5-Month CLAT 2026 Preparation
Preparing for the CLAT exam with only five months left can feel overwhelming, especially if you're just starting or carrying a backlog.
Many students struggle with subjects like Maths, General Knowledge, and reading speed, and their mock test scores don't seem to improve no matter how hard they try.
Watch the complete CLAT 2026: Last 5 Months Preparation Plan From Scratch by Keshav Malpani on YouTube
Understanding the Last 5 Months of CLAT Preparation
Is It Even Possible to Start Late?
Starting your CLAT prep with five months remaining is not easy, but it is definitely possible. The most important thing is to avoid panic.
Panicking usually leads to trying to do too much at once, which wears you out and can make your progress worse. Instead, focus on consistent daily effort and keeping your preparation simple.
Many students feel like they’re behind, but often, others are also facing challenges in different areas. No one is ahead in every subject.
You don’t need to catch everyone at once; you just need to keep moving forward steadily. Self belief is key. If you are dedicated and stick to a focused plan, you can cover a lot in these months.
Additional Resources and Support
Join Batches for Structured Preparation
Consider joining batches like UDDESHYA or UDDESHYA PLUS for CLAT & AILET 2026. These include offline resources such as books and lots of mock tests. Check Uddeshya Plus Batch details here.
Also, explore the Current Affairs and Static GK 2.0 Batch and the foundation batches for upcoming exams.
Shakuntala Scholarship
If you score within Rank 300, you may qualify for the Shakuntala Scholarship, which offers a 100% fee refund. This helps keep you motivated with rewards.
Get Help When Needed
You can easily reach out via the official website, the app (available on Google Play Store), or social media channels like Instagram and Telegram. These platforms provide daily updates, motivation, and help with your doubts.
Preparing for CLAT in the last five months is challenging, but with the right plan and mindset, it’s achievable.
Keep your goals clear, focus on daily progress, balance subjects smartly, and stay consistent. Remember, the journey is tough but so are you.
All the best for your CLAT 2026 Preparation!
For detailed resources and to join preparation batches, visit 12 Minutes to CLAT official website.
Download the preparation app for support on the go: 12 Minutes to CLAT App
Common Challenges Faced by Students
Most students face similar hurdles during their preparation:
- Weakness in Maths, which feels like the toughest part.
- Difficulty in grasping and remembering General Knowledge.
- Slow reading speed affecting scores on comprehension-based questions.
- Feeling overloaded by a backlog of topics and no improvement in mock tests.
Trying to fix all these problems by doing everything every day leads to burnout. That’s why it’s better to create a schedule for just one or two days at a time.
Planning for the next five months in detail is usually tough since you won’t know how long each task will take until you get started.
Moving From Panic to Strategic Planning
Instead of overwhelming yourself, try these mindset shifts:
- Focus on progress, not perfection. It’s okay if you can’t cover everything immediately.
- Set achievable daily goals. Do what you can fully instead of doing half of everything.
- Keep your plan flexible. Build your schedule day-by-day or two days at a time.
This way, your prep becomes manageable. You avoid burnout and stay motivated. Remember, steady progress is what counts.
Building Your Daily Preparation Schedule
Creating a Balanced Daily Study Plan
Your study plan needs to strike the right balance between subjects and current affairs. Keshav Malpani suggests studying two subjects each day along with current affairs. Here’s how to set it up:
- Current Affairs: Spend about 2 hours daily. This helps clear any backlog and keeps you updated.
- Subject Pairing: Pair subjects to keep variety and attention fresh. For example:
- Day 1: Maths + Legal Reasoning
- Day 2: Logical Reasoning + English
- Day 3: Another pair, like Legal + Logical or Maths + English
Make sure each subject appears at least three times a week. Don’t skip core subjects like Maths just because it seems hard.
Prioritizing Maths: Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Maths is often the most feared subject, but ignoring it only makes things worse. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
Start with simple problems and build up confidence. Even if you think you’re weak in Maths, you can improve it with practice.
Keep your mindset positive. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do Maths,” try “I am working on it every day and getting better.” Mathematics is about practice and building speed, not just talent.
Keeping Preparation Simple and Focused
Don’t overload yourself with complex plans or worry about whether you will succeed in these five months. Focus on manageable daily tasks and small, steady progress:
- Read newspapers or current affairs compendiums every day.
