Every CA student has this question that how he /she can clear CA exams. Infact how to prepare for CA CPT, CA IPC and CA Final are few of the most visited posts of this website.
This is a lengthy post but if you read it till end, I am sure you will gain something…
Now to clear CA exams there are two steps involved:
- Preparing for the exams
- Writing the exams
I have very well given guidelines for preparation of exams in the above posts for each of the level, however have not yet spoken on how to write the exams.
Well you must be thinking, what kind of joke is that, if I have prepared well for the exam I can just write it; hmm, its not that simple.
How to Write CA Exams
To understand how to write the exams, you will first need to understand the view point of the examiners of the ICAI, because they are the ones who are going to give you the marks finally. Isn’t it.
Just to let you know I am writing this out of experience only; I have been a Rank holder in CA foundation and Final examinations and also been on the panel of examiners of the ICAI. However I am not going to tell you any confidential information which is given to examiners but just tips and trust me really helpful tips, which will make you understand what ICAI wants in the answer-sheets and what examiners wants in the answer-sheets.
So who are these examiner anyways
Your copies are checked by qualified CA’s who are shortlisted by the ICAI.
But are these CA’s subject matter experts.. answer is no. What I mean by that is, if a CA is allotted to check copies of MAFA, it does not means that he is an expert in MAFA at this point. Though however he had studied this subject while studying himself.
Is this right?
Yes and No.. Yes because due to high number of students sitting in CA exams it is practically not possible to find subject matter experts and expect them to check the answersheets. No because since they are not it touch of the subject, they have to rely on the suggested answers prepared by ICAI.
(Note: ICAI appoints subject matter experts for each subject who in turn provide the guidelines to CA’s on checking the answer-sheets.. So in that respect ICAI takes enough measures to ensure a clean and correct marking methodology)
How do you think Suggested Answers are prepared?
Now when we have understood that a lot depends on Suggested Answers as this is the base for the examiners while allotting the marks, so let’s understand how these suggested answers are prepared. Let me tell you these suggested answers are same which you can buy from ICAI after the results of an exam are declared.
Suggested answers are prepared using study material issued by ICAI. Ok, now you would be saying I always knew that, yes you did but now you have to realize that since the study material is the base for checking the answer-sheets, this is something you can not ignore.
So now you need to read really carefully so that you don’t miss what I am going to say.
For practical papers (i.e. accounts, MAFA etc.) you should refer other books and coaching notes but for theory papers (i.e. audit, ITSM etc..) there is no way other than Study material. You can take coaching for understanding the subject but but but for writing exams, you must know the language of study material.
What is language of study material?
Language of study material means you should be able to write specifics of an answer as per the study material. For example, look at the question below:
Question – What are the major limitations of flowchart?
Now the answer to this questions is:
So if you write a generic answer to this questions, such as flowchart don’t provide complete details, it is difficult to draw or edit, you may end up with 0 (zero) marks.
You should use words like complex logic, modification, reproduction (key words from study material) for getting good marks.
This is what I mean by language of study material.
How is marking done?
Some good news – marking at ICAI is step marking even for theory papers. Yes you read it right so for example in the question above if max. marks are 7 and you have written 7 correct points then you get 7 marks.
Do keep in mind that you don’t get extra points for writing more; you need to write 7 points, whereas if it is a 3 mark question write only 3 specific points. Don’t try to write more as you can not get marks beyond the maximum.
For theory papers you should write specific points and equal to no. of marks of the question. i.e. If question is for 3 marks write 3 specific points in answers.
For practical papers your steps should be clear and result of each step should be clearly specified.
Silly mistakes to avoid
[sociallocker]Examiner generally has less than 5 minutes to check a copy, so it is in your own interest to write clearly and properly else even right answers can result in 0 (zero) marks. Keep in mind following points while writing your exams.
- Do number all the answers clearly and properly else examiner can skip the answers and hence skip marks.
