How to Manage Time During the CA Foundation Exam

Table of Contents

Introduction

Understand the Exam Pattern and Time Allocation

Practice with Timed Mock Tests

Time Allocation for Questions During Exams

Prioritise Easy Questions

Avoid Overwriting and Over-Explaining

Manage Your Writing Speed

Utilise the Reading Time Wisely

Keep an Eye on the Clock

Stay Calm and Avoid Panic

Spare time for revision

Conclusion

Introduction

Understand the Exam Pattern and Time Allocation

• Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting (Subjective)
• Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence & Reporting (Subjective)
• Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning & Statistics (Objective)
• Paper 4: Business Economics and Business & Commercial Knowledge (Objective)

The subjective papers have questions where the examinee’s answers must show structured writing, while the objective papers demand quick and accurate answers. Knowing the format of each paper will help you plan your approach accordingly.

Practice with Timed Mock Tests

Timed mock tests are important for CA Foundation preparation as they are the closest to simulating a proper exam environment. Solve previous years’ question papers with a timer and attempt the paper within the allotted time. This practice will help you:

• Improve speed and accuracy
• Get accustomed to answering under pressure
• Identify time-consuming sections

Time Allocation for Questions During Exams

During the exam, divide your time according to the marks allotted to each question. For example:

• For subjective papers, you can calculate the time as 1.5 minutes per mark. So, if a question carries 10 marks you must try to complete it in 15 minutes.
• In objective papers, avoid spending too much time on one question.
• With any question, don’t dawdle, if you don’t know the answer, then leave it and come back when you have time to spare.

Prioritise Easy Questions First

Avoid Overwriting and Over-Explaining

Conciseness and precision are very important qualities for a Chartered Accountant. So, always answer to the point. Examiners are looking for clarity and accuracy, not lengthy explanations. Stick to the required format:

• Use bullet points where applicable
• Highlight key points
• Keep calculations neat and structured

Manage Your Writing Speed

Write fast and legibly so that the examiner can read what you have written. If you have poor handwriting, or your handwriting becomes messy while writing fast, then space your answers to make them appear neat. If you have made a mistake, don’t over-write, strike out the answer and rewrite it. Don’t try to alter figures, cancel them and rewrite them. Poor handwriting can lead to loss of marks if the examiner struggles to read your answers. Hence, practice writing answers regularly during your revision to improve your speed.

Utilise the Reading Time Wisely

Some students prefer to spend the first few minutes of the exam to read the entire question paper, while others like to take breaks in between to check the next questions. Both techniques are fine. Just ensure that you skim through the entire question paper and:

• Identify easy and high-scoring questions
• Plan the order of attempting questions
• Note down any formulae or key points mentally

If you feel that any of the sections have difficult questions, don’t get anxious. This is the time to focus yourself completely on writing the answers that you know and try to complete the paper within the allotted time.

Keep an Eye on the Clock

Be mindful of time throughout the exam. Check the clock after some interval to ensure you are on track. If you are running behind, adjust your pace accordingly.

Stay Calm and Avoid Panic

Panicking won’t help you in the exam hall, instead it will slow you down. If you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath, refocus, and move forward. A calm mind processes information faster and performs better. Try to focus completely on the problem and begin writing, you will slowly catch the rhythm and gain confidence.

Spare time for revision

Always reserve some time for revision. Whether you take breaks between questions to go back and read the answers or do it in the last 15 minutes before the exam ends, it is your choice. Read every answer to -

• Recheck calculations
• Ensure you haven’t missed any question
• Correct any mistakes

Conclusion

Time management during exams is a challenge, especially when the paper is lengthy. By following the above strategies, CA Foundation students can optimise their time during the exam and improve their chances of scoring well. Remember, success in CA exams is not just about knowledge but also about effective execution within the given time frame. You can learn more about how to prepare for the CA Foundation exams correctly and get the best coaching for it with the CA integrated programme offered at JAIN PU College in association with ALLEN Institute. So, plan well, practice rigorously, and stay confident! Check out the CA integrated programme to learn more about the course.