Time Allocation Strategy for CLAT & CUET Exam Day

A Practical Guide by Career Launcher, South Ex

When preparing for competitive exams like CLAT and CUET, months of study come down to a few intense hours. Your ability to manage time on exam day can be the deciding factor between securing a top score and missing your goal by a narrow margin.

At Career Launcher South Ex, we’ve guided thousands of students through these tests. One consistent insight is this: students often know the material well, but they struggle to finish the paper effectively due to poor time allocation. That’s why this guide focuses specifically on managing your time efficiently during CLAT and CUET exams.

Understanding the Exams

Before developing a time strategy, you need a clear understanding of the exam structure.

CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)

• Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

• Total Questions: 120

• Subjects Covered:

  • English Language

  • Current Affairs (including General Knowledge)

  • Legal Reasoning

  • Logical Reasoning

  • Quantitative Techniques

CUET (Common University Entrance Test)

• Duration: Varies by subjects, typically 45–60 minutes per domain

• Sections:

  • Section I: Language (13 language options)

  • Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects (27 options)

  • Section III: General Test (optional for some universities)

CUET’s General Test and Language Section are common across many streams and universities.

Why Time Allocation is Crucial

• Reduces Panic: Having a plan keeps your nerves in check.

• Improves Efficiency: You focus on scoring areas without wasting time.

• Prevents Silly Mistakes: A calmer, structured approach enhances accuracy.

• Boosts Confidence: You’re more in control and make better decisions.

CLAT Time Allocation Strategy (Section-Wise)

English Language (22–26 Questions)

Recommended Time: 20 minutes

This section requires reading comprehension and contextual vocabulary skills.

Approach:

• Skim passages before reading questions.

• Refer back to the passage for exact lines; don’t rely on memory.

• Don’t overthink answers. Use evidence from the passage.

Current Affairs & GK (30–35 Questions)

Recommended Time: 15 minutes

Most questions are fact-based. You either know it or you don’t.

Approach:

• Attempt known answers first.

• Don’t waste time on uncertain questions.

• Skip and revisit if you finish early.

Legal Reasoning (30–35 Questions)

Recommended Time: 30 minutes

This section often includes legal principles and hypothetical situations.

Approach:

• Read the principle carefully first.

• Apply it exactly to the facts. Avoid bringing in your opinions.

• Practice helps reduce reading time per passage.

Logical Reasoning (28–30 Questions)

Recommended Time: 25 minutes

Includes critical thinking, arguments, and inference-based questions.

Approach:

• Identify the question type early.

• If you get stuck, skip and return later.

• Focus on assumptions, conclusions, and strengthening/weakening logic.

Quantitative Techniques (12–15 Questions)

Recommended Time: 15 minutes

Focuses on data interpretation and Class 10-level arithmetic.

Approach:

• Read graphs/tables first, then questions.

• Use quick approximations if exact values aren’t required.

• Use rough work efficiently.

Buffer Time

Recommended Time: 10 minutes

Reserve this for:

• Reviewing marked-for-review questions

• Cross-checking OMR responses

• Handling any unexpected delays

CLAT Summary Table

CUET General Test Time Allocation Strategy

This section applies to candidates appearing for the General Test portion of CUET.

Quantitative Aptitude (15–20 Questions)

Recommended Time: 20 minutes

Covers arithmetic, algebra, and data interpretation.

Approach:

• Prioritize easier questions first.

• Avoid complex calculations unless necessary.

• Skip time-consuming problems and revisit if time allows.

Logical and Analytical Reasoning (15–20 Questions)

Recommended Time: 15 minutes

Includes sequences, directions, puzzles, and syllogisms.

Approach:

• Attempt direct logical problems first.

• Avoid spending too much time on visual reasoning or arrangements.

General Knowledge / Current Affairs (15–20 Questions)

Recommended Time: 10 minutes

Straightforward factual questions about current events.

Approach:

• Attempt what you know.

• Skip unknowns; don’t waste time on guesswork unless needed.

Reading Comprehension (10–15 Questions)

Recommended Time: 15 minutes

Focus on vocabulary, tone, summary, and inference.

Approach:

• Read questions first to focus your reading.

• Underline key ideas while reading.

Numerical Ability (if included)

Recommended Time: 10 minutes

Includes percentages, profit-loss, averages, etc.

Approach:

• Know basic formulae.

• Use mental math shortcuts.

• Estimate wherever possible.

Buffer Time

Recommended Time: 10 minutes

Use to:

• Check unanswered questions

• Revisit tough ones

• Review answer choices if time permits

CUET General Test Summary Table

Practical Tips for Exam Day

1. Use a Timer or Watch: Always monitor your progress per section.

2. Don’t Get Stuck: If a question takes more than 90 seconds, skip and revisit.

3. Mark Your OMR/Online Response Simultaneously: Don’t leave all bubbling for the end.

4. Stay Calm: Anxiety wastes mental bandwidth.

5. Sleep Well Before the Exam: Your mind must be sharp.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Spending too much time on the first section.

• Trying to remember forgotten GK or current affairs.

• Ignoring instructions on marking schemes.

• Guessing answers blindly in negative marking tests.

• Not leaving time for OMR filling or digital submission.

Full-Length Practice and Mock Tests

Career Launcher South Ex provides timed mock tests designed to simulate the real exam environment. After each mock, students are given a detailed performance analysis to help tweak their time management and question-selection strategies.

Sample Question Papers

CLAT Sample – Legal Reasoning

Passage:
A rule states, “A person entering another’s property without consent commits trespass. However, if the person enters to prevent danger, it is not considered trespass.”

Facts:
Meera sees a child screaming from a neighbor's balcony. Fearing danger, she climbs over and enters. It turns out the child was just playing.

Question:
Has Meera committed trespass?

• A. Yes, she entered without permission

• B. No, her intention was to help

• C. Yes, because no real danger existed

• D. No, because it was a child involved

Answer: B

CLAT Sample – English Comprehension

Passage Excerpt:
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Question:
What does Gandhi suggest about freedom?

• A. It should be tightly controlled

• B. People must always be right

• C. Mistakes are part of real freedom

• D. Only responsible freedom matters

Answer: C

CUET Sample – Quantitative Aptitude

Question:
A shopkeeper gives 10% discount on a product marked at ₹500. What is the selling price?

• A. ₹450

• B. ₹470

• C. ₹480

• D. ₹490

Answer: A

CUET Sample – Logical Reasoning

Statement:
All pens are tools.
Some tools are not pencils.

Conclusion:
Which of the following is correct?

• A. Some pens are pencils

• B. No pens are pencils

• C. All pencils are tools

• D. None of the above

Answer: D

Final Thoughts

You’ve spent weeks, maybe months, preparing for CLAT or CUET. On the day of the exam, it’s not just what you know that counts—but how well you apply it under pressure. A solid time allocation strategy lets you stay in control, avoid surprises, and make the most of every minute.

At Career Launcher South Ex, our faculty regularly help students build these strategies through test simulations, time trials, and paper analysis. Remember, your real goal isn’t just to finish the paper—but to maximize your score while keeping your nerves calm and your answers accurate.