What extra CA examination demands?

By: Deepak Kumar Sharma

CA Examination is one of the toughest professional exams in the country. It takes a few things to crack this exam:

1. A proper mindset.

2. A sharp memory.

3. Proper time management.

4. Sincere preparation with proper revision &

5. Proper presentation of answers in examinations.

Do I need to further explain points mentioned above? I am not a rank holder and this article is not for prospective rank holders too. I am just an average ca final student and trying to help my ca student friends who study well and just need some extra marks to clear. I don’t know how to achieve merit or rank. All I know that I followed some tips which worked for me to clear Ipcc and I am sharing them all here. None of them are findings of me, I just used them. Even I don’t remember the sources, excuse me for that.

1. If you have 3 months in hand before exams, complete your study in 2 months and reserve one month for revision at least two times.

2. Solve questions like you are giving your main exams. Same completeness and seriousness apply during preparations.

3. Write more to increase speed and improve handwriting. It is not a waste of time. Clear written matter always scores well.

4. Try to solve whole paper in just 2 and half hour. So you will complete your paper before or at least on time. Use remaining half hour for corrections and final touch.

5. If you switch off your mobile during main exams then please do the same during preparations and revisions. Less or no TV. Just play light games or listen light music in gaps.

6. Maximum time to solve a question in exams = 1 mark * 1.5 minutes i.e. for 4 marks question maximum time is 6 minutes and so.

7. Write other alternate of answer if possible any.

8. In theory questions, always use first two lines impression.

9. Don’t panic to see twisted questions, stick to basics, Read questions and relate the things.

The institute’s inputs and other supports provided to students like rtps, suggested answers, practice manuals etc. are adequate to prepare themselves for and fare well in the examinations.

It is highly advisable:

1. In practical – Give proper format, working notes and assumptions with high speed.

2. In theory – (Long answer type questions) >Write brief intro, >Discuss main theme, >Write summary.

Hard study may fail but systematic never. Systematic means on proper time.

For serious study, Divorce the world during study time. It’s your parents, who waits for your results most.

During Studies:

1. Eat less, drink more.

2. Get rid of your weaknesses

3. Do chair study, don’t use bed.

4. Don’t change your study material again and again. Use good material and Scanner only.

5. Morning study and evening study is good instead of late night study.

During exam days:

1. Please never discuss with your friends, have faith in God and your knowledge.

2. Don’t tally the answer you wrote in exams with your book’s answer.

3. Do some breath exercises, take deep breaths.

Finally, it is not just an exam you are going to write; it is your fate and future. It is your last and final exam. Every mark is important in CA exam. Do as you know, even if you don’t know the answer just draw format and give headings. Complete the whole paper, it helps in scoring.

Are you ready to do CA ?

By: Renu

CPT the beginning of the studies of CA. So let’s first understand it's structure:-

Accounts:50 marks.

Law:50 marks.            

Economics:50 marks.

Maths:50 marks.

Passing criteria:100 marks.

Negetive marking:25 per question.

Normally people think,its not a subjective exam so they can easily dealt with it. But opposite happens with some. And the worse thing is,it happens again and again.The real question arise is why it happen again and again.

Let’s take an example:-

accounts-7	correct -10	incorrect-12
laws-12.25	correct -16	incorrect-15
economics-(-3.25)	correct -0	incorrect-13
quantitative aptitude-(-0.25)	correct -0	incorrect-1

In  the above case, we can easily see that accounts and law are just fine.Literally not.

But  economics and maths are more than worse totally terrible.To achieve min 50%,the one should focus to get average % first.

So the gist is People don’t lose because they can’t score 50 %.But they lose because they can’t save themselves from negative marking.So what could be the real solution:-

1.If you are smart,CA fraternity is smartest.They gonna focus those points which people overlook.

2.So atleast one reading of Institute material is compulsory.

3.No matter how perfect person you are,you can still commit mistakes.I am assuming that while attempting 10 question, your mistakes are 2/10.

4.In short you can even lose marks where you are perfect. 

5.Where you are already weak, your mistake will be 6/10.Means you lost more than you gain.

6.So where you are good,make yourself perfect.But where you are weak,make your at least performance satisfactory.

Analyzing part :-

Now it’s time to analyze your mistakes. I am talking about those questions for which you need to guess about answering them. Part them into three categories:-

1.Where you think that  chances of this question to be right is 80%

2.Where you think that chances of this question to be right is 50%

3.Where you think  that chances of this question to be right below 50%

Result part:-

If yourright answer belongs to just category,then only answer those question whom you are atleast 80% sure.If your right answer consists upto category 2,then you can answer questions where you are guessing upto 50%in the required question.

If you need to guess and your inner conscience doesn’t agree with your answer and you disagree with your answer and fall in third category.Then You don’t even dare to attempt that question.

Note:-

1.This formula prevents you from negative marking.

