GyanCentral

Which are the subjects that a student should focus on for the final exam?

I think each subject should be given its due importance. No subject is too easy or too hard, but must be taken in the right approach. As every subject is of 100 marks, you need to give equal input and time. Especially for subjects like DT which are very vast, you need to study from much earlier as they become too difficult to manage by the end. Also, for practical subjects like costing, accounting and FM, one needs to do writing practice.


Do you think coaching classes are essential for exam preparation?

Except for tutorials in the practical subjects, coaching classes aren't required. Even I didn't take coaching for 5 subjects and my results weren't that bad.

Any tips for tricks for CA students?

The most important strategy is the 1.8 minutes rule. Each exam is for 180 minutes and is for 100 marks, so one must give only 1.8 minutes to each problem in the exam. I used to divide my study schedule in a way that there were enough breaks in between so that there was no mental fatigue. I also kept a track of time and made a note of how many pages were studied in how many minutes.

If you keep a track and are motivated, then no one can stop you. It is important to remain positive as people easily give up on CA exams. I even asked my friends to remain positive and most of them have cleared the exams.

What made you decide to go for a degree in chartered accountancy?

My elder brother had already become a CA and I aspired to be like him and follow his lifestyle. That is why I opted for this degree.

How were your previous exams like the CPT AND IPCC?

I got an all-India second rank in CPT and eight in the IPCC and I cleared them both in my first attempt itself.

Where did you do your articleship from?

I did my articleship from V K Surana and company in Nagpur.

What was the experience like and how beneficial was it during your exam preparation?

The experience was really good as we got a lot of exposure in manufacturing companies, colleges and hospitals, covering a variety of industries. It was really helpful for the exams as well as I did my articleship very sincerely and would ask everybody to do the same.

Were there any practical concepts that you learnt during the articleship?

Other than technical methods, we learnt how to communicate well, how to try and understand things rather than just mugging them up. We learnt how to get conceptual clarity about things and how they work in the real world.

Which subjects did you take coaching for?

I took coaching for the three practical subjects, i.e financial management, accounts and costing in my coaching in Nagpur.

Which subjects were the toughest and how did you tackle it?

For me, Indirect taxes was the toughest sub in the beginning. Even after reading the whole syllabus twice, I was blank. But I did a test series in my coaching class and I realized I have to convert the weakness I had in this subject into my strength. I devoted 3 hours everyday to it and by the time I had to give my exams, I was confident. I ended up getting the highest marks 86 in this subject.

How did you manage your time before the exams?

I got a leave from my office from July 2011. I completed the first reading of all the subjects, including the writing practice of practical subjects by August. I studied two subjects in 15 days, so in two months, all 8 subjects were done. I did my first revision in Sept. By October, we had our test series, so I went through 80-90% of the syllabus almost everyday. With 20 days remaining before the exam, I went through all the important areas of the course. I had even made a 20 hour plan so that I could go through everything once again. In the end, I had revised the course almost 5 times.

However, 2 days before the exam were extremely crucial and I studied a lot because if you study for 4 months and don't touch up in the last two days, it becomes a waste of time. More than revision, you need to study to build and maintain your confidence at that time.

How did you handle stress during this time?

I used to listen to music, watch cricket matches and talk to friends. My family supported me very well. All the factors worked for me. There were times when it was so easy to give up, but I thought if I could hold on a little more, the future would be bright.

What field do you plan to pursue your career in?

I haven't decided that yet but I want to do something of my own. I don't want to do a job. I plan to do a MBA but it's tentative.

Along with CA, have you done any other certification, like ICWA or CS?

Yes, I had done CS along with my CA which has been completed. I had an All India Rank in the CS exam as well.

For a candidate, what are the most important aspects that he should concentrate on during his CA exam preparation?

There a few points to keep in mind. One must start taking things seriously right from the articleship as you learn a lot during that time. Secondly, do not give up even if it feels like the easiest way out. Most importantly, follow the 1.8 minutes rule. I made sure that I read 100% of the paper and wrote 100%. The trick is to not miss a single question as answering maximum number of questions invariably leads to more marks.