The Common Proficiency Test (CPT), an entry level examination for Chartered Accountancy Course, comprises of a test of four subjects i.e. Accounting, General Economics, Mercantile Laws and Quantitative Aptitude. This exam is of 200 marks and this test can be divided into two sessions of two hours each.

• This is a simplified way to the course of Chartered Accountancy
• CPT exam will replace existing professional education (Course – I) that requires 10-month study period followed by an exhaustive theoretical examination
• This entrance exam is an objective type test to be held every February, May, August and November. It will reduce long waiting for entry to the chartered accountancy education and training.

For appearing in this exam, an individual has to register himself for the CPT course with the board of studies i.e. the Institute of Chartered Accountancy two months before the examination. An applicant can give this exam by two ways i.e. the traditional paper-pencil mode and the online mode. Moreover, a student can also obtain the application and information brochure from the additional secretary (examinations), ICAI, ICAI Bhawan, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi-110002, on the payment of form fee. They can also get from the regional and branch offices of the institute. Furthermore, an individual can also fill form online from its website and can remit the fee online by using a credit card.

Eligibility Criteria
An individual, who has passed 12th standard, can register for the CPT course. In fact, an individual can also do it along with 10+2. The students, who have higher qualifications like BA, MA, MBA etc., also have to crack the CPT exam to join the CA course.

Entrance Examination
As we know that this exam can be given in two ways i.e. the traditional paper-pencil mode and the online mode. The traditional paper-pencil mode of exam is conducted in every year June and December and on the other hand, the online registration mode of examination in the months of March, April, May and December of every year.

Exam Pattern
This entrance exam includes objective type questions that is conducted into two sessions. There is also negative marking for every wrong answer. In the morning session, there are two papers i.e. fundamentals of accounting and mercantile laws. The allotted marks are 60 and 40 respectively. The afternoon session also has two papers i.e. general economics and quantitative aptitude and the marks allotted for this is 50 marks each. The medium for Online CPT exam is English but for the paper-pencil mode. So an applicant can select the medium of exam between Hindi and English. To clear the CPT exam, one has to achieve 50% marks in all the papers together.