ICAI CA Foundation Exam Pattern/Paper Pattern and Syllabus 2021
ICAI conducts the CA Foundation Examination twice a year in the month of May and Nov. Students who are preparing themselves for the CA Foundation Examination must have started their preparation. ICAI released the CA Foundation Exam Pattern and Paper Pattern for the Examination which helps them to take an overview of the Examination. Exam Pattern plays a crucial role before the CA Foundation Examination. It contains all the information regarding the ICAI CA Foundation exam pattern, CA Foundation Paper Pattern, CA Foundation Syllabus, CA Foundation weightage, CA Foundation Examination overview. CA Foundation Exam Pattern details.
As per the CA Foundation Examination Pattern, there are 4 subjects in which students have to keep their focus on. All the Four Subjects are 100 Marks each. After the CA Foundation Examination pattern, students can take the print out of the admit card and appear in the examination.
CA Foundation Examination Important Updates 2021.
Below are the important updates issued by the ICAI for the 2021 session.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has released important dates for the ICAI CA exams for all courses. The CA exam will start on December 5.
Students can Check More information about the CA Foundation Examination by checking the CA Foundation Time table.
CA Foundation Overview 2021 Examination.
Below are the details about the CA Foundation exam pattern particulars of the 2021 Examination. .
New and previous year students pursuing CA Foundation should know about the new CA Foundation Paper Pattern revised by ICAI.
At CA Wizard, we bring you the latest information on the CA Foundation Exam Pattern. Below in this article, you will find all the important details related to the Examination Pattern of CA Foundation Paper.
Before heading further to the CA Foundation Paper Pattern, here is a quick glimpse of the important details related to this exam.
- CA Foundation exams are the national level entrance examination.
- Conducted by the official body- ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountant of India).
- The CA Foundation exam is conducted twice a year, in May and November.
- ICAI has predefined eligibility criteria, registration process (online and then offline). To remove all the layers of confusion, CA Wizard has a separate section where you can know about the next steps towards CA and see the guidelines set by ICAI for eligibility and registration in CA Foundation Paper.
CA Foundation Exam Pattern/Paper Pattern 2021.
Below is all the detailed information about the CA Foundation 2021 Exam Pattern.
Pen and Paper Based Type of Question in the examination | Paper 1 and Paper 2- Subjective Paper 3 and Paper 4- Objective |
Examination Duration | Paper 1 and Paper 2- 3 hours each Paper 3 and Paper 4- 2 Hours each |
No. of Papers in the examination | 4 Papers of 100 Marks each |
Negative Marking | Paper 1 and Paper 2- No, negative marking Paper 3 and Paper 4- ¼ Negative marking |
CA Foundation Exam Syllabus 2021.
CA Foundation Course Syllabus is divided into four major subjects, which are Accountancy, Business Law, Business Mathematics, and Economics. ICAI has further divided these papers into parts and chapters/units.
1 –Principles and Practice of Accounting
2-Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting
3- Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics
4- Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge
Bookmark this page to access the complete syllabus for four CA Foundation papers easily.
CA Foundation Exam Pattern 2021.
It is essential to become familiar with the CA Foundation Paper Pattern before you start studying for all the subjects. You need to know how ICAI categorizes the papers and marks.
The CA Foundation Exam Pattern covers the division of units and chapters according to marks, weightage and also based on skills.
Remembering the exam pattern while making your plan and during your study time, gives you the right method to top the CA Foundation Exam.
Do you want to know how to create a successful study plan with the CA Foundation Paper Pattern?
Yes, tell me the best ways to prepare for the CA Foundation Exam. You can strategize your Study Plan with these tips.
CA Foundation Passing Marks in 2021
After the CA Foundation exam, students need to obtain at least a score of the given % to pass the exam.
- At least 40% for each paper.
- The total score of all test papers is not less than 50%, and the negative score principle shall prevail.
CA Foundation Exam Mode and Marking Scheme 2021.
