Are you preparing for CLAT 2026 and thinking about how to improve in the Critical Reasoning section? Why are you not scoring well in critical reasoning mocks? And much more. This section plays an important role in assessing the candidate’s logical reasoning and analytical thinking skills. This requires the candidates to recognise arguments, evaluate the impact of changing premises, analyse reasoning patterns, etc. Read the post below for reasons why critical reasoning is so hard to comprehend in CLAT.
What is Critical Reasoning in the CLAT Exam?
Critical reasoning in the CLAT exam consists of components such as arguments, premises and conclusions that allow the candidates to analyse the logic behind the given passages and questions effectively.
| Component | Definition |
| Argument | Logical reasoning comprising premises and a conclusion. An argument aims to persuade or convince. |
| Premises | Statements that provide reasons or evidence to support the conclusion. |
| Conclusion | The main claim or the point that the argument seeks to establish is based on the provided premises. |
Uncertainty in Language
The Language which is used in Critical Reasoning can be Nuanced. This uncertainty of language makes it difficult to extract the exact meaning from the sentences sometimes. The questions in the Critical Reasoning section often contain complex sentences that can confuse its readers. Going through such sections requires a solid grasp of English grammar.
Limited time
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a competitive as well as a time-bounded examination. Candidates need to quickly assess the questions and answer accordingly. On an average, a candidate has about 1-2 minutes to answer every question leaving little to no room for error. Maintaining a balance between answering quickly and correctly is a significant challenge in the examination. Therefore candidates are advised to practice consistently and prepare strategies accordingly.
Variety of Question Types
The Critical Reasoning questions in the Common Law Admission Test Examination include various formats such as identifying assumptions, drawing inferences, and strengthening/weakening/evaluating the arguments each with different levels of complexity. Understand the different patterns of questions from the table given below:
| Questions Types | Detailed Overview |
| Strengthening the argument | Candidates will need to find the correct option which supports the conclusion of the text. |
| Weakening the argument | Candidates will need to find the correct option that truly undermines the conclusion of the text. |
| Evaluating the argument | Candidates will need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the text. |
| Identifying Assumptions | Candidates will have to find the context on which the argument relies. |
| Drawing Inferences | Candidates will have to determine a logical conclusion on the given information. |
Lack of Practice
A major reason why many candidates fail to solve the Critical Reasoning section efficiently lies in their lack of practice and consistency. Without sufficient practice, it is nearly impossible to build the skills necessary to excel in this section. Candidates must prepare a strategy according to their preferences and suitability to master this section of CLAT. A good strategy for critical reasoning must include the following points:
- Skimming the content: Candidates need to quickly assess the type of question. This technique of acquiring a general overview of the text in a short time is called skimming.
- Analysing the Argument: Candidates must quickly break down the premises and conclusion of the text.
- Time Management: Solving the questions quickly does not mean rushing through the questions. Allocate sufficient time to each question to get to the correct answer.
Reasons for Fewer Scores in Critical Reasoning
CLAT aspirants often fail to identify or overlook the crucial premises and conclusions which may lead to misinterpretation further. While assessing the critical reasoning section candidates must be aware of the common error-making areas and learn how to avoid them to score well in the CLAT Mock papers as well as the actual examination. Check out below some of the common error-making areas:
- Overlooking premises and conclusion: Candidates sometimes fail to identify argument components and analyze the pattern of reasoning.
- Choosing tempting but wrong answers: Candidates fall into traps like extreme language and irrelevant information making them choose the incorrect answers.
- Learning from mistakes: Candidates must analyse their mistakes, address their weaknesses without any shame and try to correct them.
FAQs
The critical Reasoning section in the CLAT Examination tests the ability of the candidate to analyse, recognise and evaluate the arguments passed in the passages.
The Critical Reasoning section deals with analysing, recognising and evaluating the arguments while logical reasoning deals with patterns and deduction-solving questions.
Attempt mock test papers within a limited time period to help build yourself in an exam like situation. Focus on skimming the content and follow a systematic approach towards your preparation.
Although you can skip the critical reasoning section it is not advisable to do so as the section holds significant weightage in the examination.
Candidates generally make errors in identifying the premises and conclusions and rush through the questions failing to identify the type of question.