Learnings from Sep'26 Attempt | For Jan'27 & Onwards | CA Inter | CA Aakash Kandoi

Main ideas & lessons from the September ’26 CA Inter attempt (for Jan ’27 onwards)

1) Exam paper pattern (what the question setters tend to do)

Advanced Accounts (Group 1)

• Average overall
• Roughly 80% repeat / familiar questions
• 10–20% some new or modified drafting
• Remaining content is lengthy
• Key message: “No easy paper”—difficulty is relative to exam pressure.

Law (Group 1)

• Average overall
• Very lengthy (questions are made longer than expected)

DT (Group 1)

• Manageable / average
• Compared to other papers, less threatening

IDT (Group 1)

• Trickier
• Slightly above average difficulty due to “trickiness”

Group-wise targeting behavior (ICAI/ICI strategy mentioned)

• They target one paper within the group with more focus (often one to one and a half papers).
• Example claim: within the targeting pattern, tax-related subjects may be specifically targeted.
• Lesson: prepare all subjects evenly, because any one paper can turn tough.

Costing (Group 2)

• Average, but practical

Audit (Group 2)

• Positioned as above average
• Reason given: audit is “so poor” in students’ preparation that even average feels harder/elevated

FMSM / FM (Group 2)

• Above average
• More conceptual testing and some new drafting

SM (Group 2)

• Average

Core takeaway about difficulty design

• Papers maintain a balance between easy and tough questions.
• If you score well on the “easy” part, you should still be able to clear the overall group even if some questions are tough.

---

2) “Learning” lessons (how to prepare and perform)

A) Practice (write answers, don’t only think)

• Main rule: Practice by writing.
• Why:
  • Many students study mentally but hands don’t work under exam conditions.
  • This also leads to silly mistakes during the exam.
• Practical guidance:
  • At home, intentionally create a routine where you make ~10 types of silly mistakes while practicing—so you reduce them in the exam.
• Core idea: If you do not practice writing, errors that could be avoided appear in the exam.

B) Don’t just watch—make learning “mechanical” via question-bank mastery

• Two options discussed (choose the one that builds mastery):
  • Option A: Write/select and repeatedly practice fewer LDR-type questions multiple times.
  • Option B: Solve the whole question bank once.
• Trainer’s position:
  • Option B (do it once) leads to confusion and dependence on “newness.”
  • To pass reliably, you must become a master of the question bank:
    • In the exam, hands should move automatically, not require heavy thinking.
• What to do instead:
  • Mark/identify LDR questions (questions believed to cover the syllabus).
  • Re-do the selected set again and again.
  • Avoid “selective study” confusion—repeat doing is framed as “smartness,” not skipping.

C) Study fully; don’t chase ABC/trend analysis only

• Warning against relying only on ABC analysis / trend analysis:
  • ABC analysis assumes weightage, but it doesn’t account for “easy vs tough” nature of the remaining portion.
  • Even a 20% portion (Category C) can sometimes be easy and quick, while 80% (A/B) can still include tougher items.
• Main instruction:
  • If time allows, read the entire syllabus.
  • Example: even if consolidation/amalgamation/cash flow/buyback are “always coming,” the ease/toughness and AS-linked parts still matter.
  • Don’t neglect AS (the claim is that AS MCQs can be crucial).

D) Revisions + mock tests (structured repetition)

• Minimum revision target:
  • At least 2 revisions
  • Best-case: 3 revisions
• Confidence building:
  • First revision mainly builds recall
  • Real confidence comes from 2nd and 3rd revision
• Mock test schedule:
  • Do one mock test after every revision
• Mock test source:
  • Prefer ICI mock tests
  • Use ICA-provided suggested answers for evaluation
• Self-evaluation is emphasized:
  • Identify mistakes yourself (important learning)

E) Self practice vs revision videos (don’t become dependent)

• Biggest mistake:
  • Students keep watching revision videos continuously and don’t do self practice.
• How to use revision videos properly:
  • First revision
    • Watch revision videos
    • Also do self-revision alongside
  • Second revision
    • Do only self-revision
    • Use revision video only if you can’t recall a concept/chapter
  • Third revision (if needed)
    • Again, self-revision first
    • Don’t become dependent on watching videos
• Core warning:
  • In the exam, you can’t rely on videos (e.g., phone restriction).
  • If you didn’t practice writing alone, you may blank out.

F) Handling new questions in the exam

• Exam mindset:

  • Even if exam has 80% repeat and 20% new:
    • Focus first on repeat questions (new questions are bonus)
  • If new questions scare you:
    • They’re designed to create fear—don’t let that disrupt scoring.

• How to prepare for “new questions” at home (RT-PCR / MTP approach)

  • Claim: ICI provides RT-PCR and MTP practice materials.
  • Method:
    • During revision, do RT-PCR first yourself (don’t immediately watch faculty videos).
    • When repeat questions appear, you confirm revision.
    • When new questions appear, your mind gets used to the “newness.”
  • If you get stuck:
    • Then watch the faculty explanation
  • Goal:
    • Even if you solve only 1 out of 4 new questions partially or interpret a small part, it builds confidence.
  • Key rule:
    • Practice the “new question” environment at home to prevent panic in the exam.

---

3) Fast-track / batch guidance for Advanced Accounts (CA Aakash Kandoi)

Question addressed

• Whether there is a new fast track coming for Advanced Accounts.

Suggested options

• If you need only selective improvement (Advanced Accounts as a weak area, or difficulty in some chapters):
  • Consider Fast Track (priced around ₹5000 as mentioned)
  • Includes books, lectures, hard copies, etc. (as stated)

Batch availability details (as described)

• Batch 1 (current recordings)

  • Suggested for Jan attempt in questioners (“Jain people” mentioned; likely meaning January attempt)
  • Claim: “there is no change” except 2–4 questions added
  • Notes and recordings available as part of the batch package.

• Batch 2 (new recordings)

  • Starts uploads from 7th October
  • Fully available by end of October
  • Mention: batch is “not live” until then
  • Difference: board notes hard copy timing differs (he says batch 2 notes may arrive later)

Pricing/value claim

• He claims the fast track is framed as “everything done in around ₹150–160 rupees” (as stated—likely promotional/value framing), and says it’s comparable to a regular batch.

Included test series

• Includes a test series with evaluation
• Class test checked by his team in 5–6 days after paying (he mentions ₹10 for separate evaluation)

---

Speakers / sources featured

• CA Aakash Kandoi (primary speaker; instructor running the video)
• ICAI / ICI / ICA (referenced as exam organizer and source of mock tests/suggested answers—no direct speaker shown)
• ICI materials referenced: RT-PCR and MTP
• ICI mock test (recommended evaluation tool)
• Faculty explanations/videos (referenced as something to watch only when you’re stuck; not named)