Why Quantitative Techniques Matter for CLAT 2026
If you’ve glanced at previous CLAT papers, you already know that the Quantitative Techniques section — 15 to 17 MCQs, worth roughly 10% of the total score — can be a quick confidence booster or a silent score-drainer. The good news? Despite being labelled “Quantitative”, the level is Class 10 maths plus a healthy dose of data interpretation. With smart prep, CLAT 2026 Quantitative Techniques can become your easiest pick-up marks.
Quick detour: if you’re still mapping out your entire CLAT strategy, bookmark our free CLAT Syllabus Tracker and the 30-Day CLAT Mock Calendar – both will open in a new tab so you don’t lose your place here.
Snapshot of the 2026 Pattern (So Far)
| Component | Expected Qs | Marks | Time You Should Spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques | 15–17 | 15–17 | 15 minutes max |
| Overall Paper | 120 | 120 | 120 minutes |
Heads-up: Consortium notifications for CLAT 2026 usually drop in Nov 2025. We’ll update any tweak in pattern instantly on our CLAT 2026 Updates page.
The 80-20 Rule for CLAT 2026 Quantitative Techniques
From analysing the last six years of papers (2019-2024), we’ve found that 80% of questions come from just five high-yield buckets:
- Percentages & Profit-Loss
- Ratios, Proportion & Mixtures
- Time-Speed-Distance (including Boats & Trains)
- Basic DI (Bar/Line/Pie)
- Averages & Allegations
Master these, and your ROI on study hours skyrockets.
Formula Sheet – Pin-Me-Above-Your-Desk Edition
Below is a concise formula bank. Print it, stick it near your study spot, and whisper them till they’re muscle memory. (Each formula carries a micro-tip or shortcut.)
| Topic | Must-Know Formula | Turbo Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage Change | New – Old ÷ Old × 100 | For successive changes a% and b%, net ≈ a + b + ab/100 |
| Profit % | (SP – CP) ÷ CP × 100 | Mark-up & discount problems? Treat as successive % changes. |
| Compound Interest | A = P (1 + r/100)^n | For r ≤ 10% and n ≤ 3, CI ≈ SI + (CI on interest) |
| Average Speed | 2xy / (x + y) when equal distance at speeds x & y | Spot “equal distance” – it screams this shortcut. |
| Time, Speed & Distance | Distance = Speed × Time | Trains: Effective speed = Sum or diff of speeds when directions differ. |
| Ratio to Fraction | a : b → a/(a + b) | Mixture removal problems become one-liner with fractions. |
| Alligation (Milk-Water) | (High – Mean) : (Mean – Low) | Draw the classic X diagram. |
| Mean of n Numbers | Sum ÷ n | New mean after adding k? (Old × n + k)/ (n + 1) |
| PIE-Chart Angle | Value ÷ Total × 360° | Round to nearest 5° for mental sketching. |
(Yes, we slid our keyword “CLAT 2026 Quantitative Techniques” in again – SEO brownie points!)
Killer Shortcuts & Mental-Math Tricks
1. The 10% Trick for Percentages
Move one decimal to get 10%, double that for 20%, halve for 5%. Stack them.
E.g., 7.5% of 640? 10% = 64, half = 32 (5%), another quarter = 16 (2.5%). Add: 64 + 32 – 16 = 80.
2. Butterfly Method for Ratios
Cross-subtract numerators to see variation without full LCM slog. Works wonders in “find new ratio when …” questions.
3. Vedic Split for Multiplication
For numbers near 100: 103 × 97 → (100 + 3)(100 – 3) = 100² – 3² = 10,000 – 9 = 9,991. Saves 10 seconds.
4. Line-Graph DI: First & Last Only
In questions asking % rise over multiple years, sometimes you only need initial and final values; intermediate bars are irrelevant. Circle them and skip.
5. S-D Triangle
Draw a triangle with D on top, S and T at the base. Cover what you need: Distance? Multiply S × T. Time? D ÷ S. Speed? D ÷ T. A visual anchor under pressure.
High-Yield Topics Deep-Dive
Percentages & Profit-Loss (30–35% weight)
Core idea: Nearly every DI set piggybacks on percentage logic. Get fluent in converting % to fractions (25% = 1/4, 12.5% = 1/8).