Students who are preparing for the CA Foundation are advised to thoroughly go through the CA Foundation Syllabus and Examination Pattern.
Below we have given you the detailed information of the CA Foundation exam Pattern/Paper pattern along with the weightage of the Marks.
Options for Medium of Study/Instruction.
ICAI allows students to give exams in either English or Hindi.
*ICAI has made English compulsory in Section B of Paper 2 (Business Correspondence and Reporting).
Mode of CA Foundation Examination
Offline
Duration of Papers
3 hours for each paper
Total Marks
Each paper of CA Foundation Exam is of 100 marks, making a total of 400 marks.
Type of Paper
Paper 1 and Paper 2 are of subjective type. Long answer questions are asked, and students have to write detailed answers to the questions.
Paper 3 and Paper 4 have Multiple Choice Questions. They are of objective type.
There is no negative marking in Accountancy and Law papers.
But in Mathematics and Economics, ¼ marks, i.e., 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
Do you want the subject-wise study plan for CA Foundation papers?
Yes, give me a subject-wise plan and tips.
CA Foundation Exam Pattern: Skill-Wise and Section-Wise Weightage.
Skill-Wise Weightage.
The Skill-Wise CA Foundation Exam Pattern helps you know which questions are asked in a particular subject and section.
| Papers and Section | Foundation Course | Level I Comprehension & Knowledge | Level II Application |
| 1 | Principles and Practice of Accounting | 5%-20% | 80%-95% |
| 2A | Business Laws | 50%-65% | 35%-50% |
| 2B | Business Correspondence and Reporting | 100% | |
| 3 | Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics | 100% | |
| 4A | Business Economics | 40%-50% | 50%-60% |
| 4B | Business and Commercial Knowledge | 100% |
Questions in the Comprehension and Knowledge level are about recalling and explaining a definition, concept, process, or any other theoretical area of the chapter.
Questions in the Application level are regarding the practical application or analysis of the concepts and theories.
Marking Scheme and Section-Wise Weightage
| Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting (100 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | 1. Theoretical Framework | 5%-10% |
| II | 2. Accounting Process | 25%-30% |
| 2. Accounting Process | ||
| 3. Bank Reconciliation Statement | ||
| 4. Inventories | ||
| 5. Concept and Accounting of Depreciation | ||
| III | 6. Accounting for Special Transactions | 15%-20% |
| IV | 7. Final Accounts of Sole Proprietors | 30%-40% |
| 8. Partnership Accounts | ||
| 9. Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organizations | ||
| V | 10. Introduction to Company Accounts | 10%-15% |
| Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting (100 marks) Section A: Business Laws (60 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | 1. The Indian Contract Act, 1872 | 25%-30% |
| II | 2. The Sale of Goods Act, 1930 | 20%-25% |
| III | 3. The Indian Partnership Act, 1932 | 20%-25% |
| IV | 4. The Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 | 5%-10% |
| V | 5. The Companies Act, 2013 | 15%-20% |
| Paper 2 Section B: Business Correspondence and Reporting (40 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | Part I: Communication 1. Communication | 10%-15% |
| II | Part II: Sentence Types and Word Power 2. Sentence Types (Direct-Indirect, Active -Passive Speech) 3. Vocabulary Root Words, Synonyms, Antonyms, Prefixes, Suffixes), Phrasal verbs, Collocations and Idioms. | 20%-30% |
| III | Part III: Comprehension Passages and Note Making 4. Comprehension Passages 5. Note Making | 20%-30% |
| IV | Part IV : Developing Writing Skills 6. Introduction to Basic Writing 7. Precis Writing 8. Article Writing 9. Report Writing 10. Writing Formal Letters 11. Writing Formal Mails 12. Resume Writing 13. Meetings | 35%-40% |
| Paper 3: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics (100 marks) Section A: Business Mathematics (40 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | 1. Ratio and Proportion, Indices and Logarithms | 20%-30% |
| 2. Equations and Matrices | ||
| 3. Linear Inequalities with Objective Functions and Optimization w.r.t. objective function. | ||
