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

In short

Aarav Pareta, CLAT 2026 AIR 10, emphasized that mock analysis is more crucial than mock scores for effective preparation.
Pareta dedicated half of his CLAT preparation time to General Knowledge and the other half to other subjects.
He took at least three mock tests per week in the final months of his preparation for CLAT 2026.
The CLAT 2026 paper was described as lengthy with an overall easy to moderate difficulty, with time management identified as a key challenge.
Pareta is currently in his first semester at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and noted the institution's academic rigour.

Aarav Pareta, who achieved All India Rank (AIR) 10 in the CLAT 2026 examination, highlighted the importance of in-depth mock analysis over focusing solely on scores during preparation. Speaking from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, on 24 September 2026, Pareta shared insights into his strategy and initial experiences at the institution.

Pareta, who comes from a Humanities background, began his CLAT journey in 2024 as an online student before transitioning to an offline coaching ecosystem at LegalEdge Bhopal. His family has a science background, which initially made legal subjects challenging for him to grasp.

CLAT 2026 Preparation Strategy and Mock Analysis

Pareta dedicated a significant portion of his preparation to General Knowledge, allocating half of his total study time to it, with the remaining half distributed among other subjects. He focused on improving weak areas such as Critical Reasoning and Legal Reasoning, while also working to maximise his strengths. For Current Affairs and General Knowledge, he relied on monthly magazines provided by his coaching institution.

In the final months leading up to the CLAT 2026 examination, Pareta took at least three mock tests per week. He stressed that the analysis of these mocks was paramount. “Sometimes you have to approach a mock result with more aspects beyond just the number,” Pareta stated, adding, “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.” He further advised that an analysis should be a deeper practice involving the adjustment of cognitive thinking and identifying amendments needed for future mocks.

Insights into CLAT 2026 Paper and Expected Cutoffs

The CLAT 2026 paper was characterized as lengthy with an overall easy to moderate difficulty. Time management was identified as a key challenge for candidates. Most candidates attempted between 105 and 118 questions in the examination. The CLAT 2026 paper analysis was published on 6 December 2025.

The Logical Reasoning section of CLAT 2026 included 18 questions from Analytical Reasoning and 7 from Critical Reasoning. One question in the Blood Relations / Symbols topic within Logical Reasoning was identified as incorrect. The expected cutoffs for CLAT 2026 for the General Category were predicted to be 95-100 for top three National Law Universities (NLUs) and 77-82 for any NLU.

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

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

Life at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

Pareta is currently in his first semester at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. He described the academic rigour at the institution as “unmatched.” While acknowledging the demanding academic environment, he noted that NALSAR offers various activities beyond academics that lend a hand alleviate stress. “NALSAR has many things beyond academics as well, which are often sufficient to take some stress off your mind,” he stated.

Reflecting on his achievement, Pareta said, “It feels great, ma’am. But I feel this accomplishment doesn’t define who I am. The months of hard work define the person. This is just a moment—a great moment—captured in essence.” He also observed that CLAT has consistently changed its pattern, question types, sources, and methods every year since 2020, advising future aspirants to “expect the unexpected.”

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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