Legal Reasoning Tips for CLAT 2022 | Legal Reasoning comprises of 25% of your CLAT question paper, so it could be the decisive element of the exam. Legal reasoning as the name suggests is not about knowledge but about reasoning. Don’t waste time in reading number of law books; just learn the process of solving legal reasoning and practice with diversity of questions. Not just CLAT, but other equally important law entrance tests like NLU Delhi, NLU Orissa, Symbiosis and IP continue to test substantially on legal reasoning.
Your score could help you get an edge over students good at English and general aptitude who take the CLAT casually along with other exams.
There are 2 facets of attempting legal reasoning questions –
- To get the correct answer
- and in the least time
Contents
Tricks for answering Legal Reasoning Questions in CLAT; quickly and accurately:
1. Application of your own knowledge to a legal reasoning question is not advisable
The examiners are testing your reasoning skills and not your legal knowledge. They don’t want to check how you apply your existing knowledge of law to a legal reasoning question but rather how efficient you are with the reasoning. In case you apply the knowledge of law inappropriately, then you will end up choosing wrong options/answers. Remember the goal here is not to test ones legal knowledge but ones Legal Acumen.
2. Don’t get emotional with your decision:
In the exam, you are not a judge who has the professional and moral responsibility to see what is good or bad. Don’t waste time thinking if the option you chose is the right, fair or acceptable decision. Don’t think like a lawyer trying to argue the case of a poor victim.
Just think like a machine. Simply apply the principle given in the question to reach the final answer. Ignore everything you already know about law while answering. This is not the right time to empathize.
If you let your prejudice, your knowledge of law, your past experiences or anything else come into play – you are bound to miss the right answer. Just apply the principle.
3. Get familiar with all sorts of questions
Try to get acquainted with all sorts of legal reasoning question patterns that have appeared in past papers so far. If you come across a new type of question, a new category of law or multiple principles in a single question, that you are not well acquainted with, then this might hamper your speed. Go through as many previous years papers as possible and get comfortable.
4. Art of handling multiple principles
More than one principle is confusing for many people. One needs to learn how to reach to give your judgment by quickly interpreting the combined effect of more than one principle.
5. Previous Years papers are the solution to most of your problems
Go through at least 5-6 previous CLAT question papers. Make a list of legal principles which are often repeated. Make sure you understand all the elements and conditions in these principles. This will help you solve questions in the exam quickly. Still be prepared for the unexpected.
6. What if you don’t understand the principle
It is quite possible that the confusing language of the principle makes it difficult to understand. In this case, read the facts and ten read the principle again. It will make things easier in most cases.
7. Time Management
Managing time is an important facet of successfully tackling a law examination. You should have a time management strategy ready for the exam. It’s good to have practiced adequately before the exam but along with adequate practice it is vital to have learnt adept time management for the law entrance exam.
8. Work on your online reading speed:
An important part of time management in Legal Reasoning section of CLAT is reading speed. How much time you spend reading the lengthy facts will increase when you attempt tests online. We would advise you to start taking regular CLAT Online Mocks and get into the habit.
The problems of legal reasoning generally pertain to the law of torts, contracts, crime, constitution etc. A student who is aware of the legal principles can solve the problem faster and more accurately.
Try Legal reasoning sample.
