Inside the mind of a topper: How Shourya Sinha achieved AIR 39 in CLAT 2025

Shourya Sinha achieved AIR 39 in CLAT 2025

Success stories often remind us of the immense potential within individuals who strive for excellence with determination and perseverance. Meet Shourya Sinha, a Class 12 student from DLF Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, who recently achieved the remarkable feat of securing an All India Rank (AIR) 39 in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025. Despite juggling school, hobbies, and a rigorous preparation schedule, Shourya's journey is a testament to the power of consistency and internal motivation.

Here’s a glimpse into Shourya’s journey, his preparation strategies, and the advice he shares for future CLAT aspirants:

Starting Early and Staying Consistent

When asked about his preparation strategy, Shourya shares, "I started preparing for CLAT around the middle of grade XI. Initially, my preparation was relaxed, but from March this year, I began studying seriously almost every day. Maintaining an Excel sheet where I recorded my daily study hours and topics helped me stay motivated. Over 275 days, I accumulated 315 hours and 30 minutes of study time, averaging just over an hour a day. It may not seem like much, but balancing school and hobbies was a challenge."

His organized approach, coupled with a clear focus on consistency, played a pivotal role in his success.

Balancing Preparation with School and Hobbies

Balancing schoolwork, hobbies, and CLAT preparation was no easy task. Shourya admits, "The balance was upset, especially in the months leading up to the exam. I play the acoustic guitar and write poetry, but during my peak preparation phase, I couldn’t even write one poem in three months. Fortunately, my school supported me by allowing me a leave of absence in November, which helped immensely in dedicating time to my studies."

Overcoming Challenges

For many CLAT aspirants, certain sections can feel overwhelming, and for Shourya, it was current affairs, "Reading 200 pages of compendiums every month can get really boring. To tackle this, I used a PDF splitter to break the large files into smaller, more manageable parts. This psychological trick worked wonders and made the preparation less daunting."

Role of Mock Tests and Practice Papers

Mock tests often form the backbone of competitive exam preparation, but Shourya shares a nuanced view, "Mock tests for CLAT often have mistakes and subjective reasoning, so I focused more on previous year questions (PYQs). While mocks do have a place, a low score shouldn’t demotivate you. I scored 70/120 in my last mock but 97.5/120 in the actual CLAT."

This pragmatic approach highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of practice resources and maintaining confidence in one’s abilities.

Advice for Future CLAT Aspirants

Shourya’s advice to future aspirants reflects his disciplined mindset, "You need to have an internal desire to succeed. It shouldn’t feel like someone is forcing you to study. I studied 9 hours this Diwali because I wanted to. You have to make sacrifices and genuinely want success. That craving will drive you to achieve your goals."

Dreaming Big

When asked about his future plans, Shourya remains open to exploring opportunities, "I’m considering a career in corporate law, but I’m keeping my options open. I might pursue litigation or even the judiciary—who knows what the future holds?"

Shourya Sinha’s journey is an inspiring example of how determination, self-discipline, and a strategic approach can lead to incredible achievements. For aspiring CLAT candidates, his story serves as a powerful reminder that success is within reach for those who dare to dream and work tirelessly to achieve it.