How to Prepare for CA Foundation and 12th Commerce Exams Simultaneously?

Want to become a Chartered Accountant (CA)? Great move! The very first significant landmark in this endeavour is to pass the CA Foundation exam. But if you’re a Class 12 Commerce student, you can’t help but wonder: How do I prepare for both without losing my grip?
Don’t panic — you can handle both the exam with the right strategy and attitude. Let’s break it down.
What is the CA Foundation?
The CA Foundation is the entry-level exam for students who want to be CAs, conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It tests your accounting, business, law, and economics fundamentals. Once you pass this level you will be eligible for ca inter exams.
There are four papers in the exam:
Paper-1: Accounting
Paper-2: Business Laws
Paper-3: Quantitative Aptitude
Paper-4: Business Economics
Total Marks per Paper: 100
Passing Marks: 40 per cent in all papers
Level of Difficulty: Tough
Number of Attempts: 3
CA Foundation Marking Scheme

Below is marking scheme of CA Foundation exam:
• Every question carries 1 mark.
• There is 0.25 negative marking in subjective type papers (1 and 2)
• There is no negative marking in objective type papers (3 and 4)
Why to Begin CA Foundation Prep in Class 12?
Preparing for CA Foundation while you are in Class 12 is highly beneficial:
Head Start: Many of the subjects under CA Foundation are closely connected and interrelated to your Class 12 curriculum — especially in subjects such as Accounting and Economics.
Time Management Skills: Practicing both helps you develop discipline and time management — skills that are crucial for your CA journey.
Quicker Progress: Post Class 12, you can move to the next level of CA with ease without losing your momentum.
How to Prepare for CA Foundation and 12th Commerce Exams Simultaneously?
Now, here’s how you can utilize your time and energy effectively while preparing for both Class 12 and CA Foundation:
1. Know your Syllabus Inside Out
Start by comparing the Class 12 Commerce syllabus with the CA Foundation syllabus. You’ll find out that there are overlaps in subjects like Accounting and Economics. Use this to your advantage — study these topics once and revise for both exams.
2. Make a Realistic Study Schedule
Your time is precious — so plan it wisely. Create a daily realistic schedule that includes:
- Morning: Focus on Class 12 schoolwork and assignments.
- Evening: 2–3 hours on CA Foundation subjects.
- Weekends: Delve deeper into difficult topics like Business Maths, and practice tests.
Tip: Keep your schedule flexible so that you can adjust it as per upcoming tests or homework.
3. Practice Conceptual Understanding, Not Memorization
In CA Foundation and Class 12, it’s all about concepts clear. From accounting principles to business laws, realize the “why” behind every one of them. Rote learning may not be helpful for everyone at every circumstance. So understanding a concept will enable you to remember things for a longer period and apply them more conveniently in exams.
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4. Practice using Past Papers and Mock Tests
Practice regularly = positive outcomes. Practice last year’s question papers and attempt mock tests regularly. It gets you habituated to the trend of the exam as well as enhances your time management.
Official mock tests and sample papers can be downloaded from the site of ICAI.
5. Use Online Study Materials

There are several online resources, mobile apps, and YouTube channels that provide:
Video lectures of CA Foundation
Practise questions
Gadgets on quick tips and tricks
Use them to correct difficult topics or do extra practice when you need to.
6. Revise Regularly
Don’t wait until the last minute to revise! Allocate at least 30–45 minutes per day to revising. Focus on major topics such as Accounting and Business Law, which are mark carrying and lay the ground for CA higher levels.
7. Take Care of Yourself
Dealing with two tough courses is stressful — so don’t forget to:
- Get atleast 7–8 hours sleep if possible
- Take study breaks regularly
- Eat good food and drink plenty of water
- Do a bit of exercise or unwind with a hobby
- Healthy body = Focused mind.
8. Take Advice from Professionals
If possible, opt for a good CA coaching class or seek advice from teachers, seniors, or mentors who have cleared the exam before. Their advice and counsel can be really beneficial, especially when you are alone in the middle of nowhere. You can refer to our free classes on YouTube to crack your preparation.
Final Words
Yes, it might seem intimidating to study both Class 12 and CA Foundation together — but don’t worry, you’ve got this! With proper planning, hard work, and a positive attitude, you can crack both. Starting early not only gives you an edge but also develops good habits that will benefit you throughout your CA journey.
Therefore, stay concentrated, keep working hard, and have faith in your capacity to achieve. Your CA dream starts today!
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