• The Reading Comprehension section of CLAT comprises passages of around 450 words and 22-26 questions derived from historically significant non-fiction and fiction writing.
  • It has a 20% weightage in the CLAT 2026 exam.

Given this, it's no surprise that CLAT Reading Comprehension is one of the most significant areas of the test. In this post, we'll discuss several key subjects, a quick approach to reading, and some helpful hints and strategies. So read on.

CLAT English Language: Key Points

The reading comprehension for CLAT will have passages around 450 words long, drawn from a notable fiction and non-fiction work of history or contemporary events, and will be suitable for a 12th-grade student to read in 5-7 minutes.

While answering the questions in this section, make sure to remember these key points. 

  • Read and grasp the paragraph's main meaning, as well as any arguments or viewpoints presented in the passage.
  • Based on the reading, make assumptions and deductions.
  • Summarize the text.
  • Compare and contrast the various arguments or points of view presented in the passage.
  • Recognize the meaning of various phrases and idioms within the context of the paragraph.

CLAT 2026: Detailed English Language Syllabus

Concept

Topics

Vocabulary
  • Synonyms & antonyms
  • Idioms and phrases
  • Phrasal verbs
  • Collocations
  • Contextual word meaning

Grammar & Sentence Structure
  • Error spotting & sentence correction
  • Tenses, subject-verb agreement, and article usage
  • Active and passive voice
  • Parallelism & modifiers
  • Sentence completion & improvement

Comprehension & Interpretation
  • Understanding main ideas & supporting details
  • Author’s tone, intent, and argument
  • Logical inferences and deductions
  • Summarising and paraphrasing
  • Understanding idiomatic expressions in context

Analytical Skills
  • Identifying arguments and evaluating statements
  • Comparing and contrasting viewpoints
  • Critical reasoning within passages

Miscellaneous
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Error identification in vocabulary and grammar
  • Vocabulary-based reasoning questions

CLAT English Language– Types of Questions

While preparing for the CLAT 2025 exam's English language part, you can focus on the following sorts of questions:

  • Author's tone
  • Author's argument
  • The tone of the text
  • Meaning of the term
  • Idioms and phrases
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Vocabulary and word meaning
  • The main idea of the paragraph
  • Statement supporting the passage

How to prepare for the CLAT English Language section?

Check out the tips to prepare for CLAT English Language below.

Step 1 - Improve your speed

It is critical to focus on your speed. The CLAT paper will have lengthy and complicated paragraphs, therefore you must increase your reading speed while also understanding the content.

In terms of maintaining reading speed, aspirants frequently sacrifice precision in favor of completion, which is where the majority of their errors occur. Here are some strategies for solving CLAT passages:

  • Read a variety of tough items, including literature, editorials on current events, and other difficult writing pieces.
  • Use a stopwatch while reading to determine how long it takes you to read and comprehend the paragraph.
  • To improve your speed and understanding, practice reading difficult articles and sections regularly.
  • It's critical to maintain consistency and practice every day. Your reading speed and comprehension skills will not increase without consistent effort.

Step 2 - Practice the previous year's papers

The practice of CLAT question papers from the last four years will help you grasp the structure and complexity of actual CLAT tests.

It is vital to understand that the level of difficulty in each paper will vary. As a result, in addition to practicing past years' papers, you must also practice your mocks, which come in a variety of difficulty levels.

Step 3 - Sharpen your vocabulary

The majority of the questions in the English section are on synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and other related themes. To tackle this part, you must have a solid vocabulary. 

The following are some recommendations on how to increase your vocabulary for CLAT:

  • Try to learn 20 new English words every day. Remember the meanings of words that are unfamiliar or difficult to remember. This will help you build and increase your vocabulary.
  • Make a point of reading the newspaper for at least 45 minutes every day. This will improve your reading comprehension skills.
  • Try employing shortcuts to make learning new terms more habitual and easy.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Focusing on every word instead of the gist

How to avoid: Read the passage for main ideas first; infer the meaning of difficult words from context.

Neglecting vocabulary practice

How to avoid: Daily learn 10–20 new words, idioms, and phrases; revise with flashcards.

Ignoring grammar rules

How to avoid: Regularly revise grammar topics; practise sentence correction and error spotting.

Poor time management

How to avoid: Allocate specific time for reading and answering; attempt easier questions first.

Inconsistent practice

How to avoid: Maintain a daily study routine; include reading, vocabulary, and grammar exercises.

Skipping past papers and mocks

How to avoid: Solve the previous 4–5 years’ English sections; analyse mistakes and adapt strategy.

CLAT English Language: Important Tips

Here are some Reading Comprehension tips for CLAT.

  • Understanding higher-level sentences: Learn complicated sentence patterns and enhance your vocabulary.
  • Consistency: Consistency is crucial to improving your CLAT reading comprehension score.
  • Practice Tips: Use the recommendations provided to enhance your RC performance for CLAT.
  • Efficient reading: Efficient reading entails reading at a suitable speed and focusing on key information.
  • Score improvement: Consistent practice and use of the guidelines can help you optimize your score in the CLAT RC sections.
  • Potential and ability: Aim for the greatest possible score depending on your potential and the skills you acquire.

Frequently asked questions

On average, 22-26 questions are asked, accounting for about 20% of the entire CLAT score.

Yes. Typically, you will be asked to identify synonyms and antonyms, idioms, and the meanings of words in context.

Ideally, you should spend 40-50 minutes, depending on your speed of reading. It may also help to focus on the easier questions first.

No. Passages can be excerpted from historically significant non-fiction, contemporary, and classic literature.

Grammar counts, but either vocabulary, speed of reading, or skill in understanding passages ultimately creates your score.

No. Read for main ideas and key arguments, and infer the meaning of difficult words or phrases from context.