CLAT topper AIR 1 Saksham Gautam's journey from self-doubt to self-discipline

CLAT 2025 topper with AIR 1 Saksham Gautam discussed his preparation strategy, how he overcame distractions, and the importance of mentorship.

In Short

• Saksham Gautam secures AIR 1 in CLAT, balancing school studies and law prep
• Credits LegalEdge by Toprankers for detailed guidance and excellent mock tests
• Overcomes distractions through self-discipline and external support

For Saksham Gautam, securing AIR 1 in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025 wasn’t just a feat of academic excellence but also of sheer self-discipline.

His success story, from navigating school studies alongside rigorous law entrance preparation to tackling distractions head-on, offers crucial lessons to aspirants across the country.

BALANCING SCHOOL AND CLAT PREPARATION

Saksham’s CLAT preparation journey began in Class 11, where balancing schoolwork and entrance preparation proved challenging.

"After a few months of struggling to switch between them, I developed a strategy. Instead of a rigid schedule, I used a dynamic study structure, often fluctuating the hours devoted to school and CLAT depending on the task at hand," he shared.

His focus shifted heavily toward CLAT in Class 12, but he never entirely neglected his schoolwork.

"Class 12 was mostly CLAT-heavy given that less than a year was left for the exam, but I still kept in touch with schoolwork, thus effectively balancing the two," he says.

FINDING GUIDANCE

A crucial factor in Saksham’s preparation was joining LegalEdge coaching by Toprankers in Class 11.

"To be honest, I owe a huge part of my success to LegalEdge by Toprankers. Their material was exceptional, more detailed and intensively researched than anything else I had seen," he says.

The institute’s mock tests played a pivotal role, offering a variety of scenarios Saksham could encounter on exam day. "Their reputation for having mock tests that are the standard level is well-known. These mock tests familiarised me with all kinds of situations that could be on the exam day," says the CLAT topper.

CONSISTENCY THROUGH PLANNING

Saksham maintained a packed yet flexible daily schedule during the last few months of his preparation. Newspaper reading and GK revision became daily rituals alongside practice for other sections like Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Techniques.

"I took two mocks weekly, and this number increased to three or four in the last two months. However, the only condition for adding a mock test to my schedule was that it had to be accompanied by a detailed post-mock analysis," he explains.

Saksham credited task-based planning for helping him stay consistent. "Planning helped me avoid uncertainty and anxiety. When we have tasks planned out ahead of us, it's easier to actually accomplish them."

Even when his consistency wavered, the support from his mentors guided him back on track.

FROM STRUGGLE TO SELF-DISCIPLINE

Like many teenagers, Saksham initially struggled with social media distractions. "During the initial months of my preparation, it was an intense struggle to battle the web of notifications and entertainment," he recalls.

However, with time and external support from his parents and teachers, he gradually developed self-discipline. "I explained my problem to my parents and teachers. With their external support, I was able to completely cut off these distractions for the first few weeks," he says.

Over time, he found himself able to focus without needing external help. "As a month passed by, I developed self-discipline and no longer needed external support," adds the CLAT topper.

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ASPIRANTS

Saksham’s advice for future CLAT aspirants is straightforward yet profound: "Your journey to the top law schools begins with believing that you can do it. Seek appropriate guidance and mentorship to help you gauge the right direction of your preparation and then stick to it."

Acknowledging the inevitability of self-doubt and distractions, he urges aspirants to hold firm to their goals. "There will be periods of self-doubt and distractions, but have your goal firmly established in your mind. Have faith in yourself and your preparation, and stick to it consistently," he says.

Saksham Gautam’s journey is a shining example of how self-discipline, adaptability, and determination can lead to extraordinary success. Whether it was balancing school and entrance prep, relying on trusted mentors, or tackling distractions with self-discipline, every step of his journey serves as a guide for those chasing their dreams.