How to improve vocabulary for CLAT 2023/2024?

Since the change in CLAT’s exam pattern, the exam has become more comprehensive. There are 300-350 word long passages followed by a set of questions in each section. The comprehensiveness also poses a major challenge that is time management. Owing to the limited amount of time granted, the exam is essentially a race against time. To ace this exam, you have to be excellent with your reading speed.

One of the perquisites of developing a good reading is enhancing your vocabulary. Having a robust vocabulary will not only help you understand the passages better but also help you save time as you would not be required to revisit the passages again and again. Moreover, the recent trend has also shown that there are frequently asked questions on vocabulary. You can refer to the following tips for building a strong vocabulary-

Reading- Undoubtedly that even now, reading is the best way to develop a good vocabulary. While reading different kinds of literature, more often than not, you would come across various words which you haven’t heard or seen before. You can look up the meaning of these words in a dictionary and write them down on a piece of paper for better retention. Newspapers, fiction, non-fiction, or even academic reading are good sources of building vocabulary.
Make a word list- A word list is a collection of the new words that you came across, with their meanings. Having a compilation of all the words will aid in revision and retention. There are various formats of making a word list. It can be personalized according to your preferences.
Flashcards- Flashcards are a practical way of memorizing new words. Take small sheets of paper and write down new words with their meanings, which you came across recently. Use 3-5 flashcards a day and read them out loud in the small breaks that you get in a day. You have to be consciously aware to use these flashcards at least 10 times a day. To make it more creative and interesting, you can also decorate these flashcards to make them more appealing.
Use thesaurus- To help learn new words better, a thesaurus can prove to be really helpful. You can look up the synonyms of various new words which might help you in clearly understand the meaning of the word. Looking up for antonyms is also a good practice.
Good resource material- Manu Law Classes provide its students with a comprehensive book on important words, phrases, maxims, etc. that are important for the CLAT exam. It is required that students must go through them exhaustively so that you are thorough with the preparation to a good extent.
Use new words while communicating- Building a good vocabulary would be of no use if you don’t know when and how to use them. Ensure to use new words in your sentences when you speak with your peers or parents. Using new words while writing is also a good way to understand practice and build vocabulary. This way you would also understand the art of word choice.

A good vocabulary cannot be built overnight. You have to really work hard and incorporate small exercises in your daily routine to get to the desired level. Always remember, building a vocabulary might take time but it is not a futile exercise. The right choice of words will not only make you sound smart but also help you express yourself clearly and effectively.