Failed CA Inter multiple times despite studying hard — genuinely need guidance
I graduated in 2025, and my first CA Inter attempt was in Sept 2025.
Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for both groups, so I focused mainly on Group 1. I scored around 30s–40s in subjects, but Law went badly and I failed.
By Jan 2026, I already knew Sept probably wouldn’t clear, so I thought:
“Since I’ve already studied Group 1 once, why not prepare Group 2 alongside it?”
So I gave both groups in Jan 2026.
Somewhere, I genuinely believed I could clear Group 1 this time. I passed Law and Accounts, but Tax again pulled me down. No exemptions though — mostly 40s range marks.
Group 2 was a mess emotionally.
Costing is genuinely one of the toughest subjects for me. I still remember crying the night before the Costing exam because I felt completely lost. During the paper, half the time I couldn’t even understand what the question was asking.
Audit was incomplete because two groups exhausted me badly.
SM was manageable, but FM keeps repeating the same problem for me:
I understand concepts while studying, I practice sums too, but during exam days I fail to revise properly. Since FM is the last paper, I get mentally drained by then and my practice suffers badly.
Then came May 2026.
This time I decided to focus mainly on Group 2 because Group 1 had too many amendments and I felt I didn’t have enough time.
I genuinely improved in Costing. During the exam I could actually recognize sums and concepts I had practiced. But I still got stuck midway in many sums — like I knew the approach, but suddenly my brain would freeze about what to do next.
FM again went difficult because of lack of revision during exam days.
And Audit…
I think I made the biggest mistake there.
Instead of revising what I already knew, I started trying to complete untouched chapters right before exams. My brain got so exhausted that I forgot concepts I had already studied properly before. I literally remember revising something in the morning and forgetting it inside the exam hall.
That honestly scared me.
Now I feel like I’ve lost one full year.
The thing is — I don’t believe I’m incapable of CA.
If I couldn’t understand concepts, couldn’t sit with subjects, or mentally couldn’t handle the course, I would’ve accepted it myself. But that’s not the case. I can understand concepts. I can study. Somewhere I feel my problem is revision management, exam pressure, poor strategy, exhaustion from handling both groups, and maybe burnout.
But my father has started feeling that maybe CA is not meant for me.
For safety, he has also told me to do M.Com alongside CA, and honestly I understand his concern.
Now I’m confused between:
- M.Com in Banking & Finance
or
- M.Sc Finance
M.Com Banking & Finance feels safer and theory-oriented.
M.Sc Finance seems more technical and difficult, but career-wise it looks stronger.
At the same time, I’m scared about CA syllabus changes from May 2027 onwards.
Right now my Group 1 is still pending, and I’ve just given Group 2 in May 2026 (waiting for results).
My current plan is to give BOTH groups again in Sept 2026.
Today is 20th May, and exams start from 1st Sept.
Do you guys think 3+ months is enough considering I’ve already studied everything once?
Some friends are telling me:
“Don’t restart Group 2 from scratch. Just keep revising it lightly (30%) and focus 70% on Group 1.”
Others are saying I should fully focus on one group only.
I genuinely don’t know what the right strategy is anymore.
If someone has gone through something similar — repeated failures, burnout, revision issues, forgetting in exams despite studying — please guide me honestly.
Should I go for both groups in Sept 2026?
How should I manage revision?
And what would you choose alongside CA — M.Com Banking & Finance or M.Sc Finance?