In this article, we are sharing the tips & tricks on Preparing for CA Foundation Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning and Statistics.
Table Of Contents
What is the structure of the paper?
What should be the source of content?
What is the ideal learning methodology & time to be invested?
What is the appropriate order in which the syllabus should be studied?
How to crack the multiple-choice questions?
How can I ace my exam writing skills?
How to prepare on the eve of the exam?
What are the major challenges faced by students while attempting the Exam on the D-Day and how must I prepare in advance to meet those challenges?
What is the structure of the paper?
As the name suggests, Paper 3 of CA Foundation Course is divided into 3 parts:
- Business Mathematics – 40 marks
- Logical Reasoning – 20 marks
- Statistics – 40 marks
This is an entirely objective paper comprising 100 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each to be answered in 2 hours. There is a 0.25 negative marking in case of a wrong answer.
Please Note: The break-up of marks between the 3 parts is given as per the trend that has been observed over the years. However, ICAI may change it any time at its discretion.
What should be the source of content?
- Content provided by your Coaching Provider along with your personal summary notes can be used as a base. However, ensure that it is comprehensive in its coverage by cross checking it with ICAI material
- Past Examination Papers, RTPs and MTPs.
- Referencer developed by ICAI for a summarised version of the notes.
Pro Tip: Stick to your base material as a reference. You must avoid changing the source of content closer to examination since that may lead to confusion in your study preparation.
What is the ideal learning methodology & time to be invested?
A minimum of 3 detailed revisions before the exam is advisable to get a grip on the subject and understand the nuances of each chapter.
| Reading | Source | Time | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | A detailed study of every concept involved | 7 – 8 days |
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| 2nd | A summarised version of the syllabus | 4 – 5 days |
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| 3rd | A quick revision to cut-down pre-exam study time | 1 to 1.5 days |
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| 4th | The final revision one-day before the exam | 1 to 1.5 day |
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Note: For more practice of sums, you can refer to the Shuchita Scanners available in the market and on Amazon.
What is the appropriate order in which the syllabus should be studied?
Despite the lengthy syllabus, avoid ad-hoc selective studies; follow a method of smart studying and be thoroughly clear with all the concepts.
Visit the concept of ‘Remember, Revise, Recollect’ all throughout your study preparation.
Questions from each chapter are asked in the examination and hence all chapters are important.
The syllabus is naturally divided into three parts, and it is recommended to study bucket-wise. Finish an entire section before moving on to the next.
Note: Learn about the weightage distribution over various topics as per ICAI
Some points to keep in mind are as under:
| Business Mathematics | Logical Reasoning | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
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How to crack the multiple-choice questions?
- Time management is one of the key success factors for any MCQ exams. Plan how much time you wish to spend on each section in advance and practise accordingly when you solve questions at home.
- The answer is to be circled in an OMR Sheet. To increase familiarity, write all mock exams using the OMR sheets.
- From the start, use the same calculator that you shall be using in the examination. Complete familiarity with the calculator and its various shortcuts is imperative.
- In case you cannot figure out the solution to a particular question within a designated time, make sure you move ahead to the next question.
- Read the question twice – pay attention to words like “not,” “always” which completely change the question. Also, double check the exact requirements of the question. Underline these words and other important keywords.
- If you think the first option is correct, do not rush to circle the OMR sheet, check once if any other option seems more likely or if the last option is ‘all of the above.’ Make sure you read all the options carefully before choosing your answer.
- Use following techniques to try and reach the solution:
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- Elimination Method: The general formula of solving a MCQ is to increase the probability of the right answer by removing all the possible wrong answers. So, start by eliminating the options which are clearly wrong.
- For numerical questions, if the calculation seems too long winded, one easy method is to put the options back into the questions and check if the equation balances.
- Units and dimensions often give a vital clue. Eg: if it is calculation of area, rule out options that are not in square units.
How to prepare on the eve of the exam?
Below is an illustrative list on how topics should be allocated between the three days you will have. You should prepare your own list based on the syllabus coverage and instructions by your coaching provider.
| On day of Law paper | Break day | On the exam day |
|---|---|---|
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What are the major challenges faced by students while attempting the Exam on the D Day & how must I prepare in advance to meet those challenges?
| Challenges | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Inability to logically think and crack the question given | Practice is the key. The more multiple-choice questions you solve, the more comfortable you will get with attempting the high order thinking questions. |
| Recollecting and associating questions to the related topics | Appear for mock exams in a time bound format so that you can get an idea of how to deal with all the topics together. |
| Inability to manage time in the paper | Unnecessary time should not be devoted on a particular question. Allot 1.5 minutes per MCQ. In case you cannot figure out the solution, move ahead and designate some time to it at the end of the paper. |
| Avoiding negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer | The trick to an objective based paper is to answer what you know first and secure marks with questions you are a 100% confident about.
Leaving doubtful questions unanswered can be an effective strategy to avoid the risk of negative marking, provided you are confident of scoring well in the questions that have been answered. |
For additional resources to assist you while preparing for CA Foundation, visit here.
Good Luck!
