ICAI CA Foundation Exam Do's and Don'ts on Exam Day

Students preparing for CA Foundation course for the upcoming session must know the Do's and Don'ts on CA Foundation exam day. These will help CA aspirants increase their chances of clearing the level to be eligible to apply for the next level of CA course - Intermediate exam.

CA Foundation Do's & Don'ts

CA Foundation Do's and Don'ts: CA Foundation is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts CA Foundation exam three times in a year - January, May and September. CA aspirants who wish to pursue this course must apply and appear for the examination after ensuring they meet the CA eligibility criteria. To clear the exam, a candidate must prepare well for it. Along with this, it is essential to know what can help them on exam day secure good marks and be eligible for the next level of CA course, i.e., CA intermediate exam.

Check out this page to get a list of Do's and Don'ts on exam day for CA Foundation.

CA Foundation Overview

Check out key highlights on ICAI CA Foundation exam.

CA Foundation Papers

There are four papers in CA Foundation exam, as prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. These are:

• CA Foundation 2026 Paper 1: Accounting
• CA Foundation 2026 Paper 2: Business Laws
• CA Foundation 2026 Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude
• CA Foundation 2026 Paper 4: Business Economics 

CA Foundation Exam Day Do's

Below mentioned are some Do's that a candidate must do on their CA Foundation exam day:

1. Verify CA Admit Card Details: As soon as the CA Foundation admit card is released, check the details in it and take multiple printouts to take them on exam day. The CA exam centres will not allow a candidate to enter the exam hall without a hard copy of the admit card and a valid proof ID.

2. Prepare a Bag for D-Day: To avoid forgetting important things and documents on exam day, prepare a bag beforehand with all the essentials.

3. Check the List of Items Allowed: ICAI shares a list of items that are allowed and prohibited in the examination hall. Make sure to take the items according to them. Allowed items include Ball point pen, Passport size photo and Battery Operated Calculator.

Note: The calculator can be of any type upto 6 functions, 12 digits and upto two memories.

4. Reach the Exam Centre Early: To avoid traffic or any other unexpected incidents, leave your home early to reach the CA Foundation exam centre, at least 30 minutes before reporting time.

5. Listen to Instructions Carefully: The invigilator will give instructions for the exam. A candidate must listen to them carefully as neglecting the crucial instructions can result in rejection of candidacy.

6. Make Good Use of Reading Time: ICAI provides 15 minutes of reading time in Paper 1 and Paper 2. Make good use of those 15 minutes by reading all the questions and determining which question to attempt first.

7. Stay Calm, Relaxed and Hydrated: Feeling anxious, pressurized and nervous is natural. But candidates must keep calm and think good thoughts to avoid hampering their performance in the exam. With a calm and relaxed mind, it is easy to think clearly and perform well in the exam. Additionally, drink lots of water and stay hydrated.

8. Review Answers: Once the paper is complete, review all answers to ensure they are as per the requirements of the question. Sometimes, students answer something other than what's asked in the question due to anxiety. Make sure to avoid such mistakes.

Read More:

30 Days Study Plan for CA Foundation Exam

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How to Prepare for CA in 6 Months?

CA Foundation Exam Day Don'ts

Here are some Don'ts for candidats to perform well on CA Foundation exam day:

1. Do Not Study Anything New: While doing last-minute revision or discussing with friends and others, students sometimes try to learn new concepts or ways to solve a question. Do not try such an activity, as it can confuse the candidate.

2. Do Not Forget Admit Card & ID Proof: Along with the admit card, candidates also have to take a valid photo ID proof for verification at the exam centre. Don't forget these documents as the centre can deny entry.

3. Do Not Take Prohibited Items: As discussed above, ICAI shares a list of prohibited items. These include Books/notebooks/loose paper, electronic items, Phone/headphones/earphones, Bags/valuables and Eatables. Avoid taking these items, as they can result in disqualification.

4. Don't Rush on Solving Questions: Avoid recklessly answering the questions. Read the paper carefully first and then solve it accordingly. Rushing towards answering all questions can result in careless mistakes, ultimately reducing scores.

5. Do not Violate Exam Rules & Regulations: Following ICAI rules and regulations for exam day is crucial. If a student is found to be participating in any unethical or unfair means practices or breaking any rules, they will be disqualified.

6. Do Not Spend Too Much Time on One Question: Allocate limited time to each question to avoid getting stuck on one question. If you are finding it difficult to solve a question, move on to another and leave that question for the last when you have time left.

What After CA Foundation Exam?

After the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India conducts the examination and releases the result for CA Foundation exam, candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks required are considered as PASS and the rest of the candidates are required to re-appear for the exam. As per ICAI guidelines, to clear CA Foundation exam and be eligible to appear for CA Intermediate exam, a candidate must obtain at least 40% marks in each paper and 50% aggregate marks overall.