CA Foundation Exam Pattern, Paper structure – Nov 2020 exam

CA Foundation Exam Pattern Introduction:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) releases the exam pattern of CA Foundation. As the exam schedule for CA Intermediate Nov 2020 session is also announced, candidates need to fill the CA Foundation exam form 2020 and refer the CA Foundation 2020 exam pattern for better preparation. The exam pattern of CA Foundation 2020 includes various aspects of the question paper such as medium and type of questions to be asked, distribution of marks, time limit, etc. It is essential to know and understand these points from the CA foundation exam pattern May 2020 to be able to prepare efficiently and face the day of exam with full confidence. ICAI Issued Revised Scheme of Education and Training for Chartered Accountancy Course.  ICAI has renamed the entrance test CA CPT (common proficiency test) to the CA Foundation course.

ca foundation exam pattern and paper structure

CA Foundation Exam Pattern and Paper structure

CA Foundation Exam Pattern: ICAI’s CA Foundation exam will be conducted twice a year in the months of May and November.

ICAI has given a notification about CA Foundation Exam Pattern for November 2020 exam.

There are 4 papers in CA Foundation. Out of 4 papers, 2 papers are subjective type and the rest of the 2 papers are objective type.

• Negative marking is for objective type Papers only.
• No Negative marking for subjective type papers
• Negative marking of 0.25 Marks for every incorrect answer
• Students can qualify Foundation Examination by securing 50 % in aggregate and 40 % in each subject individually.

CA Foundation Exam Pattern

Papers and Syllabus of CA Foundation Course

CA Foundation Exam Pattern: The first round of exams for the course will be held in Nov 2020. The course has 4 papers:

Note :
1. Passing percentage: Aggregate- 50% and Subject-wise- 40% at one sitting.
2. Objective type question of I or more marks.
3. Examination: In the month of November and May after passing Class XII

CA Foundation Subject Wise Syllabus

Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting (100 Marks)

CA Foundation Exam Pattern: Following are the contents for CA Foundation Paper 1 Principles and Practice of Accounting

1. Theoretical Framework

a) Meaning and Scope of accounting.
b) Accounting Concepts, Principles, and Conventions.
c) Accounting terminology – Glossary.
d) Capital and revenue expenditure, Capital and revenue receipts, Contingent assets and contingent liabilities.
e) Accounting Policies.
f) Accounting as a Measurement Discipline – Valuation Principles, Accounting Estimates.
g) Accounting Standards – Concepts and Objectives.
h) Indian Accounting Standards – Concepts and Objectives.

2. Accounting Process

(a) Books of Accounts
(b) Preparation of Trial Balance
(c) Rectification of Errors.

3. Bank Reconciliation Statement

Introduction, reasons, preparation of bank reconciliation statement including accounting for differences.

4. Inventories

Cost of inventory, Net realisable value, Basis and technique of inventory valuation and record keeping.

5. Concept and Accounting of Depreciation

Concepts, Methods of computation and accounting treatment of depreciation, Change in depreciation methods.

6. Accounting for Special Transactions

(a) Bills of exchange and promissory notes
Meaning of Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes and their Accounting Treatment; Accommodation bills.
(b) Sale of goods on approval or return basis
Meaning of goods sent on approval or return basis and accounting treatment.
(c) Consignments
Meaning and Features of consignment business, Difference between sale and consignment, Accounting treatments for consignment transactions and events in the books of consignor and consignee.
(d) Joint Ventures for non-corporate entities
Meaning and Features of joint venture transactions, Distinction between joint venture and partnership, Methods of maintaining joint venture accounts.
(e) Royalty accounts
Meaning of the term “Royalty” and Accounting Treatment thereof.
(f) Average due Date
Meaning, Calculation of average due date in various situations.
(g) Account Current
Meaning of Account Current, Methods of preparing Account Current.

7. Final Accounts of Sole Proprietors

Elements of financial statements, Closing Adjustment Entries, Trading Account, Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet of Manufacturing and Non-manufacturing entities.

8. Partnership Accounts

(a) Final Accounts of Partnership Firms
(b) Admission, Retirement, and Death of a Partner including Treatment of Goodwill
(c) Introduction to LLPs and Distinction of LLPs from Partnership.

9. Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organizations

Significance of Receipt and Payment Account, Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet, Difference between Profit and Loss Account and Income and Expenditure Account. Preparation of Receipt and Payment Account, Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet.

10. Introduction to Company Accounts

(a) Definition of shares and debentures
(b) Issue of shares and debentures, forfeiture of shares, re-issue of forfeited shares
(c) Statement of Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet as per Schedule III to the Companies Act, 2013.

