For the CA Foundation program the maximum number of attempts is 6, whereas, for CA Intermediate and Final courses there is no maximum or minimum number of attempts. You have the provision to appear for the exam as many times as they want.
There are multiple career options available to those who become Chartered Accountants (CAs), both in the public and government sectors as well as the private sector. There are a number of prestigious government jobs where a CA qualification is highly valued, despite the fact that most students think that audit firms, corporate finance, or opening a private practice are the natural paths for a CA.
Here is a thorough guide to the government employment options available in India following a CA degree, ranging from regulatory bodies to public sector undertakings (PSUs).
CA Exams in a Year: Attempt Frequency
ICAI conducts CA exams twice a year for all three levels:
- May/June session
- November/December session
This means that you get two opportunities per year to appear for any level of the CA exams, provided you meet the eligibility and registration deadlines.
CA Foundation
The CA foundation is an entry-level exam for students who have completed Class 12 and have registered with ICAI.
- Exam Frequency: 2 attempts per year (May and November)
- Number of Attempts Allowed: No fixed limit, but registration is valid for 4 years, and can be revalidated.
- Eligibility: You must register with ICAI at least 4 months before the exam month.
CA Intermediate
Once you clear the CA Foundation, you are eligible for CA Intermediate exams.
- Exam Frequency: Conducted twice a year (May and November)
- Number of Attempts Allowed: No limit on attempts, but registration is valid for 5 years, extendable with revalidation.
- Eligibility: You must complete 8 months of study period from the date of registration before the exam.
CA Final
The final stage of the CA journey is the CA Final. To appear, you must have cleared both groups of CA Intermediate and completed the prescribed period of Articleship.
- Exam Frequency: 2 attempts per year
- Number of Attempts Allowed: No fixed limit, but you must maintain valid registration.
- Eligibility: Completion of 2.5 years of Articleship training is mandatory before appearing in the CA Final examination.
While ICAI doesn’t impose a hard limit on the number of times you can attempt each exam, it does impose a validity period on your registration:
- Foundation: 4 years.
- Intermediate: 5 years.
- Final: Valid until completion, but needs revalidation every 5 years.
You can revalidate your registration by paying a nominal fee if your attempt falls outside the validity window.
Conclusion
To put it briefly, you have two opportunities each year to pass the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final CA exams, which are administered twice a year. If you miss or fail one attempt, you won't lose a whole year thanks to this biannual schedule. To pass each step on your first try with top 10 CA colleges in India 2025 and save time in your CA journey, the true secret to success is consistent preparation, time management, and strategic planning.
Also Read: How to Become a CA After 12th?
