Introduction:
The CA Foundation Exam is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and is a national-level examination. It is conducted twice a year, in May and November, to provide students with an opportunity to pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy. The exam pattern for both the May and November attempts is similar, with slight differences in terms of the number of papers and the marking scheme.

Exam Pattern:
The CA Foundation Exam consists of four papers, divided into two groups. Each group contains two papers. The detailed exam pattern for both groups is as follows:

Group I:
1. Paper 1: Principles and Practices of Accounting (100 marks, 3 hours)
2. Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting (100 marks, 3 hours)

Group II:
1. Paper 3: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning and Statistics (100 marks, 3 hours)
2. Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge (100 marks, 3 hours)

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

1. Each paper is of 100 marks, with a total of 400 marks for all four papers.
2. Each paper is divided into two sections: Section A and Section B.
3. Section A consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) carrying 1 mark each.
4. Section B consists of subjective questions carrying varying marks.
5. There is negative marking for incorrect answers in Section A. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted.
6. In order to pass the exam, candidates need to score a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers.

Differences between May and November Attempts:
The CA Foundation Exam pattern remains the same for both the May and November attempts. However, the syllabus for the exam may be revised from time to time. It is important for candidates to refer to the latest syllabus provided by the ICAI and stay updated with any changes in the exam pattern.

Conclusion:
The CA Foundation Exam pattern is consistent for both the May and November attempts. It consists of four papers divided into two groups, with each paper carrying 100 marks. The marking scheme includes both multiple-choice questions and subjective questions, with negative marking for incorrect answers. It is crucial for candidates to thoroughly study the syllabus and understand the exam pattern in order to prepare effectively for the exam.