CA Foundation Exam Pattern

The CA Foundation Exam is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and is the first level of the Chartered Accountancy course. It is designed to test the fundamental knowledge and understanding of accounting, mercantile laws, general economics, and quantitative aptitude.

Exam Structure

The CA Foundation Exam consists of four papers, divided into two groups. Each paper is of 100 marks, and the duration of each paper is three hours. The exam is conducted in offline mode, where candidates are required to write their answers on paper.

Group I

1. Paper 1: Principles and Practices of Accounting
- This paper tests the knowledge of basic accounting principles and practices.
- It covers topics such as accounting principles, preparation and presentation of financial statements, partnership accounts, and accounting for special transactions.

2. Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting
- This paper is divided into two parts:
- Business Laws: It covers topics such as Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, and Partnership Act.
- Business Correspondence and Reporting: It tests the knowledge of business correspondence, report writing, and communication skills.

Group II

1. Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics
- This paper is divided into three parts:
- Business Mathematics: It covers topics such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
- Logical Reasoning: It tests the ability to analyze and evaluate logical arguments.
- Statistics: It covers topics such as statistical representation of data, measures of central tendency and dispersion, and correlation and regression.

2. Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge
- This paper is divided into two parts:
- Business Economics: It covers topics such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and Indian economic development.
- Business and Commercial Knowledge: It tests the knowledge of business and commercial awareness.

Marking Scheme

- Each paper is of 100 marks.
- For each correct answer, candidates are awarded one mark.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

Passing Criteria

- To pass the CA Foundation Exam, candidates must score a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers.
- Candidates who achieve a rank within the top 50 will be considered for the award of a rank certificate.

Overall, the CA Foundation Exam pattern consists of four papers, each focusing on different subjects. It is important for candidates to have a clear understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus to prepare effectively and perform well in the exam.