When you read the interviews of CLAT and AILET toppers, you’ll find one thing in common. All of them will say that Previous Years’ Question Papers are very important.
This is also a tip that we have been hearing for quite some time now. So are the CLAT Previous Years’ Question Papers really important? Let us find out!
1. Understanding the syllabus and the pattern:
Entrance exams like CLAT and AILET don’t have a very rigid or strict pattern. While the syllabus for the same is available online, it isn’t exhaustive or very static. Thus, the best way to understand the syllabus and the pattern of the exam is by looking at the previous year questions (PYQs).
These can help you understand the type of questions asked, the word limits followed, and the topics the questions are usually from. Thus, solve the previous year questions before moving on to the mocks.
Once you know the general pattern and the type of questions asked, you will be able to complete the paper in the prescribed time limit easily.
2. Best for practice:
The key to cracking entrance exams like CLAT, AILET etc is practice. Previous years’ question papers are a great way to do that.
They can be especially helpful for the legal reasoning section. Practise the principle-fact questions and the passage-based ones. They will give you a fair idea of the level of preparation you need.
Try to practise the PYQs in a time-bound manner. Check your comprehension rate later by looking at the number of correct questions. If you have been able to solve a good percentage of questions correctly, then your preparation is on the right track. Analyse the papers thereafter.
Treat it like a mock. Find out where you went wrong. Was it due to conceptual confusion? If it was, read the theoretical part of the topic, and practise more questions on it. Thus, use these papers to find out where you stand and gauge your level of preparation.
3. Helpful for planning and formulating a strategy:
Once you know what your level of preparation is, prepare a strategy. Formulate a plan of action, both for the preparation and the exam day.
Check if you understand concepts of Logical Reasoning, Legal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Techniques. If the answer is no, practise more. If the answer is yes, but you’re doubtful, practise more.
Solve more mock tests. Check the time you take in solving a passage. Try to reduce it. If not, follow it strictly. Find out what you’re good at, and what helps you score more. Is it reading the whole passage before attempting questions? Or is it reading the questions first before skimming through the passage?
Find out the best way for you to score more, and use it. This can only be done by practising such papers and preparing an effective strategy.
Thus, Previous Years’ Question Papers are really important and can play a huge role in your preparation. Use them wisely.
All the best!
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Sanya Ambastha
Contributing author
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