Step 1: The Common Proficiency Test (CPT)
The first checkpoint on the road to becoming a CA is the CPT. This test is an aptitude checker designed along the lines of tests deployed by engineering, medical and other professional institutes. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) introduced this test to identify students with an aptitude for Chartered Accountancy. This will eliminate the decades-old incidence of students re-appearing for exams and will improve the passing percentage. After passing the Class 10 Examination, students can register with the ICAI for the CPT Course. Once registered, and after appearing for or passing the Class 12 Examination, students can take the CPT.

Step 2: The Professional Competence Examination (PCE)
The next checkpoint is the PCE. The student is eligible to get to this level after passing the CPT as well as the Class 12 Examination. The student would have to achieve the following in order to be eligible to take the PCE:

• A 15-month apprenticeship as an Articled Assistant or an Audit Assistant, or partly as an Articled Assistant and partly as an Audit Assistant
• 100 hours of IT training on completion of 3 months of Articled Training

Step 3: Final CA Examination
The last stretch on the road to a qualification in Chartered Accountancy is the Final Examination. After clearing the PCE, the student must:

• Register for the Final Course with the Board of Studies.
• Undergo the General Management and Communication Skills (GMCS) Training Course while studying for the Final Course.
• Complete 3 ½ years of Articled Training.
• Appear for the Final Examination on completion of Training.
• Enroll for Membership in the ICAI after, passing the Final Examination.

The Road to becoming a CA**

Examination Mode and Important Dates:

Sr. No.	Dates of Examination(s)	28-Mar-09 (Online mode)	25, 26, Apr-09 (Online mode)	23, 24-May-09 (online mode)	28-June'09 (Pencil - paper mode)
1	Eligibility	Students  appeared / passsed for the Class 12 exam. in Mar/Apr-09
2	Last Date of registration for the CPT Course	Before 1-Jan-09	Before 1-Feb-09	Before 1-Mar-09	Before 1-Apr-09
3	Registration for the CPT Examination	20-Feb-09 to 12-Mar-09 (Online registration only)	13-Mar-09 to 3-Apr-09 (Online registration only)	9-Apr-09 to 29-Apr-09 or till seats are full.                    (Online registration only)	6-Apr-09 to 27-Apr-09                      (Either printed application form or Online registration)

Notes:
1.	Students opting to take the test online, need to register for the examination via online mode only.
2.	Websites -
	Main website	www.icai.org
	To register for the examination	http://icaiexam.icai.org
	To download the examination admit card	http://icai.nic.in
	To check results of the examination	http://caresults.nic.in/
3.	Student can opt either for the ''Online mode (March or April or May)'' or the ''Pencil - paper mode (June)''.
4.	Notification- 12-Feb-09:
	CPT – June – 2009 (Paper – pencil mode) and CPT – March, April, May – 2009 (Online mode)
	Additional Notification -  20-Mar-09
	CPT – March– 2009 (Online mode)

Test Eligibility

• You should have passed or appeared for the Class12 Examination.
• You should have registered for the CPT Course at least 2 months prior to the first day of the month in which the CPT is scheduled to be held.

Areas Tested
The CPT will test you in 4 areas, namely, Fundamentals of Accounting, Mercantile Law, General Economics, and Quantitative Aptitude. The subjects are at the foundation level.

Test Format
The test involves 2 sessions of 2 hours each, and each session contains 2 papers of 100 marks each.
Session 1 (2 Sections. 2 hours. 100 marks)
Section A: Fundamentals of Accounting (60 marks)            Section B: Mercantile Law (40 marks)
Session 2 ((2 Sections. 2 hours.100 marks)
Section C: General Economics (50 marks)           Section D: Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks)

Test Passing Score
A student would have to secure 50% marks, i.e., a total of 100 marks to pass the CPT.

Test Marks
Every correct answer would be awarded 1 mark and 0.25 marks would be deducted for every incorrect answer.

Test Months
The test is conducted twice a year, in the months of June and December.

Test Results
Results are usually announced within a month of the test.

