At a time when the counselling process of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) UG is underway, with the second merit list out and the third expected by June 20, The Indian Express caught up with the CLAT 2025 exam topper, Saksham Gautam. A humanities student from Delhi Public School, Faridabad, Gautam also aced his boards with a stunning 98.6 per cent.
Speaking to this publication, Gautam shared his preparation strategy, mindset, and advice for future aspirants.
Inspiration to choose law
For Gautam, the decision to pursue law was rooted in both intellectual curiosity and a deeper civic aspiration.
“I began looking beyond Engineering and Medical as early as Class 7,” Gautam said, noting that despite coming from a family of engineers, STEM never quite clicked for him. “Social Sciences, especially English and History, fascinated me. By Class 9 and 10, law emerged as a compelling avenue,” he added.
He also emphasised his interest in public engagement. “I don’t want a corporate job. Many of our national leaders and freedom fighters were lawyers. Even in UPSC, law graduates have a good selection ratio,” he explained, hinting that public service remains a long-term option.
Balancing CLAT with Class 12 boards
“It was challenging to balance CLAT with Class 12 boards,” Gautam admitted candidly. While attending regular school, he simultaneously prepared for CLAT with Legal Edge by Toprankers in Delhi.
“Prioritisation was key. If CLAT demanded more time, school took a backseat and vice versa,” he said.
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He began serious preparation in Class 11 by keeping 2-3 hours daily for CLAT. “In 12th, I didn’t track hours. I followed a task-based schedule. My goal was to complete all tasks by night,” he added.
Challenging sections
Reading comprehension, Gautam said, was “one of the most demanding aspects of CLAT” since the exam is heavily passage-based. “I wasn’t an avid reader, so developing reading habits – especially newspapers and long-form articles – was hard at first,” he said.
Logical Reasoning also posed challenges. “Critical reasoning is dominant in CLAT. Being thorough with assumptions, arguments, and conclusions is essential,” he said, recommending consistent practice and attention to previous year questions.
Speaking on Legal Reasoning, Gautam busted a common myth: “You don’t need to be legally literate. Familiarity with current legal developments is more important than rote learning legal jargon.”
Importance of mock tests and coaching
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“Mocks are non-negotiable. They show where you stand and how to adjust your preparation. CLAT changed drastically post-2020, so being aware of evolving patterns through mocks is crucial,” the CLAT topper said.
While Gautam strongly benefited from coaching, he emphasised its purpose. “Coaching doesn’t make you successful – your effort does. What coaching gives is structure, discipline, and mentorship,” he said, noting that Legal Edge provided helpful material and guidance, particularly in General Knowledge.
“Mentorship, for me, meant someone analysing my mock scores, helping identify weak areas, and showing how to work on them,” he added.
Tips on staying focused
Addiction to social media, Gautam revealed, was his biggest challenge during preparation. “I was distracted in Class 11 and even into 12th. The turning point was admitting to myself that it was hurting my preparation,” he shared. Deleting apps and seeking his parents’ and teachers’ supervision helped him regain control. “Distractions will vary, but the first step is honest acceptance,” he said.
Advice for future aspirants
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“Start reading newspapers, editorials, anything,” he advised. “Focus on improving reading speed and comprehension. Simultaneously, begin basic maths: percentages, averages, ratios,” Gautam added.
He also urged aspirants not to ignore maths. “Many fear it irrationally. But CLAT maths is of Class 8-9 level. You must tackle it. Maths and GK are game-changers in top ranks,” he said.
Delay in CLAT results
Calling the five-month delay in publication of CLAT results from December 2024 to May 2025 “distressing”, Gautam said uncertainty was the real burden. “At one point, it seemed the counselling process had been pushed indefinitely. Aspirants shouldn’t be the ones suffering due to others’ errors,” he said.
The road ahead
Gautam has not yet committed to a legal specialisation but is keeping his options open. “College will help me figure that out,” he said. He’s currently reading Dr B R Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste and prefers spending leisure time walking or talking to friends rather than engaging in sports.
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In his words, “CLAT may be unpredictable, but with consistency, mentorship, and self-discipline, it’s absolutely conquerable.”
