Even before starting their preparation, most of the CLAT aspirants face an inevitable choice: Is it necessary to take up coaching classes, or would self-preparation be enough? It is most certainly possible to do well at law entrance exams without taking any coaching classes for some students, but certain benefits of classroom learning cannot be overlooked.

However, some students can crack the examination through self-preparation. But these students have particular background knowledge of English, Logical Reasoning and General knowledge, which provide them with a massive advantage over others. This cannot be the case for everyone. Therefore,  this article attempts to walk you through all the benefits of classroom learning and the pitfalls of self-preparation in an examination like CLAT.

1.  Structure of Preparation

Self-preparation lacks structural preparation, which is a foremost condition to crack any competitive examination. Students decide how they wish to go with their syllabus, which leads to an imbalanced preparation that is very detrimental to a CLAT aspirant.

In the case of Classroom learning, the students became bound to follow a schedule for their classes, mock tests and assessments, etc., inclusive of time for their self-preparation.

2.  Preparation material

In classroom learning, the student gets the benefit of quality preparatory material. In the case of self-preparation, it is often problematic for the student to identify and accumulate proper material to proceed with the studies. There might be books available for subjects like Mathematics and Logical Reasoning, but it is difficult for the students to get quality material for legal aptitude and Critical Reasoning.

3.  Access to Mentors

The right mentor is as crucial for an aspirant as the proper study material or structured approach. One-on-one learning and engagement with the mentors are much more conducive than mere self-preparation. A lot of students learn more by listening and engaging than by simply reading. That helps in better and longer retention of information in students’ minds. In addition to this, the availability of mentors ensures that the doubts will be solved without any postponement or avoidance.

4.  Understanding of ‘Legal Aptitude’

Even if we assume that most CLAT preparation can be done through self-preparation, it is essential to note that a crucial subject, ‘Legal reasoning’, cannot be excelled with such an approach. Legal Reasoning can be a tricky subject for those who do not have a background with sufficient exposure to law. Being exposed to the mentors who are lawyers and who have gone through the law school experience would give clarity and comfort in the students’ minds to approach the subjects.

5.  Continuous Assessment and Guidance.

During the self-preparation, the students are unable to assess their position and preparation. It is not possible to get continuous guidance on whether the student is going in the right direction or not. Since there is no networking or a peer group to compare your position, it is nearly impossible for the student to rectify the error and improve in a particular subject.

6.  Networking

The field of law calls for mental skills and social skills to excel in the long-term career. Being in the classroom with other competitors and attending mocks will give you genuine feelings for the examination. One of the vital parts of Classroom learning is getting to know individuals from various fields and creating a network that will help you throughout your law life.