CA Inter Exam Pattern 2025: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

In the CA course, candidates can make any number of attempts until they clear a particular level. They will be eligible to register for the next level only after clearing the previous level. For example, a candidate needs to clear the CA Foundation level to be able to register for CA Intermediate. For appearing in CA Final exams, a candidate needs to clear both Foundation and Intermediate levels.
Since, the level of difficulty of this course is very high, a maximum percentage of students make multiple attempts. Candidates who decide to pursue CA course, need to make sure that they are well prepared to a marathon of studies, preparation and exams. 

The difficulty level of CA Intermediate exams is high. It is considered to be one of the toughest exams to crack due to the vast syllabus and multiple subjects. The pass percentage of CA Intermediate exam is low and candidates have to make multiple attempts to clear it. CA is a course, one can complete without coaching and guidance. Even though study material, test practices and other support is provided by the ICAI, it is not really possible to study by self. The topics and chapters are vast. They require guidance and practice as well as discipline and productive study hours.

The mode of examination of CA courses was earlier offline .i.e. it was conducted in pen and paper mode. However now the exams for CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final courses are conducted in online mode, i.e. computer based test mode. Candidates have to appear for the exam at designated test centres and punch in their answer on the computer screen. Every test taker is allotted a computer system. They have to login with their registration ID and use the computer mouse to punch in their answers. The exam duration varies for different papers.

CA exams for all the three levels are held twice in a year. The first phase exams are held in May and June and the second phase exams are held in November and December. Registrations for the May-June exams is held in February-March and registrations for November-December exams is done in August. Candidates can register and appear for the exam as per their preparation and articleship completion. For any phase of exam, they need to fill the form and pay exam fee through registered login ID.

The difficulty level of CA Intermediate exams is high. It is considered to be one of the toughest exams to crack due to the vast syllabus and multiple subjects. The pass percentage of CA Intermediate exam is low and candidates have to make multiple attempts to clear it. CA is a course, one can complete without coaching and guidance. Even though study material, test practices and other support is provided by the ICAI, it is not really possible to study by self. The topics and chapters are vast. They require guidance and practice as well as discipline and productive study hours.

The exam pattern of every CA course is prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The agency is responsible for designing the CA courses and conducting the examinations as well as awarding the CA certification in India for professional practice. They also decide the exam mode, duration, timing, questions, marking scheme, passing marks and test process. Once the candidate completes the CA course from ICAI, they are ready to practice Chartered Accountancy professionally. 

The paper-wise pattern of CA course levels is different from each other. Some papers are of 2 hours duration whereas some are of 3 hours duration.

The time duration of ICAI CA exams varies for each paper. For some papers, the duration is three hours whereas for some papers it is two hours. The time limit of CA Foundation paper 3 and 4 is 2 hours and for the rest of the papers across levels is three hours. There is no sectional time limit in the CA exams. Candidates have to solve the paper in the given time frame. They must prepare in such a way that they are able to solve maximum questions in the given time limit.

The CA exams are conducted one paper per day and there is no break in between. Candidates have to complete the paper in one go.