CPT is called the Common Proficiency Test and is the entry level for the CA exam. It is held twice a year in June and December. The exam is held on the third Sunday of that month. One can be taken admission to the Chartered Accountant course after completing class 12th. To appear for this exam candidates have to register themselves with ICAI for the CPC course.
ELIGIBILITY:
One should have cleared their class 12th exams from a recognized board
They should be registered with the ICAI for the CPC course. The registration is only for3 years and if time period expires a candidate has to revalidate his registration.
Graduates and postgraduates in Commerce who have secured 55% marks are exempted from appearing in CPT exam
Graduates and postgraduates other than those falling in the Commerce stream and having 60% marks are exempted from appearing in the CPT exam
EXAM PATTERN:
- It is a paper-pencil( PP) type of exam
- Medium of an exam will be both in English/ Hindi
- Exam is of 4-hour duration having two sessions which are of 2 hours each. There is a break between both these sessions.
- It is an objective type exam with negative marking for every wrong answer
- To cross the CPT exam in one sitting a candidate needs to secure 30% marks in each section and 50% marks in the aggregate of all the sections
- The exam will be of 200 marks comprising of 4 sections
- The first session consists of two parts
Section- A Fundamentals of Accounting-60 marks
Section-B Mercantile Laws- 40 marks
Session two comprises of two parts
Section-C General Economics-50marks
Section –D quantitative Aptitude- 50 marks
Exam centres are all over in India and a few exams centres are overseas. They are in Kathmandu, Dubai, Doha, Muscat and Abu Dhabi.
This CA course is to educate and give them practical experience so that they come out in flying colours when they become proper Chartered Accountants.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO GET THROUGH THIS EXAM:
Since getting through CPT is an arduous task one should balance both studies and fun as too much study can make you dull. A few tips to help you breeze through.
Don’t study too much at one time:
Too much study at one time can clog the brain and the study will not produce results. One should space one’s study into shorter periods and take regular breaks while studying.
Plan a specific time for study:
During this period one should read, write, work on a project and this time should be specified during the week. This way regularity is maintained in the study. It should be at the same time every day.
KEEP SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE STUDY TIME:
Keeping goals can help a candidate monitor his progress. One will be able to accomplish his goals fast by doing this.
START STUDYING WHEN PLANNED:
One should keep one’s promise to oneself and start studying when planned. One should start work on a difficult assignment first and then go on to an easy one. One should review one’s notes before starting.
Don’t take calls while studying:
One shouldn’t be distracted while studying so one should avoid calls, chat when one sits for study. One should frankly tell friends not to give calls while he/she studies. As this can spoil the study flow. Best is to mute the phone while studying.
Review over the weekend:
One should review one’s work at the weekend by discussing with other candidates. This will help build up self-confidence.
Do Group Discussions and Mock Tests:
Practising both these things can help a student come out in flying colours. So it is practice, concentration, and focus which can help a person get through CPT.
-Dr.PREETI TALWAR
