CLAT is one such national law examination that one cannot crack without sufficient preparation. An above average student will have to dedicate all their energy to invest their time and effort to the preps. Also, CLAT is an exam with multiple sections. In addition, each of these sections focuses on testing the student’s knowledge, their aptitude for law and their decision-making ability. Therefore, it is safe to state that thorough preparation is the MOST crucial act that a student preparing for CLAT should do. Hence, with an examination as complex and crucial as CLAT, comes the importance of study techniques. Furthermore, one of the most well-acceptable study technique that the students always appreciate is a well-planned preparation book. Before we head into the intricacies of the CLAT preparation books, let’s gain some perspective on this very exam.
INTRODUCING CLAT
The Common Law Admission Test is commonly termed as CLAT. Firstly, it is a national graduate level law examination. And secondly, National Law Universities across the country (NLUs) conduct CLAT on an annual basis to admit students to their undergraduate as well as postgraduate law programmes such as BA LLB, B.Com LLB and B.Sc LLB.
Moreover, CLAT is an annual online examination. And therefore, the National University of Advanced Legal Studies Kochi (NUALS Kochi) is the conducting authority of the CLAT 2018. Moreover, 19 National Law Universities (NLUs) are marked as participating institutes. The total number of 2400 seats are set aside for the undergraduate programmes. And a total number of 624 seats are set aside for the postgraduate programmes. Besides, there are 40,000 (approximately) CLAT test takes for the UG programmes. And similarly, there are 5,500 (approximately) CLAT test takers for the PG programmes.
However, in the year 2016, over 45,000 students applied for CLAT but only 37,000 students appeared for the exam. And the test generally comprises of 200 objective type questions.
CLAT SYLLABUS – EXAM PATTERN – AREA OF ASSESSMENT
The examination for LLB Programmes will include 5 broad sections.
| Section | Question Type | Area of Assessment |
| English |
|
Tests candidate’s aptitude in English language as a whole. And also evaluate the candidate’s understanding of the English language |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs |
|
Tests student’s basic level of awareness and also their advanced level of awareness. It also showcases the importance of keeping up to date with the world. |
| Mathematics |
|
Tests the candidate’s aptitude because memory capacity depends on it. It also tests the student’s capability to grasp concepts. |
| Legal Aptitude |
|
Analyse the candidate’s interest towards law. Also, observe the candidate’s ability to analyse legal situations. And test the candidate’s decision-making ability. |
| Logical Reasoning |
|
Test the candidate’s logical aptitude and their ability to identify the answer. Also, analyse the ability to follow instructions as it is. |
FOR LLB (UG Programmes)
|
Sections Tested on |
Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| English | 41 | 40 |
| GK & Current Affairs | 51 | 50 |
| Mathematics | 22 | 20 |
| Legal Aptitude | 52 | 50 |
| Logical Reasoning | 44 | 40 |
| Total | 210 | 200 |
IMPORTANCE OF CLAT PREPARATION BOOKS
CLAT preparation books are the major source of information that helps students equip themselves with knowledge. The authors of most of the CLAT preparation books are either law authors or lawyers. Moreover, these authors have experinece and immense knowledge when it comes to law, CLAT and section topics.
Competitive exams are not a joke. Even the best student can stumble upon many hurdles. These hurdles could be in relation to actual topics. Many preparation hurdles are an outcome of insufficient practice (even iwth great knowledge). But the most common kind of hurdle that students face while preparing for CLAT is the lack of clarity. Due to this, it becomes a challenge to prepare rightuously.
It is also important to know that the CLAT exam pattern and focus areas vary from year to year. There may not be any drastic changes but many a times, minor alterations are made. Keeping this in mind, many CLAT preparation books and authors publish revised editions to suit the current exam changes.
In order to be able to ace your preparation, it is of paramount importance to gather genuine knowledge sources. These means BOOKS. A detailed explanation of the best CLAT books along with their focus areas is mentioned in the following section of this article.
BEST CLAT PREPARATION BOOKS
Investing in the best CLAT preparation books is the best decision you could make with regard to your CLAT preps. Therefore, keeping that in mind, following are some of the best CLAT preparation books for each section!
For English Language – Word Power Made Easy; Objective General English by Dr. R. S. Agarwal; High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin.
For Logical Reasoning – Analytical Reasoning by M. K. Pandey; Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R. S. Agarwal.
For Mathematics – Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations (English) by R. S. Agarwal.
For Legal Aptitude – Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by A. P Bhardwaj; Universal’s CLAT Guide.
For General Knowledge – Pratiyogita Darpan; Lucent’s General Knowledge; Pearson General Knowledge Manual 2017-2018.
FOCUS POINTS OF THE CLAT PREPARATION BOOKS
Discussed below are some of the best CLAT books and their critical focus areas that states what do they help you prepare for.
- Firstly, the book ‘Objective General English by Dr. R. S. Agarwal’ is an ideal book for every competitive examination. Questions from these books are excellent o train your analytical ability. Therefore practicing questions from this book on a daily basis can help you a lot.
- However, the book ‘High School English Grammar and Composistion by Wren & Martin’ is an outstanding book comprehensions. It is also a great beginner’s grammar book as well.
- The book ‘Word Power Made Easy by Normal Lewis’ is the best book for English grammar vocabulary.
- Moreover, the book ‘Pearson General Knowledge Manual 2017-18’ and ‘Lucent’s General Knowledge’ is an amazing book to rely on for static GK questions. It covers history, geography and economy as well.
- However, preparing for current affairs is crucial by sourcing information from Gradeup and other daily GK update sources from online sources
- Moreover, the book ‘Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations (English) by R.S Agarwal is by far the best book for CLAT mathematics.
- Finally, the most outstanding book that is highly recommended book for legal aptitude is ‘Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by A.P Bhardwaj’.
