The CA Foundation course is the first step in the four-stage certification programme for aspirants of the Chartered Accountancy profession in high school. The advantage of appearing for CA Foundation exams is that some syllabi overlap with the 12th grade Commerce syllabus. Students can complete their CA certification programme from ICAI along with their graduation. However, assuming that the CA Foundation course is easy, focusing on the right method of preparation can lead to one struggling with the syllabus. Through this blog, we will discuss the common mistakes 12th graders make in CA Foundation preparation and how to avoid them.
Mistake - The aims of CA Foundation exams and your grade 12 exams are very different. Even though some of the syllabus overlaps in subjects such as Accounts and Economics, the nature of questions and expected answers are different.
Solution - When you are preparing for both exams, you must allocate time to study for the CA Foundation course and the 12th board exams. Follow separate study strategies for both exams
Mistake: Most students believe that they will easily complete the CA Foundation syllabus since there are only four papers, and two of these are objective papers. However, in the CA Foundation course, the Business Law subject is new and has many sections that have to be memorised and quoted in the answer. Furthermore, the Quantitative Application problems will have to be solved before you choose the right answer.
Solution: Break the syllabus into manageable sections and then create a detailed study plan. Allocate more time for subjects that you find challenging and at least two hours each day for revision. Use spreadsheets or planners to track your progress. While preparing for the CA Foundation, allocate adequate time for the 12th board syllabus too. Take advantage of the overlapping topics to thoroughly gain conceptual clarity in these topics.
Mistake - Your CA Foundation exam preparation must factor in scrupulous time management as the exam is time-sensitive. You have to prepare to answer the CA Foundation exam and board exam within its rigid time limit. To avoid undue stress, incomplete syllabus, lack of time for revision or incomplete understanding of concepts, you must smartly manage your schedule.
Solution – Create an actionable timetable with hours allocated for preparations for board exams and CA Foundation exams. Amend the timetable on a monthly or weekly basis to adjust it to your needs at that time. Set realistic weekly and monthly goals and ensure that you have adequate time for revision. Having a schedule and being able to adhere to it will alleviate a lot of stress and anxiety related to preparations.
Mistake – In a rush to cover the syllabus, often students neglect revision, putting it off until after the syllabus has been completed. In the process, they forget the concepts they had studied or spend more time with one subject and do not give enough time to the others. Studying in this way leads to a superficial understanding of the subject.
Solution -
Allot time in your timetable for regular revision. Each day you must review previously covered topics to reinforce what you have studied so far. As you are studying, make short notes with keywords, flashcards and mind maps. These will help with last-minute revisions and referencing as you cover the syllabus and strengthen your foundation.
Mistake: Students often neglect the recommended books and ICAI study material and refer exclusively to guidebooks and cliff notes. These notes are good for explanations or further reading, but unhelpful as primary study material.
Solution: While the guidebooks, coaching class notes and other resources explaining concepts are useful, use ICAI resources as your primary study material. These have been designed specifically for the exams and are regularly updated.
Mistake: Either students neglect solving past papers and mock tests, or solve them like question banks, without using the two-hour time limit.
Solution: The ICAI website has many resources such as past years’ question papers and mock test papers. Try to attempt at least 4 tests each week with a timer., specifically in the final two months before the CA Foundation exams This will help you improve your time management and alleviate some of the exam-related anxiety.
Mistake: Students tend to spend less time on subjects that they perceive to be simple or boring. They avoid tackling subjects where they are having difficulty or put off the “slow” subject till the end.
Solution: Create a balanced study schedule where you allocate time for all subjects. Try using techniques such as spaced repetition or active recall to memorise huge sets of information.
Mistake: Students will memorise information without understanding its meaning or context with the hope of writing the answer verbatim.
Solution: The sections mentioned in Business Law, the golden rules of accounting, and mathematical formulas have to be memorised. However, if you understand the logic behind these rules and theories you will learn to apply them in the right context. Through revision, studying case studies and solving problems, build your understanding of the reasoning behind procedures and rules.
Mistake: Students often hesitate to ask for help or procrastinate till it is too late.
Solution: If you are stuck or have a problem, seek help from proper resource persons at the earliest. Don’t put it off or ignore your issue even if it does not appear to be a big problem.
Mistake: Many CA Foundation aspirants focus entirely on preparing for these exams, completely neglecting their Board exam studies. They either end up underperforming or with low scores.
Solution: When you are preparing for the CA Foundation exams, many topics in the 12th Board become simplified as they are common to the two subjects. However, the board syllabus has subjects that are not there in the CA Foundation. Start preparing for your 12th board exams very early and try to cover as much syllabus as possible before you start your CA Foundation preparations. This way you will mostly be revising the subjects and have ample time to improve your learning.
The 12th grade is a critical phase for students who are balancing board exams with CA Foundation entrance exams. You must give a reasonable amount of time to prepare for both exams so that you are not overburdened. Get adequate rest and exercise to help you maintain a keen focus on your goals. With patience, perseverance and hard work, you can ace the CA Foundation and board exams. If you feel the need for additional guidance in your preparations, consider courses such as the integrated CA course offered by the JAIN PU College and ALLEN Institute. For more details, click here.
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