| III | 5. Permutations and Combinations | 20%-30% |
| 6. Sequence and Series | ||
| 7. Sets, Relations and Functions | ||
| 8. Basic applications of Differential and Integral calculus |
| Paper 3 Section B: Logical Reasoning (20 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | 1. Number series, Coding and Decoding and odd man out. | 60%-70% |
| 2. Direction Tests | ||
| 3. Seating Arrangements | ||
| II | 1. Number series, Coding and Decoding and odd man out. | 30%-40% |
| 4. Blood Relations | ||
| 5. Syllogism |
| Paper 3 Section C: Statistics (40 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | 1. Statistical description of Data | 45%-50% |
| 2. Measures of Central tendency and Dispersion | ||
| II | 1. Statistical description of Data | 25%-30% |
| 3. Probability | ||
| 4. Theoretical Distributions | ||
| III | 5. Correlation and Regression | 10%-15% |
| IV | 6. Index Numbers and Time Series | 10%-15% |
| Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge (100 marks) Section A: Business Economics (60 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | 1. Introduction to Business Economics | 15%-20% |
| I | 2. Theory of Demand and Supply | 35%-40% |
| 3. Theory of Production and Cost | ||
| III | 4. Price Determination in Different Markets | 25%-30% |
| IV | 5. Business Cycles | 15%-20% |
| Paper 4 Section B: Business and Commercial Knowledge (40 marks) | ||
| Sections | Content Area | Marks Weightage |
| I | 1. Introduction to Business | 15%-18% |
| II | 2. Business Environment | 15%-18% |
| III | 3. Business Organizations | 15%-20% |
| IV | 4. Government Policies for Business Growth | 15%-18% |
| V | 5. Organizations Facilitating Business | 15%-18% |
| VI | 6. Common Business Terminologies | 15%-18% |
Practice Papers of CA Foundation Exam 2021.
Understanding concepts and theories are important, but so is solving practice questions and papers. Practicing questions help improve writing speed and deal with unfamiliarity and anxiety of giving an exam. You should practice as many papers as possible.
ICAI has recently released a mock test series for the upcoming examinations. You can download the question papers and answer keys from below.
Questions | Answers |
I want to practice Paper 1– Principles and Practice of Accounting. | I want to cross-check answers for Paper 1. |
I want to practice Paper 2– Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting. | I want to cross-check answers for Paper 2. |
I want to practice Paper 3– Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics. | I want to cross-check answers for Paper 3. |
I want to practice Paper 4– Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge. | I want to cross-check answers for Paper 4. |
After completing the above papers, you can also do previous years CA Foundation Exam Papers.
Also Read: How to fill CA Foundation Exam Form Dec 2021 Examination Now.
Answers to Common CA Foundation Exam Pattern Questions
Q. From where can I get the study material for the CA Foundation Paper?
Ans. You can download it directly from the ICAI website. If you have any difficulty finding it, we have all the links to the CA Foundation study material in English and Hindi here.
Q. How many marks do I need to obtain to clear the CA Foundation Exam?
Ans. You need to gain a total of 50% aggregate marks or above. The additional condition is that you need to score 40 marks or above in each of the four papers.
Q. How many times can I attempt the CA Foundation Exam?
Ans. Your CA Foundation registration is valid until 3 years, so that you can take 6 attempts in these 3 years. After the expiration of your registration, you can renew it for the next 3 years with the chance of 6 attempts.
Q. From where to download the Admit Card for CA Foundation Paper?
Ans. You can obtain the CA Foundation admit card for Exam from icai.org. For more detailed process and instructions, read our article here.
We hope you received answers to all your questions, and the CA Foundation Exam Pattern will help you improve your study plan. Got more questions? We are here to help you find everything you should know about the CA Foundation Exam. Comment your queries below.
