The Hindu Business Line : Plan ahead of exams, lest you get run over

BEING students of CA, you know that for managing any task (including examination), there are two approaches — management by crisis; and management through planning.

Management by crisis: This approach (adopted by a majority) involves starting an activity only when a problem knocks at the door. In our context it will mean beginning studies only a few days before the examinations.

To illustrate, here's a story: A monkey was sitting on a tree and a cool breeze was blowing. Soon he fell fast asleep only to be woken up by pebbles being thrown at him by his friends who were shouting that the jungle was on fire and asking him to leave. The monkey, still in sleep, found that the fire was quite far away and refused to accompany them, and warned them not to disturb him. But after a while he woke up to the heat of fire and found himself surrounded by it on all sides. He could not escape and was burnt in the fire.

Managing by crisis may works out at times, but more often than not it does not. Thus, those who do not plan ahead, may be overtaken by crisis.

Management through planning: Planning with respect to preparation for examinations involves a three-stage strategy. They are: preparation immediately on joining the course; preparation close to examinations; and during examinations.

Preparation immediately on joining the course

Early birds always gain. You must, on joining the CA course, realise that you have joined a demanding professional programme.

If you fail to prepare your time schedule for study right from the beginning, you may find it too heavy later. The following tips in this regard may be worth noting:

New subjects offer you the excitement to explore: So, the moment you get your study material, turn over the pages. There may be certain terms and expressions you would like to know more about. Read them and familiarise yourself with whatever you can. This will motivate and help generate interest, especially in technical subjects such as business and corporate laws.

Prepare your study schedule: At this stage, 2-3 hours of study a day should be sufficient.

Eat healthy, stay healthy: Remember the age-old saying: "Healthy mind rests in a healthy body." As a professional student, you must follow a healthy routine. Latest researches have shown that more oxygenated blood you have, the more energetic you will feel. So, go for morning walks and oxygenate your blood for free. Eat as much raw food — fruits and vegetables — as possible, as these again oxygenate your blood. Avoid junk foods.

Remember, falling sick means not only loss of health but also loss of your precious time.

Read as much as you can on the subject. Do not limit your study only to the questions asked in previous examinations.

Make your own notes. They have a better recall value. Since what is expected is only working knowledge, reference to commentaries on the subject is not desirable. The notes should, therefore, be prepared by consulting the study material and any `one' good text.

Your notes should have reference to both case laws and Sections. Reference to Sections (you may avoid sub-sections and clauses) in your answers fetches you better marks though specific weightage may not be reserved, except for definitional questions or practical problems.

Preparation when exams get closer

Six months before examinations, increase your study time to at least 4-5 hours a day. You should, like Arjuna of Mahabharata, see only the sparrow's eye (not even the sparrow). Forget about all other activities, concentrate only on studies. One hour each day for law should be sufficient. Early morning hours with a fresh mind are better reserved for this subject.

Since you would have your own notes ready by this time, study from notes only.

Now, see past papers — five years (10 sessions) is good enough to know the style of questions. (As the papers of the past 10 sessions for PE-II are not available, you may refer to CA (Intermediate) Examinations Past Papers.) Check the suggested answers to note the expectations of the Institute. Also, learn deciding about the scope of the answers vis-à-vis weightage (that is, marks) assigned.

While you refer to the suggested answers, do not forget to note the summary of the comments of the examiners. They serve as a good guide in knowing the kind of lapses usually committed by the candidates and, thereby, help you avoid them.

Read the subject matter along with Sections and case laws. Remember, the mind has tremendous capacity. If it can retain other voluminous information, it can also retain Sections and case laws. It is only a question of training your mind. Often, while reading any material on law, students try to omit reading the Sections and case laws as they find them interfering with their getting an understanding of the subject matter. The mind is, therefore, being trained negatively — that is, the information is unimportant and should not, therefore, be stored. Later, even if you try to read these Sections, you will not be able to retain them.

Try reading law with Sections and case laws and you will be surprised at the results. I have experimented this with a number of students with a high degree of success.

Try to read as well as understand the various provisions; this will ensure a better recall value and help you through your professional career.

Law is a subject based on logic and, therefore, do not mug-up. Instead, try to see logic behind a particular provision. Ascertain the `why' of a provision and the objective behind it. Seek the help of your seniors, faculty of the Institute, or the visiting faculty for personal contact programmes conducted by Regional Councils in case you are unable to understand some of the provisions.

Take extra care of your health. Have adequate sleep and eat a balanced diet which is rich in vitamin B, calcium, iron and proteins. Take multi-vitamin tablets as a supplement each morning after breakfast. Do consult your doctor if you have any health problems.

Revise the entire material before examinations begin.

During examinations

You will not have any holidays in between examinations. Therefore, one revision should have been done before the start of the examinations. A day before your law paper, concentrate on the conceptual framework, Sections and important case laws. Other details should be quickly revised. Having done the revision before, recall will be very fast. Try to recall only the main points and avoid reading the detailed notes. Look up the notes to identify gaps.

Revise your notes thoroughly. Remember, this last minute revision is crucial.

Feel confident. Nervousness will do you no good.

Don't reach the examination hall more than 15 minutes before schedule. Meet friends but don't talk about the subject, as this may shake your confidence.

Inside the hall, keep your eyes closed for about five minutes. Think nothing. This will help you re-energise.

Read the question paper carefully. Select the questions you wish to attempt; tick-mark them.

Make a rough sheet at the end of your answer sheet and note in brief whatever points strike you with respect to selected questions.

You will note that when you are answering, say, Question 1, certain points in Question 3 strike you. Note them down, as they may not occur to you again when you are answering that question.

Divide your time rationally. In case you feel that a particular answer is taking you too long, cut the details and give only important points in `bullet' form.

Divide your answers into headings/sub-headings and underline them with the permissible ink/ball pen.

Number your answers correctly.

Leave sufficient gap between one part of the answer and another.

Use some mark to show the end of a part of the answer.

Spare the last 10 minutes for revising the answer sheet. You will be surprised to see certain inadvertent lapses.

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