Preparing for the CA Inter exam can be intense, especially on the day before the paper. Many students make the mistake of trying to revise everything at once, which only leads to confusion and burnout. The key is to revise smartly, not just study harder.
On the last day, your focus should be on high-weightage and frequently tested topics. You’ve already done the hard work now it’s about refreshing your memory, sharpening your strong areas, and staying calm.
This blog will walk you through a clear, topic-wise revision guide, last-minute tips, and time management strategies that can help you feel confident going into the exam.
What Will You Study and How to Revise One Day Before CA Intermediate Group 1 and Group 2 Exams?
The day before your CA Intermediate exam is all about smart, selective, and focused revision not learning new concepts. Whether you’re appearing for Group 1 or Group 2, your aim should be to go over high-weightage topics, frequently tested concepts, and formula/section summaries so they stay fresh in your mind during the exam.
Group 1 Revision Strategy (Day Before Exam)
- Accounting (Paper 1) – Revise key Accounting Standards (AS 10, 16, 22), consolidation, amalgamation, and partnership adjustments.
- Corporate & Other Laws (Paper 2) – Focus on frequently tested sections, penalty provisions, and important case laws.
- Taxation (Paper 3)
- Income Tax – Exemptions, deductions, capital gains, PGBP, and assessment procedures.
- GST – Time of supply, place of supply, exemptions, and RCM provisions.
Group 2 Revision Strategy (Day Before Exam)
- Cost & Management Accounting (Paper 4) – Marginal costing, standard costing, budgetary control, and process costing.
- Auditing & Ethics (Paper 5) – SA summaries, auditor duties, company audit provisions, and ethics case scenarios.
- Financial Management & Strategic Management (Paper 6)
- FM – Capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, and ratio analysis.
- SM – Strategic models (SWOT, PESTLE, BCG Matrix) and case-based applications.
- FM – Capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, and ratio analysis.
Why Last-Day Revision Matters
- Boosts your confidence before the exam.
- Saves time by focusing only on important and scoring areas.
- Reduces stress through structured and goal-based study.
Subject-Wise Important Topics to Revise
Here’s a table of the key topics to focus on for each subject:
| Group | Paper | Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group I | Paper 1 | Advanced Accounting | AS 1–AS 21 (Policies, Cash Flow, etc.), Company Accounts (Financial statements, Schedule III, Buyback) |
| Paper 2 | Corporate & Other Laws | Company Law – Incorporation, Prospectus, Share Capital, Deposits, Charges, Administration, Dividends, Audit, Accounts, Companies outside India | |
| Paper 3A | Income-tax Law | Basics, Residential status, Heads of income, Deductions, Set-off, Advance tax | |
| Paper 3B | GST | Charge of tax, Reverse charge, Time/Place of supply, ITC, Registration, Returns, Invoices, E-way bill, Payment | |
| Group II | Paper 4 | Cost & Management Accounting | Cost terms/behavior, Cost control/reduction, Standard costing, Marginal costing, Budgeting, Process/Job costing, Cost sheet, Digital costing |
| Paper 5 | Auditing & Ethics | Audit strategy & planning, Risk assessment, Internal control, Audit evidence, Audit report, Completion/review, Special audits, Ethical principles | |
| Paper 6A | Financial Management | Ratio analysis, Cost of capital, Capital structure, Capital budgeting, Dividend decisions, Working capital management | |
| Paper 6B | Strategic Management | Strategic frameworks, Planning, Business strategy principles |
Important Section as Per ICAI Weightage
ICAI follows a consistent weightage pattern in exams. Look at past year papers, RTPs, and mock tests you’ll notice some topics appear again and again.
Focus on:
| Paper | Key Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Accounting | AS 1–21, Company Accounts (FS, Buyback, Reconstruction), Consolidation, Branch Accounts | 55–65% Company: 30–35% Branches: 5–10% |
| Corporate & Other Laws | Company Law (Sec 1–148), LLP Act, GCA, Interpretation, FEMA | Company Law: 70% Other Laws: 30% |
| Taxation | IT: Basics, Residency, Heads, Sec 80C–80U, Set-off, TDS, Returns GST: Supply, Exemptions, Composition, ITC, Returns |
IT: 50% GST: 50% |
| Cost & Management Accounting | Cost Sheet, Marginal Costing, Standard Costing, Budgets | Methods: 35–40% Budget/Variance: 25–30% |
| Auditing & Ethics | SAs, Planning, Risk & Control, Evidence, Documentation, Report, Ethics | Evidence: 12–18% Ethics: 12–18% |
| Financial Management & Strategic Management | FM: Ratios, Cost of Capital, Capital Structure, Capital Budgeting, Dividend, Working Capital Management SM: Analysis, Environment, Strategy Formulation & Implementation |
Cost of Capital: 45–50% Capital Budgeting: 20–25% |
General One-Day Revision Tips for Both Groups
- Use Summary Notes & Formula Sheets – Avoid bulky theory and stick to quick recall tools.
- Revise Past RTPs & MTPs – Focus on the last two attempts for trend-based preparation.
- Time-Block Your Day – Dedicate morning hours to practical subjects and afternoon/evening to theory.
- Practice Active Recall – Test yourself on sections, provisions, and formulas without looking at notes.
- Stay Calm & Rest Well – Avoid cramming till late night; ensure 6–7 hours of sleep before the exam.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Exam
- Misread the question – Read every question twice to understand exactly what’s being asked.
- Spend too much time on one question – Move on if you get stuck and return later.
- Ignore instructions – Follow the question format, marks allocation, and word limits strictly.
- Write irrelevant answers – Stick to the point and avoid adding unnecessary details.
- Skip easy questions – Attempt high-confidence questions first to secure marks.
- Leave answers unattempted – Attempt even partially correct solutions to grab extra marks.
Conclusion
In the final stretch before the CA Intermediate exam, your focus should be on refining what you already know rather than rushing into new topics. Stick to ICAI material, RTPs, MTPs, and past papers, revise high-weightage chapters multiple times, and keep your formula sheets, summary notes, and section lists handy for quick recall. Balance your preparation with adequate rest, healthy food, and a calm mindset because a sharp, focused mind performs far better than a tired one.
If you want a guided approach, expert mentorship, and tested strategies that help you maximize your scores, CAPS Academy offers specialized CA Inter coaching with structured revision plans, doubt-solving sessions, and exam-focused practice. With CAPS Academy’s guidance, you can walk into the exam hall confident, prepared, and ready to succeed.