Banking, Finance and Accounting

ICAI - CPT

Name: ICAI - CPT
Location: Various Centers

Common Proficiency Test

Conducted by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

Banking, Finance and Accounting Entrance Exam

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed the Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board or institution.
Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for the CPT exam.
Nationality: The exam is open to Indian nationals as well as foreign nationals as per guidelines provided by ICAI.

Exam Duration: 2 hours each session (Two sessions totaling 4 hours)
Exam Schedule: The CPT exam is generally held twice a year in the months of June and December.
Notification: Official notifications are generally released by ICAI around March for June exams and September for December exams.

Accounting: Basic concepts of accounting, Accounting process, Final accounts, Basics of partnership accounts, and Accounting standards.
Mercantile Laws: The Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, and other important mercantile laws relating to contracts and sales.
General Economics: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics fundamentals, demand and supply, theory of production and costs, national income, and banking basics.
Quantitative Aptitude: Ratio and proportion, Percentage, Profit and loss, Simple and compound interest, Time and work, Time and distance, Basic algebra, and Statistics.

Visit the official ICAI website: icai.org.
Register as a new user on the portal.
Fill in the online application form with required personal and educational details.
Upload scanned copies of necessary documents as per guidelines.
Pay the application fee online using net banking/credit card/debit card.
Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference.

Completion of CPT is the entry-level requirement for enrolling in the Intermediate (IPCC) level of Chartered Accountancy course.

It is an entry-level examination for the Chartered Accountancy course in India.
It focuses on testing basic knowledge in accounting, law, economics, and quantitative aptitude.
Success in CPT allows the candidate to proceed to the Intermediate course stage.

Admit cards are released online on the ICAI official website approximately 2 weeks before the exam date.
Download by logging into the candidate portal using registration credentials.
Print the admit card and carry it to the exam center along with a valid photo ID.
Check all details on the admit card carefully and report any discrepancies to ICAI immediately.

Results are declared on the official ICAI website typically within 4 to 6 weeks after the exam.
Candidates can check results by entering their roll number and registration details.
The passing criteria for the CPT exam is a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate and minimum of 30% marks in each section.

Understand the syllabus thoroughly and focus on conceptual clarity in subjects.
Practice previous years' question papers and mock tests to improve time management and accuracy.
Use standard textbooks such as those recommended by ICAI and reference books by reputed authors.
Join coaching classes or online platforms offering structured study material and test series.
Maintain a regular study schedule and revise consistently.

Q: Can I appear for the CPT exam without completing 12th standard?
A: No, passing 12th standard or equivalent is mandatory to register for the CPT exam.
Q: Is there any age limit to take the CPT exam?
A: No, there is no age restriction for this exam.
Q: What is the exam mode for CPT?
A: The CPT exam is conducted offline, as a pen and paper test.
Q: How many times is CPT conducted in a year?
A: Twice a year, usually in June and December.
Q: Is negative marking applicable?
A: No, there is no negative marking in CPT.