This is an entry level test for Chartered Accountancy Course which is designed in the pattern of entry level test of engineering/medical/other professional courses. The CPT is a compulsory entry level test for all students. There are no exemptions for B.Com Graduates. 

Eligibility:

A student who has passed the 10th standard examination conducted by an examining body constituted by law in India or an examination recognized by the Central Government as equivalent thereto may register for Common Proficiency Test with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) 

When to register:
Any time after passing 10th standard examination, a student can register with the Board of Studies of the ICAI and prepare for the CPT while pursuing 2nd PUC/ 10+2 level study.

Registration & Tuition Fees:
For Indian students residing in India and other SAARC countries & Bhutan and for students belonging to other SAARC countries & Bhutan: Rs6,000/- 

Study Material:
The Board of Studies will be providing comprehensive study materials.

Examination:
CPT examination is held twice a year in the months of June and December.  It is to be noted that one can appear for the CPT after appearing for 2ndPUC / Senior Secondary Examination (10+2 examination) and after completion of specified period of 60 days from the date of registration of  CPT with the Board of Studies as on the first day of the month in which the examination is to be held

SESSION – I (Two Sections– Two hours – 100 Marks)
Section A: Fundamentals of Accounting (60 Marks), • Section B: Mercantile Laws (40 Marks)
 SESSION – II (Two Sections– Two hours – 100 Marks
Section C: General Economics (50 Marks), • Section D: Quantitative Aptitude (50 Marks)
              (CPT is an objective type test with negative marking.)

Passing Criteria:

A student has to secure a minimum of 50% of the total marks for passing the CPT exam

STAGE 2: INTEGRATED PROFESSIONALCOMPETENCECOURSE (IPCC)

Eligibility:
A candidate, on passing the Common Proficiency Test and Senior Secondary Examination (10+2 examination) is eligible for enrolment to the Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC).The IPCC curriculum gives the student working knowledge of core and allied subjects to  the accountancy profession.

Steps for proceeding with IPCC:
1) Register  for IPCC Group 1 and/or Group II
2) Register in order to undergo 100 hours of Information Technology Training (ITT). The ITT course is a 20/25 days programme at 5/4 hours per day. The candidate has to undergo this training before appearing for the first time in Group1 and/or Group II of IPCC.
3) Undergo Orientation Programme for 35 hours before appearing for the first time in Group1 and/or Group II of IPCC. This programme covers topics such as Personality Development, Communication Skills, General Commercial Knowledge etc.
4) On successful completion of 9 month study course from the date of IPCC registration, the student can appear for Integrated Professional Competence Examination (IPCE).
5) The Subjects for study are as follows:
      Six subjects and Seven Papers of study in IPCC are:–
GROUP I
 Paper 1: Accounting (100 marks)
 Paper 2: Business Laws, Ethics and Communication
                  Part I : Law (60 marks):- Business Laws (30 marks), Company Law (30 marks)                    
                  Part II: Business Ethics (20 marks), Part III: Business Communication (20 marks)
 Paper 3: Cost Accounting and Financial Management
                  Part I : Cost Accounting (50 marks), Part II: Financial Management (50 marks)
 Paper 4: Taxation
                  Part I : Income-tax (50 marks), Part II: Service Tax (25 marks) and VAT (25 marks)
GROUP II
 Paper 5: Advanced accounting (100 marks)
 Paper 6: Auditing and Assurance (100 marks)
 Paper 7: Information Technology and Strategic Management
                 Section A: Information Technology (50 marks)                                
                 Section B: Strategic Management (50 marks)

The level of knowledge expected of students in the above subjects is ‘working knowledge’.

Fees for IPCC:

Both Groups          :          Rs9,000/
Orientation Programme:Rs3,500/-
ITT                 :                  : Rs4,000/-            

STAGE 3: COMMENCEMENT OF ARTICLED TRAINING:

On passing either Group I or both groups of the IPCE, join as Articled Assistant under a practicing Chartered Accountant for a period of 3 years. A person registered as an Articled Clerk is entitled to receive a minimum monthly stipend as per the rates specified under the Chartered Accountants Regulations from time to time.

STAGE 4: CA FINAL COURSE AND EXAMINATION:

1)Obtain IPCE certificate on passing both the groups of IPCE.
2)Register for final course with Board of Studies.
3)Collect study material and prepare for final examination.
4)Appear for CA Final Examination during the last six months of articled training.
5)Pass Group 1 and Group II of CA final Examination
6)Complete 3 years of Articled training
7)Undergo General Management & Communication Skills Course(GMCS)
8)Enroll as a member of ICAI and designate as ‘Chartered Accountant’

Fees for Final Course:
For Indian students residing in India and other SAARC countries & Bhutan and for students belonging to other SAARC countries & Bhutan: Rs10, 000/-

Ques: What would be the total duration of the entire course?
Ans: As can be seen from the above there are four stages before becoming a Chartered Accountant.
When a student gets registered after completion of 10th standard:
•2nd PUC: 2 years- the student will be eligible for writing CPT in June of the same year.
•IPCC: completion of study period of  9 months  after passing CPT examination.ie first eligibility for writing IPCE-May of the succeeding year.
•Articled Training: 3 years after passing Group I of IPCE

I.e. Four years (approx) on completion of 2nd PUC, on the assumption that the student clears all the exams in the first sitting itself.

NB: For complete details and updates please visit website http://www.icai.org/or contact the nearest ICAI branch.