11. Basic Accounting Ratios (profitability, solvency, liquidity, and turnover)

Weightage of Marks: Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting (Main Sections)

Paper 2: Business Law & Business Correspondence and Reporting (100 Marks)

Paper 2 (Part I): Business Laws (60 Marks)

CA Foundation Exam Pattern: Following are the contents for CA Foundation Paper 2 (Part I) Business Laws for 60 Marks

Objective:
“To test the general comprehension of elements of basic business laws”

Contents

1. The Indian Contract Act, 1872

An overview of Sections 1 to 75 covering the general nature of a contract, consideration, other essential elements of a valid contract, performance of contract, breach of contract, Contingent and Quasi Contract.

2. The Sale of Goods Act, 1930

Formation of the contract of sale, Conditions and Warranties, Transfer of ownership and delivery of goods, Unpaid seller and his rights.

3. The Indian Partnership Act, 1932

General Nature of Partnership, Rights, and duties of partners, Reconstitution of firms, Registration, and dissolution of a firm.

4. The Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008

Introduction- covering nature and scope, Essential features, characteristics of LLP, Incorporation, and differences with other forms of organizations.

5. The Companies Act, 2013

Essential features of a company, corporate veil theory, Classes of companies, types of share capital, Incorporation of the company, Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, Doctrine of Indoor Management

Note: If new legislations are enacted in place of the existing legislations, the syllabus would include the corresponding provisions of such new legislations with effect from dates notified by the Institute.

Paper 2 (Part II) Business Correspondence and Reporting (Marks 40)

CA Foundation Exam Pattern : Following are the contents for CA Foundation Paper 2 (Part II) Business Correspondence and Reporting

SECTION- A:
Comprehension Passages and Note Making

Subtopic 1: Comprehension Passages

(a) Introduction to Comprehension Passages
(b) Points to ponder
(c) Sample Passages with answers
(d) Exercises

Subtopic 2: Note Making

(a) Introduction to Note Making
(b) Significance of Note Making
(c) Detailed Format Heading(Title)

(i) Sub-heading
(ii) Indentation
(iii) Points
(iv) Use of abbreviations
(v) Summary
(vi) Content
(vii) Expression

(d) Steps to Comprehend and summarize text
(e) Helpful Hints
(f) Sample Passages with Notes
(g) Exercises

SECTION – B:
Developing Writing Skills

Subtopic-1: Introduction to Basic Writing

(a) Introduction
(b) Process of writing
(c) Styles of Writing
(d) Significance of writing skills for students
(e) Writing Conventions
(f) Characteristics of good writing
(g) Do’s and Don’ts of good writing

Subtopic-2 : Précis Writing

(a) What is Précis writing?
(b) Features of good Précis writing
(c) How to write a Précis
(d) Do’s and Don’ts of Précis writing
(e) Examples(Passages with Précis)
(f) Exercises

Subtopic-3: Article Writing

(a) What is an Article?
(b) Essential elements of Article Writing
(c) Detailed Format

(i) Title
(ii) By- Writer’s Name
(iii) Body

1. Introduction
2. Main Idea-Support
3. Conclusion

(d) Sample Articles
(e) Exercises

Subtopic -4: Report Writing

(a) What is a Report?
(b) Essential elements of Report Writing
(c) Kinds of Reports

(i) Reporting for a Meeting/Assembly
(ii) Reporting for a Newspaper
(iii) Reporting for a Magazine

(d) Detailed Format for (c) above

(i) Title
(ii) By- Writer’s Name
(iii) Place, Date
(iv) Body

1. What
2. When
3. Where
4. Who
5. How

(e) Tips and Conventions of Report Writing
(f) Sample Reports
(g) Exercises

Subtopic-5 : Writing Formal Letters

(a) Types of Letters

(i) Circulars
(ii) Complaints
(iii) Memos
(iv) Promotional Content
(v) Sales
(vi) Recovery/Remittances

(b) Detailed format for (a) above

(i) Date
(ii) Salutation
(iii) Subject
(iv) Body of the letter

1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph

(v) Complimentary Closure

(c) Points to Remember
(d) Sample Letters
(e) Exercises

Subtopic-6: Writing Formal Mails

(a) How to Write a Formal Mail?
(b) Writing Effective Mails
(c) Essential elements of Mails

(i) Subject line
(ii) Formal Greetings
(iii) Target Audience(Reader)
(iv) Clarity and Conciseness
(v) Formal Closing
(vi) Proof read
(vii) Feedback

