How much time is required to prepare for CA Foundation exam?

CA Foundation may be the easiest of all CA level but it's difficulty level is high on its own. So, one should at least spend 6-8 months in preparing for the exam. Coverage of CA Foundation syllabus needs a lot of time post which students need to practice a lot of sample questions and mock tests. Students must dedicate minimum 8 hours daily to study for CA Foundation.

What is the passing mark in CA courses?

Candidates need to score 40 per cent in each paper of every group/course level and 50 per cent in aggregate in all the papers of a group/course level. This minimum mark criterion is applicable to all three courses - CA Foundation, CA Intermediate and CA Final. Candidates cannot move to the next level of the Chartered Accountancy course until they clear the previous level. A very few percentage of candidates get a high score as the scores of All India toppers are usually below 75%. Candidates can take any number of attempts to clear a course level. The process includes practical training as well.

How many attempts are allowed in CA course?

In the CA course, candidates can make any number of attempts until they clear a particular level. They will be eligible to register for the next level only after clearing the previous level. For example, a candidate needs to clear the CA Foundation level to be able to register for CA Intermediate. For appearing in CA Final exams, a candidate needs to clear both Foundation and Intermediate levels. Since, the level of difficulty of this course is very high, a maximum percentage of students make multiple attempts. Candidates who decide to pursue CA course, need to make sure that they are well prepared to a marathon of studies, preparation and exams.

What is the timings of CA exams?

The time duration of CA exams varies for each paper. Some CA exam papers are of two hours duration whereas some are of three hours duration. The ICAI CA exams are conducted from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The exam timings of every paper will be mentioned in the date sheet and the CA admit card of each candidate. Given below is the table indicating CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final exam timings: CA Exam Paper (s) Exam Timings CA Foundation Paper 1 & 2 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM CA Foundation Paper 3 & 4 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM CA Intermediate (IPC) (Old Scheme) All papers 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM CA Intermediate (New Scheme) All Papers 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM CA Final (Old Scheme) All Papers 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM CA Final (New Scheme) Paper 1 to 5 & Paper 7 & 8 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Paper 6 (Elective) 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM IRM and (INTT – AT) All 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

What is Professional Competence Course or PCC in CA?

PCC or IPC is the first stage of the Chartered Accountancy course curriculum wherein only working knowledge of core and allied subjects is covered. The objective of the PCC course is to lay a strong foundation for Chartered Accountants in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. In PCC, candidates also learn the computerized accounting system. The course curriculum includes the following subjects: Advanced Accounting (100 Marks) Auditing and Assurance (100 Marks) Law, Ethics, and Communication (100 Marks) Cost Accounting and Financial Management (100 Marks) Taxation (100 Marks) Information Technology and Strategic Management (100 Marks)

What is the time duration of ICAI CA exams?

The time duration of ICAI CA exams varies for each paper. For some papers, the duration is three hours whereas for some papers it is two hours. The time limit of CA Foundation paper 3 and 4 is two hours and for rest of the papers across levels is three hours. There is no sectional time limit in CA exams.

How many times is ICAI CA exam held in a year?

CA exams for all the three levels are being held thrice in a year from 2025. The first phase exams are held in May and June and the second phase exams are held in September. The third phase exam is held in January. Registrations for the May-June exams is held in February-March and registrations for September exam is done in July and registration for January exam is done in October-November. Candidates can register and appear for the exam as per their preparation and articleship completion. For any phase of exam, they need to fill the form and pay exam fee through registered login ID.

Who prescribes the CA exam pattern?

The exam pattern of every CA course is prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The agency is responsible for designing the CA courses and conducting the examinations as well as awarding the CA certification in India for professional practice. They also decide the exam mode, duration, timing, questions, marking scheme, passing marks and test process. Once the candidate completes the CA course from ICAI, they are ready to practice Chartered Accountancy professionally. The paper-wise pattern of CA course levels is different from each other. Some papers are of 2 hours duration whereas some are of 3 hours duration.

What is the syllabus of ICAI CA Final course?

CA Final is the last course level but the toughest one. The syllabus of ICAI CA Final course includes the following topics: Financial Reporting Strategic Financial Management Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics Corporate and Economic Laws Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation Risk Management Financial Services and Capital Markets International Taxation Economic Laws Global Financial Reporting Standards Multidisciplinary Case Study Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation Indirect Tax Laws The minimum passing marks in this course level is all 40 per cent per paper.

Does ICAI provide study material for CA Foundation?

Yes, ICAI provides comprehensive study material for CA Foundation preparation. The study material includes books, sample papers, practice test papers, mock tests, online classes and much more. Registered students can enroll at BoS to avail study material offered by the ICAI. Students must also refer to CA Foundation books and study material available in the market for preparation.

What is the syllabus of ICAI CA Foundation course?

ICAI CA Foundation is the first level of the course. This level may be considered the easiest of all the courses. The syllabus of ICAI CA Foundation includes the following topics: Principles and Practice of Accounting Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting Business Mathematics Logical Reasoning and Statistics Business Economics Business and Commercial Knowledge Candidates need to clear all the papers relate to these subjects in order to move to Intermediate level. The minimum score requirement id 40 per cent in every paper.

ICAI CA Question Papers: Download CA Foundation, Inter and Final Question Papers & Sample Papers (PDF) Free

Exam On - 18 Jan '26

Updated on Nov 23, 2025 12:38 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

CA Foundation Question Papers of previous years are an important resource of exam preparation. Chartered Accountancy is a high difficulty course and not easy to clear any course level in first attempt. A lot of preparation and practice goes into it. Merely covering the CA Foundation syllabus is not enough to clear the exam. One needs to practice a good number of CA level questions of various difficulty levels and types.

On this page you can get CA Foundation question papers along with revision test papers and sample papers. Those pursuing CA currently and preparing for CA Foundation January 2026 exam must practice previous years papers and official mock tests.

Table of contents

ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers
Benefits of Solving ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers
Difficulty Level of CA Foundation Questions
ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers FAQs

Download previous year CA Foundation question papers and sample papers. Use them for practice and improve your speed and accuracy. You can download CA Foundation previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.

ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers

CA Foundation September 2024 Question Papers

CA Foundation Business Economics- question paper and answer key Sep 2024

CA Foundation Paper 3 Quantitative Aptitude question paper and answer key Sep 2024

Download ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers

Paper 1 Priciples and Practice of Accounting- Dec 2023

Paper 1 Priciples and Practice of Accounting- June 2023

Paper 1 Principles and Practice of Accounting -Dec 2022

Paper 1 Principles and Practice of Accounting -May 2022

Paper 2- Business Law and Business Correspondence and Reporting - Dec 2023

Paper 2- Business Law and Business Correspondence and Reporting - Jun 2023

Paper 2- Business Law and Business Correspondence and Reporting - Dec 2022

Paper 2- Business Law and Business Correspondence and Reporting - May 2022

Benefits of Solving ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers

Difficulty Level of CA Foundation Questions

ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers FAQs

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CMA Final Dec 2025 Exam Date for Strategic Financial Management (P-14) 12 Dec '25

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CMA 2025

CMA December 2025 Exam Date (Foundation) 13 Dec '25

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CSEET 2026 Registration- January Session 16 Oct '25 - 15 Dec '25

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CT SET 2026 Application Form Feb '26

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ICAI CA Question Papers: Download CA Foundation, Inter and Final Question Papers & Sample Papers (PDF) Free

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Download ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers

Benefits of Solving ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers

Difficulty Level of CA Foundation Questions

ICAI CA Foundation Question Papers FAQs

Explore more Accounting & Commerce exams with upcoming dates

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