Time Management Tips That Actually Work.
Preparing for CA or CMA exams while juggling college, articleship, or work can feel overwhelming. The syllabus is vast, the competition is tough, and time always seems to run out. But here’s the truth: it’s not about studying harder, it’s about studying smarter.
At Rachith Academy, we have seen students crack CA and CMA exams, not because they studied 16 hours a day, but because they had the right study schedule and time management strategy.
Let’s break down how you can create a study plan that actually works.
Why Most Study Schedules Fail
Before we dive into solutions, let’s understand why students struggle:
- Unrealistic goals: Planning to study 12 hours daily when you have college/work
- No flexibility: Life happens—rigid schedules break easily
- Ignoring weak subjects: Focusing only on topics you enjoy
- No revision time: Learning new topics but forgetting old ones
- Burnout: Pushing too hard without breaks
The key is balance, consistency, and smart planning.
Step 1: Know Your Exam Timeline
Different CA/CMA levels need different approaches:
CA Foundation: 4-6 months of focused preparation
CA Intermediate/CMA Inter: 6-8 months recommended
CA Final/CMA Final: 8-12 months with articleship/work
Calculate backward from your exam date. This gives you a clear deadline for each subject.
Step 2: Create Your Realistic Weekly Schedule
Sample Schedule for Working Students/Articleship:
Monday to Friday:
- Early morning: 2 hours (5:30 AM – 7:30 AM)
- Evening: 2-3 hours (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
- Total: 4-5 hours/day
Saturday:
- Morning: 3 hours
- Afternoon: 2 hours (after break)
- Evening: 3 hours
- Total: 8 hours
Sunday:
- Morning: 4 hours
- Evening: 4 hours
- Total: 8 hours
Weekly Total: 36-40 hours of quality study time
Sample Schedule for Full-Time Students:
- Morning: 4 hours (6:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
- Afternoon: 3 hours (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Evening: 2 hours (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Total: 9 hours/day
Weekly Total: 55-60 hours
Step 3: Subject-Wise Time Allocation
Don’t give equal time to all subjects. Prioritize based on:
High weightage + Weak areas = Maximum time
For CA Intermediate (Example):
- Accounts (Advanced): 30% of study time
- Taxation: 25%
- Costing & FM: 20%
- Law & Audit: 15%
- EIS-SM: 10%
For CMA Intermediate (Example):
- Cost Accounting: 30%
- Financial Management: 25%
- Taxation: 20%
- Laws & Ethics: 15%
- Operational Management: 10%
Adjust based on your strengths and weaknesses.
Step 4: The 60-30-10 Rule
This is a game-changer strategy taught at Rachith Academy:
60% time: Learning new concepts + Practice
30% time: Revision of completed topics
10% time: Mock tests & question practice
Many students make the mistake of only focusing on new topics. Regular revision is what makes concepts stick.
Step 5: Daily Study Plan Structure
Morning Session (High Focus Time):
- Tackle difficult subjects (Accounts, Costing, FM)
- Learn new concepts
- Solve numerical problems
Afternoon Session (Moderate Focus):
- Theory subjects (Law, Audit, Ethics)
- Read and make notes
- Memorization tasks
Evening Session (Revision Time):
- Quick revision of the day’s topics
- Previous topic review
- Practice questions
Ready to create your winning study schedule?
Contact Rachith Academy Today
+91 77082 88878
+91 94890 11229
Location: #79 A Umapathi Towers 6th Street
Lakshmipuram Opp to SBS Grand Hotel
Masakalipalayam Main Road
Coimbatore – 641004
Let’s make your CA/CMA dream a reality together!
