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Best Strategy to Clear Both Groups of CA Intermediate

16 Sep

Introduction

The CA Intermediate exam is often where students truly feel the weight of the Chartered Accountancy journey. After the basics in Foundation, Intermediate introduces you to deeper concepts Advanced Accounting, Law, Taxation, Costing, Audit, and Finance.

With the new ICAI syllabus, the focus is less on rote learning and more on practical understanding. Many students keep asking: Should I prepare for one group or attempt both together?

The honest answer is it depends on your preparation time, consistency, and mindset. But if you’re willing to put in structured effort, attempting both groups of ca intermediate together is a very realistic goal. Here’s how you can prepare smartly and give yourself the best chance of clearing both groups of ca intermediate in one go.

Understanding the 2026 Syllabus

The updated syllabus has two groups:

  • Group I: Advanced Accounting, Corporate & Other Laws, and Taxation.
  • Group II: Cost and Management Accounting, Auditing & Ethics, and Financial Management & Strategic Management.

What’s new is the way ICAI is testing students with more case-based questions, more emphasis on ethics, and a balance of MCQs with descriptive answers. This means you cannot rely on selective study anymore. You need a proper plan that covers both theory and practical subjects.

Why Both Groups Can Be a Good Option

Preparing for both groups together has its advantages. It saves you an attempt cycle of six months, and many subjects connect well across groups. For example, concepts in Accounting will support Costing and FM, while an understanding of Law will help in Audit and Ethics.

Another hidden advantage is that strong performance in one paper can help balance out a weaker score in another, thanks to the aggregate rule. So if you’re disciplined, it can actually work in your favor.

Building a Study Plan That Works

The biggest challenge is not the syllabus itself but managing time. If you’re starting fresh, give yourself 8–9 months. The first five months should be dedicated to learning concepts and practicing problems. The next two months should be focused on revision, and the last month must be kept for mock tests, RTPs, and exam-focused preparation.

Instead of finishing one group completely before touching the other, try to mix subjects daily. Start your mornings with problem-solving subjects like Accounting or Costing, move to theory subjects like Law or Audit in the afternoon, and keep evenings for a mix like Taxation or SM. This way, you keep your brain engaged and avoid boredom.

Revision and Practice

One time reading is never enough for CA exams. Plan for at least three rounds of revision. The first revision should start as soon as you complete the syllabus. The second should focus on quick notes, summary charts, and identifying weak areas. The final revision during the last month should be entirely exam oriented, where you practice solving full papers within time limits.

Equally important is writing practice. Reading theory subjects like Law and Audit may feel easy, but unless you write answers the way ICAI expects structured, with proper headings and keywords you won’t score well.

Mock Tests: The Game-Changer

Many students skip mock tests, thinking they will do it after finishing revision.But writing under exam conditions is the only way to test your preparation. Aim to give at least two full mock papers for each subject. Not only will this improve your speed and presentation, but it will also show you where you tend to make mistakes.

Subject-Wise Tips

  • Advanced Accounting: Don’t miss Accounting Standards they carry weight and are scoring.
  • Law: Learn sections with examples; don’t just memorize.
  • Taxation: Practice sums daily, especially GST.
  • Costing: Understand concepts before solving; don’t rely on shortcuts.
  • Audit: Revise Standards on Auditing regularly; use keywords ICAI prefers.
  • FM & SM: Maintain a formula sheet and solve case-study type questions.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Students often make the same mistakes: ignoring theory papers until the end, depending too much on coaching summaries, or attempting selective study. Another big mistake is postponing revision. By the time exams are near, panic sets in. To avoid this, keep revisions scheduled in your plan right from the beginning.

The Final Month

Your last month should look very different from your learning phase. Forget about covering new topics. Instead, focus on mock tests, RTPs, and short notes. Revise daily in exam-style conditions. The aim is not just knowledge, it’s speed, accuracy, and confidence.

Conclusion

Clearing both groups of CA Intermediate together is not about studying endlessly it’s about studying with focus. If you can stick to your study plan, revise at least three times, and practice under exam conditions, your chances of success are very high.

Thousands of students have done it before, and so can you. The journey will test your discipline, but the result will be worth it.

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Older CA Inter 2026 Exam: Complete Preparation Strategy for Group 2