The Core of CLAT: How Reading Comprehension Powers Over 70% of Your Exam

 A Foundational Guide to Thinking Like a Topper

Welcome to the most comprehensive guide you’ll need for conquering the CLAT 2025! As you map out your strategy, you’ll find that while every section is a piece of the puzzle, one skill underpins the entire exam. We’re talking about the backbone of your preparation, the key to unlocking a top-tier score: Reading Comprehension (RC).

Many students view the English section with anxiety. Our goal is to transform that view into one of confidence. By the end of this guide, you won’t just see RC as a hurdle, but as a massive opportunity. Let’s dive deep and understand why mastering this one area is non-negotiable for success.

1. What is Reading Comprehension, Really? (Hint: It’s More Than Just ‘Reading’)

Let’s begin by clearing up a common misconception. The RC section in CLAT is not a simple test of your ability to read English sentences. It’s a test of critical reasoning and analytical skill, presented through the medium of a passage.

Think about this simple sentence:

“While the quarterly report celebrated a 7% GDP growth, it also cautioned that this growth was largely jobless, creating significant long-term societal risks.”

A CLAT-level critical reader instantly analyzes this for:

• The Main Idea: The economic news is mixed; headline growth hides underlying problems.
• The Author’s Tone: Cautious, analytical, and perhaps slightly critical.
• Inference: The author believes that sustainable development requires job creation, not just GDP numbers.

CLAT is testing for that second, deeper level of understanding. They want to see if you can dissect an argument, identify its nuances, and evaluate the author’s perspective. These are the foundational skills of a lawyer. Your RC preparation is your first, most important training for thinking like a lawyer.

2. The Exam Blueprint: Why RC Commands Your Attention

The CLAT UG paper is a comprehension-based exam. The English section, in particular, is entirely composed of RC passages.

• Structure and Weightage: The section typically accounts for 22-26 questions out of the total 120. This means it constitutes roughly 20% of your entire score. This significant weightage makes it a critical area to focus on.
• The Time-Pressure Element: You have only 120 minutes for 120 questions. This one-minute-per-question average includes the time it takes to read 4 to 6 lengthy passages. Your ability to read quickly and accurately is paramount. A student who is slow or inefficient at RC will find themselves desperately short of time, unable to even attempt all the questions.

At a Glance: CLAT RC Format

Here is a quick summary of what you’re up against.

3. Anatomy of a CLAT Passage: Sources, Genres, and Structure

CLAT passages are typically well-structured arguments drawn from high-quality sources.

• Common Sources: Expect passages from newspaper editorials (The Hindu, The Indian Express), financial dailies (Mint), online journals (Aeon, The Diplomat, Foreign Affairs), and excerpts from non-fiction books.
• Typical Structure: Look for a pattern: an Introduction of the main idea, Elaboration with examples, a Turn or counter-argument, and a final Conclusion. Recognizing this helps you read faster.

📚 A Deeper Look at Passage Genres

The passages are intentionally varied. Here are the common genres and how to approach them:

• • Fiction & Literary: These passages test your ability to understand character motivations, narrative voice, and figurative language. Questions will often focus heavily on tone, mood, and inference about characters’ feelings or intentions.
  • Legal Commentary: Directly relevant to your future studies, these passages use formal language to discuss legal principles or analyze court judgments. Your goal is to simplify the complex language to identify the core legal argument, the facts of the case, and the final ruling.
  • Editorial / Opinion: These are argumentative pieces. Your primary task is to identify the author’s central claim and the evidence used to support it. Be vigilant for signs of bias, persuasive language, and the underlying purpose of the author—are they trying to inform, persuade, or criticize?
  • Philosophy / Ethics: These are the most abstract passages. They deal with concepts, theories, and logical arguments. Focus on tracking the flow of the argument from one idea to the next. Don’t get lost in the jargon; try to understand the logical connections between the sentences.
  • Environment & Science: These passages often present problems and solutions or cause-and-effect relationships. They may include data or technical terms. Focus on understanding the relationships between different factors (e.g., how carbon emissions lead to global warming).

