The ICAI CA Final Nov’19 examination results saw the light of day on the 16th of January 2020. Chartered Accountancy, a prestigious and demanding pursuit, is notorious for its notoriously low pass rates. As a result, each year, all eyes turn to the list of rank holders when the results are announced.
In the November 2019 attempt of the ICAI CA Final, two candidates jointly secured AIR-1. In keeping with tradition, we reached out to these accomplished individuals to gain insights into their lives and discover the secret ingredients of their success. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the world of Abhay Bajoria, who clinched the coveted AIR-1 in the CA Final November 19 (New Course) examination.
Abhay Bajoria hails from Kolkata, a city that shaped his journey. Apart from his ardent passion for cricket, he’s a movie enthusiast with an ear for music. Abhay’s cricket idol is none other than Virat Kohli. In our conversation with Abhay, he shares his strategy for preparing for the ICAI CA Final exams.
Interviewer: Congratulations, Abhay, on achieving AIR-1. How are you feeling at this moment?
Abhay: Thank you so much! It’s still surreal; I can hardly believe what happened on the 16th of January. The feeling is overwhelming.
Interviewer: Did you receive a call from the President of ICAI?
Abhay: Yes, I received a call from the President of ICAI. He contacted me about 35 minutes before the official results were announced.
Interviewer: Were you anticipating a rank, or did it come as a surprise?
Abhay: To be honest, I had mentally prepared for all possible outcomes after the results. However, I knew I had given my best and put in immense effort. So, I had a feeling I would secure a rank, though AIR-1 was a delightful surprise.
Interviewer: Could you share a bit about yourself?
Abhay: I was born and raised in Kolkata. I completed my articleship in the same city. Besides cricket and movies, I’m an avid fan of web series, and I have a penchant for music.
Interviewer: Who’s your favorite cricket player, and what’s the latest web series you’ve watched?
Abhay: My favorite cricketer is Virat Kohli, and the last web series I watched was Vampire Diaries.
Interviewer: Reflecting on your CA journey, how has it been?
Abhay: It’s been a roller-coaster ride. Over the course of 4 and a half years, there were numerous highs and lows. Looking back, I’ve accumulated unforgettable memories, and I’ve grown into a more mature individual.
Interviewer: Who has been your source of inspiration?
Abhay: My inspiration is my mother. Her sacrifices and unwavering support are beyond words.
Interviewer: How did you manage to study during your articleship?
Abhay: During my articleship, setting aside time for studies is imperative. Social interactions must be minimized. Personally, I hadn’t even started tuitions until my first year of articleship. I didn’t even know the subjects of CA Finals at that point. I began my tuitions after the first year but made sure to revise the topics regularly. It’s crucial to complete your tuitions before study leave, which provides ample time for self-study. I took tuitions for four subjects and self-studied for the remaining four.
Interviewer: According to you, what’s the key to passing the CA exam?
Abhay: There are several factors, but self-confidence is paramount. Hard work is the only way forward. You may face moments of demotivation, but it’s essential to bolster your self-confidence and believe in your capabilities.
Interviewer: Did you encounter challenges on this journey, and how did you tackle them?
Abhay: During my articleship at a Big 4 firm, I had outstation audits, and my mother was unwell. During the preparation leave, revising theory subjects like Law & Audit was tough. Even after completing the syllabus, there were times when I couldn’t recall information. To overcome these challenges, I maintained a calendar, marking daily goals for hours of study. It kept me motivated and on track.
Interviewer: What was your strategy for the CA Finals?
Abhay: During my second year of articleship, I distanced myself from social media and woke up early to pre-plan my day for efficient studying.
Interviewer: How did you unwind?
Abhay: I took short breaks during the evening, went for a walk on my terrace, listened to music, and often hummed while studying.
Interviewer: Your favorite and most challenging subjects?
Abhay: I enjoyed studying Strategic Cost Management and Strategic Financial Management due to my interest in finance. On the other hand, Law and Audit were challenging, and I devoted substantial time to these subjects to ensure success.
Interviewer: How did you manage your time during the 3-hour exam?
Abhay: I focused on managing the syllabus well before the exams, ensuring I had time for revision. The 15 minutes before writing the exam are crucial. I devised a strategy to tackle questions I was confident about first and left uncertain ones for later.
Interviewer: What’s your approach to MCQ papers?
Abhay: MCQs can be tricky, so I tackled them first within 30-35 minutes before moving to descriptive questions.
Interviewer: Is following the institute’s material and RTPs enough, or should students explore additional resources?
Abhay: Thorough knowledge of the institute’s materials is essential. I followed the RTPs, MTPs, and study materials because most of the question paper is based on the institute’s material. It’s crucial to be well-acquainted with them.
Interviewer: Did you attempt mock test papers?
Abhay: I didn’t write mock papers, but I went through them. Time constraints didn’t permit me to attempt them.
Interviewer: Did you prepare notes for your exams?
Abhay: Yes, I prepared notes for subjects like SFM and FR, where there were lengthy topics that I summarized for quick reference.
Interviewer: Any message for the CA community?
Abhay: As I’ve said before, self-belief is key. The CA journey presents challenges, but with unwavering self-belief, you can overcome them.
Interviewer: Thank you, Abhay, for this insightful conversation, and once again, congratulations from the entire team.
Abhay: Thank you so much.