(d) Tips and Conventions of Mails
(e) Sample Mails
(f) Exercises

Subtopic-7: Resume Writing

(a) Essential Elements of Resume

(i) Name and contact details
(ii) Objective Summary
(iii) Academic Qualifications and Achievements
(iv) Co-curricular Achievements
(v) Training Programs attended/completed
(vi) Strengths
(vii) Interests/Hobbies
(viii) Declaration
(ix) Signature

(b) Resume Writing Tips and Conventions
(c) Sample Resumes
(d) Exercises

Subtopic-8 : Meetings

(a) Notice
(b) Agenda
(c) Drafting minutes
(d) Action Taken Report

SECTION – C:

Subtopic-1: Communication

(a) Types
(b) Directions
(c) Network
(d) Process
(e) Problems
(f) Barriers
(g) Types of Communication

1. Interpersonal Skills
2. Listening Skills
3. Emotional Intelligence

SECTION – D:
Sentence Types and Word Power

Subtopic -1 : Sentence Types(Direct-Indirect, Active -Passive Speech)

(a) Sentence: Definition
(b) Classification of sentence based on connotation

(i) Assertive sentences
(ii) Interrogative sentences
(iii) Imperative sentences
(iv) Exclamatory sentences
(v) Optative sentences

(c) Sentence Structure

(i) Subject and Predicate
(ii) Verb (Auxiliary, Finite)
(iii) Object (Direct , Indirect)
(iv) Complement
(v) Adjunct or Adverbial
(vi) Clause Structure
(vii) Types of Clauses

1. Independent clauses
2. Dependent clauses
3. Relative or noun clauses

(d) Types of sentences

(i) Simple sentence
(ii) Compound sentence
(iii) Complex sentence
(iv) Compound-complex sentence

(e) Direct-Indirect Speech

(i) Introduction
(ii) Procedure for converting Direct speech into Indirect speech

1. Rules for converting Direct speech into Indirect speech
2. Change in pronouns
3. Change in tenses
4. Change in modals
5. Changes for Imperative sentences
6. Changes for Exclamatory sentences
7. Changes for Interrogative sentences
8. Punctuation in Direct speech

(iii) Rules for converting Indirect speech into Direct speech

(f) Active Passive Voice: Introduction

(i) Usage : Active Vs passive voice
(ii) Reasons for using Passive voice
(iii) Changing Passive voice to Active voice
(iv) Changing Active voice to Passive voice
(v) Suggestions for using Active and Passive voice

(g) Verbs Voice Active or passive
(h) Exercises

Subtopic -2 : Vocabulary Root Words, Synonyms, Antonyms, Prefixes, Suffixes), Phrasal verbs, Collocations and Idioms.

• Introduction

(i) Significance of improving vocabulary
(ii) How to improve vocabulary
(iii) Root words
(iv) Synonyms and Antonyms
(v) Words formed by using Prefixes
(vi) Words formed by using Suffixes
(vii) Phrasal verbs
(viii) Collocations
(ix) Idioms
(x) Exercises

Weightage of Marks: Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Recording (Main Sections)

PAPER 3 Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics (100 Marks)

Following are contents for CA Foundation Paper 3 Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning and Statistics (100 Marks):

OBJECTIVES:

(a) The objective of this course is to familiarize students with basic Mathematical and Statistical tools with an emphasis on applications to Business, Finance, and Economics.
(b) Logical Reasoning tests/help the students to think analytical skills.

• Part A: Business Mathematics (40 Marks)
• Part B: Logical Reasoning (20 Marks)
• Part C: Statistics (40 Marks)

Contents:

A. Business Mathematics:

1. Ratio and Proportion, Indices and Logarithms
   • Ratio and Proportion (Business Applications related Ration and Proportion) Laws of Indices, Exponents and Logarithms and Anti Logarithms.
2. Equations and Matrices
   • Equations: Simultaneous linear equations up to three variables, Quadratic and Cubic equations in one variable.
   • Matrices: Algebra of Matrices, Inverse of a Matrix and determinants, solving system of equations by Cramer’s Rule (involving not more than three variables).
3. Linear Inequalities with Objective Functions and Optimization w.r.t. objective function.
4. Time value of Money
   • Simple Interest
   • Compound interest
   • Depreciation
   • Effective Rate of Interest
   • Present Value
   • Net Present Value
   • Future Value
   • Perpetuity
   • Annuities
   • Sinking Funds
   • Valuation of Bonds
   • Calculating of EMI
   • Calculations of Returns:
   • Nominal Rate of Return
   • Effective Rate of Return
   • Compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
5. Permutations and Combinations
   • Basic concepts of Permutations and Combinations: Introduction, the Factorial, Permutations, results, Circular Permutations, Permutations with restrictions, Combinations with standard results.
6. Sequence and Series
   • Introduction Sequences, Series, Arithmetic and Geometric progression, Relationship between AM and GM and Sum of n terms of special series
7. Sets, Relations, and Functions
8. Basic applications of Differential and Integral calculus (Excluding the trigonometric applications), Applications of Marginal Cost and Marginal Revenue etc.,
   