- One answer on one page. Start new answers on new page to avoid any confusion.
- Don’t leave blank pages in between, cross any blank pages left for writing answers later.
- Do not, let me say it again, Do not repeat questions in the answer sheet. Don’t think that examiners don’t have the time to read and will give marks for writing questions.
- Underline main keywords in your answer. For example in the above question you should underline the keywords like complex logic, reproduction, standardization.
If you have reached till here, I am sure you will now be able to clear theory examinations of ICAI easily.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
View Comments (23)
R/Sir/Madam..
Plz tell....
1) If I misqouted the Section no. in Paper of Law (at Heading of Answer) , in that Case Examiner will Cross the Full Answer ?? Even my whole answer was Right.
2) Is there any reason of Bad impression on Examiner..... I mean at First 3-4 Pages my answers were Wrong, but after that All was Right. Will the Examiner Duly Check from 1st to Last page with Due consideration
1) only partial marks will be deducted.
2) nothing like bad impression.
Hello sir, I definitely do not know how old this post is, but indeed very useful. I have been studying through the study material and will be definitely following these exam writing tips which I had been asking everyone but found no answer. My only doubt is that my principal informed me that underlining key points in an answer is now treated as 'unfair means'. Please clear if this is true.
It was not earlier, you can check exam guidelines for this.
Sir..
Thank you so much for this information..
Sir,please let me know how to study a theory paper..? So that we will not be able to forget it for atleast 3 to 4 months..
Revise as much as possible.
i have got the certified copies of my accounts paper my answer is as same as suggested answer then also my marks are deducted.
If I gets the 3.5 marks in this question my paper will be exempt as i have got 56 marks.
Now what must i do ?
What is the procedure for telling icai that my answer is as same as suggested answer and I deserves marks
You can write email to icai.
Sir, If suppose in accounts my final answer is wrong, but the entries are right,format is right ...will i get any marks .... suppose its 8 marks question how much should i expect to get if only final answer is wrong but other things are good.
Dear Sir in my CA Final costing paper, while solving the LPP sum, I by mistake took the assumption of the products as X1 & X2 instead of taking as X & Y, although I'm very sure that my answer is fully correct & I've solved every step & also drawn the graphical diagram. Will they consider my whole answer as wrong or deduct only some marks?
Hello sir
I left 1 question partially attempted in AMA, leaving a page to comeback later and attempt, however I ran out of time and could not come back to it . Would this have a negative impact on my paper ?
Hello sir ,
I recently appeared for group 2 examinations of CA- final. While attempting the exam of AMA, 1 of the questions remained incomplete, I left one page to complete the same at the end however I could not come back to it. Will this affect my paper checking to a big extent??
Thanks Sir for your valuable advice on writing the answer paper. I will be preparing my CA Final exams on Nov'16 and I have certain queries which I think is also I also the query of many CA Final Candidates:
1) Suppose a question is of 5 Marks, and I write 6 point in the answer. The first 1 point is wrong and the rest 5 point are absolutely correct. Then what will be the manks that will be awarded the me?
2) Please spread some light upon the extent to which the length of the answer matters. Do the quality of answer matters more than the quantity? How much long should the individual points in a 5 marks question be (Half Line, 2 Lines, Half Page...etc.)
Thanks in advance.
Marks will be given for 5 right points. Points should be explanatory and not long for the sake of requirement. You need to write crisp and quality answers.
Hello Sir,
1. How can we make our answers more appealing?
2. Shall be write our language so as to make answers simplistic or to use technical language as used by ICAI that can make examiner to urge complexity in checking answers?
3. How can we make practical questions more appealing?
4. Can we present our answers in practical questions of 'Law' following way:
Ques. Case Law
Ans:
1. Preface:
As per Sec .....of Companies Act 2013
2. Analysis of case:
In present case
3. Conclusion:
Thus we can conclude that as per sec
5. In Audit, how do we have to answer questions of Vouching, Audit of Entities/