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

Aarav TikKoo, who secured All India Rank 10 in the CLAT 2026 examination, highlighted the importance of in-depth mock analysis over mock scores in his preparation strategy. TikKoo, currently in his first semester at NALSAR, shared his journey and insights on 24 September 2026, emphasising that understanding takeaways from mocks, regardless of the score, is key to improvement.

TikKoo, originally from Haldwani, Uttarakhand, started his CLAT journey in 2024 after his board exams. He initially prepared online before transitioning to an offline coaching environment at LegalEdge Bhopal, citing the lack of a dedicated CLAT ecosystem in his hometown and the benefits of offline support and mentorship.

CLAT 2026 Preparation Strategy and Mock Analysis

Aarav TikKoo detailed his preparation approach, which involved giving equal respect to all subjects and prioritising weak areas. He stated that in the final few months leading up to CLAT 2026, he wrote at least three mocks a week. His study time was divided, with half dedicated to General Knowledge (GK) and the other half to other subjects, particularly focusing on Critical Reasoning (CR) and Legal Reasoning, which he initially found challenging due to his science background.

TikKoo stressed that mock analysis should be a deep practice, involving the adjustment of cognitive thinking and identifying amendments needed for future mocks. He mentioned that he used monthly magazines from his coaching institution for Current Affairs and GK. He also highlighted the unpredictable nature of CLAT, advising aspirants to expect changes in question types, sources, and methods, and to build confidence through consistent practice and reading across various genres.

“Sometimes you have to approach a mock result with more aspects beyond just the number. I believe that even if I scored less in a mock, that mock could give me more takeaways when compared to a mock in which I scored well. So in other words, regardless of a person scoring good/bad, they should spend an equal amount of time analysing the mocks,” TikKoo said.

“My top priority was, of course, GK, because it is undoubtedly the most volume-heavy subject. The rest of the subjects require cognitive ability, which is built through practice, so essentially I spent half of my time on GK and the other half on other subjects. My main priority was always focusing more on weak areas, but I took out time to maximise my strengths as well,” he added.

CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis and Expected Cutoffs

The CLAT 2026 paper was described as lengthy, with an overall easy to moderate difficulty level. Students found time management to be the biggest challenge, and the Legal and Quantitative Techniques sections were identified as the most time-consuming. The GK section was considered straightforward and current affairs heavy. Most candidates attempted between 105 and 118 questions.

The English Language section had 24 questions, Current Affairs & GK had 28 questions, Quantitative Techniques had 12 questions, Logical Reasoning had 25 questions (with 18 from Analytical Reasoning and 7 from Critical Reasoning), and Legal Reasoning had 30 questions. Tricky questions were present across sections, which were expected to be rank-deciding.

The expected cutoff for the General Category for admission to the top 3 National Law Universities (NLUs) is projected to be between 95-100 marks. For admission to any NLU, the expected cutoff for the General Category is 77-82 marks.

Life at NALSAR and Future Outlook

TikKoo described the academic rigor at NALSAR as unmatched, noting that he is currently experiencing it in his first semester. He also highlighted the various non-academic aspects of NALSAR that help alleviate stress. He acknowledged the support system he found at LegalEdge Bhopal, including peer interaction and mentorship, which he stated contributed to his big-picture development.

“The academic rigour that one gets exposed to is unmatched. I am in my first semester, so I am a victim of the same right now. However, NALSAR has many things beyond academics as well, which are often sufficient to take some stress off your mind,” TikKoo stated.

TikKoo also mentioned that the CLAT exam, since its pattern change in 2020, has consistently presented unexpected changes in question types, sources, and methods. He advised future aspirants to approach the exam as a single test of 120 questions, viewing each question as an opportunity to score. He also acknowledged the role of family support in his journey, describing his mother as a ‘rock’ and his father as a ‘motivator’.

Further reading

• CLAT SC cut off 2027: Consortium of NLUs to release after December 6 exam
• CLAT SC cut off 2027: expected ranks and marks for NLUs
• CLAT counselling: rounds, dates and seat allotment Next step
• AILET 2027 registration open: apply by November 10 for BA LLB, LLM, PhD
• CBSE 12th/CUET: Apply for B.Com in Auditing in Karnataka by Today
• CLAT: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

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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