How to Score 25+ in English for CLAT 2024?

Reader's Digest - If you're aiming for a score of 25+ in English for CLAT 2024, then you're in the right place! Read this blog for valuable tips and tricks to help you achieve your target score in the CLAT English language. 

English is a critical component of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), and scoring high in this section can significantly boost your overall CLAT score. However, achieving a score of 25+ in English is difficult and requires careful planning and preparation.

Most of you preparing for the law entrance exams might think that English does not require much practice. But this is not true. Like other sections, you must give equal importance to the English subject.

Here, we have answered the commonly asked question on how to score 25+ in CLAT English language:

• How can I improve my speed in the CLAT's English section? You can improve your speed by practising regularly, solving mock tests, and taking timed quizzes. Try to read and understand the questions quickly, and don't spend too much time on any one question.
• Which is the best book for CLAT English language? Refer to the best CLAT book, Objective General English, by SP Bakshi, to enhance your grammar and vocabulary skills. 
• How can I learn new vocabulary words to score 25+ in English for CLAT? Read books, newspapers, and online articles to expand your vocabulary. Make a list of new words and their meanings, and revise them regularly.
• What should I do if I get stuck on a question in the English section? Don't spend too much time on any one question. If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next one and return to it later if you have time.

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How Many Questions are Asked in CLAT English Language 2024?

•  As per the latest pattern, the English section includes 450 words of passages followed by 4-5 questions taken from historically or contemporarily important non-fiction and fiction work.
• There will be about 28-32 questions under the English section, meaning around 20% of the CLAT Question Paper comprises English questions. 
• The important topics for the English section are comprehension, the transformation of sentences, subject-verb agreement, synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, spotting of common errors, and idioms.
• It is crucial to manage time and dictate yourself in improving your CLAT English language vocabulary to the best of your capability.

The video below is by Anuja Ma’am, who guides aspirants through the English section for the CLAT exam. Here, she teaches aspirants of CLAT 2024 the strategy for the English language section in the paper. Every aspirant must watch the video and take notes because it is surely helpful.

Important Topics for CLAT English Language 2024

Preparing for the English section of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2024 can be overwhelming, as there are many topics to cover in the English syllabus for CLAT.

Here are some important topics for CLAT 2024 that must be prepared for the English section as per the CLAT English syllabus: 

• Sentence Correction
• Error Detection
• Para Jumbles/Sentence Rearrangement
• Fill in the Blanks
• Cloze Test
• Idioms and Phrases
• Comprehension-Based Questions
• Foreign Language Words
• Spelling Check
• Synonyms and Antonyms

How to Score 25+ in English for CLAT 2024?

Do you read every day to enhance your English speaking skills? When we say reading, it does not imply study material or textbooks. Instead, it could be anything like reading novels or English newspapers.

There are several essay web pages that post quality English write-ups and articles that can help you level up your comprehension skills.

For the last three years, there have been 30 questions asked in the English section. Let us assume the same number for this year and learn the guidelines to help you score 25+ in English in the upcoming CLAT 2024 Entrance Exam.

1. Pay Attention to Small Things 

While preparing for the exam, you cover all the topics, right? You must have done it in English too. But you still make mistakes? 

• The devil is in the details: Small details in the comprehension passage can make a big difference in your understanding and score. Pay attention to every word, punctuation mark, the English grammar rules, and the exceptions you miss. Hence, focus on filling the gap in the CLAT English language sections with small and key concepts. If missed, the smallest ‘un’ before the word ‘true’ can lead to a -0.25 in the place of a +1.0, which is why you must read attentively.
• Read between the lines: The passage may not explicitly state everything. Be attentive to implied meanings, subtle clues, and hidden messages. Your direct inferences help you answer questions that are mainly idea-based or opinion of the author based.
• Keep track of time: Reading the entire passage quickly is not enough. Allocate enough time to read and comprehend each sentence, paragraph, and section.
• Practice makes perfect: The more you practice comprehension passages, the better you become at identifying small details, understanding context, and reading between the lines.
• Mind your grammar: Attention to grammar rules, sentence structures, and punctuation marks. These small things can impact your comprehension and score.

2.  Focus on Grammar & Vocabulary

The English language relies heavily on vocabulary. So, it's important to have a solid foundation in grammar and vocabulary, as these are the building blocks of any language.

