Some people find their stories in the pages they read, some in the places they explore, and some in the conversations they choose to be a part of. Pari Bhansali’s journey brings together all three — curiosity, expression, and a constant desire to learn.
A CLAT Essentials student, Pari’s journey to law reflects her willingness to explore new paths and embrace challenges. A student of Sushila Birla Girls’ School, she pursued Commerce before stepping into the world of law at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), where she is currently pursuing B.A. LL.B..
An avid reader and someone who enjoys discovering new places, Pari has always been drawn towards experiences that broaden her perspective. Her passion for debating and mooting further reflects her interest in advocacy, discussion, and the analytical thinking that forms the foundation of law.
As she begins her legal journey at GNLU, Pari joins us to share her experiences, her transition from commerce to law, and the lessons that shaped her journey along the way.
Q. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement. Could you share your immediate reaction upon receiving the news that you are joining GNLU, and what this success signifies for you personally?
My immediate reaction was a huge sigh of relief. Unlike most CLAT aspirants, our final results came nearly six months after the examination because of the litigation and subsequent proceedings before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. The prolonged uncertainty made the wait particularly difficult. Although my Clat Essentials mentor had consistently reassured me that I would secure a seat at GNLU despite any fluctuations in rank, it felt good to finally know for sure. More importantly, it validated the faith that my family, mentors, and I had placed in the process, making the result especially meaningful.
Q. What motivated your decision to pursue a career in law?
Although I had Commerce in Classes 11 and 12, I was always interested in law. Reading novels based on criminal cases initially sparked my curiosity about the legal field, and my interest grew further through public speaking and debating. I enjoyed analysing issues, constructing arguments, and expressing my views, which made law a natural career choice for me.
Q. Could you outline the daily routine you adhered to during your preparation? Specifically, how did you structure your day to ensure effective study hours versus necessary breaks?
I did not follow an extremely rigid timetable. On school days, I would attend classes and then dedicate a few focused hours to CLAT preparation in the evening. I made sure to take regular breaks in between study sessions so that I could stay productive and avoid burnout.
Q. The decision to take a drop is rarely easy; there’s societal pressure, self-doubt, and uncertainty. How did you mentally prepare yourself for the drop year before it even began? And how did you know it was right for you?
CLAT preparation was always my primary focus. While I ensured that my school academics and extracurricular commitments did not suffer, I generally planned my schedule around CLAT and adjusted my other responsibilities accordingly.
Q. Did your study routine evolve as the exam date approached, particularly in the final month? How did your strategy in the last 30 days differ from the initial phase of your preparation?
Yes, my strategy changed in the final month. I reduced the number of mocks I was taking and focused more on strengthening my General Knowledge and Current Affairs preparation. The emphasis shifted from learning new things to revising and consolidating what I had already covered.
Q. The preparation journey is often long and arduous. How did you navigate periods of burnout or suboptimal performance in your mock tests to maintain your momentum?
Whenever I felt burnt out, I made it a point to take short breaks and step away from preparation for a while. Talking to friends and people who were not involved in CLAT preparation also helped me de-stress and return with a fresher perspective.
Q. CLAT is distinct for its high-pressure, speed-intensive nature. How did you manage exam-day anxiety, and did you utilize any specific techniques to maintain composure during the test?
I relied on deep breathing techniques to stay calm. Taking a few moments to regulate my breathing helped me remain composed and focus on the paper rather than the pressure surrounding it.
Q. With the abundance of study material available, could you list the primary resources, books, periodicals, or platforms that you found most indispensable to your success?
I primarily relied on CLAT Essentials’ study material and mocks. I also attempted mocks from various coaching institutes and online platforms to expose myself to different question styles and difficulty levels.
Q. How instrumental were mock tests in your overall preparation strategy? Specifically, how did they aid in your conditioning for the actual exam environment?