   B. Logical Reasoning:
9. Number Series, Coding and Decoding and the odd man out.
10. Direction Tests
11. Seating Arrangements
12. Blood Relations
13. Syllogism
    C. Statistics:
14. The statistical description of Data
    • Statistical Representation of Data, Diagrammatic representation of data, Frequency distribution, Graphical representation of Frequency Distribution – Histogram, Frequency Polygon, Ogive, Pie-chart.
15. Measures of Central tendency and Dispersion
    Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion: Mean Median, Mode, Mean Deviation, Quartiles and Quartile Deviation, Standard Deviation, Co-efficient of Variation, Coefficient of Quartile Deviation.
16. Probability
    Probability: Independent and dependent events; mutually exclusive events. Total and Compound Probability and Mathematical Expectation.
17. Theoretical Distributions
    o Theoretical Distributions: Binomial Distribution, Poisson distribution – Basic application and Normal Distribution – Basic applications.
18. Correlation and Regression
    Correlation and Regression: Scatter diagram, Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation Rank Correlation, Probable Error and Probable limits. Regression lines, Regression equations, Regression coefficients.
19. Index Numbers and Time Series
    (a) Index Numbers: Uses of Index Numbers, Problems involved in the construction of Index Numbers, Methods of construction of Index Numbers.
    (b) Time Series Analysis: Components of Time Series and Calculation of Trend by Moving Average Method.

Paper 4 Business Economics & Business and Commercial Knowledge (100 Marks)

Paper 4 Part I Business Economics (60 Marks )

CA Foundation Exam Pattern : Following are the contents for CA Foundation Paper 4 Part 1

Objective:
To develop an understanding of concepts and theories in Business Economics and apply such concepts and theories in simple problem-solving.

1. Introduction to Business Economics
   (a) Meaning and scope of Business Economics
   (b) Basic Problems of an Economy and the Role of Price Mechanism.
2. Theory of Demand and Supply
   (a) Meaning and determinants of demand, Law of demand and Elasticity of demand ─ Price, income and cross elasticity
   (b) Theory of consumer’s behavior – Marshallian approach and Indifference curve approach
   (c) Meaning and determinants of supply, Law of supply and Elasticity of supply.
   (d) Demand Forecasting
3. Theory of Production and Cost
   (a) Meaning and Factors of production
   (b) Laws of Production – The Law of Variable proportions and Laws of Returns to Scale, Producer’s equilibrium
   (c) Concepts of Costs ─ Short-run and long-run costs, Average and marginal costs, Total, fixed and variable costs.
4. Price Determination in Different Markets
   (a) Various forms of markets – Perfect Competition, Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly
   (b) Price determination in these markets.
5. Business Cycles
   (a) Meaning
   (b) Phases
   (c) Features.
   (d) Causes behind these Cycles.

Weightage of Marks : Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning and Statistics (Main Sections)

Paper 4 Part II Business and Commercial Knowledge (40 Marks)

CA Foundation Exam Pattern: Following are the contents for CA Foundation Paper 4 Part 2

Objectives:

1. Have a basic knowledge of common business and commercial concepts.
2. Inculcate a habit to remain updated about developments in the business and commercial world.
Students are expected to read at least one financial newspaper and one business magazine on a regular basis. They may also watch a business channel to remain updated about the developments related to the commercial world.

Contents:

1. Introduction to Business
   Nature of Business, Profession, and Employment. Objectives of Business. Economic and Non-Economic Activities, Forms of Business Organizations.
2. Business Environment
   Micro and Macro Environment, Elements of Micro Environment – Consumers/Customers, Competitors, Organization, Market, suppliers, Intermediaries, Elements of Macro Environment – Demographic, Economic, Political-legal, Socio-cultural, Technological, Global Environment.
3. Business organizations
   Overview of leading Indian and Global Companies.
4. Government Policies for Business Growth
   Policies creating a conducive business environment such as Liberalization, Privatization, Foreign Direct Investment.
5. Organizations facilitating Business
   Indian regulatory bodies – SEBI, RBI, IRDA, CCI
   Indian Development Banks – IFCI, IDBI, SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NABARD
6. Common Business Terminologies
   Finance Terminologies.
   Marketing Terminologies.
   Stock & Commodity Markets Terminologies.
   Banking Terminologies.
   Other Business Terminologies.

Weightage of Marks:

Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge (Main Sections)

To know more details on CA Foundation Syllabus Read here.

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