- Are you not getting success after so many failed attempts in CA? How to overcome failure in CA final exam? How should I deal with it and overcome the fear of failure? Questions like this hit almost every CA student’s mind.
- Hi! I am Sumit Dawar a qualified Chartered Accountant from ICAI (India). My CA journey started in 2004 after I completed my 12th standard and continued till 2014 when I finally qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
- Most students slip into depression, give up on education or their dreams, or take some extreme step after facing failure – But NOT ME.
- Here is my journey of how I failed 8 times before finally clearing the exams..and was all this worth it?
Overcoming Failure and Achieving Success After 8 Failed Attempts
Growing up I was very good academically. When it was time to decide on a career I chose to pursue Chartered Accountancy from ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India).
To become a CA from ICAI, you have to clear 3 level of exams and 3 years of articleship. The three levels are:
- CPT (1s level CA exam): I cleared in the first attempt. This is usually MCQ based and quite easy.
- IPCC (2nd level CA exam): I cleared in the first attempt as well. IPCC consists of two groups – Group 1 & Group 2. Each group consists of different subjects. In total 7-8 subjects like Accounting, Audit, Tax, etc.
- CA Final: This took me 8 attempts to clear, yes EIGHT ATTEMPTS.
I cleared CPT and IPCC exams (aka PE-1 & PE-2 back then) in one go, completed my 3 years of articles and just had one more exam – CA Final to become a Chartered Accountant.
Unfortunately, I kept failing these exams. Well, it obviously wasn’t easy for me emotionally and mentally. After all, I was a topper in my school and suddenly failing so many times created so much of self-doubt.
Every time when I attended a family function, everyone used to ask me the same question – ‘BETA CA HO GAYI’. They looked at me with those eyes of being lazy or being dumb. Some of them would indirectly tell me that I was not giving my best.
What they did not know is that I was studying really hard for 3 months before every attempt and was always short of 1 or 2 marks to pass the exam. I suffered several health issues due to stress. My parents were super supportive and suggested that I should quit CA. But something in me wanted to complete it and being the son of a Defence Personnel, I could not think of giving up!
There were days when I felt like quitting CA. However, the fact that I cleared CPT and IPCC exams in one go, completed my 3 years of articles and just had one more exam, I kept chasing CA with the HOPE that this attempt might be my last attempt!
Finally, after 8 attempts I cleared my CA Final exams and became a qualified Chartered Accountant in 2014.
“Was all the struggle worth it?”
Yes and No!
When I think of it now I could have probably chosen an alternate to CA from ICAI and still gone ahead with my goal of being a successful financial professional. But back then all I wanted was ‘to overcome the fear of failure and persist’, so I kept pursuing CA.
However, those years when I kept failing and kept giving my exams made life very difficult for me (and my family), maybe I should have pursued CPA or ACCA instead of struggling so much. But no complaints – CA has made me very STRONG.
What did CA give me apart from the two words ‘CA’? CA has given me the COURAGE to overcome the fear of failure. CA has TAUGHT ME that luck also matters but luck will be in your favor ONLY if you continue working hard because in the journey of success there are no shortcuts. In the end, I want to be known as a man who never failed because I never accepted my failures.
Also Read
“My Advice On How to Overcome Fear of Failure and Pass CA Final Exams.”
The most important thing – Work on your mind. Sometimes mental blockages could cause repeated failure.
You should know what you want from your life. If pursuing Chartered Accountancy is the means to ACHIEVE YOUR MAIN GOAL then chase CA else chase what leads you to your goal. Following this route, you will achieve what you want in life easier and faster.
If you are struggling with CA exams and your main goal is to move to another country/work in a Big 4 Accounting firm then you can consider CPA(US), CPA(AUS), ACCA or even do some specialized courses. There is no point in getting depressed and stuck. So your aim should be on your GOAL. Do whatever it takes to reach your end goal.
Moreover, when you get registered in a CA firm sometimes you have to deal with the same clients for 3 years during your articles (Bank audits in my case) because of which I got very less exposure in taxation. So my suggestion is to always SEEK AND ASK for a variety from Audit to Taxation to everything during your articleship period so one gets an overall exposure.
Wrapping it Up…
If pursuing Chartered Accountancy is the means to ACHIEVE YOUR MAIN GOAL then chase CA else chase what leads you to your goal. Following this route, you will achieve what you want in life easier and faster.
Today I have my own CA firm, I travel around and currently working on my travel blog. I discovered my love for traveling during my articleship, so that’s a big thank you to CA. After every failed attempt I would take a short trip and discover the real me.
