Introduction
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the most prestigious law entrance exams in India, testing a candidate’s aptitude and skills required for legal education. Among the various sections in UG-CLAT 2026, the Quantitative Techniques section is crucial in evaluating a candidate’s ability to analyze and solve mathematical problems. Unlike a conventional mathematics exam, this section emphasizes reasoning and application of mathematical concepts rather than mere rote learning.
The UG-CLAT 2026 is designed as a 2-hour test with 120 multiple-choice questions across five core sections: English Language, Current Affairs (including General Knowledge), Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques. Each correct answer carries 1 mark, while an incorrect answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks due to negative marking.
Understanding the Quantitative Techniques Section
The Quantitative Techniques section in CLAT 2026 aims to test candidates on their ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply mathematical principles to solve problems. The section consists of short sets of facts, numerical data, or textual representations of numerical information, followed by multiple-choice questions based on such data. The focus is on logical and analytical thinking rather than just number crunching.
This section demands that candidates:
- Extract and infer numerical information from passages or data sets.
- Apply mathematical operations to solve problems efficiently.
- Use fundamental mathematical concepts to derive meaningful insights.
Topics Covered in Quantitative Techniques
The section includes questions from Class 10 level mathematics, requiring a fundamental understanding of various mathematical operations. Some of the key topics covered are:
- Ratios and Proportions
- Comparison of quantities
- Direct and inverse proportions
- Percentage calculations and their applications
- Basic Algebra
- Linear equations and their applications
- Simplification and factorization
- Number properties and operations
- Mensuration
- Area and perimeter of basic geometric shapes
- Volume and surface area of cubes, cylinders, cones, and spheres
- Application-based problems on real-life scenarios
- Statistical Estimation
- Interpretation of charts, graphs, and tables
- Mean, median, and mode calculations
- Data sufficiency and probability-based questions
Sample Question of Quantitative Techniques
Passage 1:
“The findings of Oxfam India’s latest ‘India Discrimination Report 2022’ indicate that there is a significant gap in the earnings between men and women in the case of regular and self-employment in urban areas. The lower wages for salaried women are due to 67 percent of discrimination and 33 percent due to lack of education and work experience. The average earning is Rs. 16,000 for men and merely Rs. 6,600 for women in urban areas in self-employment. The average earning of men is Rs. 19,800 as against Rs. 15,600 for women in regular/salaried employment in urban areas. Also, in urban areas the average earnings of men (Rs. 9,000) are significantly higher than women (Rs. 5,700) even in casual employment. Apart from women, historically oppressed communities along with religious minorities also continue to face discrimination in accessing jobs, livelihoods, and agricultural credit. The mean income for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes (“SC/ST”) persons in urban areas who are in regular employment is Rs. 15,300 as against Rs. 20,300 for persons belonging to the non-SC/ST category. The average earning of self-employed workers is Rs. 15,900 for non-SC/STs and Rs. 10,500 for SC/STs. The average monthly earning for the SC/ST workers in casual work is Rs. 8,000 below the corresponding figure of Rs. 8,600 for the non-SC/ST.”
[Data Source: Oxfam India]
[Note: Values have been approximated to the nearest hundred]
Q1. Choose the correct option:
- Women’s average earnings in urban areas in casual work is 30% lower than that of men
- Men’s average earning in urban areas in self-employment is nearly 2.5 times that of earnings of women
- In casual work, women earn more in rural areas than in urban areas
- The difference in earnings of men and women in regular/salaried employment in urban areas is Rs. 3,500
Q2. Of the regular employed in urban areas, the earnings of a non-SC/ST worker is what percent more than a SC/ST worker?
- Between 20% and 25%
- Less than 15%
- Between 30% and 35%
- More than 35%
Q3. Of those in casual employment, if a man’s average earnings was deposited at a rate of 16% simple interest for 20 years, in how many years at the same rate of simple interest a SC/ST worker must deposit their average earnings to earn the same amount as a man in 20 years?
- 24 years
- 22.5 years
- 21 years
- 23.2 years
How to Prepare for the Quantitative Techniques Section
Preparing effectively for the Quantitative Techniques section requires a strategic approach, focusing on concept clarity, speed, and accuracy. Here are some tips to enhance your preparation:
- Strengthen Basic Concepts
- Revise fundamental mathematical concepts from Class 10 textbooks.
- Practice basic arithmetic operations regularly to improve calculation speed.
- Develop Analytical Skills
- Work on problems that involve extracting data from tables and graphs.
- Solve real-life application-based questions to enhance analytical thinking.
- Practice Time Management
- Since the CLAT exam has a time limit of 2 hours for 120 questions, managing time efficiently is essential.
- Solve previous years’ question papers and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Use Shortcuts and Tricks
- Learn and apply mathematical shortcuts for quick calculations.
- Use approximation techniques where exact values are not required.
- Solve Mock Tests and Sample Papers
- Regular practice with mock tests helps familiarize candidates with the question pattern and difficulty level.
- Analyzing mistakes and revisiting weak areas ensures consistent improvement.
Common Challenges Faced by Candidates
Many candidates find the Quantitative Techniques section challenging due to the following reasons:
- Time Constraints: Solving numerical problems within a limited timeframe can be difficult.
- Complex Data Interpretation: Extracting useful information from large numerical data sets requires practice.
- Calculation Errors: Small calculation mistakes can lead to incorrect answers and loss of marks due to negative marking.
To overcome these challenges, candidates must develop a structured study plan, focusing on both speed and accuracy.
Importance of Quantitative Techniques in CLAT
Although Quantitative Techniques is only one section of the CLAT exam, it plays a crucial role in overall performance. The ability to interpret data, analyze numerical patterns, and solve problems is essential for various legal domains, including taxation law, corporate law, and forensic accounting. Law professionals often deal with financial cases, contract negotiations, and statistical data, making quantitative skills highly relevant.
Conclusion
The Quantitative Techniques section in CLAT 2026 is not merely about mathematical calculations but about reasoning, logical analysis, and problem-solving. With a well-planned preparation strategy, regular practice, and effective time management, candidates can perform well in this section and enhance their overall CLAT scores. A strong grasp of fundamental mathematical concepts, coupled with an analytical approach, will help aspirants excel in this crucial section of the exam.
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