Test Syllabus (abridged)

Fundamentals of Accounting
Accounting Concepts, Principles and Conventions
Accounting Process - Journal Entries, Ledgers, Trail Balance
Subsidiary Books - Cash Book and Other Books
Bank Reconciliation Statement
Capital and Revenue Expenditures and Receipts
Contingent Assets and Contingent Liabilities
Trail Balance, Errors and Their Rectification
Valuation of Inventory
Depreciations, Reserves and Provisions
Final Accounts of Non-manufacturing Entities
Final Accounts of Manufacturing Entities
Accounting for Consignments
Accounting for Joint Venture
Accounting For Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes
Accounting for Sale of Goods on Approval/Sale/Return Basis
Accounting For Partnership Firms - Admission/Death/Retirement of a Partner
Accounting For Share Capital and Issue of Shares
Redemption of Preference Shares
Issue of Debentures

General Economics
Introduction to Microeconomics
Law of Demand and Supply
Theory of Consumer Behaviour
Theory of Production and Theory of Cost
Perfect Competition
Imperfect Competition
Nature of Indian Economy
Economic Reforms in India
National Income in India
Tax Structure
Budget and Fiscal Deficit in India, Balance of Payments, External Debt
Money and Banking

Mercantile Law
Nature of Contracts
Essential Elements of a Valid Contract
Performance of Contract
Breach of Contract & Contingent and Quasi-Contracts
Formation of the Contract of Sale
Conditions & Warranties
Transfer of Ownership & Delivery of Goods
Unpaid Seller
General Nature of Partnership, Relation of Partners
Registration and Dissolution of a Firm

Mathematics & Statistics
Ratio and Proportion, Indices and Logarithms
Equations
Inequalities
Simple and Compound Interest, including Annuity
Basic Concepts of Permutations and Combinations
Sequences and Series - Arithmetic and Geometric Progression
Sets, Functions and Relations
Limits and Continuity
Basic Concepts of Differential and Integral Calculus
Statistical Description of Data
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Correlation and Regression
Probability and Expected Value by Mathematical Expectation
Theoretical Distribution
Sampling Theory
Index Numbers

 

Training for the CPT at IMS

The CPT is an objective-type test. Who better to train with than the leader in objective-type entrance test preparation? IMS has set an unsurpassed record of successful students at India's and probably, the world's toughest objective-type exam: the CAT. IMS is India's fourth most-trusted education brand and a mentor, guide and motivator to students across India for over 30 years. IMS-trained students have been excelling in entrance tests such as CAT, GMAT, TOEFL, etc. to gain admission to premier Indian and Global Business Schools. To date, over 300,000 students have availed of preparation assistance at IMS to achieve their career aspirations. IMS also trains professionals and graduates for careers in emerging finance sectors such as Wealth Management and Investment Banking. Currently, it has trained over 3000 professionals from organizations like Kotak Securities, Deutsche Bank, ICICI, SBI, and others.
IMS is a training provider for General Management and Communication Skills - a mandatory program for CA-Final students. IMS has been training hundreds of CA students across India to complete the GMCS requirement. The CPT training program at IMS, as with any of its other training programs, reflects IMS's mission to give its students the best possible learning support enriched with the expertise of its pool of academicians, researchers, and other subject specialists.
Basic Reference Manuals (BRMs)
Students will get one BRM for each of the four subjects. The BRM will ensure that the students develop a thorough understanding of the subject. Each BRM explains every concept in detail with the help of solved examples. With hundreds of solved examples and practice questions, students will find these BRMs an invaluable preparation tool.

Class Sheets

Students will be given class sheets at every class. Each class sheet will comprise learning objectives, concept questions, and a class test/home assignment. The concept questions are designed to ensure that the students understand every concept in minute detail. These class sheets will help students build better conceptual understanding.

Module Tests

The training program comprises 6 modules. At the end of each module, students will be tested on all the topics covered in the module. The module test will simulate the actual CPT and will be accompanied by performance feedback. This feedback will help students assess their comprehension of the topics learned in each module. This, in turn, will help students take remedial steps at the right time, to improve on their weak areas and further bolster their strengths.

Work Sheets

After every classroom session, students will get a sheet containing practice questions and explanatory answers. Solving the questions in the worksheet/home assignment will help students reinforce their understanding of the concepts taught in the class.

