj, RS Aggarwal, and NCERT Maths 8–10 are sufficient along with quality mocks.
Use CLAT Express monthly, weekly quizzes, and a single daily CA source. Revise monthly and quarterly.
Read editorial articles daily, practise 2–3 RCs regularly, and learn vocabulary from context.
Practise principle–fact questions daily and solve passage-based legal sets. Don’t bring outside knowledge.
QT is basic and based on Class 8–10 maths. You only need arithmetic + DI.
Very important. Score improvement comes from analysing mistakes, not from taking more mocks.
Yes. CLAT is held at 2–4 PM, so matching your practice with exam timing builds stamina.
Accuracy first. Attempts automatically increase when accuracy is stable.
1–2 sectional tests weekly are ideal.
Stick to basics: percentages, ratios, averages, DI. Practice 10–15 mins daily. QT becomes manageable.
Reading daily is the only solution. Start with easy articles, then move to moderate RCs.
Use a weekly study plan, keep a checklist, and practise small portions daily. Avoid long study gaps.
Yes. Many join between March–July. Law Prep also offers a Scholarship Test for up to 100% scholarship.
Mocks, revision, accuracy polishing, GK marathon, and maintaining calm. No new sources.
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