4. A Deep Dive into RC Question Types

You will face a variety of questions designed to test different aspects of your comprehension. The main types are:

1. Inference-based Questions

What it tests: Your ability to read between the lines—drawing logical conclusions not directly stated but implied.

What it looks like:

• “Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?”

• “The author implies that…”

• “Which of the following is most likely to be true?”

How to approach:

• Avoid extreme options (like “always”, “never”, etc.)

• Look for subtle hints and logical consequences of what’s stated.

• Stick to what is reasonably supported by the passage—don’t overthink or bring external knowledge.

Example:
If the passage states: “Despite legal reforms, many rural women still lack access to justice,”
An inference could be: Legal reforms alone are not sufficient to ensure access to justice for all women.

 2. Main Idea / Theme

What it tests: Your grasp of the central message or purpose of the passage.

What it looks like:

• “Which of the following best summarizes the main idea?”

• “What is the central theme of the passage?”

• “The passage primarily discusses…”

How to approach:

• Focus on the overall arc of the passage.

• Eliminate choices that are too narrow (only one part of the passage) or too broad (go beyond the scope).

• Think: Why did the author write this?

Example:
If the passage discusses the pros and cons of online education but ultimately advocates for a blended model,
The main idea is: A balanced approach between online and offline education is optimal.

 3. Tone & Attitude

What it tests: Understanding the author’s emotional stance or attitude toward the subject.

What it looks like:

• “What is the tone of the passage?”

• “How does the author feel about…?”

• “The author’s attitude toward X is best described as…”

Common tones:

• Neutral, Analytical, Critical, Sarcastic, Optimistic, Cynical, Ironic, Persuasive

How to approach:

• Pay attention to adjectives, diction, and figurative language.

• Avoid confusing tone (how the author sounds) with content (what the author says).

Example:
If the author writes, “The so-called revolutionary policy did nothing but shift funds around,”
The tone is likely sarcastic or critical.

4. Word in Context

What it tests: Your ability to understand how a word is used within the context of the passage (not just its dictionary meaning).

What it looks like:

• “What does the word ‘X’ mean as used in the passage?”

• “In the context of the sentence, ‘Y’ most nearly means…”

How to approach:

• Read before and after the word to get the full meaning.

• Watch out for idiomatic or figurative uses.

• Don’t jump to the most common definition; pick the one that fits the sentence logically.

Example:
In the sentence, “He was notorious for his magnanimous donations,”
Although “notorious” is usually negative, here it creates irony, so the tone might be sarcastic.

5. Summary / Paraphrasing

What it tests: Your ability to boil down the passage or parts of it into concise, accurate statements.

What it looks like:

• “Which of the following best summarizes the passage?”

• “Which statement paraphrases the second paragraph accurately?”

• “What is the author’s argument in brief?”

How to approach:

• Eliminate choices that distort, oversimplify, or add new info.

• Match the logical structure of the paragraph with the choice.

• Watch out for traps that use the same words but twist the meaning.

Example:
If the paragraph explains that public transport is eco-friendly but underfunded,
An accurate summary is: Public transport has environmental benefits but faces funding challenges.

 6. Fact vs Opinion

What it tests: Your ability to differentiate between objective facts and subjective judgments or interpretations.

What it looks like:

• “Which of the following is a fact, as per the passage?”

• “Which of the following is an opinion?”

• “Which statement can be objectively verified?”

How to approach:

• Facts can be proven or disproven (e.g., statistics, dates, events).

• Opinions reflect belief, interpretation, or bias (look for emotional or evaluative language).

Example:
“India has the second-largest population in the world” → Fact

“India must adopt a stricter population policy” → Opinion

Let’s explore the strategy for the most common ones:

• Main Idea/Central Theme: The main idea must cover the entire scope of the passage, not just one part. It’s often found in the introductory or concluding paragraph.
• Inference Questions: An inference is not stated directly but is strongly implied. It must be provable with evidence from the text.
• Direct Detail/Factual Questions: These are the most straightforward. Scan the passage for keywords from the question to locate the specific detail that holds the answer.
• Author’s Tone/Attitude: Look at the author’s choice of adjectives and adverbs. Are they using positive (laudatory), negative (critical), or neutral (analytical) language?
• Vocabulary-in-Context: Reread the sentence where the word appears and the sentences around it. Substitute the answer options into the sentence to see which one fits the context best.