Concept Summary Books

These small booklets include formulae, diagrams, tables, graphs, and other content and will help students do a quick revision of the major concepts in every topic. Convenient to carry, these books will serve as revision tools anywhere, anytime.

National Level Tests

At the end of the training program, students will appear for the SimCPTs- tests that are simulations of the actual CPT and which will cover the entire syllabus. SimCPTs are conducted on a national level and, therefore, students will compete with CA aspirants from across India just as they will at the actual CPT. The SimCPT will help students know how they rank at the All-India level*.

Revisor Classes and Study Rooms

Our experience shows that some students require extra assistance to grasp certain topics. To obtain this extra assistance, students can avail of Revisor Classes, which are arranged apart from the regular classes. Further, in order to ensure that students are provided with every opportunity to learn and succeed most IMS Learning Centres are equipped with Study Rooms that have an environment conducive to study. Students are advised to make use of this facility, which is open to all IMS students irrespective of the course they are enrolled in.
* Students would receive their national ranking subject to a sufficient number of students taking these tests.
** Program components mentioned in this brochure may vary at different centres.

IMS's CPT Training Package: An Overview

• 280+ Hours of intense Classroom Training
• 7460 Questions spread across Study Material and Tests
• 4500 Solved and Practice Questions in the BRMs
• 5 Basic Reference Manuals (BRMs)
• 60 Class Sheets
• 12 Module Tests
• Work Sheets
• 4 Concept Summary Books
• 10 Comprehensive Tests with National Ranking and Diagnostic Feedback
• Revisor Classes and Study Room
• Doubt-solving Sessions, apart from regular classes

Get started on the path to becoming a CA:
The field of Chartered Accountancy is an excellent choice in terms of career growth and rewards. Your first step on the road to earning the much desired CA qualification would be a walk-in visit to an IMS Learning Center. Speak to an IMS Counselor to learn more about IMS's CA-CPT training program and its power to help you cross the first hurdle. 

 

Support from the Nagesh Rane Memorial Trust

Aspiring students who are capable of pursuing and completing the CA dream need not be discouraged if they face financial constraints. The Nagesh Rane Memorial Trust offers partial waivers on IMS's CA-CPT training program to female students, students who belong to the ST/ST/OBC category, students whose parents serve in the Armed Forces/Home Guard/Police, students who are physically challenged, and all those students whose family income is less than Rs. 6 Lakh per annum. This is in line with the Trust's belief that only talent and aspiration should dictate a student's education and career, not his / her economic background.

Believing that students would appreciate this support as a valuable aid to their studies, we request students to donate, in future, the fee given to him/her today as a waiver, so that the trust can continue to help more students. Please contact your nearest IMS Learning Centre to know more about how the Nagesh Rane Memorial Trust can help you with your preparation for the CA-CPT.

About the Nagesh Rane Memorial Trust

The mission of the Trust is "To empower special students to achieve the best career opportunities through education." The Nagesh Rane Memorial Trust was founded with the objective of helping underprivileged and talented individuals gain an equal footing with the people around them by harnessing the power of education. The Trust primarily works to integrate the economically backward, socially disadvantaged, and disabled into the educational mainstream.

 

Q. Does one study for the CA in a college?

Studying for the CA is unlike regular Science, Commerce or Arts programs. There is no college to go to. The whole course is based on the concept of Distance Learning. Your first step would be to register with the ICAI (the regulating body that conducts the exam, bestows the professional title, as well as manages membership) following which you will begin study on your own. You would appear for the examinations at various centers designated by the ICAI across India. The CA course is also unlike other educational programs in that you don't earn a degree. After passing all the exams, you become a member of the ICAI.

Q. How is enrolling in the CA Course different from enrolling in regular college programs?

If you are in a B.Com. Program, you could tell people that you are in the first, second, or third year. It is different with the CA course. To complete this course, you have to cross 3 levels. But, unlike college programs, you don’t clear these levels regularly, year after year. If you are exceptionally good, you could complete all 3 levels in 4 years.

Q. Is it really difficult to get through all 3 exams and become a CA?

Gone are the days when the pass rate was 2-3 per cent. Now, this figure stands at 15-20 per cent. This trend can be attributed to better filtering at the entry level, which ensures that only those students with an aptitude for Chartered Accountancy are admitted into the course.