2.You can easily check what questions you should not answer.

3.Taking test on regularly basis is necessary.

4.You have to study first of every subject to apply this rule.

Books :-

1.Study material is wide enough. It covers each and every prospect of the question.

2.Use cds and model test papers as must and do as many as you can.

3.For economics,I.C.Dhingra is best book which is really simple in reading.You might have referred the same in graduation. I did it so I can say,It gives an idea atleast.

4.Otherwise class 11 and 12 books really provide a good  backup.

5.A must solution book of maths  to practice maths.

6.Keep formulas in paper till you can’t keep them in your mind.

7.Even if you are weak in maths,you can save 20% from statistics part.Which is relatively easy.

8.You can prefer King Champion guide also,in case you don’t find I.C.Dhingra.Atleast this is available from every  Delhi university student.

9.For law undoubtedly refer P.C.Tulsian.The best book for self study.

10.In Accounts,you can also refer P.C.tulsian.

Lastly,I can say,

If I studied with the intention to be a failure and still passed,then you must remember that you are at least more dedicated than me towards your study.

Basic methodology to succeed in CA exams

By: Rohit Gupta

One thing that CA students love to discuss the most is – “How to clear CA Exams?” Everyone seems to have the best answer but considering the pass percentage, I think the success mantra is yet to be unearthed. I shall now share some tips that worked for me.

For subjects for whom you are taking coaching, try finishing one-time in depth study during the coaching tenure itself.

Ensure that you go through the following publications of the Institute:

a. Revision Test Papers (RTPs)

b. Practice Manual

c. Modules (For subjects like Management Accounting and ISCA)

No wonder if you find the same or almost the same question in your exam. Do pay attention on the content and presentation of answers.

Make Study Plan:

1. Calculate the time (in terms of months) available with you before the attempt.

2. Assess time requirement (in terms of days) for each subject according to your expertise and interests in each of them. Unless you are hard-pressed on time, keep around 12-15 days (of 10-12 hours each) for each subject. Allocate the time according to the “Leaves period” and “Office-going” period.

3. Keep around 5 days for revision before exams. This also acts as a cushion in case you are unable to meet your study timelines.

 [I shall be putting another article soon on which books one can refer for self-study]

4. Now make a study plan comprising of the following:

a. Individual Subjects

b. Study Period (From and To)

c. Revision Period

d. Contents to be studied (For example- Study Module, Amendments, Notes etc.)

e. Status (Studied thoroughly/ briefly/ not studied)

The objective here is to ensure that each subject gets due share of time. Also those contents which could not be studied thoroughly may be given adequate importance at the time of revision.

You may either study single subject at a time or take a theoretical and a practical subject together.

Learn but don’t waste time cramming theory subjects:Every time you are studying a theory subject, keep in mind that cram-learning is not required. You only need understanding of the topic along with memorizing only headings (could be in the form of Mnemonics). This way you can save some time.

Focus on all subjects not just few:It is the tendency of few students to focus more on few subjects like Accounts or Financial Management more than anything. They practice numerical problems day in, day out. Rather the objective should be to first take all subjects to a level of say 60 marks. This is because each subject carries equal weightage of 100 marks and each one subject is capable to deny you the successful result. Only once you attain this, you may work to attain expertise in particular subject(s).

Take Power Naps throughout the day: Some people prefer studying till late and some prefer starting early in the morning. Both have their share of merits and demerits. We all would agree that almost throughout the entire day we have numerous thoughts running in our mind which spoils our concentration. But after every sleep, we find ourselves at peace, with our mind calm and relax, not having such multiple thoughts. Here comes the biggest key to my success. I shall sleep six hours at a stretch in night and take 15 minutes power naps- four times a day. I would take these naps whenever I felt lack of concentration.

Utilize Brahma Mahurat:As they say, 4 o’clock to 6 o’clock (morning as well evening) has been called “Brahma Mahurat. Ensure that you plan your study timings accordingly to ensure you utilize this part of the day to enjoy best concentration.

Energize yourself during unproductive hours:Ensure that you do routine chores like bathing, eating etc. only after a study session. This way you can utilize this time to recreate yourself (say by listening music) and get ready for the next study session.

Want a rank? Here’s how:We all desire to get a rank, but how many of us deserve it? Well, my formula has been to study with the following approach:                                 

First Reading- Rough reading to get familiar with the content(including numerical sums) in terms of length and difficulty.                                                    

Second Reading- Detailed reading while highlighting important points for learning. Solve practical questions (with proper presentation) on your own. Mark questions with special adjustments(with difficulty/ tricks)for next reading. Make separate notes, if required.                                                   

Third Reading- Learning the contents as highlighted, Practice sums with special adjustments. No need for using proper formats as it takes time. List down relevant topics in order of priority for final reading based on their importance and difficulty.                                                           

Final Reading-During the exam days, revise the topics as per the attached priority.