5. The ‘Force Multiplier’ Effect: How RC Skills Boost Other Sections

The skills you build here are directly transferable across the entire CLAT paper.

When you preparing  for RC, you are efficiently training for well over 60% of the entire CLAT exam.

💡 Pro-Tip : Build Reading Stamina The CLAT exam is a marathon, not a sprint. Your brain will get tired. Once a week, try to solve 4 or 5 passages back-to-back in a single 30-40 minute sitting. This builds crucial “reading stamina” and trains your mind to maintain focus and accuracy even when fatigued, just like it will have to on exam day.

6. Common Pitfalls: Three Traps That Can Derail Your Score

Be aware of these common traps:

1. The “Outside Knowledge” Trap: Your answers must only be based on the information given in the passage.
2. The “Speed Over Substance” Trap: Accuracy first, then speed. It’s better to solve one passage correctly than rush through two and get them wrong.
3. The “Vocabulary Panic” Trap: You will encounter difficult words. Use the context of the surrounding sentences to deduce the meaning. Don’t get stuck.

7. Your Action Plan: A Roadmap and Daily Drill for RC Mastery

A long-term plan combined with daily practice is the key to success.

🎯 Your Skill-Wise Daily Prep Drill

This table outlines your daily drill. Below it, we explain how to execute each drill effectively.

• Elaboration on Daily Drills:
  
  • Inference Practice: When you review your answers, don’t just see the correct option. For each wrong option, classify it: Was it ‘Out of Scope’? ‘Too Extreme’? ‘Contradictory’? This deep analysis trains your brain to spot traps.
  • Tone Practice: After reading an editorial, before looking at any analysis, ask yourself: “What was the author’s mood? Critical, supportive, worried, or just informative?” Write down a “tone word.” This builds your sensitivity to language.
  • Theme/Main Idea Practice: This is a powerful technique. As you finish each paragraph of a passage, pause for 5 seconds and mentally summarize it in a few words. At the end, you’ll have a mental map of the entire passage, making the main idea obvious.
  • Contextual Vocabulary: When you find a tough word, physically cover it with your thumb. Read the sentence and try to guess what kind of word should be there (e.g., “a positive word,” “a word for a type of problem”). Then, look at the word and the options. The context will guide you.
  • Speed/Time Practice: Don’t just time yourself. After the 12 minutes are up, go back and solve the passage again without a time limit. Compare your timed vs. untimed accuracy. This will show you whether you’re rushing and making silly mistakes.

A 3-Month Strategic Roadmap

• Month 1: Building the Foundation (Focus on Accuracy)

  • Habit: Read one quality editorial daily and follow the daily prep plan above.
  • Practice: Solve passages without any time limit, focusing only on getting them right.
  • Analysis: Maintain a mistake log. For every error, write down why you made it.

• Month 2: Building Speed & Stamina (Accuracy + Time)

  • Timed Practice: Start timing your passages as per the daily plan.
  • Sectional Tests: Take one 30-minute English sectional test every two days.

• Month 3: Refinement & Mock Tests (Exam Simulation)

  • Full-Length Mocks: Integrate your RC practice into full-length mock tests to perform under pressure.
  • Strategy Refinement: Decide your attempt strategy (e.g., RCs first or last?).

8. Conclusion: Your Path Forward

Building this skill is a process, and the key is consistent, focused practice. Your first step is simple: start reading quality editorials daily with an analytical mindset and follow the daily drills.

In our upcoming articles, we will provide full-length practice passages and detailed explanations to help you apply these concepts. We’ll provide the tools and guidance; you bring the consistent effort. Let’s get to work.

💡 Pro-Tip: Targeted Practice Once you are comfortable with both levels, use this list for targeted revision. If you are weak in ‘Philosophy’ or ‘Legal Commentary’, use your browser’s search function (Ctrl+F) to find and practice more of those specific genres. This is how you turn your weaknesses into strengths.