ICAI CA Articleship Exam(Online Practical Training exam) at pttest.icai
The Practical Training Assessment Test conducted by ICAI tests the practical skills learned by a CA student through the articleship program. The important distinction between this test and Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams is that whereas the latter assesses only theoretical knowledge, the former evaluates how well the student has applied their learning to practical work.
CA Articleship Program 2026: Complete Guide for ICAI Students
Candidates who wish to better their previous performance in the test, or missed out on previous attempts, can also join the current session, according to the guidelines issued by the ICAI. Because the outcome of this test is an integral part of a candidate's professional record, it is important to understand the process thoroughly.
Recent update on the CA Articleship exam
This Exam test is open to students who have already taken it and want to see if they can improve their score or grade. Students who enrolled for previous exams but were unable to present for any reason can also register for this one.
Students, please note this carefully:
- Students who finished their second year of practical training between July and September 2019 may only try this exam one more time.
- The Students who have completed the first year of training within this time frame have their last opportunity to sit for the Level 1 exam, and they must wait another year before reapplying for a Level 2 test date.
- The Students who have qualified for both levels can choose which one they want to register for throughout the registration process.
- After taking Level 2, however, students will be restricted from retaking Level 1 exams unless they enroll for the next level.
Students can appear for tests anywhere, even in their homes, using a Home-Based Test, as long as the environment is relaxed. A qualified proctor sits at a distant location and keeps an eye on the applicants' audio, video, and screen-sharing feeds in real-time.
There are instructions and a frequently asked question (FAQ) for the home-based assessments from ICAI. Before taking the test, make sure you've done your homework.
Note: Keep a regular check on the ICAI PT Test website for the most recent exam dates.
The Objective Of The CA Articleship Assessment Exam
The main purpose of conducting the CA Articleship Assessment Test is to test the practical knowledge and skills that have been developed during articleship training.
Generally, examinations like the CA Foundation and Intermediate tests measure theoretical knowledge. But practical training is as important for developing a well-prepared Chartered Accountant as theoretical training. Through the test, ICAI wants to:
- Test the practical implementation of concepts of accounting and auditing.
- Promote good articleship training.
- Prevent dummy articleship practices.
- Build professional competence in future Chartered Accountants.
- Foster development of industry-ready skills.
Students are free to take part in this assessment test according to the rules laid down by ICAI for their period of training.
Eligibility Requirements For ICAI CA Articleship Exam
There are certain practical training criteria that students have to meet before applying for the assessment test.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students who complete one year of practical training are eligible for the Level 1 assessment test.
- Students who complete two years of practical training are eligible for the Level 2 assessment test.
- The test needs to be completed before the deadline provided by the ICAI in regard to the student's eligibility.
- Students who clear the CA Final exam before appearing for the assessment shall retain their eligibility up to the announcement of the results.
- Those students who had completed their one-year practical training before April 1, 2018, shall not need to take the Level 1 test but will have to appear for Level 2 upon completion of their two-year training.
It is always better to be sure about your eligibility before registering for the assessment.
How To Fill Out The Application?
The ICAI Practical Training Assessment Test application process is entirely done online. The candidates do not have to furnish any hard copy of their applications to the ICAI office.
But candidates are advised to save a printout of their applications for future use till admission cards are released.
Step 1 – Online Application
The steps involved are as follows:
- Go to the PT Test portal.
Login using:
- Student Registration Number
- Date of birth from the ICAI database
- Personal verification.
Upload:
- Passport-size photograph
- Digital Signature
- Guidelines for Uploading Images
- File Format to be used:
- JPG or JPEG format only.
- File Size - Maximum 50 KB.
- Do not include dots and special characters in the image file name.
- Example: Not Correct: K.P.Goyal.jpeg; Correct: KPGoyal.jpeg
Step 2 - Check Application Status
After submitting:
- Login into the PT Test portal again.
- Check that your application has been submitted successfully.
- Your personal details should be shown here.
Checking the application status will ensure there are no hitches on examination day.
How Will The Admit Cards Be Released?
ICAI uploads the admit card on its website around five days before the examination.
Important Points:
- Download the admit card at the PT Test website.
- Bring a printed copy of your admit card.
- No admit card is distributed physically by any means.
Candidates should get the admit card as early as possible and check all the information thoroughly.
What Is The Exam Fee?
The ICAI has a simple system of fees for the assessment examination.
Type of Application | Application Fees |
First attempt | No fees |
Second/Third attempt (Grade improvement) | INR 200 |
For those appearing in the examination for the first time, there is no registration fee, whereas other students have to pay a fee.
What Would Be The Distribution Of Grades?
Students' marks will be determined by how well they do on the assessment, i.e., performance-based grading.
Marks (%) | Grade |
80% and above | A grade |
60% and above but below 80% | B grade |
40% and above but below 60% | C grade |
Below 40% | D grade |
A better grade means better practical knowledge, which may increase the value of one's career portfolio.
