24 August 2014
I have gone through your detailed query and find my opinion with reason:
1. You should go for both group reason being your previous CA Final exam experience.
2. You are on the right track of exam preparation. I have a strong feeling that if you go for both group you will be able to pull on easily due to set off process of ICAI. But never let go your focus from first group. You have to work really for next 2 months. Just have faith in your abilities and keep moving and preparing with positivity. Just follow the basics of study as listed below:
THE BASICS OF STUDY
I would strongly suggest you all to stick to the basics of study to avoid further failure and ensure success. There is no need to make drastic changes in your preparation method. In CS and CA exams scanner, practice manual, revision test papers along with Institute study material plays an important role so take reference and plan your study accordingly. For me some basics of study are as follows:
1. Timely completion of course material—Very first basic thing is to finish your course to have better idea of course structure. This will also help you to prepare a good revision schedule along with study plan.
2. Timely revision-- Another basic study point is to give ample emphasis to a good revision plan. There is nothing is this world which can substitute a good revision plan. To succeed revision is must.
3. Ample amount of practice of Numerical [account and cost] questions-- One major reason of student failure is bad performance in practical questions. So ample amount of practice of Numerical [account and cost] questions is must along with perfect conceptual clarity.
4. Right amount of theory preparation in practical subjects—Most of the students don’t give due value to the theory in the practical subject. So right amount of theory preparation in practical subjects is equally important. The best way to solve this issue is to prepare notes of frequently asked theory questions from Scanner.
5. Selection of right books—Another basic point for good preparation is the selection of right reference books. So take help from your seniors in choosing right books.
6. Good presentation of theory— Lack of good presentation especially in theory paper is one of the major drawbacks for most of the students. In theory subjects good presentation of theory is must along with mentioning case laws and sections etc. So I’d request you all to take note of the same.
You are advised to regularly check the link given below to keep you in sync with latest amendments and keep a track of changes in Syllabus and various amendments from the BOS knowledge portal of ICAI:
You are humbly requested to refer the links mentioned below for some useful notes and exam oriented suggestions and tips. I am sure these links will give you encouragement and idea about how to start preparation, tips for self study, name of reference books, tips for attempting theory and practical paper, tips for improving presentation skills and about everything you want to know.
I am sure these links contained the solution of all your doubts.
Some Exam Suggestions and tips for November 2014 Exam
25 August 2014
Dear Sir, Many Many Thanks for sincere suggestions.
Please resolve my following issues also:
1. Fin.Reporting: Should I buy new M.P.Vijaykumar/ P.C.Tulsian due to Co.Act 2013 (I have read somewhere that schedule III is new).(I have June 2013 edition M.P.Vijaykumar) Moreover, M.P.Vijaykumar is not very easily understandable to me as per my past experience. FR is my weakest part from exam point of view.
2. A.S.: Should I buy Dr. Sanjeev Singhal for A.s. (I have 2013 edition M.P.Vijaykumar). AS 11, 15, 30, 31, 32 is my weakest part. Moreover, M.P.Vijaykumar experience not very good.
I accept that in both these FR & A.S., my efforts were not up to the mark. (Although I am criticizing the author)
You may go for the following options regarding books for ca final:
1. For Accounts/Financial Reporting: M.P. Vijay kumar or Shukla & Grawal along with Module And Compilation and for AS part go for D.S. Rawat
For CA Final AS preparation---Dolphi Desouza is also good.
2. Strategic Financial Management : A.N. Sridhar or V. Pattabi Ram
3. For Adv. Auditing & Professional Ethics: Surbhi Bansal/Prakhar Sharma/Paduka/ V.K Agrawal Note: (MP Vijay Kumar can be used for AS reference). My personal choice would be Surbhi Bansal
4. For Corporate & Allied Laws: Munish Bhandari and Bare Act
5. For Mafa: Module and Notes of Tarun Mahajan. You may also refer A.N Sridhar.
6. For Direct Taxes: TN Manoharan (Theory part), Circular, Notification, Amendments, case laws. Also refer Vinod Gupta Modules.
7. For Indirect Taxes: Vandana Bangur. You may also refer Yashwant Mangal as all topics given in question and answer format and it is easy for revision.
8. For Information System control & audit: Module and Dinesh Madan. You may also refer Jignesh Cheda.
9. For Costing: Saxena and vashist or Ravi M Kishore with module
10. For Financial Reporting: MP Vijay Kumar or Paduka
11. Advance Management Accounting: Paduka. It has also covered all the theory questions and is enough, no need to do practice manual.
Also refer Scanners and Suggested Answer issued by ICAI for previous year exams and revised them properly.
For some good notes explore CAClubindia forum and share file section. You may also use search facility of club.