How to Clear CA Exams with Exemptions in First Attempt? - Steps & Tips Guide

How to Clear CA Exams with Exemptions in First Attempt? – Steps & Tips Guide

By admin CA Final, CA Foundation, CA Inter, IGP 0 Comments

This blog is published after a detailed discussion with our best faculty whose experience in teaching is about 2 decades.

If you’re aiming to clear CA exams in your first attempt with exemptions, you’re not alone—but only a few succeed. The path is clear, but it requires discipline, dedication, and the right mentorship. This guide outlines the exact strategy you need to follow, backed by two decades of teaching experience.

Table of Contents

Steps & Tips to Clear CA Exams in First Attempt

1. Keep distance from social media; follow only necessary channels.

Social media is a platform that shows negative content at the top, while positive minds are somewhere in the middle of the funnel—searched only by typing in the search box.

The phrase “DO NOT USE SOCIAL MEDIA, IF YOU WANT TO BE A CA” means you should not get stuck in the loop of endless scrolling. Just search for the best positive material and look out for important updates and announcements by ICAI.

2. Only trust qualified CAs or well-established coaching institutes for preparation classes (No doctorates, no graduates, no other 11th-12th teachers).

This means that if you really want to be a CA, then you have to join this course along with CA professionals who have completed the CA journey with high-quality preparation. As you know, only about 10–15% of students become CAs in a year, so you should take guidance from those who were part of that 10–15% on their first attempt.

3. Create a study planner – it may be monthly, weekly, or preferably daily.

Every student has their own capabilities and study structure. As you’ve already passed classes 9th to 12th, you know how you studied and succeeded with your own style. So, if you’re aiming to become a CA, you must choose a study planner that suits you best.

If you’re still struggling to find the right study plan to manage all CA-level subjects (CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final), you can take guidance from top faculties like CA Ashish Kalra, who conducts many live sessions on YouTube to help students create better planners.

4. Start one chapter at a time; begin the next chapter only after completing the current one.

Have you ever heard the saying, “If you try to travel in two boats at once, you’ll never reach the shore”? Take this phrase seriously in this course. Finish what you start first, and only then move to the next chapter of a subject.

5. Practice as many questions as possible from reputed faculty and ICAI study materials only.

Use ICAI study material, and if you’ve joined a reputed CA coaching institute with a proven track record of producing rank holders and maintaining a high pass percentage, you can also study from the top faculty’s materials, which include ICAI questions as well.

6. Increase your study time as much as you can.

As Jeetu Bhaiya from Kota Factory (a Netflix series) says: Every habit takes 21 days to become part of your daily life. Every student must develop the habit of sustained attention, and this can be achieved through practice and self-discipline.

Just follow a strict plan for at least a month (21 days), and you’ll achieve this target.

7. Join regular test series and mock test series from reputed coaching institute and ICAI only.

Always join only the best test series and mock test series. Even ICAI issues MTPs (Mock Test Papers) for students before exams—you can use these as a final exam rehearsal. You can also search for them online or ask your faculty for test papers.

8. Never waste time during festivals, parties, or family functions.

Nowadays, stress and anxiety are major issues for our youth—especially Gen Z. You should enjoy festivals and parties too, but manage your time smartly.

Avoid unnecessary discussions, cooking, decoration, and other distractions. But do take part in Puja, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and gift exchanges with your family.

CA Ashish Kalra, a legendary CA faculty, also advises students to enjoy festivals—but with caution. Remember, you’re part of one of the most reputed courses, and you must respect it through sincere preparation.

9. Create your own notes or use pocket books and revisionary books for last-minute revision.

Understand this with an example: it might take 10 seconds to read an important sentence from a book, but it takes much longer to find that sentence in the first place. So, notes are really important—especially during exams when you don’t have time to go through page-heavy books.

Write a notebook in your own language to locate important content quickly and save time. CA Ashish Kalra also provides such notes in the form of pocket books and revisionary books—you can refer to them if you want.

FAQs

1. Can I clear the CA exam in the first attempt without coaching?

While it’s possible, it’s highly recommended to take guidance from qualified Chartered Accountants or reputed coaching institutes. Self-study requires extreme discipline and clarity, which many students achieve faster under proper mentorship.

2. How many hours should I study daily to clear CA exams with exemptions?

There’s no fixed number, but you should gradually increase your sitting time. Start with 8–10 hours and extend up to 14–16 hours as exams approach. More than quantity, consistency and smart planning are key.

3. Is it okay to follow multiple teachers or online videos for one subject?

No. Stick to one teacher per subject. Switching between multiple teachers creates confusion and wastes valuable time. Trust only qualified CAs or ICAI-approved content for preparation.

4. How important are mock tests and revision for exemptions?

Mock tests are absolutely crucial. They simulate the real exam environment and help identify your weak areas. Combine them with your own handwritten notes or pocket revision books for effective last-minute prep.