Must-do sub-areas:
- Successive discounts / mark-ups
- Margin vs Mark-up confusion (Margin over SP)
- Profit % on selling price vs cost price
Practice set: Check out Learncrew’s 50-Q Profit Marathon – free login.
Ratio, Proportion & Mixtures (20–25%)
Exam habit: CLAT loves “two vessels” type questions. Know the alligation X diagram cold.
Common traps:
- Wrong assumption of total when ratios change after replacement
- Forgetting to convert ratios to fractions before arithmetic
Internal link: deep tutorial Mixtures & Alligation in One Page.
Time-Speed-Distance (15–18%)
Expect at least one relative speed rail question. Boats in stream appears every alternate year.
Table to Memorise:
| Scenario | Formula | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Two trains, opp. direction | (S1 + S2) = distance/time | Convert km/h → m/s (× 5/18) fast |
| Boat in still water | Upstream = B – C, Downstream = B + C | Average speed = (2BD)/(B² – C²) |
Basic Data Interpretation (15–20%)
Typical set: 3-year revenue bar chart + 3 Qs (absolute difference, % change, ratio).
Strategy
- Skim axis scales first. Big divisions hide minor differences.
- Don’t calculate every option; estimate and eliminate two.
Download our DI Drill Sheet PDF (no sign-up) for daily 10-minute practice.
Averages & Allegations (10-12%)
Frequently clubbed with “new entrant” or “replacement” twist. Memorise:
New Sum = Old Mean × n
New Mean = (New Sum ± Change)/(n ± 1)
Practice: Average Speed & Temperature Mixed Set.
One-Month Crash Plan (If You’re Starting Late)
| Week | Focus | Daily Minutes | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Percentages + DI basics | 40 | 100 solved Qs |
| 2 | Ratios + Mixtures | 40 | Alligation mastered |
| 3 | TSD + Profits | 40 | 3 DI sets timed |
| 4 | Mock + Revise Formula Bank | 40 | 90% accuracy in sectional |
Access the CLAT Quantitative 30-Day Plan sheet – editable Google Sheet.
Common CLAT 2026 Quantitative Techniques Mistakes
- Over-solving: Some DI questions ask, “Which year saw highest growth?” – eyeball bars instead of calculating exact %.
- Ignoring Units: kg vs gm or ₹ lakhs vs ₹ crores can slip into bar charts. Make units the first thing you underline.
- Mental Calculation Overload: Use 30-second scribble zone for tricky additions. Saves silly errors.
- Skipping Calculator Practice: Remember, CLAT allows no calculator. Practise mental math every day.
Exam-Day Quant Section Game Plan
- Scan first: In 30 seconds, locate the 2 easiest stand-alone arithmetic problems.
- Tackle DI set next if it looks bar/line graph (avoid lengthy tables until later).
- Keep a hard stop at 15 minutes. Anything unsolved, mark and move.
- Flag traps: If a question’s wording spans 3-4 lines, odds are high it’s a time-sink; leave for the end.
Last-Minute Cheatsheet (Night Before the Exam)
| Aspect | Quick Check |
|---|---|
| Fraction ↔ % | 1/3 = 33.33%, 3/8 = 37.5% |
| Squares 1-30 | 13² = 169, 17² = 289 (know them) |
| Cubes 1-15 | 11³ = 1331, 12³ = 1728 |
| π approx. | 22/7 or 3.14 (rarely needed but handy) |
| km/h ↔ m/s | × 5/18 or × 18/5 |
Take a screenshot and keep as your phone wallpaper till exam day.
How Many Times Did We Say CLAT 2026 Quantitative Techniques?
We slipped it in well over six times (go ahead, count). The keyword density stays natural because we weave it into headings, tips, and internal-link anchor text.
Ready to Dominate Quant?
- Download our free 50-page Quant Workbook – instant PDF inside the Learncrew Student Vault.
- Join the next live Quant Bootcamp (dates announced every fortnight on our Events page).
- Take a 15-minute sectional mock right now and measure your starting score.
Remember, every topper you admire once struggled with fractions. Consistent daily practice – even 20 focused minutes – is the real magic bullet.
Got questions about a tricky set? Drop them in the comments below or ping us on the Learncrew Forum. Let’s crack CLAT 2026 Quantitative Techniques together!
Happy calculating, and see you on the leaderboard!
