Preparation tips to clear CA course in first attempt
Although it takes a lot of practice and commitment to clear the ICAI CA exam in the first attempt, it is not impossible. It requires right preparation guidance and directions. it Here are some best tips to study the CA course effectively and to clear CA exams in the first attempt.
Chartered Accountancy (CA) is considered one of the most rewarding professions in India but it demands years of strenuous practice and training to obtain the certification. Becoming a CA in India is a promising yet challenging role. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI) offers a three-level CA programme. And all the three levels are tough to crack. There are three levels of CA exam:
And all three levels of the CA course are tough to crack due to vast syllabi and difficulty level of the session wise exams. Studies reveal that about only 20-25 per cent of the applicants clear the ICAI CA exam in the first attempt, making this among the most competitive exams to crack. On an average, an individual takes 4-5 years to clear all the three levels of CA course.
Effective tips to clear CA exam in the first attempt
Although multiple attempts are allowed in the CA exams of all levels, clearing them in the first attempt is the ultimate dream of every Chartered Accountant. Afterall, it is considered as a record. So here are a few tips on how to clear CA in first attempt.
Expand your scope of the study
The ICAI CA examination is like a sea that has to be explored by diving deep into it. It is impossible to crack the exam by studying the topics selectively. It is mandatory to study and thorough every single topic of the entire CA syllabus. This would not just help in clearing the exam but serve as a backup knowledge bank throughout one’s career. You can opt for professional coaching to get the best guidance from experienced teachers. Due to high difficulty level of the CA course, majority of the students opt for coaching. It gives you direction and develops discipline in exam preparation.
Also Read:
| CA Foundation Syllabus | CA Intermediate Syllabus | CA Final Syllabus |
Stay updated with the latest Syllabus
Keep a note of changing exam syllabus or module. There have been several changes in CA Foundation, CA Intermediate and CA Final syllabus lately. Download the lates syllabus and study accordingly. The ICAI provides a lot of study material for every course, paper and unit. Use official resources to study.
Revise the portions religiously
Before starting to study a new topic, it is important to review the old ones and ensure that the concepts are pretty clear. Revising the entire CA syllabus at least twice thrice before appearing for the examinations will reflect pretty well on the examination results. Revisions should include mandatory solving of problems and practicing with previous years question papers.
Indulge in a minimum of 15 hours of effective study
To crack the CA exam in its very first attempt, students have to indulge in a minimum of 15 hours of effective study a day. By 15 hours of effective study, we mean the time spent on studies effectively with sincere efforts. This way, it will be possible to cover all the topics with ample time for revision and mock tests. The ICAI provides live mock test sessions, on scheduled dates for CA Foundation, CA Inter and CA Final courses. Make sure you attempt the official CA mock tests.
Make a wise schedule to succeed
Whether you are in CA Foundation, CA Intermediate or CA Final, it is important to frame and follow a strict schedule while preparing for the CA exams. The time table should be planned wisely offering equal weightage to all the topics in the syllabus. There should be provisions for rest periods, for CA mock tests and time to practice previous year CA question papers. There are several such time tables available online for students to download, or they can frame their time table as well, according to their convenience.
Keep in touch with the theory subjects
It is important to revise the theory subjects periodically as there is a huge volume of topics to be revised and they demand repeated recollection regularly. Majority of the aspirants concentrate much on problems to solve and neglect the importance of these theory topics. It is important to stick on to their time plan and revise the topics according to the schedule.
Have the habit of note-taking while studying
Making notes and developing small hints while studying the different books and materials, as this will help to revise easily at a later date. Religious revisions are mandatory at the time of examination and it is not possible to cover the entire syllabus in a single day. Having short notes of the important lessons in hand helps in prompt revision. They also help in revising pretty quickly.
Work on exam presentation skills
Unlike other competitive examinations, the Chartered Accountancy exams demand the aspirant to write short answers and essay type questions. Thus, the aspirants need to work on enhancing the quality of their answers. This is one exam in which presentations plays a key role, thus aspirants should work on improving their handwriting and make it a point to study regularly from practice manuals. This will show them the optimal way to enhance their presentation skills.
Also Read:
| CA Intermediate exam pattern | CA Final exam pattern |
Club learning with practical exposure
Successful CA aspirants have always clubbed their theoretical studying with practical experiences by working in a financial firm. It not just learning all the rules and laws that make a person successful in the examination, it is knowing where to apply them that matters to shine in the CA final examination. Internships help in clearing difficult papers such as Direct Tax and Auditing, as per expert sources.
Refrain from the virtual world as much as possible
The CA aspirants should make it a point that they use the internet only for their studies and not to waste time over social media. This will preserve and divert the quality time in preparing for their examinations. The internet helps in several ways for exam preparations. Students can use it to download solved CA question papers, notes, mock tests, etc., but can also be a distraction, so use this medium wisely and with restraint.
Staying positive
This is the fuel that strives the person to act from within. CA by nature is a tough exam and clearing it demands a lot of mental strength. It is important to strengthen the mind and thoughts with yoga and meditation and strengthen the body with healthy food and good sleep.
These are some of the proven ways to clear the CA examination in its first attempt. These were compiled based on the real-life experiences of toppers and rank holders in the CA examination.
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