CLAT Legal Reasoning Confusing You? Here's the Simple Way to Crack It

Legal reasoning is likely to be the most confusing section of the CLAT exam. You read a question and you think to yourself — what does this even mean? You are not alone. This is the feeling of nearly all students at first. 

But this is the reality. Legal reasoning is not a knowledge of the law. It involves reading a short text and using the rules provided in the text. No years of law are required to crack this section. The trick is to use the right approach.

What Is Legal Reasoning in CLAT?

In CLAT, you will be provided with a short passage and asked to do legal reasoning. There is a legal principle/rule in the passage. It then presents you with a scenario. You have to use the rule in the situation and choose the correct answer. 

For instance, the passage could read: "A person is accountable for the damage done by his dog. It then presents an example of a visitor being bitten by someone's dog. The rule must be enforced and a decision must be made about who is responsible. 

That is it. No memory. No law books. Reading and thinking.

CLAT Exam Section Overview

Legal reasoning, before that, it's best to know the complete picture of the CLAT exam. Below is a brief summary of all sections.

As you can see, there are 35-39 questions in legal reasoning. That's a lot of paper. Your overall score will increase significantly if you get this section correct.

Simple Steps to Crack Legal Reasoning

Step 1 — Read the Passage First: Always read the passage first before you look at the question. The passage is underlined. Know the rule first.

Step 2 — Identify the Legal Principle: Each passage will have a central rule or principle. Look for it and underline it. The crux of the matter.

Step 3 — Read the Situation Slowly: After reading the rule, read the situation provided again slowly. Do not rush. See how the facts match or do not match the rule.

Step 4 — Apply the Rule, Not Your Opinion: Many students respond in terms of their personal opinion of what is fair or right. Do not do that. Use the rule given in the passage. If the answer doesn't seem right to you, but the rule states otherwise, that's the answer.

Step 5 — Practice Daily: Read a new legal passage each day. These can be found in CLAT previous year question papers and CLAT legal aptitude mock tests. With regular practice this section will feel easy in a few weeks.

Best CLAT Exam Books for Legal Reasoning

One of the biggest CLAT preparation blunders is to use too many books. This is a concise list of the best CLAT exam books which cover all the necessary topics.

How to Use CLAT Previous Year Question Papers

The most useful resource in your preparation will be the CLAT previous year question papers. Here are the correct ways to use them. 

After reading the basics from your CLAT books, you can start solving previous year papers. Avoid beginning with them on day 1. Do each paper in exam conditions. Set the timer for 2 hours. Sit at a table. Avoid using your cell phone. This helps to prepare your mind for stress. 

Once you have completed the paper, review your errors for at least one hour. If you get a wrong answer in a legal argument, re-read the passage. Aim to gain insight into the errors in thinking. 

Attempt to solve the last 7 years of CLAT previous year question papers before the exam.

Read More - Why Most CLAT Aspirants Fail English — And How to Fix It

CLAT Preparation Strategy Month by Month

The key to a good CLAT preparation strategy is not to study for longer hours. It's about learning in the proper sequence. Here is a simple step-by-step plan.

The important thing is to avoid missing out on phases. Students skip building a foundation and go straight to mock tests. This results in low test scores and frustration. If you follow the phases in sequence, you will notice improvement at a steady rate.

CLAT Mock Test Strategy

Simply taking a CLAT legal aptitude mock test or a CLAT logical reasoning mock test is not sufficient. The most important part of the mock test is what you do after it. 

At the end of each mock test, create a brief list of the areas in which you got things wrong. In the next two days, review those topics from your CLAT exam books. Repeat the same test and compare your results to the first to see if you've improved! 

Take the section-wise mock tests first. This means that you take a mock test for the legal reasoning or only for the logical reasoning. If you feel confident, proceed to full length mock tests. 

Reduce the workload of new mock tests in the final month prior to the exam. Pay attention to editing your notes and remaining calm. The relaxed mind is always at its best on exam day.

Final Words

With some understanding of the mechanism, legal reasoning is one of the highest-scoring parts of CLAT. Don't try to memorize laws. Begin to learn how to read a text and use a rule. Get good CLAT exam books, solve CLAT previous year question papers regularly and adopt a smart CLAT preparation strategy. 

Cracking CLAT legal reasoning is definitely achievable with the right approach and consistent effort. Start today.