Articleship & CA Final Query

Anne (58 Points)

10 May 2007  
H[b][/b]i
I had joined Articleship on 20th October 2006. My 1st attempt of C.A. Final old course will be in Nov 2008. However I am taking leave of about one month for M.Com II exam from 21st March 2007 to 18th April 2007. Moreover I will also be taking leave of about 3 to 4 months for C.A. Final exam.
Will my C.A. Final attempt be postponed to May 2009.
Does the requirement of completing 2 years of Articleship before the date of C.A. exam exclude or include the leave period allowed by ICAI?
How much leave I can take before the CA exam as well as in the total period of 3 years of articleship without getting extension?
Also should I switch over to the New CA Final course? If I switch over will I be eligible to give 1st Final attempt after 2 years or 2.5 years of completing Articleship?