The CA Foundation exam consists of four papers, and candidates are required to score a minimum passing mark in each paper and an aggregate passing mark in all papers combined to clear the exam.
The passing marks criteria for the CA Foundation exam are set by the ICAI and are subject to change based on various factors which are crucial for candidates aspiring to become Chartered Accountants in India.
Are you also planning to give the CA Foundation in the near future and are not aware of the CA Foundation paper pattern for passing the level? Then, we are here to solve your query. Through this article, you will get to know about the CA Foundation passing marks required to clear the exam and more. Keep reading!
What Is CA Passing Marks?
The passing marks for the CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final exams are as follows:
- CA Foundation: A candidate must attain a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and an aggregate of 50% marks in all papers to pass the exam.
- CA Intermediate and CA Final: A candidate must attain a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and an aggregate of 50% marks in all papers of the group together to pass the exam.
Note: In addition to the above passing marks criteria, a candidate must also score a minimum of 50 marks out of 100 in each paper to be declared as a pass in each level of the CA exams.
CA Foundation Passing Marks in Each Subject
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has set the passing marks for the CA Foundation exam as follows:
- A minimum of 40% marks in each individual subject
- An aggregate of 50% marks in all subjects combined
This means that to pass the CA Foundation exam, a candidate must obtain at least 40 marks out of 100 in each subject and an overall score of 200 out of 400 across all subjects.
CA Foundation Passing Percentage
The passing percentage for the CA Foundation exam varies from one attempt to another and is based on various factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of candidates appearing for the exam, etc.
Below is the passing percentage of the last four CA Foundation attempts:
December 2022
| Gender | No. of Candidates appeared | No. of Candidates passed | Pass Percentage |
| Male | 68294 | 20195 | 29.57% |
| Female | 57721 | 16669 | 28.88% |
| Total | 126015 | 36864 | 29.25% |
June 2022
| Gender | No. of Candidates appeared | No. of Candidates passed | Pass Percentage |
| Male | 51111 | 13043 | 25.52% |
| Female | 42618 | 10650 | 24.99% |
| Total | 93729 | 23693 | 25.28% |
December 2021
| Gender | No. of Candidates appeared | No. of Candidates passed | Pass Percentage |
| Male | 60097 | 18151 | 30.20% |
| Female | 50565 | 15359 | 30.37% |
| Total | 110662 | 33510 | 30.28% |
July 2021
| Gender | No. of Candidates appeared | No. of Candidates passed | Pass Percentage |
| Male | 38917 | 10150 | 26.08% |
| Female | 33050 | 9008 | 27.26% |
| Total | 71967 | 19158 | 26.52% |
Hence, the passing percentage varies from one attempt to another.
Passing Marks in CA Foundation Out of 400
The CA Foundation exam comprises four papers, each carrying 100 marks. The passing marks for each paper are 40 marks, which means that a candidate must obtain a minimum of 40% marks in each paper to pass the exam.
To pass the CA Foundation exam, a candidate must obtain an aggregate of 200 marks out of 400 marks in all the papers combined. In other words, a candidate must score at least 50% marks in all papers combined to pass the CA Foundation exam.
What Is the Passing Marks of CA Final
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has set the passing criteria for the CA Final exam as follows:
- A minimum of 40% marks in each individual subject.
- A minimum of 50% marks in the aggregate of all subjects combined.
In addition to these criteria, a candidate must also secure a minimum of 50% marks in the overall total of all papers of both groups together.
Therefore, a candidate must obtain at least 40 marks out of 100 in each subject, an aggregate of 200 marks out of 400 across all subjects, and a total of at least 400 marks out of 800 to pass the CA Final exam.
FAQs: CA Foundation Passing Marks
What is the passing marks for ICAI Foundation?
The Candidate must score 40% in each paper and an aggregate of 50%.
Is CA Foundation easy to pass?
CA Foundation is the first level of the Chartered Accountancy course, and it is considered relatively easier compared to the next levels, which are Intermediate and Final.
Can I pass CA Foundation in 15 days?
Yes, but it can be challenging. So, It is recommended that students dedicate at least 3-4 months of focused study to prepare for the CA Foundation exam.
Can I clear CA Foundation in 1 attempt?
Yes, you can clear CA Foundation in 1st attempt through time management and hard work.
Wrapping Up
The CA Foundation exam is comparatively easier than the CA Intermediate and CA Final. CA Foundation Passing Marks are the minimum scores required for aspiring Chartered Accountants to clear the exam. Candidates need to be aware of the passing marks criteria and prepare accordingly to achieve success in their CA Foundation exam. Now, you also know about the CA Foundation paper pattern which has made your preparation even easier.
You can check out our other articles related to the CA Foundation. Share this and other articles with your friends who will be taking the CA Foundation exam.