- Practice questions from two subjects daily.
- Take sectional tests to improve on weak areas.
Simple, steady steps will add up to big improvements without exhausting you.
Understanding the Exam and Syllabus Deeply
CLAT vs. Other Exams Like UPSC
CLAT is mostly about practice (about 60%) and less about pure memorization (around 40%). Unlike UPSC, which requires extensive memorizing, CLAT focuses on aptitude and quick thinking. That means:
- You should spend more time solving practice questions.
- Be clear on concepts but prioritize applying them quickly.
This is critical for subjects like Logical Reasoning and Maths.
Know the Syllabus and Analyze Past Papers
Before diving into study, get familiar with the syllabus. Then download and review Previous year CLAT question papers. You can find these free on resources like the 12 Minutes to CLAT website.
Start with older papers from 2020 onwards, reading through two papers daily. This helps you:
- Understand question types and patterns.
- See level of difficulty expected.
- Plan which topics to cover first based on frequency.
Master Concepts Section-Wise
CLAT has five main sections, each needing its own focus:
- Legal Reasoning: Work on understanding basic laws and how to apply them.
- Logical Reasoning: Practice puzzles and reasoning questions regularly.
- English Language: Focus on reading comprehension and grammar.
- Quantitative Techniques (Maths): Build speed and accuracy through routine practice.
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs: Revise regularly and stay updated.
Use sectional tests to identify where you're weak and put extra effort there.
Incorporating Mock Tests and Sectional Tests Effectively
Start Mock Tests Early
Don’t wait until you finish the syllabus to start mocks. Begin after 10-12 days of starting preparation with easy questions. Solving mocks early lets you:
- Know how your preparation is really going.
- Identify weaknesses.
- Understand time management for the actual exam.
Mocks are a must for CLAT success.
Schedule and Analyze Your Mock Tests
Aim to take two mock tests per week. For example:
- One test mid-week.
- One test at the weekend.
After every test, spend time analyzing your mistakes. Learn where you lost points and work to improve those areas.
12 Minutes to CLAT provides detailed videos on how to analyze mocks for better learning.
Use Sectional Tests for Targeted Practice
Complement mocks with sectional tests to work on specific weak topics. Do these in a timed environment to build speed and accuracy.
Mix sectional tests with full mock tests for a balanced preparation routine.
Managing Current Affairs and General Knowledge Efficiently
Make Daily Current Affairs a Habit
You must spend about two hours daily on current affairs. This helps you clear your backlog and stay updated for questions in the exam. Use compendiums and reliable newspapers every day.
Improve General Knowledge
General Knowledge is often the hardest section for students. Join dedicated GK batches or courses like the Current Affairs and Static GK 2.0 Batch for structured preparation. Combining GK with current affairs study helps you remember facts better.
Balancing CLAT Preparation with 12th Standard Studies
Put CLAT First in the Last Five Months
If you are currently in 12th grade, focus on CLAT preparation first. The exam will likely happen in November, while board exams come later in December to February. Prioritizing the CLAT exam makes sense because:
- It requires intense prep right now.
- After CLAT is over, you have a focused few months to prepare for your boards.
Ignore Advice That Doesn't Fit Your Schedule
Some school teachers might tell you to focus solely on board exams. However, at this point, balancing both fully is often impossible. Separate your preparation phases: CLAT first, then boards.
Simple Plan for Boards Post-CLAT
Do minimal board study before CLAT and reserve the months after for thorough board preparation. This helps reduce stress and keeps your study schedule clear.
Motivational and Strategic Advice for Consistency
The Right Mindset Matters Most
You don’t need to be the smartest student, just the one who puts in regular, focused effort. Many top rankers come from small towns and average schooling but succeed due to discipline and belief in themselves.
“If I could clear this exam, anyone can.” This mindset will carry you through difficult days.
Avoid Procrastination and Burnout
It’s natural to delay or lose motivation. To fight this, don’t aim to do everything at once. Become extraordinary by being consistent, not by doing more than you can handle.
Set daily targets and stick to them.
Track Your Progress and Stay Positive
Use mock tests to check where you stand. Celebrate small wins and keep your preparation engaging by mixing subjects and methods. This keeps boredom and stress away
