CA Foundation Exam Pattern

The CA Foundation exam is a national level examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It is the entry-level examination for students aspiring to become chartered accountants. The exam pattern for the CA Foundation is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of accounting, law, economics, and quantitative aptitude.

Exam Format
The CA Foundation exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based). It consists of four papers, each carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The duration of each paper is three hours. The four papers are as follows:

1. Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting
2. Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting
3. Paper 3: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning and Statistics
4. Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge

Exam Frequency
The CA Foundation exam is conducted twice a year, in the months of May and November. Therefore, the exam pattern remains the same for both attempts in a year.

Marking Scheme
The marking scheme for the CA Foundation exam is as follows:

- Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
- If a question is left unanswered, no marks are awarded or deducted.

Passing Criteria
In order to pass the CA Foundation exam, candidates must obtain a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers. There is no exemption in any paper, and candidates must pass all papers to clear the exam.

Conclusion
The CA Foundation exam pattern remains the same for all attempts in a year. It consists of four papers, each carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The exam is conducted offline and is held twice a year in May and November. The passing criteria require candidates to obtain a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.