How to Manage Long Articleship Hours and Still Prepare for Exams

Every CA student knows that articleship is a very important part of your journey. It gives you real-world experience, but at the same time, it takes up a lot of your time and energy. Many students face a big problem – how to balance long working hours in articleship and still prepare well for exams. If you are also struggling with this, you are not alone. Thousands of CA students feel the same way.

This guide will give you simple, practical and proven methods to manage your time better, reduce stress, and make sure you prepare well for exams even with long articleship hours.

Why Balancing Articleship and Exams is Hard

Before we talk about solutions, let’s first understand the challenges:

• Long office hours: Sometimes you have to work 8–10 hours daily.
• Travelling: Commuting to office takes away 1–3 hours for many students.
• Tiredness: After working all day, you feel too exhausted to study.
• Work pressure: Deadlines, audits, and assignments leave you stressed.
• Exam pressure: On top of this, exams need focus, revision, and practice.

All these make it tough to balance. But remember – many students have managed this successfully, and you can too.

Step 1: Plan Your Day Smartly

Time management is the key. Here are some tips:

• Wake up early: Use the morning time before office for studies. Your mind is fresh and free from office tension.
• Make a daily timetable: Write down what subject or topic you will cover each day. Stick to it as much as possible.
• Use small pockets of time: Even 15–20 minutes during lunch break or travel can be used for revising notes or listening to recorded lectures.
• Focus on quality, not quantity: 2 focused hours of study are better than 4 distracted hours.

Step 2: Prioritise Your Subjects

You cannot give equal time to everything when you are short on time. Learn to prioritise:

• Focus more on tough subjects where you are weak.
• Revise important chapters that carry more marks.
• Keep small but regular time for practical subjects like Accounts, Audit, Tax.
• Use weekends for theory subjects like Law and ISCA (for CA Final).

Step 3: Use Smart Study Techniques

Here are some methods that can save time and improve your preparation:

• Make short notes: Write down formulas, sections, and key points. Revise them often.
• Use charts and flow diagrams: Visual learning is faster and easier to recall in exams.
• Practice past year papers and mock tests: This improves speed and confidence.
• Use memory tricks (mnemonics) for theory subjects.

Step 4: Talk to Your Principal/Employer

Many students hesitate to talk to their CA principal about exam preparation. But remember, principals were once students too. Most of them understand your problem.

• Request for study leave before exams.
• Inform them politely about important revision times.
• In case of extreme work pressure, ask if some flexibility is possible.

Step 5: Stay Consistent

The biggest mistake students make is studying only on weekends or only close to exams. Instead:

• Study daily, even if for 1–2 hours.
• Revise regularly to keep topics fresh.
• Don’t leave revision for the last 1 month.

Consistency is more important than the total number of hours.

Step 6: Take Care of Your Health

Long hours in office plus studies can make you tired and stressed. Keep your health a priority:

• Sleep at least 6–7 hours daily.
• Eat light but healthy food. Avoid junk during study time.
• Do light exercise or yoga to reduce stress.
• Take short breaks while studying to stay fresh.

Step 7: Use Technology Wisely

Your phone can either waste your time or save your time:

• Use apps for making notes, reminders, and revision flashcards.
• Listen to recorded lectures during travel.
• Avoid wasting time on social media and unnecessary videos.

Step 8: Learn from Other CA Students

Talk to your seniors or friends who have already passed. Ask them how they managed long articleship hours and exam preparation. You will get many practical tips and motivation.

Example Study Routine for CA Students

Here’s a sample routine you can follow (adjust as per your needs):

Monday–Friday (Working Days)

• Morning: 2 hours (fresh study of new topics)
• Lunch/Travel: Revise notes or watch short video lectures
• Evening: 1–1.5 hours (revision or practice questions)

Saturday–Sunday (Weekend)

• Morning: 3–4 hours (focus on tough subjects)
• Afternoon: 2–3 hours (mock tests or past papers)
• Evening: Relax + 1 hour light revision

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting for exam leave to start studying – start early.
• Trying to study all night after office – this leads to burnout.
• Not making a proper plan – without planning, time gets wasted.
• Ignoring health – sickness before exams can ruin your efforts.

Motivation – Why You Must Not Give Up

Remember – you are not alone. Every CA student goes through this phase. Yes, it feels tough now, but this is temporary. Once you become a Chartered Accountant, all the struggles will look small compared to the success you achieve.

Articleship teaches you discipline, time management, and practical skills. Exam preparation builds your knowledge. Together, they make you a strong professional.

FAQs

Q1. Can I clear exams with just 2–3 hours of daily study during articleship?
Yes, if you use that time smartly and study consistently. Quality matters more than quantity.

Q2. How many months before exams should I start serious preparation?
At least 6–8 months before exams. In the last 3 months, increase your study hours with study leave.

Q3. Is it okay to skip some chapters due to lack of time?
Yes, but only less important ones. Focus on high-weightage chapters and ensure your basics are strong.

Q4. What if my principal doesn’t give me proper study leave?
Talk to them politely. If not possible, plan your studies much earlier so you are ready before exam leave.

Q5. How to manage stress while balancing articleship and exams?
Take short breaks, sleep well, and practice breathing exercises or yoga. Also, remind yourself that this is a temporary struggle.

Conclusion

Managing long articleship hours and preparing for exams is surely challenging, but not impossible. With smart planning, consistent efforts, and the right mindset, you can succeed. Make the best use of your mornings, weekends, and small time slots during the day. Stay disciplined, avoid distractions, and take care of your health.

Remember, every successful CA today has gone through this phase. If they could do it, you can too. Believe in yourself and keep going – your hard work will pay off.