In my over two decades of experience guiding students through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and other entrance exams, I have witnessed even the brightest minds falter on the big day. Often, it’s not due to a lack of preparation or ability, but because the final day didn’t go as planned. A poorly managed exam day or unforeseen distractions can derail even the most promising candidates.
This is why having a structured and well thought-out plan for your D-Day is absolutely crucial. Stick to a schedule, avoid last minute chaos, and steer clear of anything that could disrupt your focus or pull you off track. Your mental clarity matters more than anything else; a calm and well-prepared mind will always perform at its peak. It’s equally important not to overthink. At this stage, you’ve put in the hard work, honed your skills, and done everything possible to prepare. This is your time to consolidate your efforts and channel them effectively.
In this article, I will share a comprehensive plan to help you navigate your exam day. From practical strategies to mental preparedness, read on to learn how to make the most of your CLAT D-Day and ensure nothing holds you back.
Setting the right mindset
Your mindset will play a pivotal role in determining how well you perform. I have seen that students who remain calm and confident on the exam day tend to outperform those who let anxiety take over, even when both are equally prepared. This is why your mental state is as important as your preparation. First and foremost, trust your preparation. You have spent months, maybe years, honing your skills. Believe in the process you’ve followed and the hard work you’ve put in. Self-doubt has no place in your mind right now. Instead, remind yourself of your strengths and focus on executing your plan. Pre-exam anxiety is natural, but managing it effectively is the key.
To stay calm, avoid overburdening yourself in the final hours before the exam. This is not the time to cram in extra information or worry about topics you feel uncertain about. Trust me, your energy is better spent staying relaxed and mentally composed. Avoid burnout by getting proper rest and maintaining a clear routine the day before. Remember, your mental well-being is closely tied to your physical health. Stay hydrated, eat light but nutritious meals, and avoid anything that could cause physical discomfort. A healthy mind and body will help you stay sharp and perform at your best when it matters the most.
The morning of the exam
The way you begin your exam day sets the tone for everything that follows. A calm, structured morning is your best defense against unnecessary stress. Start with a good night’s sleep. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial this is. Staying up late to revise can backfire, leaving you mentally and physically drained. Before leaving for the exam center, double-check all the essentials. Your admit card and ID proof are non-negotiable - without these, you won’t even be allowed inside. Also, carry a transparent water bottle, an analogue watch, black or blue ball point pens. Make a checklist the night before to avoid any last-minute panic.
Plan to arrive at the exam centre early. Aim to be there at least an hour before the reporting time. Being punctual eliminates the unnecessary stress of rushing or dealing with unexpected delays. It gives you time to familiarise yourself with the surroundings, locate your exam hall, and settle down mentally. Remember, last-minute rush can disrupt your focus. Try to keep your morning simple, calm and well-organised. This small effort will ensure you walk into the exam hall ready to perform at your best.
Stay calm and composed during the exam
When the exam begins, your ability to stay calm and composed will determine how effectively you can apply your preparation. Students lose precious time and confidence when they let a tough question or section rattle them. Remember, composure is your biggest strength in the exam hall. One golden strategy is to flag difficult questions for review. Don’t get stuck on a single question. If something feels too challenging or time-consuming, skip it and move on. Mark it for later review and return once you’ve addressed the easier questions. This approach not only saves time, but also keeps your momentum going.
The skip-and-return method isn’t about giving up; it’s about being strategic. Spending too much time on one question can derail your timing and affect your performance in the rest of the paper. Tackle what you know first, build your confidence, and then circle back to the trickier ones. If you feel overwhelmed, pause for a few seconds. Take a deep breath, close your eyes briefly, and reset your focus.
Lastly, remember that one tough question or section does not define your entire paper. If something feels difficult, don’t let it shake your confidence. Keep moving forward. Trust that your preparation will help you handle the rest of the exam, and that returning with a fresh perspective might make the difficult question seem easier. This mindset will help you make the most of your CLAT exam.
Avoid common pitfalls
Even the most well-prepared students can fall into traps during the exam. Over the years, I’ve seen some predictable mistakes derail candidates' performances. One of the biggest mistakes is overthinking. Spending too much time analysing a single question can hurt your overall time management.
Another common error is neglecting the easy questions while chasing the tougher ones. These easy marks are your low-hanging fruit - don’t miss them in pursuit of solving the most difficult questions. Strike a balance: maximise your score by securing what’s straightforward first, and then tackle the more challenging parts of the paper. Beware of traps in tricky or ambiguous questions. Exam setters often frame questions to test your patience and precision. Read each question carefully, especially if it seems confusing at first glance. Avoid jumping to conclusions or rushing your answer - clarity is key.
