Overview of CLAT’s passage-based question : Tips

The CLAT exam emphasizes passage-based questions in nearly all sections. These passages, typically around 450 words long, are sourced from various writings, both contemporary and historically significant. The topics span across fiction, non-fiction, technical, or scientific subjects, but don’t worry—no prior knowledge is required. The difficulty level is in line with Class 12 standards, making these passages manageable with proper techniques.

Let’s break down effective strategies and tips to ace passage-based questions in CLAT 2025.

Reading and Comprehension Tips

Handling passage-based questions requires a balance of speed and comprehension. Here’s how to master it:

Tip	Explanation
Read Regularly	Cultivate a reading habit by going through newspapers, books, legal topics, and Class 12 textbooks. This improves your speed and vocabulary.
Active Reading	Engage with the text by asking, "What is the author’s intent?" or "What does this statement imply?"
Focus on Key Elements	Pay extra attention to the beginning and end of the passage for the main idea and conclusion.
Identify Author’s Opinion	Differentiate between facts, viewpoints, and the author’s opinion. This helps in understanding the tone and arguments.
Simplify Complex Passages	Break down each paragraph into simple summaries to get the core message, without using external knowledge.
Stay Within the Scope	Focus only on the information within the passage. Avoid generalizing or applying external knowledge.

Important Note: Make sure to regularly practice comprehension exercises to boost your reading speed and accuracy.

Answering Passage-Based Questions: Best Practices

Once you’ve read the passage, answering questions strategically is crucial. Here’s how you can tackle them:

Tip	Explanation
Read Questions First	Scan the questions before reading the passage to understand what you should focus on.
Prioritize Questions	Start with questions that are direct and easy to locate within the passage. Save the complex ones for later.
Eliminate Options	Rule out answer choices that are irrelevant, out of scope, or contradictory to the passage.
Avoid Guesswork	If unsure, it’s better to skip the question to avoid negative marking.
Time Management	Time each passage while practicing, ensuring you can maintain a balance between speed and comprehension.

Important Note: Try solving mock papers under timed conditions to improve time management and familiarity with the question types.

Section-Specific Tips for Passage-Based Questions

Each section of the CLAT has its own quirks when it comes to passage-based questions. Here’s how you can handle each of them:

Section	Key Tips
Logical Reasoning	Focus on identifying conclusions and premises. Pay attention to keywords like most or all that guide you to the right answer.
Legal Reasoning	Analyze the facts carefully and relate them to the legal principles in the passage. Avoid assumptions.
General Knowledge	Focus on comprehending the passage, not memorizing every detail. Look for contextual clues that relate to key points.

Important Note: Regularly read legal articles and news reports to familiarize yourself with different types of passages and arguments.

Marking Scheme and Risk Management

With passage-based questions, the CLAT marking scheme becomes particularly important due to negative marking. Here’s a breakdown of how marks are awarded or deducted:

Answer Type	Marks Awarded/Deducted
Correct Answer	+1 mark
Incorrect Answer	-0.25 marks
Unanswered Question	No deduction

Important Note: Avoid blind guesses. If you can’t eliminate enough options, it’s best to leave the question unanswered.

Important Tips for Mastering Passage-Based Questions

Develop Reading Habits: Build a daily reading habit with diverse sources like newspapers, books, and legal materials to boost your reading speed.
Practice Summarizing: While reading passages, break down each paragraph into simple summaries to capture the key points. This technique helps with understanding complex texts.
Skim First, Then Read Deep: Before diving deep into the passage, quickly skim it to get a sense of the structure and content. This will help you locate important details faster.
Use Elimination Techniques: When unsure about an answer, use the elimination method to rule out incorrect options and narrow down your choices.
Simulate Test Conditions: Time yourself when practicing passage-based questions to mimic the real exam environment. This will help improve your ability to balance speed and accuracy.

Conclusion: Tackling CLAT Passage-Based Questions

Mastering passage-based questions in CLAT requires a combination of regular reading, active engagement with the text, and effective answering strategies. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can approach the CLAT exam with confidence and significantly improve your comprehension and time management skills.