Here are the tips for scoring more in CLAT English language:

• Read widely: The more you read, the more exposure you get to new words and concepts, which can help you improve your vocabulary.
• Use a dictionary: Look up unfamiliar words in a dictionary and learn their meanings, synonyms and antonyms.
• Practice with flashcards: Create flashcards with new words and their definitions and use them for regular practice.
• Watch movies and TV shows with subtitles: This can help you pick up new words and phrases in context.
• Play word games: Games like Scrabble, crossword puzzles and word jumbles can help you expand your vocabulary. Hence work up vocabulary and practice Important CLAT English Vocabulary Questions to brush it up. Vocab Jam is something you can do with fellow aspirants.
• Learn roots, prefixes and suffixes: Understanding the meaning of common roots, prefixes, and suffixes can help you decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words.
• Use new words in context: Try using new words you've learned in conversation or writing to reinforce their meaning.
• Take online vocabulary quizzes: Many websites offer quizzes and tests to help you practice and gauge your progress.
• Review regularly: Make a habit of regularly reviewing new words you've learned to help them stick in your memory.

3. Practice Reading Comprehension 

The reading comprehension section can be tricky, as the passages are often lengthy and complex. Identify the main idea and supporting details, and make notes to help you remember important points.

Here are some tips to ace the CLAT English language:

• Active Reading: Practice active reading techniques such as underlining, highlighting, and note-taking while reading the comprehension passages to engage your mind and enhance your comprehension.
• Vocabulary Building: Improve your vocabulary by reading regularly, using a dictionary, and learning new words daily. This will help you understand the passage better and answer the questions accurately.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Practice regularly by solving past papers, mock tests, and quizzes to improve your comprehension and speed.
• Time Management: Manage your time wisely by reading the questions and the passage to identify the relevant information quickly. This will help you answer the questions accurately and save time.
• Analyze the Passage: Analyze the passage carefully and understand the main idea, theme, tone, and purpose of the author to comprehend the text effectively.
• Stay Focused: Stay focused and avoid distractions while reading the passage. This will help you concentrate and understand the passage better.
• Multiple Readings: Read the passage multiple times if required to understand the nuances and details of the text.
• Mind Mapping: Use mind mapping techniques to organize your thoughts and understand the relationship between different ideas in the passage.
• Relevance of Context: Pay attention to the context of the passage and answer the questions based on the relevant information provided in the passage.
• Confidence and Attitude: Develop a positive attitude and boost your confidence to perform well in the English section. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and you will score 25+ in CLAT 2024!

4. Avoid Fatigue Error

CLAT Exam is a very reading-intensive exam where you will read continuously in all sections like reading comprehension-based passages, CLAT reasoning, and Legal section.

Here are some points on how to avoid fatigue errors in comprehension and score 25+ in English for CLAT 2024:

• Read actively: Avoid passive reading by actively engaging with the text. Highlight key phrases, make notes, and ask yourself questions as you read to keep your mind focused.
• Take breaks: Reading and comprehending lengthy passages can be exhausting, and regular breaks are important to avoid fatigue. Stand up, stretch, or briefly walk to refresh your mind.
• Practice mindfulness: Stay present and focused on the task at hand. Avoid distraction from outside noise or internal thoughts by practising mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation.
• Build stamina: Reading and comprehending lengthy passages takes practice. Start with shorter passages and gradually work to longer ones to build your reading stamina.
• Practice time management: Time management is key to avoiding fatigue during the CLAT exam. Practice setting time limits for each passage and work on improving your speed without sacrificing comprehension.

5. Understand the Trap

Comprehension is a vital part of the English section in CLAT 2024, and it can be a tricky trap for many candidates.

Here are tips for understanding the traps to score 25+ in English in CLAT 2024:

The trap in comprehension involves getting caught up in the details and missing out on the passage's main idea, tone, and purpose.

• To avoid the trap, read the questions first and scan the passage for keywords and relevant information.
• Focus on the passage's main idea, tone, and purpose, and use context clues to understand unfamiliar words and phrases.
• Avoid getting bogged down by the details, as they can distract you from the primary objective of the passage.
• Practice comprehension passages regularly and develop a systematic approach to tackle them.
• Take note of the time, and don't spend too much time on a single question. Move on if you get stuck, and return to it later if time permits.
• Remember that comprehension is about reading, answering questions, and understanding and interpreting the passage.
• The experts set the exam paper to evaluate your analyzing skills. That is why you typically see very close options in the question paper. 
• Many students get carried away with the close options and mark the wrong answer. 
• Do not get trapped in this. The solution is to brush up on your concepts and make your understanding precise. 
• Try to sharpen your understanding of language. This way, you will be easily able to differentiate between close options.

