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With just a few hours left for CLAT 2026, scheduled on December 7, over 70,000 law aspirants nationwide are entering the final stretch of preparation with increasing uncertainty over exam-day pressure and question patterns.
In a recent briefing on the YouTube channel “12 Minutes to CLAT,” leading national mentor Keshav Malpani outlined critical last-minute exam-day behaviours candidates must be prepared for.
- Key hall-level challenges students typically face during national law entrance exams
- Expected difficulty shifts in English, Legal Reasoning and Quantitative Techniques based on past CLAT trends
- Time-management tactics for maintaining accuracy under a 120-minute window
- How to react if the paper feels tougher than expected in the first 15 minutes
- Common errors aspirants make in panic mode and how to avoid them
CLAT 2026 Exam Predictions: What Will Happen on Dec 7th? (Difficulty & Pattern Decoded)
Based on Keshav Malpani’s inputs, Collegedunia presents a detailed analysis to help aspirants refine their final CLAT 2026 strategy.
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Expected Difficulty Level of CLAT 2025
As per the previous paper analysis, CLAT hasn't been extremely difficult in the last six years since the pattern change. "Difficult means three sections become very difficult. One section being difficult is not difficult," clarifies Malpani.
The real challenge isn't the difficulty but managing time efficiently when the paper is relatively easier, as this pushes cutoffs higher.
| Difficulty Pattern (Last 6 Years) | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| The three sections are very difficult | Never happened |
| One section difficult | Common occurrence |
| Overall difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Expected 2026 level | Easy to Moderate |
Also Read:How many candidates appear for CLAT?
Ques. How difficult will CLAT 2026 be?
Ans. CLAT 2026 will likely range from easy to moderate difficulty. Three sections becoming very difficult has never happened in the past six years of this pattern.
The Importance of Attempts on CLAT 2025
Students need to understand that "The more you attempt, the better are the chances of you scoring well in this exam,". Students shouldn't aim for perfection with just 100 questions, expecting to score in the 90s.
| Attempt Strategy | Questions | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Known answers | 75-80 | Answer confidently |
| Calculated risks | 15-20 | Use elimination |
| Total target | 90-100+ | Maximize attempts |
| Avoid | Perfect accuracy with low attempts | Risky strategy |
Also Read:
- CLAT Admit Card 2026 Released: Download CLAT Admit Card 2026, Details Mentioned, How to Download
- CLAT Exam Centres
Ques. How many questions should I attempt in CLAT?
Ans. Target 90-100+ questions. Expect to know 75-80 answers confidently, then take calculated risks on the remaining questions using elimination techniques for better results.
Section-Wise Time Management
| Section | Ideal Time | If You Need More | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal | 35-40 mins | Up to 45 mins | Choose 5 out of 6 passages |
| English | 35-40 mins | - | Start with shorter passages |
| Logical | 30-35 mins | - | Skip confusing AR questions initially |
| Quant | 20-25 mins | - | Do easy ones first |
| Current Affairs | 15-20 mins | - | Read passages carefully |
Students should be flexible with their approach. If a difficult passage appears in their strongest section, they shouldn't spend more than the designated time per passage.
Also Check: CLAT Preparation for last-minute revision.
Ques. How should I manage time if Legal Reasoning takes longer?
Ans. If you typically need 45 minutes for Legal, choose 5 out of 6 passages to complete properly. Skip the lengthiest or most confusing passage initially.
CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key and Solution PDF
| CLAT Paper | Download PDF | Detailed Solution |
|---|---|---|
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set A | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set B | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set C | Download | Check Solution |
| CLAT 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Set D | Download | Check Solution |
Handling Unexpected Situations: What CLAT Aspirants Must Be Prepared For
As per our experts’ analysis highlights several exam-day challenges that CLAT candidates may realistically face, based on patterns observed in recent years.
Vague or Incorrect Questions
CLAT has previously included ambiguous or unsolvable questions, including an Analytical Reasoning set last year that contained incorrect data. Candidates are advised to avoid getting stuck on such items-” if a question doesn’t work even after a second attempt, it is wiser to move on rather than lose precious minutes”.
Invigilator-Related Delays
At some centres, invigilators may unintentionally consume 2-4 minutes with unclear or extended announcements. Aspirants are reminded not to let these minor disruptions unsettle them.
Ques. What if invigilators waste my time?
Ans. Even if a few minutes are lost, candidates should quickly adjust by attempting two or three simpler questions to regain pace. The remaining 118 minutes must be used efficiently regardless of early disturbances.
External Disturbances
Noise outside the exam hall or conversations within the room can disrupt concentration. Candidates should calmly and politely request the invigilator to maintain silence and ensure a conducive test environment. Being firm yet respectful helps resolve such issues without escalation.
Also Check: CLAT Preparation for last-minute revision.
OMR Filling Tips for CLAT 2025
A surprisingly common mistake is incorrect OMR filling. "Out of every 100 students, one fills the OMR incorrectly,". Since machines check OMRs, partially filled or messy circles might not be read correctly.
Critical OMR Guidelines:
- Keep 3-4 extra minutes for OMR filling
- Fill circles completely but neatly
- n starting numbers (e.g., Legal starts at Q56, not Q55)
- You only get ONE Double-check sectioOMR sheet - no replacements
Also Read:
Ques. How carefully should I fill the OMR sheet?
Ans. Very carefully! Fill circles within boundaries. Machines scan OMRs, so messy or partial filling may not register. Keep 3-4 extra minutes for this task.
To sum up, the exam will have 120 questions and exactly 120 minutes. Students have complete control over how they use this time, even if they can't control the result or which NLU they get.
You should have this mindset: "If you believe you can do it, only in that scenario will you be able to do it." Every year, students with this mindset start preparation, can successfully crack CLAT - there's nothing superhuman about it.
The key is to fight till the end, stay confident, and not curse yourself during the exam. Problems can be addressed after 4 PM when the exam ends, but during those crucial 120 minutes, complete focus and self-belief are essential.
As CLAT 2026 approaches, remember: the paper won't be extremely difficult, maximise your attempts, be flexible with strategy, and most importantly, believe in yourself. Good luck to all aspirants!
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