CPT Full Form, Eligibility, Syllabus, Applications, Fee, Facts

The full form of CPT is the Common Proficiency Test. 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts the CPT (Common Proficiency Test). It is an entry-level exam for candidates who want to become Chartered Accountants in India. The CPT exam is the first step towards obtaining the Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification, and it is also mandatory for all aspiring CA candidates to pass the CPT exam before appearing for the next level of the CA program.

Additionally, the CPT exam is a multiple-choice, objective-type test conducted twice a year in June and December. Candidates have four hours to complete the exam.

In conclusion, to become a chartered accountant in India, aspirants must pass the CPT exam, which is an entry-level exam conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The exam tests the candidate’s knowledge on various grounds. It is mandatory to clear the CPT exam before CA qualification. Also, to succeed in the CPT exam, the candidates must have a brief understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and making scheme, and they must practice regularly.

CPT Exam Important Facts

• The ICAI conducts the CPT exam twice a year. However, basically on Sundays in June and December. Besides, the exact dates may vary.
• It is an entry-level examination mandatory for the candidates seeking admission to the Chartered Accountancy Course.
• CPT is a paper-pen-based exam. The ICAI conducts the CPT exam as an offline, objective test.
• Additionally, candidates can choose any one from English or Hindi as a medium for their exam paper.
• Also, answer sheets will be in English Language only.
• Furthermore, if you are not satisfied with your result, you have the right to request the answer sheet according to Regulation 39(4) of the CA Regulations 1988. Besides, it is chargeable for an amount of Rs. 200/- along with the signature of the candidate.

CPT Syllabus All About the Syllabus and Important Topics in the CPT Exam

1. Fundamentals of Accounting: This paper contains topics on accounting fundamentals and principles. However, this subject is 60 marks.
2. Mercantile Law: This subject covers legal law and procedures. It carries 40 marks overall. However, candidates need to score at least twelve marks to pass this paper.
3. General Economics: This paper consists of 50 marks overall and the candidate has to score a minimum of 15 marks to clear this section of the exam.
4. Quantitative Aptitude: This subject also consists of 50 marks.

Additionally, the paper is of 200 marks in total and consists of four sections throughout. However, the ICAI conducts the exam in two sessions. The first session will hold a test for Fundamentals of Accounting and Mercantile Law and the second session will organize an exam for quantitative aptitude and general economics.

In conclusion, candidates need to work on these sections to score good marks in the CPT exam. Also, candidates need to score at least 60 percent marks to qualify for the CPT exam.

CPT Exam Pattern Structure of CPT Exam Pattern

• This paper is conducted in offline mode. It is a paper-pen-based test.
• The duration of the paper is three hours. However, it may change frequently.
• Candidates can opt for different languages besides English.
• Also, there is no negative marking in the CPT exam.
• Additionally, paper 1 generally consists of subjective questions. Paper II on other hand consists of MCQs.

CA Foundation Modifying CPT Exams

The ICAI has now introduced an updated version of the CPT examination. It is known as the CA Foundation course. This exam tests the entry-level proficiency of the candidates. It is one of the three levels of the CA tests. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. It is held twice every year in May and November. The minimum eligibility criteria remain the same. Anyone appearing or passed their 10+2 examination can appear for the CA Foundation exam. 

However, the CA Foundation course is an updated version of the CPT exam containing the current needs and equips students to keep pace with evolving financial trends.

The CA Foundation follows the subjective type test paper, unlike the CPT examination. It was based on Objective type questions. This can help in the easier screening of eligible candidates in the first round.

Additionally, the exam will be conducted twice a year and it is mandatory to complete a study period of about four months before appearing for the exam. Also, the fee payable by candidates from India is Rs 9800/- for the General category candidates for the CA Foundation course.

Furthermore, the CA Foundation exam consists of four major subjects. It includes Accounting, Business law and business correspondence, Business Mathematics, logical reasoning statistics, and Business economics. The two papers consist of objective questions. The other two papers Accounting and Business Law consists of subjective questions. The CA Foundation paper consists of 400 marks in total. Also, the minimum passing mark for CA Foundation is 50 percent.

The CPT Exam's Applications

The CPT exam is an entry-level mandatory examination that provides a platform for Chartered Accountancy. Candidates need to clear this exam to start their journey in the field of CA. You can apply for the application form through the official website of ICAI ( Institute of Chartered Accountants of India).

Additionally, candidates can fill out the exam application online. If you are a new candidate then apply for the unique registration number on the portal of the ICAI website. Besides, you must provide your mobile number and email and make sure it is in working condition.

In addition, if you already applied for any other exam previously, then you can simply log in to your id by providing the correct credentials.

Furthermore, fill in the details carefully by logging into your account using the registration number and password generated.

Eligibility Criteria Who is Eligible for the CPT Exam? 

• Age Limit: There are no age limit criteria for the CPT exam in India.
• Nationality: Additionally, candidates appearing for the CPT exam must be a citizen of India.
• Education Qualification: Furthermore, candidates must have passed or appeared in the 10+2 Senior Secondary Examination through a recognized board that is recognized by the Central Government of India.
• Registration Criteria: The candidate must register himself within under 60 days before the exam schedule or before or in the first week of April or October.
• Revalidation: The CPT form is valid for three years. Therefore, candidates must make sure to revalidate their registration through the Regional Office.
• Criminal Record: There must not be any criminal record against the candidate. Also, the candidate must be of good character.

Additionally, to be eligible for the CPT exam, candidates must meet certain educational and age requirements as specified by the ICAI.

However, the exact details of the eligibility criteria may vary from year to year. It is advisable to check the official website for more information about the ICAI beforehand.

Furthermore, make sure you have all necessary documents, including the  Demand Draft of an application payment, class 10th certificate, birth certificate, 12th mark sheet, national certificate, and any special category proof if applicable.

The Exam Fee for the CPT Exam

The exam fee for the CPT exam is Rs. 1000/- and there are no form fees in India. However, the fee for the exam is Rs. 1700/- in Nepal. Additionally, there is a late fee of Rs. 600/- if the candidate fails to pay the exam fee before the due date.

Additionally, candidate can pay their fee online mode by debit card, credit card, or net banking. Also, there are correction windows available for correcting the mistakes in the application form if any. The complete process of application and correction is online.

Exam Difficulty for the CPT How Challenging is the CPT Exam?

The difficulty level of the CPT exam is moderate. However, it depends on several factors like an individual’s prior knowledge and experience in this field, level of preparation, format, and syllabus of the exam.

Additionally, the CPT exam is a comprehensive exam that requires a thorough understanding of the topics covered for the exam. Also, the CPT consists of four main subjects namely Mercantile Law, Fundamentals of Accounting, quantitative aptitude, and General Economics. It covers a wide range of topics. Besides, candidates need to be well-prepared and structured.

Overall, the level of difficulty in the CPT exam varies based on your level of preparation and understanding of the subjects. However, it’s generally considered a demanding and tough test.

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