Lastly, trust your instincts. Second-guessing yourself and changing answers unnecessarily is another frequent mistake. If you’ve arrived at an answer after thoughtful consideration, stick with it unless you have a solid reason to change. Stay mindful of these pitfalls, and you’ll avoid losing marks unnecessarily.
Do not write on the question paper
CLAT has been restricting students from writing on the question paper. This issue became a hot topic of discussion in this year's CLAT, because the Consortium notified students of this rule just three days before the exam. Thousands of students have emailed CLAT requesting the withdrawal of this rule. Previously, invigilation was not particularly strict about this, and the question paper was carried home by CLAT takers. I agree that the CLAT Consortium is not only correct but also has good intentions and a clear vision in this regard. Underlining is not a good habit because, in the long run, law students have to read extensively, and underlining is often not an option. Writing on the question paper during the exam makes it prone to cheating, as candidates could exchange their question papers to share answers. Although the sets are different, which prevents OMR sheet exchanges from being useful, exchanging question papers could still facilitate cheating. For necessary calculations, rough sheets are already provided.
However, I feel that CLAT should have avoided highlighting this rule just three days before the exam, which created unnecessary panic. In a survey I conducted, I was surprised to find that 95% of students underline passage texts substantially, 4% underline very little, and only 1% do not underline at all. This habit develops from childhood in school. Past CLAT invigilation practices have also contributed to the problem, as the rule was never strictly implemented. Consequently, there is a false notion among CLAT takers that they can write on the question paper, which has been reinforced by their previous experiences.
I appeal to CLAT to allow CLAT 2025 takers to underline since they are so accustomed to this practice that prohibiting it now may affect them mentally. From next year, CLAT can communicate this rule with greater emphasis and clarity. The Consortium must work to dispel this false notion at the right time. At the same time, I agree that this step is a very good initiative by CLAT, which will benefit students in their law school journey and discourage unfair means.
If the Consortium does not reconsider, students must adapt to this rule. These are some practical steps:
Candidates must understand that underlining has no connection to any tangible benefits. It is merely a psychological habit that has developed over time. In fact, underlining often leads to unnecessarily reading almost every word. CLAT takers should work towards disabusing themselves of this false notion.
To address this issue, candidates may move their pen while reading but without actually writing anything.
Students may also practice this technique through sectional tests to build confidence.
For marking answers, candidates can initially place a dot on the OMR sheet and later darken the ovals completely. OMR sheets are scanned three times using varying intensities of light. The final scan can detect even the faintest marks, but the first scan is the primary one. In case of any discrepancy, the results are checked manually. However, if any other oval is marked significantly, candidates may receive negative marks for marking multiple options. The CLAT Consortium has been improving this system every year.
While solving questions, many candidates cross out obviously incorrect options to narrow down the choices. Instead of using ink for this purpose, candidates should consider alternative methods, such as placing objects like a pencil, an extra pen, the cap of a pen, or an eraser on the expected wrong options.
Candidates should accept and adapt to this rule positively. They should view it as a challenge and work on finding effective solutions.
For candidates who underline to reduce anxiety, they can use rough sheets to scribble while reading instead.
Post-exam advice
Once the exam is over, it’s important to stay positive. Over-analysing your performance or dwelling on questions you think you might have answered incorrectly won’t change the outcome. Instead, focus on the effort you’ve put in and the lessons you’ve learned from this experience. For those preparing for other exams, don’t lose momentum. Whether it’s another entrance test or even your upcoming board exams, keep your focus sharp. Use the confidence to fuel your preparation for what’s ahead. Remember, every exam is a stepping stone toward your larger goals.
To all aspirants, here’s a message from me: You’ve already worked hard and given your best. Trust in yourself and the effort you’ve invested. CLAT is a significant milestone, but it’s just one part of your journey. Life will present you with many opportunities, and success comes to those who stay resilient and focused. Stick to the plan you’ve created for yourself and avoid second-guessing your choices. Trust the process—you’ve prepared for this moment, and now is the time to believe in your abilities. Remember, the exam does not define you; it’s simply a test of your skills at this point in time.
Finally, always aim high. Stay true to your vision, perform to the best of your ability, and keep moving forward. Regardless of the outcome, know that this is just the beginning of a bright future. Stay positive, stay determined, and never lose sight of your goals. All the best!
Rajneesh Singh is the Founder and Chief Mentor of CLAT Essentials.