CA Intermediate Study Plan

The CA intermediate course has 8 papers, out of which 4 are further divided into two sections each. Paper 2, 4, 6, and 7 have both descriptive and objective or MCQ type questions. The objective questions carry 30% weightage and the rest 70% is descriptive.

Understanding the nature of each paper — whether it is practical or theoretical — is important for a couple of reasons. Some students find practical subjects to be easier to handle, while others have a knack for theory subjects. Though both practical and theoretical papers demand equal attention, knowing your strong and weak areas in the syllabus will help you plan your studies better. 

Also bear in mind that there are no negative marks for the MCQs. Therefore, preparing and practicing lots of MCQs can be a smart way to get good scores.

That said, here's a quick glance at the practical and theory papers. 

Please note that the practical papers may include few theory-based questions, but the majority of the paper will be practical. Vice-versa holds good for theory papers.

So, you couldn’t clear the CA inter exams in your first attempt. Maybe, even in your second or third attempt. But the very fact that you’re reading this is proof that you’re not ready to give up yet. And, that speaks volumes about your willingness to succeed. 

As a CA Inter repeater, you might have asked yourself “Should I carry on & not quit?” Now, let’s face it: It doesn’t matter how many times you have failed to crack the CA inter exams. It’s worth figuring out WHY. 

• Is it because something is missing from your preparation strategy?
• Or, are you actually not enjoying the subjects in your CA intermediate syllabus? 

If it’s the latter, then CA is probably not for you. Don’t get us wrong — CA is a rewarding career, but it's not the be-all and end-all of success. You can have a fulfilling career in the field of business and commerce without being a CA too. Try exploring other professionally and financially rewarding career paths such as investment banker, financial advisor, wealth manager, and financial analyst, among others.

But if you think that your exam preparation was lacking, here are some ways to fix that. 

First of all, most of what we discussed above for CA Inter first-timers will apply to you as well. However, you have something they don’t have: Experience. 

That’s right! You’ve already gone through the grind and know what it’s like to actually write the CA Inter exams. It’s time to use that knowledge to your advantage. 

1. If your preparation strategy didn’t work out the first time or even the second time, you need to shake things up. Identify the hits and misses in your previous preparations. For instance, if you didn’t revise enough, make it a point to do it. If you relied on others’ notes, start preparing your own notes. Read this and this to master the art of note-taking.  
2. Step out of your comfort zone. Focus less on your strong areas and put more effort into improving the weak ones. Deal with the difficult topics first; you know you can handle the easy ones. 
3. For anything beyond the second attempt, you would benefit from treating yourself as a beginner. If your preparation has failed twice, it probably suffers from some fundamental flaw. Tweak your approach. Ditch the “this is how I’ve been studying and it works for me” mindset and start afresh.

If you’re unsure about your preparation or would require some assistance in figuring out where you went wrong or what you should change, it’s worth seeking out a mentor who can help you with these issues. Our expert-led mentorship program is a great option that you can explore. 

How should I study for CA Intermediate?

Studying for the CA Inter exam requires a realistic plan that’s personalized to your needs and pace of learning. Our CA study planner tool can help you with this. 

Are 3 months enough for CA Inter?

Yes and no. If you are a first-timer and you have only 3 months in hand, you should attempt only one group. But, if you’re planning to attempt both groups, 3 months won’t be sufficient. To crack both groups, you need at least 5-6 months of preparation.   

Is self-study enough for CA Intermediate?

You can manage to clear CA inter exams through self-study. To do that, you will need a solid routine and strict discipline to stick to it. While ICAI material, previous years’ papers, and RTP are good enough, most students benefit from specialized CA inter coaching classes, especially the mock tests. 

How many hours should I study for CA Intermediate?

This will vary depending on when you start your CA intermediate preparations, but anywhere from 8 to 12 hours (or more) per day on average is required to crack the CA inter exams.  

Which is the toughest subject in CA Intermediate?

There’s no one answer to this, as it is a very subjective question. Some students might find costing to be difficult; for others, auditing or EIS & SM could be the bane of their life. Depending on your interests and ability to grasp a subject, you might find one or another subject to be difficult. 

Is there rank in CA Intermediate?

Yes. As per the latest guidelines, the ICAI has opted to continue with the Merit/Ranking system for CA Intermediate, while there are no ranks/merit lists for CA Foundation students. Securing a rank in your CA inter exams might seem challenging, but it is possible. Click here to know-how.  

How do I clear CA Inter in my first attempt?

With a clear roadmap depicted above, any aspirant can fuel their preparation in the right way. We hope the above information helps you in preparing for and acing the CA Intermediate exam on the first attempt.