The Chartered Accountant Common Proficiency Test (CPT), also known as the CA Foundation Exam, is the entry-level examination for the Chartered Accountancy (CA) course in India. It is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) twice a year, in June and December.
Overview
The CPT Exam is a computer-based test (CBT) and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) of 1 mark each. The exam is divided into four sections:
Eligibility Criteria
The CA Common Proficiency Test (CPT) was a competitive exam conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to select candidates for its Chartered Accountancy (CA) course. However, the CPT exam was discontinued from November 2016 onwards and replaced with the CA Foundation Course.
Therefore, there is no eligibility for the CPT exam as it is no longer conducted.
CA Foundation Course Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the CA Foundation Course are as follows:
- The candidate must have passed the Senior Secondary Examination (Class 12) conducted by an examining body constituted by law in India or an examination recognized by the Central Government as equivalent thereto.
- The candidate must have registered with the ICAI for the CA Foundation Course.
Exemptions from CA Foundation Course
The following candidates are exempt from appearing in the CA Foundation Course:
- Candidates who have passed the B.Com or B.Sc (Accounting and Finance) examination with a minimum aggregate of 55% of total marks or its equivalent grade from a recognized university in India.
- Candidates who have passed the Intermediate Examination (Integrated Professional Competence) (IPC) conducted by the ICAI.
- Candidates who have passed the Final Examination of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).
- Candidates who have passed the Final Examination of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).
Exam Pattern
Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks | Type of questions | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Principles and Practice of Accounting | 3 hours | 100 | Objective | No |
| 2 | Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting | 3 hours | 100 | Objective | No |
| 3 | Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics | 2 hours | 100 | Objective | Yes |
| 4 | Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 | Objective | Yes |
Application Process
The CPT Exam application form requires candidates to provide the following information:
- Personal information (name, date of birth, address, contact details, etc.)
- Educational qualifications
- Examination center preference
- Category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.)
- Passport size photograph and signature
Once the application form is filled out and submitted, candidates must pay the application fee. The application fee for the CPT Exam is Rs. 400 for general candidates and Rs. 300 for reserved category candidates.
The application fee can be paid online through the ICAI website or through demand draft in favor of the ICAI, payable at Kolkata.
Once the application fee is paid, candidates will receive a confirmation email from the ICAI. Candidates should print out the confirmation email and keep it for their reference.
Syllabus
The CPT Exam, also known as the CA Foundation Exam, is the entrance exam for the Chartered Accountancy (CA) course in India. The exam is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
The CPT Exam syllabus covers four subjects:
- Fundamentals of Accounting
- Mercantile Laws
- General Economics
- Quantitative Aptitude
Fundamentals of Accounting
This subject covers the basic concepts of accounting, such as:
- Accounting equation
- Accounting principles and conventions
- Journalizing and ledgering
- Preparation of trial balance and financial statements
Mercantile Laws
This subject covers the basic concepts of business law, such as:
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Sale of Goods Act, 1930
- Partnership Act, 1932
- Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
General Economics
This subject covers the basic concepts of economics, such as:
- Demand and supply
- Theory of production and cost
- Indian economic development
- Money and banking
Quantitative Aptitude
This subject covers the basic concepts of mathematics and statistics, such as:
- Ratio and proportion
- Indices
- Logarithms
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Statistics
Important Dates
Exam Session | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| June 2023 | June 24-30, 2023 |
| December 2023 | December 31, 2023, January 2, 4, and 6, 2024 |
Tips for Exam Preparation
Here are some tips for preparing for the CPT Exam:
- Start early and follow a systematic study plan.
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
- Collect all the necessary study materials, such as books, notes, and previous year question papers.
- Focus on understanding the concepts instead of memorizing them.
- Practice regularly with previous year question papers and mock tests.
FEES
Category | CPT Exam Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Indian candidates | ₹ 400 |
| Overseas candidates (Kathmandu center) | ₹ 1700 |
| Overseas candidates (Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, or Muscat centers) | US$ 300 |
FAQ?
The Common Proficiency Test (CPT) is an entry-level examination for admission to the Chartered Accountancy course in India. It is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) twice a year, in June and December.
Any candidate who has passed the Class 10 examination conducted by an examining body constituted by law in India or an examination recognized by the Central Government as equivalent thereto is eligible to take the CPT Exam.
Candidates can apply for the CPT Exam online through the official website of ICAI. The application process usually opens in the month of March and closes in the month of May for the June exam, and in the month of September and closes in the month of November for the December exam.
The best way to prepare for the CPT Exam is to start early and follow a systematic study plan. You should also make sure to practice with previous year question papers and mock tests.
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