Given the exhaustive and indefinite syllabus for GK and current affairs, this section is most feared by the students. However, with the right approach and strategy, this fear is easy to overcome and will help you perform well in this section. For an effective implementation of this strategy, the most important tip is to have a positive mindset and to have faith in your preparation. Below are some important points to consider while preparing for this section:
1.Analyze the syllabus and exam pattern: Every year CLAT’s GK section has questions from topics like national and international events, awards and honors, sports news, conferences and summits, and government policies and schemes, among others. Questions on static general knowledge are also asked which usually center around topics like books and authors, inventions and discoveries, and important historical events. Going through past year’s papers therefore becomes extremely important to understand the kind of questions to expect. This way the indefinite syllabus can be shortened by covering only those topics which are repeatedly asked.
2.Regular reading: Since the GK section is comprehension-based, developing a good reading speed can be really helpful. However, just plain reading at a fast pace is not enough. It is important to also understand the text while reading. Therefore, reading a newspaper daily, like The Indian Express or The Hindu can really help with your reading ability and also keep you abreast of current events. Even magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Succession Review, and Yojana are excellent sources for current affairs and offer a good way to practice reading.
3.Making notes: Simply reading the newspaper and being abreast of the current events would not be of any purpose if it is not being recorded anywhere. Writing down your own notes would help in memorizing them and also would come in handy during revisions.
4.Regular revisions: Given the vast syllabus, it is quite possible to not be able to remember everything. So, to make things easier, revisiting your notes can be of a lot of help. Your revisions should happen weekly, giving ample time to reinforce memory.
5.Mock tests and quizzes: To test your preparation levels, taking regular quizzes and mock tests can be crucial for self-assessment. Moreover, it will also help you identify your weaknesses which you can improve upon later. Regular practice tests will also help you improve your speed and accuracy.
6.Improve your analytical reasoning: As the GK section is comprehension-based, it is common that the answer to questions might be given in the passage itself. It may not be direct, but more often than not, the answer is hidden in the passage, if comprehended well. Thus, to improve analytical skills, reading Editorials and Opinion pieces can be fruitful. Additionally, writing a brief summary of the Editorial/Opinion piece after reading it also helps in consolidating your understanding better.
7.Compendiums: Yearbooks or yearly compendiums like the Manorma yearbook or compendiums from other institutes are a great source of learning where you will find all the important information compiled in one place. As these compendiums provide important information with relevant context, they will help you gain a better conceptual understanding of complex topics. Even more, we at Manu Law Classes prepare our own books and material on current affairs so that students can be provided with the sum and substance of all current affairs at one point, and which are explained in easy language. Students interested in knowing more about our reading material on Current Affairs can contact us at +91 9971444054, +91 9971335561, we will be happy to help them by guiding the right material.
8.Innovative ways of learning: Apart from regular revisions, you can also adopt other innovative ways to grasp the content. For eg, using flashcards or mind maps is a great tool for quick revisions and makes it easier for the mind to remember complex things. You can also consider joining study groups where your peers conduct regular revisions and provide emotional and mental support. Study groups can be really helpful to keep you focused.
9.An effective time-table: To ace this section, you need to allocate an adequate amount of time to it. Usually, students don’t prioritize this section as much but it is really important to have a balanced approach and not neglect this section as it carries a lot of marks. Ideally, allocating specific times of the day solely to this section can be a decent approach. You may also try allocating specific days solely to prepare for this section and include taking quizzes and mock tests on those days. But it is important to understand that there is no point in having a timetable if you don’t stick to it, so consistency is key here.
10.Go-getting attitude: This is probably the most important point out of all. None of your efforts will result in positive results if you don’t keep a positive outlook and a determined mind to achieve results. The path to success may be challenging at times, but it is your determination and ability to deal with difficult situations easily that will turn the tide in your favor.
Preparing for the GK section can be daunting at times, but you must always pick the approach that works best for you. There is no strait jacket formula for success. What works for others, may not work for you. So, having faith in whatever strategy you choose will help you stay focused. Also, remember that the key to success is not only hard work but smart work with hard work. Stay curious and keep learning. All the best!
At Manu Law Classes, it is our motto to prepare students not for exams but for life. We ensure that students are not forced to rote learn, and rather, we intend that students are able to understand the concepts that can help them all their lives. We understand that not every student is perfect in all the subjects, but we all believe that with our common passion for hard work shared with students, we make students ready to beat the exam with success. or any queries related to the CLAT exam or OLET, or even for the purposes of counseling, kindly contact us at +91 9971444054, +91 9971335561, or you can visit our Website and we will be happy to help you.
