The CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam in India that serves as a gateway to undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the National Law Universities (NLUs) and several prestigious law colleges. This exam comprises various sections, and among them, the English section is one of the most significant for achieving a good score in the CLAT exam. This blog content includes the entire syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation strategy to help the aspirants excel.
Understanding the CLAT English Language Exam Pattern
Getting a clear concept of the exam pattern is crucial for proper English preparation for CLAT. The exam structure has been discussed in detail:
| Section | Description |
| Weightage | 20% |
| Number of passages | 4-6 passages |
| Number of questions | 22-26 Questions |
| Question Type | MCQ(Multip[le choice question) |
| Marking scheme | 1 mark for each correct answer |
| Negative marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
Syllabus and key topics of the CLAT English Language section
Recognising the key topics and understanding the syllabus is important for effective preparation for the CLAT. The syllabus and key topics are as follows:
- Reading comprehension
The English section includes 4 to 5 passages, each involving about 450 words. The passages are followed by questions to check the understanding as well as the interpretation of the text.
- Types of passages- The passages may be derived from historical or contemporary fiction and non-fiction literature.
- English Grammar
- Topics: Tense, sentence correction, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, Spot the error.
- Vocabulary
- Key areas: synonyms, antonyms, idioms, spelling check, and phrases.
How to improve the score in CLAT English?
Improving your knowledge and skills in the English language is essential to achieve a good score in the CLAT exam, as this section carries a weightage of 20% of the total exam. The following tips are effective to improve your score in the English section:
- Emphasizes reading passages
- Practice reading: You need to make a habit of reading long passages within 2.5 to 3 minutes. This fast reading will help you get ample time for the rest of the exam.
- Diverse reading: You should read and comprehend passages from different genres, including historical, contemporary, and editorial texts.
- Enhance comprehensive skills
- Identifying main points: After reading the passages thoroughly, it is necessary to understand the author’s perspective and the main points.
- Practice inferences: Note down the necessary inferences is crucial to enhance your analytical skills.
- Develop critical thinking capacity
Proper evaluation of the given information and drawing logical conclusions are essential to give correct answers to the questions from the passages.
The recommended books for English preparation for CLAT
Choosing the best books is important to enhance your knowledge, also to improve the overall score. The list of recommended books is given in the following table:
| Book Title | Name of Author |
| Objective General English | R.S. Agarwal |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren and Martin |
| English is Easy | Chetananand Singh |
| 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis |
| Proficiency in Reading Comprehension | Arihant Publication |
Learn More: Best books for CLAT preparation
What is a good score in the English section of CLAT?
A good score in the English section of CLAT depends on the category of the candidate. Usually, a score of 18+ out of 30 is considered a good score. To get admission in top NLUs, 20+ is recommended.
How to prepare for an English section in CLAT?
Following several effective strategies plays an important role in English preparation for CLAT. The preparation strategies are as follows:
- Understanding exam pattern and syllabus
Familiarised with the English syllabus and question pattern, which is essential for English preparation for CLAT. A proper understanding of the syllabus helps to create a well-structured study plan.
- High-quality study materials
Reputed grammar books can be a game-changer for English preparation for CLAT. Online platforms can be used for advanced practice sets and resources. Joining a reputed coaching institute can be beneficial to get structured guidance and high-quality study materials, as well as updated study materials.
- Enhance reading habits
Developing a habit of daily reading is essential to enhance your reading comprehension. You can go through the editorial section of newspapers, magazines, and various articles. It facilitates coming across new words and sentence construction.
- Regular practice of Grammar and Vocabulary
Having a good grammar book is essential to gain a deep knowledge of the English language. Regular practice of the exercises in a grammar book by a renowned author can improve your speed and accuracy. Spot the error, correct usage of articles, prepositions, and Phrasal verbs needs regular practice.
- Solving practice sets
Practicing the previous year’s question papers is essential to become familiar with the question pattern and number division. You can solve practice sets from several renowned books. Online sites can be a good source to get different practice sets.
The Consortium of National Law Universities(CNLU) releases official sample question papers that are invaluable resources for English preparation for CLAT.
- Regular Mock tests
You should take Mock tests regularly to evaluate your performance. You should include each section of the English syllabus in the mock test to improve your overall CLAT exam preparation.
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- Analyse performance
Analyzing your performance after a mock test is a significant importance to identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can identify which areas need more practice. Self-analysis helps to strengthen your confidence and helps to stay motivated.
- Time management
Allocating adequate time for each section according to your strengths and weaknesses is a key factor in improving your overall performance. You need to set time for reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary after assessing for preparation. You should use a timer while solving practice sets.
If you are searching for a trusted coaching center to strengthen your CLAT exam preparation, then you can contact us, AKAD, a leading CLAT preparation institute in Kolkata. We offer comprehensive exam preparation through a team of dedicated faculty members. We focus on developing your skills through our structured guidance and personalized care. We arrange regular mock tests to assess your progress and to accustom you to the environment of the exam hall.
You can get the facility of offline and online coaching and a one-to-one doubt clearance session from our excellent faculty.
Conclusion
To excel in the CLAT English Language section, improving reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary is essential. It is not a hard way; rather, it can be easily achieved by adopting several effective strategies and by strong motivation. By developing reading comprehension, regular mock tests and self-analysis are effective tips to achieve your desired goal in the CLAT exam. With the right resources and dedication, aspirants can excel in the English section and ensure their admission in reputed law schools.
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