8 Common Mistakes To Avoid In CLAT Exam Preparation

The National Law University (NLU) conducts the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), a nationwide entrance exam for candidates seeking admission to both undergraduate and graduate LLB courses. A methodical study schedule, strategic problem-solving and thorough familiarity with the syllabus are required for the CLAT exam. In this blog, we have brought you a list of some of the most common CLAT mistakes to avoid when preparing for the exam to perform well.

CLAT Exam Preparation Common Mistakes To Avoid

We have compiled a list of common CLAT mistakes that most aspirants make while preparing for this exam. By knowing how to avoid these mistakes you can give your best during the examination and score better marks. The following is a list of the CLAT preparation mistakes that candidates must avoid during preparation.

1. Not Doing Enough Practice

The saying “practice makes one’s perfect” is frequently used when preparing oneself for the examination. To achieve high exam scores, you must practice a lot. Competitive exams like CLAT measure not only knowledge base but also check your time management skills. Thus, the goal of a student should be to solve as many problems as possible in a certain time. 

2. Ignoring Negative Marking

Applicants should refrain from making any guesswork as this could result in them losing marks for the right answers as well. Many applicants commit such CLAT mistakes and fall prey to negative markings. As a result, you should only respond to questions you are confident about. 

It is also a good idea to practice all of your mock tests while keeping in mind the negative marking scheme. For each incorrect answer, a mark deduction of 0.25 is applied. It is noteworthy that a 0.25 mark deduction from your score has a significant impact on your ranking.

3. Spending More Time On A Single Question

During the CLAT exam, time management is crucial. Many students tend to spend most of their time on a question that takes a long time to solve. When writing an exam, one should avoid such mistakes. You should also remain composed while answering the questions. As such, you should make an effort to answer the questions as quickly as possible with the best time management technique. 

4. Beginning With A Difficult Question 

Reading through the questions is the first step in answering the test. You should distinguish between questions that are difficult and simple. It takes time to answer tough questions, thus instead of tackling the tricky questions first, one should concentrate on the easier ones. You will have more time to tackle the remaining questions if you finish the simple ones first. 

5. Getting Too Much From Too Many Sources 

Since the CLAT is conducted for students after their 12th class, in-depth knowledge is not needed. The CLAT evaluates candidates’ logical reasoning, current events, numeric aptitude, and basic English knowledge. Therefore, it is best to limit the study sources you use and try to practise from them rather than choosing to learn from a wide range of sources. 

It takes time to refer to many sources, therefore instead of squandering, concentrate on a few useful resources. This is one of the CLAT preparation mistakes that students often make and end up confusing themselves.

6. Not Adhering To Study Schedule 

Candidates typically do not follow a proper timetable when studying, which lowers their consistency in studying. Thus, you should make a habit of practising in accordance with a set schedule. 

7. Not Building An In-depth Understanding Of Concepts

While studying build an in-depth understanding of every topic and then go for practicing questions related to it. Doing so will help you attempt any question related to the concerned topic and avoid any negative marks because of the wrong answer being ticked. This is one of the CLAT preparation mistakes a student should avoid.

The purpose of the questions is to test your comprehension and knowledge of the theory. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you thoroughly read each and every topic. 

8. Missing Out On Current Affairs 

You will need to regularly read through newspapers and periodicals because the Current Affairs section of the exam does not have a set syllabus. To be honest, it would be fantastic if you could develop the daily practice of reading newspapers. Since you only need to spend a little time answering the current affairs-based questions you already know, all of the questions from the CLAT exam count as bonus questions for you. Hence, it is advisable for you to not commit such CLAT preparation mistakes.

CLAT exam preparation requires a strategic and disciplined approach. By avoiding the above-mentioned CLAT mistakes, you can increase your chances of success and perform to the best of your abilities on the exam day. Opus is one of the best online platforms for helping aspiring students crack the CLAT examination. Here, you can give CLAT mock tests as per your time availability. 

In the end do not forget to always stay focused, manage your time wisely and maintain a healthy balance between study and personal well-being. Good luck!