CA Inter Paper 6: FM & SM exam-day guide
CA Inter Paper 6: FM & SM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admit card / hall ticket
Carry a printed copy of the admit card issued for Paper 6 (Financial Management & Strategic Management). Verify the exam centre address and reporting time printed on it the day before, since centres are sometimes changed. If you have not received it, download it from the student portal and confirm the procedure with the provider.
Photo ID as prescribed
Bring the original government photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence) that matches the name on your admit card. Do not rely on a photocopy or a soft copy on your phone. Confirm the exact list of accepted IDs with the provider.
Recent passport photographs
Keep two or three spare passport-size photographs in the same size and specification used on your registration form, in case the invigilator requires one for the attendance sheet.
Blue/black ballpoint pens (two or three)
Carry spare pens of a permitted colour. Confirm with the provider whether the paper is written in ink or answered in an online test environment before deciding what stationery to carry.
Simple calculator
FM questions involve NPV, WACC, ratios, working capital and leverage. Carry a non-programmable calculator with working batteries. Check the provider's permitted-device list; programmable or graphing calculators are normally disallowed.
Transparent pouch or small clear bag
Keep admit card, ID, pens, calculator and photographs in one transparent pouch so nothing is misplaced at the security check or left behind at the desk.
Analog or simple wristwatch
Many halls have no visible clock and phones are not allowed at the desk. A basic non-smart watch helps you allocate time across FM and SM sections; confirm whether watches are permitted at your centre.
Water bottle and light snack
A clear, label-free water bottle is usually allowed; a snack may be kept outside the hall for the break. Confirm the centre's policy on food and water before relying on it.
Revisit the FM formula sheet
Read your own one-page summary of NPV/IRR, cost of capital, CAPM, leverage, working capital cycle and ratio formulas. Do not learn new formulas on exam day; consolidate what you already know.
Revisit SM framework headings
Skim the chapter headings and key models (strategic analysis, SWOT/TOWS, Porter, BCG, value chain, strategy implementation and control) so that you can structure case-based answers quickly.
Plan travel and reporting time
Reach the centre well before the reporting time printed on the admit card; late entry is often refused. Check the route and local transport in advance and keep buffer time for traffic.
Confirm exam-mode and paper-specific instructions
Confirm with the provider whether Paper 6 is descriptive, objective or a mix, the total duration, and whether FM and SM are attempted in one sitting or separate parts. Do not assume based on another attempt or another paper.
Plan the day
Stop starting new chapters. Build a one-page formula sheet for FM and a one-page model list for SM from your own notes, then solve at least one full-length mock or past-pattern paper under timed conditions. Mark every question you left blank and note whether the cause was time, concept or calculation error.
Do a targeted repair pass on the weakest two FM areas (commonly cost of capital/leverage or capital budgeting) and the weakest two SM areas. For FM, redo numerical problems by hand without looking at solutions. For SM, practise writing a short structured answer with headings, definition, application to the case and conclusion.
Revise only your formula sheet, model list and error log. Do not attempt a fresh full mock. Pack the transparent pouch with admit card, ID, photographs, pens, calculator and watch. Confirm the centre location, reporting time and travel plan, and check the calculator battery. Sleep at your normal time rather than staying up late.
Eat a normal meal, carry water, and read only your formula sheet and SM headings for 20-30 minutes. Leave with enough buffer to arrive early. At the centre, follow the security and ID check, locate your seat, and keep only permitted items at the desk.
Read the instructions and the full question paper before writing. Note the marks per question and any internal choice. Decide how many FM and SM questions you will attempt and roughly how many minutes each deserves, leaving 10-15 minutes for review.
Attempt numerical questions you are confident about first, showing formula, working notes and final answer clearly, since method marks are usually available. If a calculation stalls, move on and return later. Keep units and rounding consistent and state assumptions explicitly.
For case-based SM questions, use a short structure: identify the issue, apply the relevant concept or model, analyse with points from the case, and give a recommendation. Write in crisp bullet points where the question asks for discussion, and manage length so that no single answer consumes the time needed for the rest.
Check that question numbers match the answers, that no question is left unmarked, and that working notes are legible. Complete the attendance/signature formalities and ensure you leave with your admit card and ID.
Rules to check
Carry only the original admit card and the prescribed original photo ID; entry is normally refused without them, and the name and photograph must match your registration. Confirm the accepted ID list with the provider.
Electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth earbuds and programmable calculators are generally not allowed inside the hall. Switch off and deposit them as directed; do not keep a phone in your pocket.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, question paper handling and answer-book or login details. Do not begin writing or start the test before the signal, and stop immediately when time is called.
Any unfair means, communication with other candidates, carrying unauthorised notes or impersonation is treated as misconduct and can lead to cancellation of the paper and further action. Keep your desk clear except for permitted items.
Write your roll number and other identification details exactly as instructed on every answer book or answer sheet, and complete the attendance signature. Unmarked or mismatched identification can delay or invalidate evaluation.
Scoring is based on the answer key and marking scheme; show workings and formulae for numerical FM answers because step marks are commonly awarded, and address the specific requirement of each SM question rather than writing general theory.
Confirm with the provider the rules on breaks, water, restroom visits, leaving the hall early and carrying the question paper out; these vary by centre and attempt, so do not assume from a previous exam.
If you believe a question is defective or a technical problem occurs in an online test, raise it immediately with the invigilator and follow the documented reporting process; do not attempt to resolve it silently.