AUTHOR: SANJAY SARAF

The Impact of Mistakes in Multiple-Choice Questions on CA Students

As the chartered accountancy Intermediate, and Final results are set to be announced on the 11th of this month, I find myself with fingers crossed, along with countless students and teachers. This examination cycle was particularly significant as it marked the first time exams were conducted under the new syllabus, which included multiple-choice questions (MCQs) even in practical subjects.

While the introduction of MCQs aimed to enhance the examination process, it unfortunately also brought a number of problems to light. Specifically, there were several errors in the questions themselves. In the Advanced Financial Management (AFM) paper, for instance, there were two questions where the options provided did not align with the questions asked. Similarly, in the Financial Management (FM) paper, two questions contained mistakes in the options. There may have been similar issues in other papers, but my expertise lies in AFM and FM, where I directly observed these errors.

These mistakes not only caused confusion but also wasted valuable time for the students during the exam. Imagine being a student who has prepared diligently, only to be stumped not by the difficulty of the content, but by the errors in the questions themselves. This leads to unnecessary stress and can impact performance across the entire exam.

Given these circumstances, I earnestly hope and pray that the CA Institute considers awarding grace marks for all the erroneous MCQs. It is important to note that awarding grace marks is not a favor or a gift to the students. It is an acknowledgment of the unfair disadvantage they faced. Even with grace marks, the students are not entirely compensated for the lost time and the stress they endured. However, awarding these marks would at least be a step towards maintaining honesty and fairness in the examination process.

I strongly urge the ICAI to take this issue seriously. Students have worked hard and deserve an equitable evaluation. Mistakes in the examination process should not overshadow their efforts and achievements.

To all the students, I want to say that regardless of the outcome, your hard work and dedication are commendable. Let’s hope that the CA Institute recognizes these issues and takes appropriate actions to rectify them.

Best regards,

Sanjay Saraf Sir

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