Pattern of the Exam: Objective or Subjective?
For the test for CA Articleship, only multiple-choice questions are considered.
Important Features
- Level 1 Exam: Total 75 Marks
- Level 2 Exam: Total 100 Marks
- No deduction for wrong answers
- No reading period
- Students need to be in the exam center at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam.
- Late entry after 15 minutes of the scheduled time will not be allowed
- Students can't leave the exam hall until the test ends
Lack of negative marking boosts one’s confidence.
Structure of ICAI CA Articleship Exam at 1st Level
The test at level 1 comprises both mandatory and elective modules according to the speciality in which students undergo their practical training.
Subjects | Marks | Number of Questions | Marks Per Question | Compulsory/ Optional |
Accounting and Auditing (Including Corporate Laws) | 50 | 50 | 1 | Compulsory |
Direct Tax | 25 | 25 | 1 | Optional |
Indirect Tax | 25 | 25 | 1 | Optional |
Internal Audit | 25 | 25 | 1 | Optional |
Candidates have to select one elective module.
Structure of ICAI CA Articleship Exam at 2nd Level
At level 2, there is an advanced pattern for testing students.
Subjects | Marks | Number of Questions | Marks Per Question | Compulsory/ Optional |
Accounting and Auditing (including Corporate Laws) | 50 | 40 | Mixed | Compulsory |
Direct Tax, including International Taxation | 25 | 20 | Mixed | Optional |
Indirect Tax | 25 | 20 | Mixed | Optional |
Internal Audit | 25 | 20 | Mixed | Optional |
Students have to pick any two elective modules.
When is the Articleship Exam for CAs?
ICAI usually changes and declares the dates of examinations in a span of three months.
The students need to regularly check the ICAI PT Assessment Test portal for all kinds of notifications regarding:
- Schedules for exams
- Timings for registrations
- Release dates for admit cards
- Notification of results
Important Tips for Registration
- Register as soon as registration starts.
- Choose exam centers wisely.
- Preference is given on a "first come first serve" basis.
- Practice as many sample questions of ICAI as possible.
Most students have mentioned that questions from the ICAI sample papers are found in the actual exam papers.
Results Announcements of the CA Articleship Test
Assessment results are made available by ICAI through the PT Assessment Test website.
It is important to keep track of this website for:
- Announcements about results
- Grade information
- Future assessments schedule
The grade achieved in the assessment becomes an indicator of a student’s practical training performance.
How to Crack the CA Articleship exam with flying colors?
The success in the assessment examination hinges more on practical knowledge than on mere memorization.
Tip 1: Learn Practical Skills
Candidates must:
- Know the process of auditing.
- Learn practical accounting techniques.
- Be active learners during articleship training periods.
- Gain concept clarity.
The sample papers provided by ICAI should serve as one of the main sources of preparation.
Tip 2: Learn to Solve MCQs
Adopt these techniques for answering multiple-choice questions:
- Comprehend the whole question carefully.
- Do not hurry because of a lack of time.
- Try answering only those questions that you know well first.
- Eliminate wrong options.
- Select the right answer.
With practice, you will achieve proficiency in solving MCQs.
How to contact ICAI for technical issues?
Technical problems or any other related queries may be addressed by contacting ICAI through the following means.
Queries | Phone | |
Technical /center-related queries | 821520860, 9625478379 | - |
Eligibility-related queries | 0120 – 3876870, 3876859 |
Contacting the concerned department will assist in resolving the issue quickly.
Conclusion
The ICAI CA Articleship Assessment Test assists students in demonstrating their acquired skills and professional knowledge during their articleship course. It is possible for students to score higher grades and benefit their CA career with adequate preparation and practice of the examination format.
Students preparing for the examination can practice mock and assessment-based tests on CATestSeries.org. This will assist CA aspirants in gaining confidence in performing their CA Articleship Assessment Test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the CA Articleship Assessment Test compulsory?
This test is intended for assessing practical training skills. It would be better for candidates to verify the latest guidelines of ICAI in relation to their articleship period.
Can I score better next time by appearing again in the assessment?
Yes, you can reappear in the test to get good grades in accordance with the rules set by ICAI.
Is there negative marking in the CA Articleship assessment exam?
No, there is no negative marking in the CA Articleship Assessment Test.
Is it possible to appear in the assessment test online?
Yes, the Home-Based Test is available, where you can appear in the assessment without visiting any center due to remote monitoring.
How many marks are needed for Grade A?
80% or more marks are needed to score Grade A.
Is there any registration fee for the first-time candidate?
First-time applicants do not have to pay any registration fee.
When will the admit card be issued?
Admit cards will be available 5 days before the exam date through the official PT Assessment Test site.
How frequently is the CA Articleship Assessment conducted?
Generally, ICAI declares an assessment schedule after every three months or so.
