{"id":21727,"date":"2024-12-07T21:21:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-07T21:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawpreptutorial.com\/blog\/?page_id=21727"},"modified":"2026-04-11T09:58:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T09:58:12","slug":"air-1-clat-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lawpreptutorial.com\/blog\/clat\/toppers\/air-1-clat-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Saksham Gautam, AIR-1 CLAT 2025: Interview & Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every CLAT aspirant dreams of becoming a CLAT topper and getting the dream NLU, but few achieve the remarkable feat of becoming All India Rank 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this exclusive conversation, we at Law Prep Tutorial bring you insights from Saksham Gautam<\/strong>, who achieved AIR 1 in CLAT 2025<\/strong>. His story is not just about academic brilliance; it\u2019s about balance, mindset, and self-awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saksham opens up about his CLAT preparation<\/a><\/strong> strategy, the mindset that helped him stay calm under pressure, and his strategies for mastering each section: from Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques to Critical Reasoning and GK. He also shares how he handled mock test fluctuations, distractions, and the pressure of expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re preparing for CLAT 2027<\/a><\/strong> or CLAT 2028<\/a><\/strong>, this interview will give you a realistic and inspiring perspective on how India\u2019s top ranker prepared, performed, and evolved through his journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"free<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About Saksham Gautam, CLAT 2025 AIR-1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saksham Gautam, a humanities student from Class 12 with subjects like History, Political Science, Economics, English, and Legal Studies, secured All India Rank 1 in CLAT 2025. His journey to the top wasn\u2019t driven by obsession but by consistency and focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saksham\u2019s calm approach, disciplined routine, and deep analytical mindset made him stand out. Unlike many CLAT toppers<\/a><\/strong>, he didn\u2019t aim specifically for Rank 1. Instead, he aimed to give his best in every test. His preparation philosophy revolved around self-assessment, reading widely, and trusting the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now a student at NLSIU Bangalore<\/strong><\/a>, Saksham emphasizes that CLAT success is just the beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Saksham Gautam: CLAT 2025 AIR 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> When did you start your CLAT journey, and did you always aim for Rank 1?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Honestly, I hadn\u2019t thought about it. I never said, \u201cI have to get AIR 1.\u201d<\/em> Maybe that\u2019s exactly why it happened, because I wasn\u2019t overthinking it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting such a specific target might\u2019ve created unnecessary pressure. My goal was simple: prepare well and stay consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Did you always dream of NLSIU Bangalore?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Yes, at first. NLSIU\u2019s iconic library tower was my wallpaper! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I\u2019ve learned not to overidealize any college. Admission depends on effort and luck \u2014 ambition is healthy, but obsession isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NLSIU<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Which subjects were your strengths?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques were my strongest sections. Even though I didn\u2019t study Maths in Class 11 and 12, CLAT Quant is Class 10 level, so practice made it manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources for CLAT preparation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Books for CLAT Preparation<\/a><\/strong><\/td>CLAT Study Material<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Previous Year Papers<\/a><\/strong><\/td>Best online CLAT coaching<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What\u2019s your advice for students afraid of Quant?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Stop being afraid of it. Quant is actually very objective. With regular practice, you\u2019ll get definite answers. It\u2019s a major differentiator. If you skip it, cracking top ranks becomes difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Practice with CLAT Quantitative Techniques Questions<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> How did you prepare for Legal Reasoning?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: CLAT legal reasoning<\/a><\/strong> is a reading-based section. You must strengthen your comprehension skills. Read newspapers, editorials, and legal articles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand how judgments and principles are framed. Websites like PRS India and Supreme Court Observer are very helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> How did you balance CLAT and AILET preparation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Both exams are similar but not identical. CLAT passages are longer and indirect; AILET questions are more principle-based. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I focused on Critical Reasoning for CLAT, but practiced Analytical Reasoning too for AILET.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Practice with CLAT Critical Reasoning Questions<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"free<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What was your approach to Critical Reasoning (CR)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Midway through preparation, CR became my weak point. I analyzed my mock attempts and identified recurring mistakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewing fundamentals helped. Many students practice mechanically, and that\u2019s a mistake. Analyze patterns and revisit basics regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must Know for Every CLAT Aspirant:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLAT Marking Scheme<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Exam Date<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Career Opportunities after Law<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Syllabus PDF<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Eligibility Criteria<\/strong><\/a><\/td>CLAT Exam Pattern<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
CLAT Age Limit<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> How did you build vocabulary and tackle Reading Comprehension (RC)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: I started my CLAT preparation early in Class 11 with Word Power Made Easy and regular newspaper reading for CLAT<\/strong><\/a>. I also maintained a vocabulary notebook and revised it consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also analyzed tones and figures of speech from CLAT previous year papers<\/a><\/strong> to understand why correct answers were correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What was your strategy for General Knowledge (GK)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Restrict your sources. Choose a few: the CLAT current affairs magazine<\/a><\/strong> by your coaching, newspapers, and trusted websites, and revise them thoroughly. You\u2019ll never feel 100% prepared, but consistency matters more than coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> How often should students take mock tests?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Not daily. CLAT mock tests<\/a><\/strong> help only if you analyze them. Writing mocks mindlessly is useless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After every test, identify what went wrong and what worked. My lowest mock score was 45, but analysis helped me bounce back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> How did you deal with mock score fluctuations?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: I had months when my scores dropped drastically, but I didn\u2019t lose focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mock scores don\u2019t define your ability. Keep preparing; improvements will come. Stay calm and consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Did you ever compare yourself with others during preparation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Of course, but I learned that comparison is healthy only when it\u2019s positive. Competing with others can motivate you, but don\u2019t let it turn toxic. Focus on your own growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"free<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> What did you enjoy most during your preparation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: The awareness that comes from learning. GK and reading make you more informed about the world. That growth is rewarding beyond ranks and marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep: How is life after joining NLSIU Bangalore?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Law school is on another level. The workload is intense \u2014 daily readings, case summaries, and no exam holidays. I realized that
CLAT preparation was just the beginning of a much larger journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Law Prep:<\/strong> Any final advice for CLAT aspirants?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saksham<\/strong>: Ya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n