Mock tests were extremely important. They helped build confidence, improve speed and accuracy, and identify areas where I was consistently making mistakes. More importantly, they prepared me for the pressure and unpredictability of the actual exam.
Q. Beyond merely attempting mock tests, how did you approach the post-test analysis? Did you maintain a systematic record of errors to track your improvement?
Yes. I believed that mock analysis was just as important as taking the mock itself. I maintained a record of my mistakes and recurring patterns so that I could work on them systematically and track my improvement over time.
Q. Given the vast scope of General Knowledge and Current Affairs, what methodology did you adopt to stay updated efficiently without feeling overwhelmed?
Clat Essentials’ lists of the most important topics were extremely helpful in narrowing my focus. In addition, the daily medal tests ensured that I revised regularly and kept updating my notes without feeling overwhelmed.
Q. Time management is critical in a 120-minute examination. Could you walk us through your section-attempt strategy?
I generally attempted Logical Reasoning and Legal Reasoning first. Finishing those sections early reduced my stress because a significant portion of the paper was already completed. I then moved on to GK, Quantitative Techniques, and English. Starting with Logical Reasoning also helped me get into the right analytical mindset for the rest of the paper.
Q. In hindsight, is there any aspect of your preparation strategy that you would alter or improve upon if given the chance?
Looking back, I would have taken my mentor’s advice on Analytical Reasoning even more seriously and devoted additional time to practising it. That is probably the one area where I could have prepared better.
Q. When did you seriously begin your CLAT preparation, and looking back, do you think you started too early, too late, or at exactly the right time?
I began my serious preparation around June 2024. While that gave me sufficient time overall, I feel I could have started a few months earlier, particularly with GK preparation and strengthening my basic concepts.
Q. Did you take up any dedicated mentoring support, and how important do you think one-on-one mentoring from experienced educators is in shaping a student’s CLAT preparation?
I believe mentoring is extremely important, not only for improving academically but also for staying motivated and grounded throughout the preparation process. My mentor was instrumental in guiding me and helping me stay focused during difficult phases.
Q. The comprehension-heavy format of CLAT rewards strong readers. Was reading always a habit for you, or did you consciously build it during prep — and if so, how?
Reading was always a habit for me, which certainly helped. However, I feel my logical and analytical abilities improved significantly through the consistent practice of mock tests.
Q. Having gone through the entire journey yourself, what is the single biggest mistake you see fellow aspirants making that silently kills their rank?
One mistake I made myself was spending too much time on difficult questions. In CLAT 2025, there were a few Analytical Reasoning questions where I should have moved on sooner. Sometimes, not trusting yourself and refusing to let go of a question can cost valuable marks and time.
Q. What’s your advice for future aspirants on handling an unpredictable paper?
The most important thing is to stay calm. An unpredictable paper affects everyone equally, and the students who remain composed and adapt quickly usually perform the best.
Q. Comparison with peers is one of the most silent yet damaging traps during CLAT prep. Did you ever fall into it, and how did you learn to block out that noise?
Not really. The environment at Clat Essentials encouraged collaboration rather than competition. We helped each other analyse mocks, shared notes, and discussed strategies. Instead of comparing myself with high scorers, I tried to learn from what they were doing right and apply those lessons to my own preparation.
Q. Based on your experience, what is your primary advice for future aspirants targeting CLAT 2027?
Stay calm while attempting mocks and try to recreate actual exam conditions as closely as possible. The more familiar you are with the pressure of a timed environment, the more comfortable you will feel on exam day.
Q.Finally, what is your message to students who are currently preparing for CLAT or the ones wondering if CLAT is for them?
CLAT is not an examination that rewards rote learning. It is designed to test how you think rather than how much you can memorise. Even someone with no prior legal knowledge can perform exceptionally well if they gradually develop strong logical and critical reasoning skills. Trust the process, stay consistent, and focus on improving a little every day.
A CLAT Essentials Interview by Oyishee Bose