Now It’s Your Turn…
Have you faced any struggle in your CA? After how many failed attempts you achieved success?
What was your study plan for the CA final exams? Or do you want to share some tips to pass the CA exams?
Drop your views in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you.
You can connect to Sumit on Facebook at – Sumit Dawar.
(Image edited by Ankit Lodhi)
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sir, I am highly inspired by your story. I want to take advice from you. how to connect with you
Hi Sushobit ! I replied to you on WhatsApp yesterday and I tried calling you. You already have my contact no., always feel free to call u anytime.
Thanks.
Hi I am 30 year old and working as account executive from last 6 year.. I want to CA is is it possible to do CA at this age. I am not good at my 10th & 12th… or should I go for some other professional degree. ?? please help
It is never too late Rajiv!!!! You should pursue CA or even CPA. CA has more value in India and sicne you are already a working Accountant it will add immense value.
You will directly have to give only IPCC and CA Finals. And you can start your articles immediately.
http://www.thefinancestory.com/how-pass-ca-exams-working-full-time-job/
http://www.thefinancestory.com/pursue-chartered-accountancy-at-the-age-of-48/
In my opinion, go for it!!!
My husband is encourage me to do CA , but I am doing Ph.D but I like to do CA ,but I can’t quit job also please give any suggestions
This amazing Rajini. I would recommend you to connect to Rohit. Here is his article. He worked full time and cleared his CA. http://www.thefinancestory.com/pass-ca-while-working-ca-rohit/ Hope this helps. You can comment on his article and he will connect to you.
If you want my opinion – Are you still doing Ph.D? Won’t it be difficult to manager CA studies plus Ph.D along with work? In fact, you can connect to S K Ganguli Sir he is a CA and Ph.D. http://www.thefinancestory.com/inspirational-ca-story-ca-sk-ganguli/
Again comment on the article and he will get back to you.
If you need anything else do let us know.
Dear sir,
I am very inspired by you.
I want your advice. How can i contact you ?
You can connect to him on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sumit.dawar
Thanks
Sir …it’s like I’m determined of not accepting failure….but in this journey we loose our confidence….ppl drag u down…how can I forget all this and get back to my goal..??
I suggest you to not listen to what people say and focus on your goal. Make a time table and give time to all subjects on daily basis. Practice more questions and work on your presentation skills. All the best for your future.
Sir, I am Kiran Kumar Reddy. I quit CA in 2013 due to financial difficulties as it is very long and also societal pressure. Then I concentrated on the competitive field and got selected for APPSC group 4 state govt employee in 2014.
Later I got married in 2017 and I have one child.
I feel very guilty about quitting CA. I am not able to study by myself as I am a maths background student. I cleared CPT in my 1st attempt with 75%. I attempted ipcc in 2013 nov group 1 scored 194.failed.(took coaching) with an exemption in law 61 marks, thereafter as I said I deviated.
My goal is to complete CA and go abroad for some days and return to start practice my own.
I want to be a good role model /hero for my son by achieving my dream. I want to start where I failed to satisfy my soul.
I am very serious sir thank you. Any tips and guidance.
Hi, I am kshitija kubal, I am 23 years old, i started persuing CS after my graduation in b.com, i have always been very average in studies, i got direct entry for CS executive exam(i.e. level 2) as i was a graduate. Its been 3 attempts and i haven’t cleard executive level yet. I really wanted to be a practicing CS but,
I am worried that by the time i complete the course i would cross an age of 25, and still won’t get paid enough to support my family, maybe cause i am too old already, or cause of my failed attemts. My fears is. I dont want to waste 2-3 years more of my life to find out it was not worth it as the money earned is not enough to have a lifestyle i wanted. Or for the worse i may never clear the exam.
Like sir sumit dawar, even i am passionate for traveling… And after every failed attemt i also take small trips to get my head clear. Infact I was thinking of starting a youtube travel channel. And always wondered if a CS could take out enough time for traveling.
I am sorry, i know my comment is too long, but i really need some direction, please do reply.
Thank you. Your story was amazing, i felt good after reading it!
Kshitija, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
First of all your only 23 and another 2 years won’t make you old.
Now I have questions for you:
1. Do you know WHY you are doing CS? Like you said you want to start a practice, but do you know why exactly.
2. Have you analysed WHY you are not clearing. There has to be some mistakes that your making. I suggest why don’t you sit with a CS friend who has cleared CS and take some guidance. Have you written mock papers and seen what’s not going correctly?
Now surely you can start a youtube channel but what next? STarting a youtube channel will not make you a living immediately. It takes a while at least 2 years and that too if you are very good. So follow your passion along with your studies and work. That makes a lot more sense. So do start your youtube channel but along with your work/studies.
