Important Points | FAQs released by ICAI on July 2020 exams

The following are the key questions from FAQs. We will be doing a live session on YouTube at 11:30 am today to address your questions.

What will happen if the residence of a student comes under containment zone during the conduct of Examinations?

In case, the residence of a student will fall under containment zone, such student will be given an option to apply for “opt-out” with the copy of said notification/order of competent authority, and he/she will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carrying forward of fee, exemption etc.

What will happen if any Examination Centre comes under the containment zone either before the beginning of examination or in between the examination dates?

ICAI will take all necessary steps to shift all the students to nearby examination Centre in a non-containment zone. In case, Centre is not available nearby, then, students will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carrying forward of fee, exemption etc.

[This will be painful and confusing for the students]

What will happen if a particular city may not be able to conduct the examination due to the high magnitude of the outbreak of COVID - 19 cases?

All the students appearing for exams in such city will automatically be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carry forward of fee, exemption etc.

[Thus, it is better not to opt-out. If the situation becomes bad either at residence or at exam center or in the city, opt out will be automatic]

What will happen if a student gives 3 papers but on the day of 4th paper, his residence comes under containment zone, i.e. in cases of partial attendance in exams?

Such student will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carry forward of fee, exemption etc. The student would require to write all papers in Nov 20 exam cycle. 

What will happen if any student has appeared for all papers of one group but during any paper of the second group, his residence/examination centre comes under containment zone i.e. for partial attendance?

In that case first group would be considered as appeared. The student will be required to write the second group in Nov 20 exam cycle. 

Whether next Examination will be held in November 2020 or December 2020?

Exams will be held from 1st week of December

What will happen if a student is found COVID – 19 positive either before or during the examination or is not in good health to appear in this examination?

Such student will not be allowed to appear in July 2020 examination and will be accommodated by ICAI to next examination cycle, i.e. November 2020 on submission of a test report.

Looking into the health scare due to pandemic and student finding himself with indicative symptoms at any time, such student may opt for next examination cycle on submission of a valid Medical Certificate. The said certificate should be issued by a Medical Practitioner having an MBBS Degree or more.

[The question is how would one know whether the person is Covid or not without tests. Also, it is not clear whether the student would be allowed to opt-out even if s/he has normal fever]

If any student does not choose “Opt-Out” now, can he later opt-out from the Examination?

It will be permitted only in case the residence of such student falls under containment zone subsequently or he is not keeping well on account of COVID/other health issues as per a valid medical certificate.

If any student chooses “Opt-Out” now, can he later opt to give the Examinations?

No

If any student chooses “Opt Out” now and later Institute postpone the Examinations, then what will be the remedial action?

In such case, all the students will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carry forward of fee, exemption etc.

[It is not clear whether the Institute intended to address exams being "postponed" or 'cancelled"]

Can a student change his Examination City after correction window gets closed?

No. 

Is the extension of Intermediate (IPC) [Old Course] up to November 2020 Examination only for the students who “Opt-out” or for “All”?

It is applicable for all the students.

Will November 2020 be the last attempt for Final [Old Course] Students?

For those students who “opt-out” from May 2020 Examination cycle will be automatically given extension up to May 2021.

For Students who are not opting out, the examination committee will send a recommendation to the Council for the necessary support to students.

[This point is quite confusing and ICAI must implement this for all students]

What will happen, if any student has a fever? Will the Examination Centre allow him to write the Exam?

No, such student will not be allowed to enter the Examination Centre with fever traced in thermal scanning.

However, if the student produces a valid Medical Certificate to the effect that Fever is not on account of COVID – 19, he will be permitted to enter the examination hall. The said certificate should be issued by a Medical Practitioner having an MBBS Degree or more. The certificate is to be submitted at the examination centre at the time of entry.

What will happen if any student forgot to bring a face mask at the Examination Centre?

Students has to mandatory wear face mask at the time of entry and during the conduct of Exam. ICAI will make necessary arrangement of mask on need basis.