The Hindu Business Line : Think on your feet and be cool under pressure

At the very core of these varied and vibrant dreams is a single chosen path, a path that we believe will lead us to the realisation of the dreams we cherish.

My chosen path was the pursuit of chartered accountancy. For three years, I was a member of the fraternity of eager youth fighting to find a place in one of the most exclusive of intellectual clubs.

Success in this course is an uphill struggle, as most good things in life are.Not for nothing has CA been billed one of the toughest joint examinations in the country.

And it is precisely this exactitude and exclusivity which makes the course so hard to resist.

As a student moves through the course, there are many questions that occupy his/her attention all along the way. This article is an effort to answer some of these searching queries... not as a rank holder who has something to be proud about but as a fellow student who has gone through the same hardships.

At the outset, it is important to realise that CA is essentially a course of self-study. It is definitely more challenging than a college graduation in that there is no system of structured classroom learning to lead the students through the syllabus. Therefore, the onus is on the individual student to streamline his/her days and hours of study.

In this background, here are a few things which I feel will be of help:

Ensure detailed study spread over the length of the course: It is important that the study of the syllabus is spread over 6-7 months at least. Leaving most of the studying to the last 3-4 months will only add to the pressure.

Structured, systematic study, which is well planned and well executed, will definitely make the syllabus seem more compact.

Give adequate importance to theory papers: Many students tend to ignore the vital theory subjects and instead focus on working out extra problems.

This may not be the correct approach because a sizeable chunk of the marks are allotted for theory. And it is only if the theory behind a concept is understood well, can the problems based on that concept be tackled with confidence.

A tried and tested technique to remember theory concepts is to make notes. Full fledged notes with key points and indexation will help the student during revision because he need not revert to the textbook.

Also, writing notes helps improve handwriting and develop speed... two key skills which will reflect directly in the answer paper.

Work out problems with a focus on concepts: It is not the number of problems that are worked out which is important but the understanding of the concepts underlying the problem.

And even rough working of the problem should be done neatly, with working notes and assumptions. This exercise will also aid in gaining familiarity with the keys of the calculator so that computing speed also improves.

Choose reading material with care: The Course Materials provided by the Institute are compulsory reading. In addition, one good textbook may be chosen well in advance.

The student must be comfortable with the textbook's style of prose and presentation. Once a book is chosen, it is important not to change it prior to the examination.

At the Final Examination level, additional reading like the Institute's journal, Students' newsletter, Accounting and Auditing Standards, legal decisions in Law and Taxation, Suggested Answers and Revision Test Papers will help.

Make time for repeated revision: Repetitive study will greatly help retention and recall. It will also help build a sense of familiarity and identity with the subject.

Take good care of your health: Physical and mental stamina are vital ingredients of success. Be sure to maintain regular study habits, to get adequate hours of sleep, to eat a wholesome diet and to take well-timed breaks to re-energise the system.

Focus on time management during the examination: The three hours of the examination should be well spaced out such that all hundred marks are attempted. Neat presentation and consistent handwriting will give the student an edge. The lengthiness of the answers should be proportionate to the marks allotted to the question.

Having talked about the examination, let me now focus on something that is equally important... the period of articleship training. In my view, it is this unique method of full-time training on the job that sets the course apart.

Be it a big firm, medium sized or small firm, being an articled clerk offers the learning experience of a lifetime... It is the medium through which a student is gradually introduced to the contours of the professional world; it provides a platform to interact with clients and make informed professional decisions at a very young age; it helps the students apply practically the very same concepts that will appear in the examination.

Most important, articleship equips you to think on your feet and to remain cool under pressure — attributes which are crucial while writing the examination. And all this is done under the eagle eye of an experienced practitioner — a person who is not only your employer but also your well-wisher.

The period of my articleship has helped me grow as an individual and has imbibed in me the willingness to shoulder responsibility. This has been the most crucial intangible factor contributing to my success in both the Intermediate and the Final examinations.

In sum, the tumultuous journey towards success in this course is a journey unparalleled. There are difficulties, but there are solutions; there are challenges, but there are opportunities; there is fear, but there is fearlessness; there is despair, but there is enthusiasm; there is self-doubt, but there is commitment.

In the words of John Ruskin, "The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it."

This course will mould you, give you strength, resilience and courage; commitment, sincerity and passion; a sense of responsibility, ethics and duty towards society... and a means to the realisation of goals which are close to our hearts.

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