CLAT 2026 AIR 10 Aarav Pareta on why mock analysis matters more than scores

In short

Aarav Pareta, CLAT 2026 AIR 10, emphasised that analysing mock tests is more crucial than the scores obtained.
Pareta, a Humanities student, dedicated half of his preparation time to General Knowledge and the other half to other subjects.
He focused on improving weak areas like Critical Reasoning and Legal Reasoning, which were initially challenging.
The CLAT 2026 paper was described as lengthy with an overall easy to moderate difficulty, making time management a key challenge.
Pareta is currently in his first semester at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, where he notes the academic rigour is significant.

Aarav Pareta, who achieved All India Rank (AIR) 10 in the CLAT 2026 examination, highlighted the importance of in-depth mock test analysis over mere scores in an interview on 24 September 2026. Pareta, who is now a student at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, shared his preparation journey and initial experiences at the institution.

The CLAT 2026 paper, for which analysis was published on 6 December 2025, was noted for its length and an overall easy to moderate difficulty level, posing time management as a significant challenge for many candidates. Most candidates attempted between 105 and 118 questions in the examination.

Emphasising Mock Analysis over Scores

Aarav Pareta, also known as Aarav TikKoo, stressed that the learning derived from mock tests comes primarily from their analysis, not just the scores. He stated that a mock test with a lower score could offer more valuable takeaways than one with a high score, advocating for equal time spent analysing all mocks regardless of performance. Pareta noted that analysis should involve a deeper practice of adjusting cognitive thinking and amending one’s approach for subsequent mocks.

He further added that simply checking mistakes and finding solutions is not sufficient for detailed mock analysis. This approach, says Pareta, helps identify crucial areas for improvement and informs future preparation strategies. He began his CLAT journey in 2024 as an online student before transitioning to an offline ecosystem at LegalEdge Bhopal.

CLAT 2026 Preparation Strategy and Subject Focus

Pareta, who comes from a Humanities background, noted that this background provided some familiarity with CLAT passage content, such as economics and political science, though he considered this advantage to be of no great significance. His preparation strategy involved giving equal respect to all subjects and prioritising work on weak points. In the final months of preparation, he focused heavily on mocks and General Knowledge, taking at least three mocks per week.

Initially, Pareta dedicated approximately 30% of his time to his weakest subjects, which included Critical Reasoning and Legal Reasoning, and 20% to General Knowledge. He later spent half of his total preparation time on General Knowledge, acknowledging its volume-heavy nature, and the other half on other subjects. For Current Affairs and General Knowledge, he relied on monthly magazines provided by his coaching institution. The CLAT exam, he observed, is heavily based on newspaper reading and reading across diverse genres.

Section	Total Questions	Good Score	Cut-Off Score
English Language	24	21.5 Overall – 18+	NA
Current Affairs & General Knowledge	28	23	18
Quantitative Techniques	12	8	5
Logical Reasoning	25	18	14
Legal Reasoning	30	25	20

Insights into CLAT 2026 Paper and Cutoffs

The CLAT 2026 paper was described as lengthy, with Legal and Quantitative Techniques sections being particularly time-consuming for many students. The Logical Reasoning section presented a surprise with 18 questions from Analytical Reasoning and only 7 from Critical Reasoning, contrasting with previous patterns. One question in the Blood Relations / Symbols topic within Logical Reasoning was identified as incorrect.

The expected cutoff for the General Category for admission to the top three National Law Universities (NLUs) was projected to be between 95 and 100 marks. For securing a seat in any NLU under the General Category, the expected cutoff ranged from 77 to 82 marks. Pareta noted that CLAT has consistently changed its pattern, question types, sources, and methods every year since 2020, making it an exam where candidates must expect the unexpected.

CATEGORY	TOP 3	OVERALL (ANY NLU)
GENERAL	95-100	77-82

Life at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

Reflecting on his experience at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Pareta described the academic rigour as unmatched. He acknowledged being in his first semester and experiencing this intensity firsthand. However, he also highlighted that NALSAR offers numerous activities beyond academics that help alleviate stress.

Pareta expressed that while achieving AIR 10 felt great, the accomplishment itself does not define him. Instead, he believes the months of hard work leading up to the exam are what truly define the person, viewing the rank as a significant moment captured in essence.

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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