6. Always Be Prepared

• To score 25+ in CLAT English, always be prepared for something new!
• Yes, CLAT is an exam where you can expect the unexpected. So be mentally prepared to expect something new in the exam.
• For example, this year, there are some questions on the figure of speech topic. It haunted many aspirants who were not ready for the surprise. 
• Do not let such things affect your performance. Focus on what you have learned and prepared, and be confident about it. 
• Do not let the exam hall pressure haunt your confidence level. Practice CLAT Mock Tests curated by the Subject Matter Experts of Legal Edge.

Read More: Short Tricks to Enhance your English Speaking Skills for CLAT

7. Focus on Mindful Reading

Follow the tips mentioned here to score more in the CLAT English language:

• Mindful reading involves actively engaging with the text, focusing on the details and nuances to fully comprehend the author's intended meaning.
• Develop a reading plan and set aside time for reading practice, avoiding distractions and creating a calm environment to maximize focus.
• Practice reading different texts, including articles, essays, and literary works, to improve comprehension skills and familiarity with different writing styles.
• Use annotation techniques, such as highlighting and note-taking, to aid comprehension and retention of important information.
• Build vocabulary and grammar skills to enhance comprehension and make reading more enjoyable and meaningful.
• Read actively, questioning the text and analyzing the author's purpose and perspective.
• Practice reading critically and engaging with the text, evaluating the arguments and evidence presented, and forming informed opinions.
• Develop a growth mindset, recognizing that practice and dedication can improve reading comprehension skills.

8. Improve your Speed

Refer to these tips to improve your speed in the CLAT English language:

• Time management is key when it comes to the English section of CLAT.
• You'll have to answer 28-30 questions in 30 minutes, which means you need to be able to read and understand the questions quickly.
• To improve your speed, practice solving sample papers and take timed quizzes.
• Focus on developing your reading speed by regularly reading newspapers, novels, and other reading materials.
• Improve your vocabulary by learning new words daily and understanding their meaning and usage.
• Practice active reading by highlighting and taking notes while reading, which will help you retain information better.
• Familiarize yourself with the different types of comprehension questions and their formats to better understand what is being asked.
• Learn to identify the passage's main idea and key points quickly, as this will help you answer questions faster.
• Practice time management by setting a timer and attempting to complete comprehension passages within a set time frame.
• Develop a systematic approach to answering questions, such as reading and returning to the passage to find the answer.

How to Attempt CLAT English Language Questions 2024?

The English questions for CLAT can be attempted in several ways. Some of them are given below.

Following these tips will help enhance your CLAT English Preparation 2024 and score well in the upcoming exam.

• Each passage will mainly have one main point that you need to discern. Then, you need to identify the statements for or against them in the passage. Most of these passages will be something that you don’t require prior knowledge to solve.
• After detecting the main point, it is important to remember several questions about the passage. Questions like who, why, what, where, etc., will help you to analyze and understand the passage better.
• It is crucial to pay attention when a new paragraph changes. The usage of words like however, nevertheless, etc., can be used to present the counter-argument. You have to read it minutely to find out the fine details.
• Vocabulary questions are mainly of two kinds. One asks the meaning of a specific word, and the other asks the meaning of the word in reference to the passage. It is advisable to read two lines before and after the mentioned word. Reading these lines lets you ascertain the word's meaning even if you are unaware.
• It is wise to approach the questions only after you have understood the passage as best as possible. This will help you to solve it quickly.
• It is essential to be absolutely concentrated while reading the questions. Minor additions of words can change the entire meaning of the question and, thereby, the answer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, scoring 25+ in English for CLAT 2024 is definitely achievable with the right strategy and practice. Focus on grammar and vocabulary, practice reading comprehension, improve your speed, learn from your mistakes, stay updated with current affairs, don't neglect mock tests, and get expert guidance if needed. Best of luck!

“The earlier you start working on something, the earlier you will see results.”