Meet Rajat Kumar, the CLAT 2024 topper who secured All India Rank 1 and earned admission to NLSIU Bengaluru. In this exclusive interview, he shares his complete preparation journey, strategies, and valuable tips for future CLAT aspirants.

🎯 Personal Background

Q; Can you tell us about yourself?

• Name; Rajat Kumar
• CLAT 2024 Rank; AIR 1
• Score: 112.5 /120
• Target NLU; NLSIU Bengaluru
• Educational Background; Class 12 from Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram
• Stream; Commerce with Mathematics

Q; When did you decide to pursue law? “I was always interested in social issues and how laws shape our society. The combination of analytical thinking and social impact that law offers really attracted me. I decided in class 11 that I wanted to join a top NLU.”

📚 Preparation Journey

Q; When did you start preparing for CLAT? “I started my CLAT preparation in June 2024, giving myself exactly 6 months. I believe this was the ideal timeframe - not too long to cause burnout, but sufficient to cover everything thoroughly.”

Q; What was your daily study routine? “My daily schedule was quite structured:

Morning Session (6 AM - 9 AM)

• 6:00-7:30 AM; Newspaper reading (The Hindu + Indian Express)
• 7:30-8:30 AM; Vocabulary and current affairs revision
• 8:30-9:00 AM; Quick math practice

Afternoon Session (2 PM - 6 PM)

• 2:00-3:30 PM; Subject 1 (English/Logical Reasoning)
• 3:30-3:45 PM; Short break
• 3:45-5:15 PM; Subject 2 (Legal Reasoning/Quantitative)
• 5:15-6:00 PM; Practice questions

Evening Session (7 PM - 9 PM)

• 7:00-8:00 PM; Mock test or weak area practice
• 8:00-9:00 PM; Revision and next day planning”

📖 Subject-wise Strategy

English Language (Scored 22 /24)

Q; How did you prepare for English? “English was my strongest section. My strategy included:

1. Daily Reading: 1 hour of newspaper editorials
2. Vocabulary; Learned 15 new words daily using flashcards
3. Practice; Solved 2-3 reading passages daily
4. Grammar; Revised basics from Wren & Martin

Key Tip; Focus on understanding the context rather than just memorizing vocabulary.”

Current Affairs & GK (Scored 26 /28)

Q; How did you handle Current Affairs? “Current affairs required consistent effort:

1. Daily Newspapers; The Hindu and Indian Express (1.5 hours)
2. Monthly Magazines; Pratiyogita Darpan and Competition Wizard
3. Compilation Notes; Made monthly current affairs notes
4. Static GK; NCERT books for basics

Key Tip; Make your own notes and revise them weekly. Don’t rely on compiled materials alone.”

Legal Reasoning (Scored 27 /28)

Q; What was your approach to Legal Reasoning? “Legal reasoning was challenging initially:

1. Concept Building; Understanding legal principles first
2. Practice: 2-3 fact scenarios daily
3. Case Studies; Read about important legal cases
4. Current Legal Issues; Followed legal news

Key Tip; Don’t apply prior legal knowledge. Stick to what’s given in the passage.”

Logical Reasoning (Scored 23 /24)

Q; How did you master Logical Reasoning? “Logical reasoning required systematic practice:

1. Concept Learning; Different types of reasoning
2. Daily Practice: 15-20 questions daily
3. Puzzle Solving; Various types of logical puzzles
4. Time Management; Improved speed gradually

Key Tip; Identify question types quickly and apply appropriate techniques.”

Quantitative Techniques (Scored 14.5 /16)

Q; How did you prepare for Quantitative? “Quantitative was my weak area, so I gave it extra attention:

1. Concept Revision; Class 10th mathematics basics
2. Formula Practice; Created formula sheets
3. Daily Practice: 30 minutes of math problems
4. Mock Tests; Focused on accuracy first, then speed

Key Tip; Don’t skip this section. Even 14-15 marks can make a huge difference.”

📝 Mock Test Strategy

Q; How many mock tests did you take? “I took a total of 45 mock tests:

• 15 full-length mock tests
• 20 section-wise tests
• 10 topic-wise tests

Analysis was crucial - I spent 2-3 hours analyzing each mock test, identifying:

• Question types I got wrong
• Time spent per question
• Silly mistakes
• Areas needing improvement”

Q; What was your mock test strategy?

1. Initial Tests; Focused on accuracy, not speed
2. Middle Phase; Balanced accuracy with time management
3. Final Phase; Full exam simulation under time pressure

Key Tip; Mock test analysis is more important than taking the test itself."

🎯 Exam Day Experience

Q; How was your exam day experience? “I was nervous but well-prepared:

Pre-Exam Routine:

• Woke up at 6 AM
• Light breakfast
• Reached center by 8:30 AM
• Quick revision of current affairs notes

During Exam:

• Scanned the paper first
• Attempted English section first (my strength)
• Moved to Current Affairs
• Then Legal Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning
• Quantitative at the end
• No negative marking risks - didn’t guess unknown answers

Time Management:

• English: 25 minutes
• Current Affairs: 28 minutes
• Legal Reasoning: 35 minutes
• Logical Reasoning: 25 minutes
• Quantitative: 20 minutes
• Revision: 7 minutes”

📚 Book Recommendations

Q; Which books did you use? “My go-to books were:

English:

• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• Objective General English by S. P. Bakshi

Current Affairs:

• The Hindu newspaper
• Pratiyogita Darpan magazine

Legal Reasoning:

• Legal Aptitude for CLAT by Bhardwaj
• Universal’s CLAT Guide

Logical Reasoning:

• Analytical Reasoning by M. K. Pandey
• A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R. S. Aggarwal

Quantitative:

• Quantitative Aptitude by R. S. Aggarwal
• Class 10th NCERT mathematics”

💡 Tips for Future Aspirants

Q; What are your top tips for CLAT aspirants?

1. Start Early: 6 months is ideal, but quality matters more than quantity
2. Consistency; Study daily, even if it’s just 2-3 hours
3. Mock Tests; Take regularly and analyze thoroughly
4. Current Affairs; Start from day 1 and continue till exam day
5. Time Management; Practice under time pressure
6. Health; Don’t neglect physical and mental health
7. Stay Positive; Believe in yourself and your preparation

Q; What mistakes should aspirants avoid?

1. Procrastination; Don’t delay current affairs preparation
2. Neglecting Weak Areas; Work on all sections
3. Guessing; Avoid negative marking
4. Burnout; Take regular breaks
5. Comparison; Focus on your own journey

🏆 Final Words

Q; Any final message for CLAT aspirants? “CLAT is definitely achievable with the right strategy and consistent effort. Remember:

• Quality over Quantity; Focus on understanding concepts
• Consistency is Key; Daily practice matters more than intensive study
• Mock Tests are Crucial; They’re your best preparation tool
• Stay Healthy; Physical and mental health impact performance
• Believe in Yourself; Confidence plays a big role

I came from a regular background and made it to AIR 1. If I can do it, anyone can with dedication and smart work. All the best for your CLAT journey!”

This interview with Rajat Kumar (AIR 1, CLAT 2024) provides valuable insights into the preparation strategy that led to his success. His structured approach, consistency, and focus on mock tests can guide future CLAT aspirants in their preparation journey.