I would suggest if you are simply getting stuck and not passing the exams but passionate about CS then continue with it. Else pursue some other certification course. CS has great scope as well.
Why not start working and do a few certification courses.
You will have to use a trial and error method to figure out what you want. BUt keep working in a related field.
Also even if you become a CS at the age of 25 or even 26 that’s not old. Just gain lots of work experience. Give work experience equal importance and do other diploma courses or certification courses around your area of interest.
This is my opinion. Thanks
Thank you ma’am for your valuable reply.
Yeah even i think it would be right to start a Youtube channel along with my studies.
Coming to your questions. Why i wanted to do CS is bcoz it is very appealing to me, this course has a lot of respect and status in the society. Cs is amongst the key managerial persons, comes under the top management of the company. And i think i am interested in the kind of work profile CS has. Also i wont say i am in love with the subjects.. but i kind of like them, (except 1 or 2 which is fine)
Now what mistakes i am making. I am struggling with time management. I am able to finish my portion just in time, but i am left with no time for revision. Which is very very important for me.
Say i am giving December attempt. I have total of 8 subjects and only 6 months in hand. I am finding it very difficult to manage.
And so i am worried if i take so many attempts may be no one will hire me or will hire for a really low pay scale. To start my own practice i would 1st need to gain a little experience i some company.
I am glad you replied. Thank you ?
Thank You Kshitija and I happy to guide you. Why not seek help from someone who cleared CS in the first attempt?
Write papers and monitor yourself.
Most of all work on training your mind that you can do it. If others can why won’t you.
Give your best and give it one last shot.
Also I would suggest gain as much experience as you can while still studying.
Try gaining experience in big CS firms.
Would you want me to connect you to a senior professional CS who has her own practice and who can guide you?
If yes pls let me know.
Hi, Email me at cachantelle@gmail.com I will connect you to a CS who has a successful CS practice. May be connecting to the right person could help you get a better perspective. Thank You
Thank you so much ma’am i will contact you ASAP.
Sure Kshitija. Happy to help.
Sir, had you given all those 8 attempts or skipped some?
Hi hope all is well. I am very inspired by all your journeys. I am doing my final year in Bcom Accounting but this year iam really struggling with MAF. I need advice on how to really get the hang of it because if I dont find help i might regret it. My dream is to become a CA one day but i get discouraged because of my age (33yrs) and already married with 2 kids I dont have enough time to myself to really really get down to studying.Please help on any advice id really appreaciate it.
Hi..so glad your determined to pursue CA.
How about reading this article. http://www.thefinancestory.com/pursue-chartered-accountancy-at-the-age-of-48/
If you wish I can connect you to her.
Thank you for this blog, it’s so inspiring to read about people you can relate to. I received my results on Friday and was notified that I failed APC (final board exam) for the 2nd time, it was the worst thing ever.
Repeated failure is something I could never wish for anyone, my body has been physically painful ever since. I went to work on Monday and had to drive out during lunch just so that I could cry. I keep on telling myself that it will get better I just need to go to work until I eventually heal but today I couldn’t,I’m off sick and I’m just trying to recover. I’ll go back tomorrow, I’m aware that I can’t avoid this I need to face it it’s just so painful. I gave it my all last year I really did I told myself that I’d work 2 times harder than I did the first time and I did that but now I’ve got nothing to show for it.
I’m the only one who hasn’t qualified amongst my friends both from work and university. I know our journeys are different we all won’t qualify at the same time but wow it’s devastating. It’s ever harder if you are a higher achiever at work, you are known and much more is expected from you, when such things happen even the people who trusted you start doubting your capabilities and your performance score is reduced.
I know I’ll eventually qualify, I just need to carry on for now and survive the pain, humiliation, being felt sorry for,given advice you don’t need and being told to do things you’re already doing in the exam.
I hope one day I’ll also share my story which will be inspiring and encouraging to others. For now this is how I feel, I feel hopeless.
I am facing similar issues, it’s gonna be my 6th attempt this Nov 20. Currently I don’t even know if it’s worth it or not. I too was my school topper, cleared CPT and IPCC in one go, but now after repeatedly failing in my final exams, I have lost all my confidence. I just don’t think I’m capable enough. But now the ultimate question, “if not this, then what?”. Every 2-3 days, I have to face my anxiety, after completing my course once I’m still not confident. The major issue right now is how to keep yourself motivated all the time. I know I’m not capable enough to go for practice, so job is the only option for me and with increasing no of attempts, I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to get one. I really don’t know how to handle all this. Can u please help me out