How Many Mock Tests Should You Write Before CA Exams?

When you prepare for CA exams, one question always comes to your mind: How many mock tests should I write before the exam? Some students say five is enough, others say ten, and some even say twenty. But the real answer is not about the number alone. It is about quality, consistency, and analysis.

In this guide, you will learn how many mock tests are good for you, why they are important, and how to use them in the best way.

What Are Mock Tests?

Mock tests are practice exams that look exactly like the real CA exam. They follow the same format, time limit, and difficulty level. When you write a mock test, you get the same feeling as sitting in the real exam hall.

Mock tests are not only for practice. They are tools that:

• Show your strengths and weaknesses.
• Train you in time management.
• Build your exam stamina.
• Reduce your fear and stress before the final exam.

Why Mock Tests Are Important for CA Exams

CA exams are long, tough, and full of pressure. If you only study theory without practice, you may not perform well in the real exam. Mock tests prepare you in the following ways:

1. Time Management – You learn how to divide 3 hours properly for all questions.
2. Speed and Accuracy – You practise writing fast without making silly mistakes.
3. Exam Pressure – By writing many mocks, you stop feeling nervous.
4. Self-Evaluation – You understand where you are strong and where you are weak.
5. Revision – Mocks force you to revise again and again.

How Many Mock Tests Should You Write?

This is the main question. There is no fixed number because it depends on your preparation level, time available, and confidence. But based on experience of many CA students and teachers, here is a simple rule:

For CA Foundation

• Write 6–8 full mock tests before the exam.
• Each subject should have at least 2 mocks.
• Do chapter-wise mini tests after finishing each chapter.

For CA Intermediate

• Write 8–10 full mock tests before the exam.
• Each subject should have 2 full mocks.
• Add topic-wise or section-wise tests in between.

For CA Final

• Write 10–12 full mock tests before the exam.
• For practical subjects like Accounts, SFM, and FR – write more practice papers.
• For theory subjects like Law and Audit – focus on answer presentation and case studies.

In simple words:

• Foundation – 6 to 8 mocks
• Intermediate – 8 to 10 mocks
• Final – 10 to 12 mocks

This much is more than enough if you use them wisely.

When Should You Start Writing Mock Tests?

Many students delay mocks until the last month. This is a mistake. If you want real benefit, follow this timeline:

• 3 months before exam – Start with chapter-wise mini tests.
• 2 months before exam – Write one full mock every 10–12 days.
• 1 month before exam – Write 2–3 mocks per week.
• Last 7–10 days – Focus more on revision. Write only 1 or 2 mocks to keep yourself in practice.

How to Use Mock Tests Effectively

Mock tests are not useful if you only write them and forget. The real magic happens in analysis. After every mock:

1. Check Your Mistakes – See where you lost marks.
2. Find Weak Areas – Which chapters or topics you are struggling with?
3. Work on Presentation – Did you write answers in a clear and neat way?
4. Improve Time Management – Did you complete the paper on time?
5. Track Progress – Compare scores of different mocks.

Common Mistakes Students Make With Mock Tests

Many CA students waste the value of mock tests because of these mistakes:

• Not taking them seriously – Writing mocks without exam-like conditions.
• Writing too many mocks – Spending all time on practice, less on revision.
• Not analysing mistakes – Ignoring where they lost marks.
• Copying answers from notes – Cheating during mocks reduces the real benefit.
• Focusing only on marks – Instead of improvement, they only care about scores.

Remember: Mocks are not about how much you score. They are about how much you learn.

How to Create Your Own Mock Test Plan

Here’s a simple mock test plan you can follow:

Step 1: Fix Number of Mocks

• Foundation: 6–8
• Intermediate: 8–10
• Final: 10–12

Step 2: Schedule Them

• 1 mock every 10–12 days in starting.
• 2–3 mocks per week in last month.

Step 3: Write in Exam Conditions

• Sit in a quiet room.
• Use only 3 hours.
• Don’t use books in between.

Step 4: Analyse

• Give 2 hours after every mock only for analysis.
• Write mistakes in a separate notebook.
• Revise those chapters again.

Should You Join ICAI Mock Test Series?

Yes, ICAI mock tests are very useful because:

• They follow the exact exam pattern.
• Papers are prepared by ICAI examiners.
• You get official solutions for self-checking.
• You learn the real standard of exam questions.

You can also join private mock test series if you need extra practice. But even if you don’t, ICAI’s own tests are enough.

Expert Tips for Using Mock Tests in CA Preparation

• Treat every mock as the real exam.
• Focus more on mistakes than marks.
• Revise weak topics immediately.
• Don’t overload mocks in the last week.
• Track progress in a notebook or Excel sheet.

FAQs

Q1. Is writing 20 mock tests necessary?
No, it is not necessary. Writing 6–12 mocks is enough if you analyse properly. Writing 20 mocks without analysis is a waste of time.

Q2. Can I pass CA exams without writing mock tests?
It is possible, but very risky. Without mocks, you may struggle with time management and exam pressure.

Q3. Should I write one mock every day?
No. Writing one mock daily will leave no time for revision. Balance both.

Q4. How to score better in mocks?
Analyse mistakes, revise weak areas, and improve presentation. Don’t aim for perfection in the first few mocks.

Conclusion

So, how many mock tests should you write before CA exams? The answer is simple:

• CA Foundation – 6 to 8
• CA Intermediate – 8 to 10
• CA Final – 10 to 12

But remember, the number is not the only thing. What matters more is how seriously you take them, how well you analyse mistakes, and how much you improve after each test.

If you follow this approach, mock tests will become your biggest strength and will boost your confidence before exams.