Clearing the Common Proficiency Test (CPT) is the first step to becoming a Chartered Accountant. CPT is held twice a year in June and December by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and takes place in 2 sessions of 100 marks each on a single exam date. To be considered has having cleared CPT it's necessary for the candidate to score minimum 30% in each individual section and 50% aggregate overall in spite of negative marking. With the next CPT exam date 15th December 2013 approaching its time to study smart. Here are some tips!
Syllabus:
Session 1 (from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM)
Section A: Fundamentals of Accounting 60 Marks (18 marks passing)
Section B: Mercantile Laws 40 Marks (12 marks passing)
Session 2 (from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM)
Section C: General Economics 50 Marks (15 marks passing)
Section D: Quantitative Aptitude (Maths and Statistics) 50 Marks (15 marks passing)
Tips:
- The first step is to thoroughly understand the detailed official syllabus, so you don't end up wasting time on topics/areas that are not that relevant
- Create a study schedule giving more time to topics you feel you are weak in
- Try to study minimum 2 subjects a day
- Focus on studying from the official study material provided by ICAI and use other books as reference
- For Accounts, refer to your class 11th and class 12th textbooks
- Accounting is a scoring subject, to maximize your chances of scoring, first read the theory of a chapter and then attempt its questions. Don't skip the theory.
- Study basic Maths, sticking to the topics on the CPT syllabus and not studying the entire school textbook
- Mercantile Laws are scoring as there are only 3 laws in the syllabus. Make sure to study all three. Practice writing the Mercantile laws point-wise to test your understanding
- Although the question paper will ask only multiple choice questions, practice some subjective questions as well to refresh your understanding
- As negative marking is applicable skip questions you are not sure about
- Do not ignore any section as minimum passing marks are required for each individual section
- Start revision 2 weeks before the exam
- Practice as many sample papers, question banks and questions given in Study Material from ICAI as possible
- Definitely complete previous 3 years exam papers
- Identify trends in the question paper and where you seem to lost marks. Focus your time in improving your weak areas.
- At least 3 days before the exam attempt sample papers (or previous year papers) in the exact timeframe you will have at the CPT exam that is 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM for Section A and Section B and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM for Section C and Section D. This will help you get in the habit of thinking about those topics in that time frame.
As marks scored or rank obtained doesn't matter for the next examination in becoming a Chartered Accountant and only passing marks are required, it's easy to become overconfident. However it's essential to stay focused on studying so you are able to clear the CPT examination.
Syllabus:
Session 1 (from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM)
Section A: Fundamentals of Accounting 60 Marks (18 marks passing)
Section B: Mercantile Laws 40 Marks (12 marks passing)
Session 2 (from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM)
Section C: General Economics 50 Marks (15 marks passing)
Section D: Quantitative Aptitude (Maths and Statistics) 50 Marks (15 marks passing)
Tips:
- The first step is to thoroughly understand the detailed official syllabus, so you don't end up wasting time on topics/areas that are not that relevant
- Create a study schedule giving more time to topics you feel you are weak in
- Try to study minimum 2 subjects a day
- Focus on studying from the official study material provided by ICAI and use other books as reference
- For Accounts, refer to your class 11th and class 12th textbooks
- Accounting is a scoring subject, to maximize your chances of scoring, first read the theory of a chapter and then attempt its questions. Don't skip the theory.
- Study basic Maths, sticking to the topics on the CPT syllabus and not studying the entire school textbook
- Mercantile Laws are scoring as there are only 3 laws in the syllabus. Make sure to study all three. Practice writing the Mercantile laws point-wise to test your understanding
- Although the question paper will ask only multiple choice questions, practice some subjective questions as well to refresh your understanding
- As negative marking is applicable skip questions you are not sure about
- Do not ignore any section as minimum passing marks are required for each individual section
- Start revision 2 weeks before the exam
- Practice as many sample papers, question banks and questions given in Study Material from ICAI as possible
- Definitely complete previous 3 years exam papers
- Identify trends in the question paper and where you seem to lost marks. Focus your time in improving your weak areas.
- At least 3 days before the exam attempt sample papers (or previous year papers) in the exact timeframe you will have at the CPT exam that is 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM for Section A and Section B and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM for Section C and Section D. This will help you get in the habit of thinking about those topics in that time frame.
As marks scored or rank obtained doesn't matter for the next examination in becoming a Chartered Accountant and only passing marks are required, it's easy to become overconfident. However it's essential to stay focused on studying so you are able to clear the CPT examination.
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