Q. Is coaching for CA expensive?

Studying to become a CA is unlike studying at a private college. If you decide to study on your own, the cost would be nominal. If you opt for professional training to clear the exams, it would cost more.

Q. What is the remuneration package that a fresh CA can look forward to?

Fresh CAs can earn in the range of Rs. 5-7 Lakhs per annum (depending on abilities, pass percentage, no. of attempts etc.). The campus package could go as high as Rs. 27 Lakhs per annum.

Q. What is the difference between registering for the CPT Course and registering for the CPT?

Applying to appear for the CPT and to register for the CPT Course are two different tasks. The student would first need to register for the CPT Course; only then can he or she appear for the CPT.

Q. Eligibility for the CPT Course:
The student should have passed the Class 10 Examination.

Q. Eligibility for the CPT:
The student should have passed or should have appeared for the Class 12 Examination and should have registered for the CPT Course at least 2 months prior to the first day of the month in which the CPT is scheduled to be held.

Q. When to register for the CPT Course?

Students should register for the CPT Course at least 2 months prior to the first day of the month in which the CPT is scheduled to be held. For example, students who wish to appear for the December 2008 test should register for the CPT Course by the end of September 2008.
For more information, look at the chart on the next page (information as of May 2008).

Q. When to apply for the CPT?

The CPT Information Brochure (containing the CPT Application Form) is usually available 2 months prior to the month in which the test is held. For example, if the test is scheduled for December 2008, application forms would be available in October 2008 and students would be required to purchase, fill, and submit the forms by the end of the same month.

Q. What are the Registration Fees for the CPT Course?

As of May 2008, a student registering for the CPT Course, after passing the Class 10 Examination, has to pay Rs. 3500 as a Course Fee, Rs. 400 as a Subscription Fee for the CA Journal, and Rs. 100 for the CPT Prospectus. (Please check with the ICAI for any changes.) To appear for the CPT, students would need to separately purchase the ‘CPT Information Brochure-cum-Application Form’ that costs Rs. 400.

Q. Where do you purchase / submit the CPT Application Form?

Students could collect the CPT Application Form and submit it, duly filled in, with the requisite Demand Draft, at the nearest Regional Office or Branch of the ICAI. For the address and other details, students should contact the relevant ICAI branch at the following numbers:
Northern  India Regional Council : Delhi - 011 - 39893989
Western India Regional Council : Mumbai – 022 - 39893989
Eastern India Regional Council : Kolkata - 033 - 39893989
Southern  India Regional Council : Chennai – 044 - 39893989
Central  India Regional Council : Kanpur - 0512 - 39893989
For more information about the CPT and the ICAI, please visit www.icai.org.

Q. How to enroll for IMS's CA-CPT Training Program?

Please fill in the Enrollment Form attached to this brochure and submit the same at an IMS center along with 2 recent passport-size photographs and a Demand Draft for the requisite fee. The Demand Draft should be drawn in favour of 'IMS Learning Resources Pvt. Ltd.', payable at Mumbai.

Q. Where can I enroll for IMS CA-CPT program?

Currently the program is being offered at :

1.	Dadar, Mumbai	-	022 - 24300707/ 24300709
2.	Churchgate, Mumbai	-	022 - 22872299, 9867854289
3.	Ghatkopar, Mumbai	-	022  - 65240622/23
4.	Rajkot	-	0281 - 2454355
5.	Jamnagar	-	0288 - 6452046
6.	Ahmedabad	-	079 - 66303151/ 52/ 53/ 54/ 55/ 56
7.	Lucknow	-	0522 - 6537531
8.	Meerut	-	0121 - 2653176, Mob  9837688820
9.	Gurgaon	-	0124 - 4085449/ 9811634449/ 9999600575
10.	Siliguri	-	0353 - 2540616 / 6531911
11.	Guwahati	-	0361 - 2662355, 9864057575
12.	Raipur	-	0771 - 6460213

For further details and queries, please contact the IMS Learning Centre near you.
Please click on the link Locate an IMS Centre to get the address.