The CA – CPT is the test to gain entry to the CA course conducted by the ICAI.
The CA – CPT (Chartered Accountant – Common Proficiency Test) is an entry level examination to begin the Chartered Accountancy (professional accounting) course. The CA – CPT is for those students who wish to join the CA – Integrated Professional Competence Course straight after school and do not want to wait for their graduation. It is a compulsory exam for all non – graduate students who want to become Chartered Accountants.
Successful completion of this test also serves as the completion of the Common Proficiency Course which is the first step you need to complete in order to become a Chartered Accountant. The CA – CPT is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It is one of the most widely attempted examinations of the country. It is usually conducted twice a year, in the months of June and December.
The CA - CPT is a compulsory examination for all students (not graduates) who want to become Chartered Accountants. It also serves as eligibility criteria for the advanced CA exams (Intermediate and Final).
To become a registered Chartered Accountant in India, you have to appear and successfully complete the Chartered Accountancy (Professional Accounting) course offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. The course consists of three levels and three exams. The main CA – Professional Accounting Course can be divided into 3 sub – courses that include the Common Proficiency Course, the Integrated Professional Competence Course and the CA Final Course. You can only move on to the next course provided that you have completed and successfully passed the preceding course. Therefore, to appear for the Integrated Professional Course, you should have appeared for and passed the Common Proficiency Course. Similarly, for the CA Final Course, you should have appeared for and passed the Integrated Professional Course. Only once you pass the CA Final Course exams and enroll as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), will you be able to practice as a registered ‘Chartered Accountant’.
Another route through which you can join the CA course:
Students who have completed their Graduation/Post Graduation in Commerce related fields and have secured a minimum of 55% on an aggregate do not need to pursue this entry level course and hence do not need to appear for the CA - CPT exam. They can join the CA – Intermediate (IPC) course and appear for the next level CA – Exams i.e. CA – Intermediate Examination. Students who have completed their Graduation/Post Graduation in Non – Commerce fields with Math as a subject, and have secured 60% on an aggregate also need not give this exam and they can join the CA Intermediate course and appear directly for the CA – Intermediate Examination.
What are the eligibility criteria for the CA-CPT?
You should have completed your Class 12th or equivalent examinations from an institution recognized by a State/Central Education Board in any stream.
You should be registered with the ICAI for the Common Proficiency Course.
Students who will appear for their Class 12th exams in the same year as the CA – CPT, can also appear for the examination provided that they can submit their Class 12th or equivalent mark sheets before the specified date.
There is no age limit or minimum percentage requirement for this exam.
For further information, please read the brochure or visit the following website: http://icaiexam.icai.org
How to apply?
You can apply for the CA CPT both online and offline.
Online application forms are available at the following link: http://icaiexam.icai.org
Offline application forms can be obtained by post or in person from the Additional Secretary (Examinations), The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICAI Bhawan, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi – 110 002.
The offline application forms are also available at Regional and Branch offices of the institute and can be obtained there from on cash payment.
The admit cards will be sent to you by post and will also be available at the following websites: http://icaiexam.icai.org andhttp://icai.org/.
What is the pattern of the examination?
The CA – CPT consists of four sections: Fundamentals of Accounting, Mercantile Laws, General Economics and Quantitative Aptitude.
The syllabus can be found on the following website: http://icaiexam.icai.org
The paper is of 200 marks and is conducted in two 2-hour sessions of 100 marks each. There is a break of 1 and a half hours between the two sessions.
In 2013, the Morning session (10.30 A.M. to12.30 P.M) included Fundamentals of accounting (60 marks) and Mercantile Laws (40 marks). The Afternoon session (2.00 P.M. to 4.00 P.M.) included General Economics (50 marks) and Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks).
The test comprises of objective type questions in multiple choice format. Each question carries one mark and has four options with only one correct answer.
It is advisable to not attempt questions you do not know the answers to as there will be negative marking. 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
To pass the CA – CPT, you should have scored not less than 30% marks in each section with a minimum of 50% marks on an aggregate. Therefore, your total marks should not be less than 100/200, and your marks in Fundamentals of Accounting should not be less than 18, your marks in Mercantile Laws should not be less than 12 and your marks in General Economics and Quantitative Aptitude should not be less than 15 (each).
Please note that you will have to attempt both the sections of the CPT.
The result will be put up on the institute’s head office in New Delhi as well as on the following website: www.caresults.nic.in.
Your results will be based only on merit. Once you pass the CA – CPT exams, you will be eligible for the next level of the CA exams. Your result card will act as a proof your eligibility to the next level.
For any further information, please visit the following websites: http://icai.org/ or http://icaiexam.icai.org
What are the prospects?
Once you pass the CA – CPT, you will be eligible for the CA – Intermediate level exams, which is the second stage of examinations you need to pass in order to become a Chartered Accountant. Giving the CA – CPT exam after your Class 12th will ensure that you do not have to wait to start your CA – Intermediate course after graduation. You can apply for the CA – Intermediate course right after you pass the CA – CPT and hence you will save three years of your life, as without the CPT, you will only be eligible for the CA – Intermediate exams after you complete your graduation provided that you meet other eligibility requirements.
Important dates for CA – CPT 2015 (June) :
1. Last date for registration to CPT Course with BOS | 1st April, 2015 |
2. Commencement of Online filling of CPT Examination Form | 7th April, 2015 (10:00 A.M. IST) |
3. Last date & time for Login Creation/Submission of CPT Examination application form Online | 28th April, 2015 |
4. Last date for revalidation of registration for June 2015 CPT | On the same date as the date of application for CPT. |
5. Last date for receipt of print out of online examination form duly filled up (PDF) | 2nd May, 2015 |
5. Date of CPT Examination | 14th June, 2015 |
6. Likely date of declaration of result | Around one month from the date of examination |
