The last 24 hours before CLAT can feel louder than the entire year of preparation. Your brain is buzzing with formulas, facts, and “what if” scenarios. This is exactly why you need a calm, practical, and clear checklist so you don’t let panic undo months of hard work.
Here’s a complete dos and don’ts guide for the final 24 hours before CLAT to help you stay sharp, steady, and exam-ready. Also, check the CLAT Exam Analysis of previous exams.
Plan Your Final Day Like a Light Revision Sprint
What You Should Do
Create a simple day plan
Decide your schedule in advance. Divide your day into clear blocks – light revision, breaks, meals, and relaxation time.
Prioritise high-yield topics
Focus on topics that give maximum returns:
- Legal Reasoning: Important principles, landmark cases, commonly tested doctrines
- English: Reading patterns, vocabulary you often forget, and common grammar traps
- Logical Reasoning: Question types you struggle with – arrangements, puzzles, assumptions
- GK/Current Affairs: Your revision list, major events, recent judgments, national and international news
Fix time slots per section
Allocate a time window for each section instead of randomly jumping between topics. It keeps your mind organised and focused.
What You Should Avoid
- Don’t try to “do everything” on the last day.
- Don’t start untouched heavy topics from scratch.
- Don’t compare your entire plan with friends; their strengths and weaknesses aren’t yours.
- Don’t chase every “important topic” someone suddenly mentions. Stick to what you’ve already built.
Follow a Smart Revision Strategy, Not a Panic Marathon
Smart Do’s for Revision
Revise from your own material
Use your notes, bookmarks, and error logs from mocks. These are personalised and powerful. Also, check CLAT Cut-off Marks for your reference.
Revisit your mistakes
Go through frequently made mistakes in mock tests – silly errors, misreading questions, negative marking traps. One focused hour here can save many marks tomorrow.
Solve a few mixed questions
Do 10–20 mixed questions per section in a timed way just to stay in touch with exam mode, not to re-test your entire preparation.
Use a last-minute recap list
Keep a short notebook or digital note for formulas, Latin maxims, important articles, and frequently asked static GK snippets.
Revision Don’ts
- Don’t give a full-length mock test 24 hours before CLAT.
- Don’t switch to new books, new coaching material, or random Telegram PDFs.
- Don’t obsess over past mock scores or “expected percentile” now.
Get Your Exam Day Logistics Sorted in Advance
Essential Things To Do
Documents and printouts
- Print multiple copies of your admit card.
- Keep your photo ID proof, photographs (if required), and other documents in one transparent folder.
Know your exam centre
- Check the location on Google Maps.
- Estimate travel time, including traffic buffer.
- If possible, visit or at least virtually explore the area a day before.
Prepare your exam kit
- Simple, comfortable outfit as per guidelines
- 2–3 working pens plus one spare
- Transparent water bottle (if allowed)
- Any other permitted items mentioned in the instructions
Logistics Mistakes To Avoid
- Don’t keep printing or downloading the admit card for exam morning.
- Don’t assume you “roughly know” the location without checking.
- Don’t wear uncomfortable or new clothes or shoes just to “look different” that day.
Take Care of Your Body: Food, Water, and Sleep
What Your Body Needs
Light, balanced meals
Prefer home-cooked meals; avoid greasy, spicy, or heavy food.
Proper hydration
Drink enough water throughout the day so you’re hydrated but not overdoing it.
Quality sleep
Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep. A fresh brain performs far better than an overworked one.
Routine stability
Stick to your usual daily pattern as much as possible. Familiarity keeps you calm.
What Your Body Doesn’t Need
- Don’t experiment with junk, street food, or anything new that can upset your stomach.
- Don’t overload on tea, coffee, or energy drinks.
- Don’t stay up till 2–3 AM “just revising one more topic”.
Protect Your Mindset: Stay Calm, Not Casual
Mindset Do’s
Use simple relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, stretching, small walks, or calming music.
Stay around people who support and encourage you.
Keep reminding yourself: CLAT is one exam, not your entire life.
Visualise the next day going smoothly – reaching on time, reading calmly, and attempting confidently.
Mindset Don’ts
- Don’t get into long, stressful exam discussions with friends or groups.
- Don’t stalk social media for “leaked papers”, “secret topics”, or “last-minute hacks”.
- Don’t mentally punish yourself for past procrastination.
Device Discipline: Handle Your Phone Smartly
Use Your Phone for Help, Not Distraction
Set multiple alarms for exam morning.
Inform a family member or friend about your exam time so they can also remind you.
Keep your phone charged if you need it for navigation or emergency calls.
Digital Don’ts
- Don’t binge-watch series, scroll reels, or play games for “stress relief” that eats up hours.
- Don’t keep refreshing Telegram or WhatsApp for CLAT rumours.
- Don’t sleep with loud notifications on; it will disturb your rest.
Create a Simple Exam-Day Strategy
Strategy To Finalise in Advance
Section order
Decide the order in which you’ll attempt sections based on your strengths (for example, Legal → English → Logical → GK or another order).
Time distribution
Plan rough time allocation per section so you don’t overspend time on one and rush others.
Approach rules
- Start with easy questions to build confidence.
- Mark the doubtful ones and come back later.
- Avoid wild guessing where negative marking is risky.
Strategy Mistakes To Avoid
- Don’t change your strategy at the last minute because someone online suggests a new “magic order”.
- Don’t aim to attempt “everything at any cost”; accuracy matters more.
- Don’t carry the disappointment of old mock scores into the exam hall.
Night Before CLAT: The Final Hour
How To Wind Down
Fix a cut-off time to close your books – for example, 9:30 or 10 PM.
Recheck your exam kit: admit card, ID, pens, bottle, outfit, and travel plan.
Talk to someone you trust if you feel anxious.
Use light reading, soothing music, or deep breathing to calm your mind before sleep.
What To Avoid at Night
- Don’t revise till the very last minute before sleeping.
- Don’t imagine only worst-case scenarios like “What if I blank out?”
- Don’t keep checking the clock every few minutes once you lie down.
Final Thoughts
The last 24 hours before CLAT are not about transforming your preparation; they’re about protecting it. Your goal is simple: stay calm, stay organised, and walk into the exam hall feeling in control, not exhausted.
Follow this do’s and don’ts checklist like a simple playbook, trust the work you’ve already put in, and give yourself permission to perform at your best on the big day.
