CLATEXAM Blog

Hi all!
Wish you a very promising 2010.
Many people ask me:
Should I prepare for Legal Reasoning or Legal GK?
I say, prepare for both.
The reason being:
The syllabus says legal aptitude, not legal GK in particular.
In a general sense, legal aptitude does cover legal reasoning.
If legal GK were not there in ‘legal aptitude’, then there
is a great chance that it could be merged into GK.
In CLAT 2008, our GK section did contain many questions which would have otherwise come under Legal GK in CLAT 2009.
Therefore, take no chances and firm up your legal reasoning.
Legal GK is never removed. If not in legal aptitude, it will be
merged into GK, that is in the GK section, your knowledge of legal affairs will be tested.
So much for now.
You can post your queries in the form of comments on this blog.
I will attend to them.
All the Best!
Aditya.

Dear All,
I have received a number of questions regarding GK Preparation.
As regards General Knowledge, the following materials may do you good:
Civil Services Exam Magazines
YearBooks: Penguin, Manorama or CSR
Editorials of Newspapers
Dedicated GK Books- many publishers offer them.

Remembering the Carnage that unfolded on 26/11 last year, I came across this really patriotic video titled
‘YAHI SACH HAI’ on youtube.
Click on this link to watch it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti4lvfHzjUU

It is also available at Rediff at:
http://ishare.rediff.com/video/entertainment/yahi-sach-hai/888169

I think we must take the initiative to forward this video to as many friends as possible. The Indian Public has a really short memory. If the courageous deeds of our security forces are allowed to die out, then they may feel extreme demotivation. I find this video to be of a new breed of patriotic songs- something very different from songs like ‘vande mataram’ we are used to. Therefore, let us spread this message of patriotism far and wide.

All the Best!
Aditya Singh.

Happy Deepavali to all of you!
I hope you all are getting more enlightened about the CLAT with every passing day.
For Diwali, I thought about shedding some light on the world of logical reasoning for our budding CLAT aspirants.
Logical Reasoning for CLAT.
In CLAT, passage reasoning is important.
In passage reasoning, you may get a paragraph of 3 or 4 sentences. Then you are to arrive at logical conclusions from it, such as the assumption of the paragraph, its contradiction, comparing it with another proposition, etc.
When I prepared for CLAT 2008, I was unable to get enough practise in this section. Consequently, it let me down in the paper, as I lost around 10-15 marks in passage reasoning.
Therefore, whenver you buy a logical reasoning book, make sure it has passage reasoning.
Be sure to check the guides for the same. My Universal guide in 2008 did not contain many questions of that type, giving me very little practise in the section.
I think that the thicker version of RS Aggarwal has more passage reasoning questions. The thinner version used by me did not satisfy me.
Be sure to take note of this.
All the Best…for CLAT’10.
May Deepavali shine its light deep into your hearts,
Aditya Singh,
NALSAR.

I have come across this question many times:
“Do we need to study current affairs of the last 4 years for CLAT?”
Well, current affairs has a slightly different connotation.
It is not necessary to browse through news articles solely on the basis of their place in time.
The question paper asks you about relevant issues. For example, the Indo-US nuclear deal lasted from 2005 to 2009. The matter took twists and turns. Therefore, issues like that, if they are of a changing nature, can figure in multiple question papers.
Therefore, stay abreast with the latest developments through the media. Also, the editorial page of the newspaper carries detailed analysis of important issues. Such analysis also involves issues that have been going on for years together, such as the Kashmir issue.
Try this, and wait for the next CLATEXAM tip.
All the Best!
Aditya

Hey Aspirants,
Take a look at the way you practise your model papers,
Practise every three days.
Have a paper centric approach.
See how well your preparation reflects in the Model Paper
Analyse your relative performance in the different Subjects.
Then, allot time time in inverse proportion of your score.
That is, the worse you perform in a section, the more preparation time you give it till the next model paper.
Also,
As far as current affairs are concerned,
Be sure to read the following parts of the newspaper carefully:
Front Page, National, International, Editorial
Also read the important news in the following sections:
City, Sports, Miscellaneous
All the Best!
Next Tip Next Week,
Aditya Singh,
NALSAR

Use the Merriam Webster vocabulary builder.
Its division of words into small chapters is helpful. It is convenient to do 1 chapter a day.
The exercises at the end of each chapter consolidate these words in your memory.
Try it!
Aditya

The Model papers for CLAT show the true worth of your preparation.
Be sure, given that CLAT 2010 is a long while away, to practise at least one model paper a week.
Use your performance in the paper to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Then change the course of your preparation to fill those gaps in your preparation.
Indeed, practising on the field keeps a sportsman close to reality.
The Same Applies to You!
Aditya Singh.

In the newspaper read every bit of law related news. For example, a court judgement in some case
Also, look for repetitive elements. For example, many issues appear again and again. Study them closely.
Lastly,
Make sure you read the edit page. It will help you revise issues of national importance and presents deep analytical insight.

Dear Aspirant,
Right now, you have 9 months to go for CLAT 2010.
You do need a good vocabulary and good gk to crack it.
For a good vocab, do read the editorial in newspapers.
Grasp their core issue and mark words you do not understand.
Then look up those words on the dictionary. Note them in the register and revise regularly.
It will immensely strengthen your vocab over 6 months.
Do try it!
All the Best!
Aditya Singh.

Dear All,
Never underestimate the importance of practice in one’s life.
Especially when it comes to the CLAT.
Practice model papers and past question papers extensively.
For CLAT 2010, order the papers offered by NALSAR for the time being. They will make good practice till the next law university releases its version.
The Golden Rule is: Back up theory with practice.
All the Best!
Aditya Singh.