REALISTIC APPROACH FOR PREPARING CA FOUNDATION JANUARY 25

A realistic approach for preparing for CA Foundation (considering time, energy, and mental health) involves balancing study plans with flexibility and practicality. Here’s how you can approach it step by step:

1. Start with a Baseline

• Evaluate Your Current Knowledge:
  • Spend 1–2 days skimming through the syllabus and ICAI study material. Identify topics you already know and areas that feel completely new.
  • Use this to create a realistic plan focusing on weak areas.

2. Set Daily Goals with Flexibility

• Don’t aim for perfection; instead, focus on steady progress. For instance:
  • Morning: Study one theoretical subject (e.g., Business Law or Economics) for 2 hours.
  • Afternoon: Focus on a practical subject (e.g., Accounting or Math) for 2–3 hours with breaks.
  • Evening/Night: Revise or practice questions for 1–2 hours.
• Keep one day every week lighter to catch up or revise.

3. Prioritize ICAI Material but Supplement Where Necessary

• Start with ICAI study material, but don’t get stuck if a concept feels difficult.
• Use concise notes or videos from platforms like Unacademy, Edu91, or YouTube for tough topics.
• Focus on clarity: instead of memorizing, try to understand why things work the way they do.

4. Tackle One Major Subject at a Time

• Rotate subjects weekly or every 10 days:
  • Week 1: Focus on Accounting basics and Business Laws.
  • Week 2: Add Business Math and Statistics.
  • Week 3: Work on Economics and Logical Reasoning.
  • Keep revisiting topics to avoid forgetting.

5. Realistic Problem-Solving Practice

• Start with solved examples to build confidence.
• Gradually move to practice questions and past papers once you feel comfortable.
• For practical subjects like Accounts and Math:
  • Solve 20–30 questions daily instead of overwhelming yourself with a full test.

6. Mock Tests and Revisions

• Begin mock tests at least 1.5 months before the exam:
  • First attempt: Open book for learning.
  • Later attempts: Under timed conditions.
• Use mocks to refine time management and understand your weak points.

7. Manage Stress and Energy

• Don’t overload yourself:
  • If you’re mentally tired, switch to lighter tasks like revising key formulas, watching videos, or reading theory.
• Take breaks every 50–90 minutes:
  • Do something relaxing (like a short walk or music) during breaks.

8. Revision Strategy

• Revise daily:
  • Spend 15–20 minutes reviewing what you learned the previous day.
• Weekly revisions:
  • Dedicate Sundays to recap everything studied during the week.
• 1 month before exams:
  • Shift focus to revising full subjects in 1–2 days each.

9. Use Study Partners or Groups Wisely

• If you study better with peers, discuss concepts or solve papers together.
• Avoid unproductive discussions; use group sessions for clearing doubts or motivation.

10. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

• Remember: You don’t need to know everything. Focus on high-weightage topics and aim to secure at least 50% in each paper.
• Adjust your plan when needed. Some days might be less productive, and that’s okay.

Sample Daily Routine for Realistic Preparation

Key Adjustments

1. Be kind to yourself on less productive days.
2. Adapt your study plan to how you feel. Tired? Focus on lighter tasks like revising notes.
3. Reserve the last 15 days exclusively for revision and mocks.

ALL THE BEST!