Ca final dt - need help

There are two types of CA Final Direct Tax Laws papers:

1. Static : Where no major amendments come, no new case laws come. This paper makes Case studies booklet, RTP, Supplementary Material : Amendments less useful.This is a shocker from ICAI, if the Advanced Management Accounting Paper is not too difficult and not too lengthy.Nov 2014 : Group 1 pass percentage =20%, Group 2 = 7%. This was due to Lengthy AMA paper and also a static DT paper. Infact the IDT paper was also a static one.  

2. Dynamic : Where major amendments,new case laws cover about 40% paper. This paper is a cakewalk to pass.If a student revises Amendments, Case laws before the exam, he can easily pass. In the dynamic paper, only new issues are asked.Major focus is on the taxation of Companies.  

Till May 2013, ICAI was giving the dynamic paper. The available tips on the caclubindia have become oudated from Nov 2013.   

As the Question paper gets more and more predictable, ICAI shifts from the dynamic paper to the static one.The first predictable paper was (the first New Course paper)May 2010.May 2013 was the last dynamic paper.This was also the period of high result percentage.

  But as the results have dropped, the pattern has changed drastically.  

Recent Changes:

1. No new case laws from the Case Compilation book.Only old case laws are coming. At maximum 2 case laws can be expected. The Question where 4 new case laws used to come has changed into 2 contemporary provisions related Questions and 2 Case laws. One will definitely will be old and one new.  

2. No major amendments are coming. This is a shocker by the ICAI. Only A Multiple times Failed CA Final student can spot this.  

3. ICAI is going the 90s way, where every topic will be covered including Salaries, House property. Nov 2014 was a good example of Static Paper.Till May 2013, the focus used to be on Companies, now it is shifting towards general Taxation.

So, ICAI is directly targeting VG and others who focus on selective areas. The coaching institutes deliberately omitt many relevant topics.They cover specific case laws, specific topics. The are still giving preference to Dynamic pattern.Sadly, ICAI has changed the pattern.

So, you should follow the book, which covers static and Dynamic both.It should be comprehensive but relevant with the changes in trend.

I would recommend : Bangar Quick Referencer cum Compiler

It has a comprehensive summary. It has all the past Questions. It has all the amendments. All above in 500 pages.  

You can also go for the Practice Manual+ RTP+ Supplementary Material : Amendments+ case Laws. But Bangar beautifully arranges the above ICAI material in its 500 page book.  

VG modules have 1400 pages in total with incomplete coverage of many relevant issues. 

 

Your analysis is very commendable Mr.Rashid. I agree with you on almost all points.

One cannot say anything about the pattern.

As this is May exam, there is a possibility of amendments coming for 15-20 marks (at least). So, kindly do not ignore the amendments.

Focus in May exams is on amendments and in November exams, the focus is on Concepts.

ICAI only wants to taret private coaching classes. So, cover everything and you will not be tricked.

Originally posted by : Nitin Fasale
	Thank you rashid sir. M currently using T N Manoharan. Would u recomend bangar referencer for 2nd n 3rd revision? And hw shud i select old case laws to study? Will they get repeated? Shud i go thru last atempts ques papers???

I have studied following books :

1. Bangar Direct Tax : 1000 pages

2. VG Modules : 1400 pages

3.VK Singhania ( I just glanced, kept it in my library collection) : 1800 pages

4. Padhukas : 1000 Pages

5. TN Manoharan : 1300 Pages

All these books cover DTL comprehensively except VG Modules.

These books are really good but these books cannot be completed in single day.

NOW Here is the reality check :

Every teacher says, maintain short notes of these books. The short notes can be done in one day. These should be in summary and should be in your own handwriting.

Fact is this : An average student has no capability to make a high quality summary notes in his own handwriting. An average student lacks patience. Only a topper can make high quality notes.This is why they are toppers.I have tried making summary notes and in the end my compilation was still lacking in the coverage.

1st reading from these books are appreciable. But then, follow short book only.

VG Summary module is not comprehensive.

But Bangar is comprehensive. It is too good. So I would advise you to refer Bangar for 2nd and 3rd time revision.

Do Bangar end to end. 100%. Thats it !!! You will not have to select old case laws. Old case laws will come in between big questions and other specific short questions. 

It has a summary ( Best summary) in the beginning and then past year Questions. 

"Focus in May exams is on amendments and in November exams, the focus is on Concepts."

Bangar covers amendments in its summarised provisions.

PS : Old case laws means case laws from the past year Questions, also given in Practice Manual. I am not talking about landmark judgements of 70s, 80s, 90s. When you will be doing past year questions, your old case laws will get covered automatically.

Practice Manual is also good for Questions but not for summary. Thats why, Bangar Quick Referencer cum Compiler. Past year Questions keep on repeating. Old case laws too keep on repeating. These are covered in Practice Manual too.

Also, I have given numerous attempts but the reason for my failure has always been ISCA.

Guys, here is the suggested answer for May 2014.

Just check, only 2 Recent case laws came. 15 case laws are old ones.

Note that Q4 used to be a specific Case Law Questions, but ICAI changed it to normal provision related Question.

No amendments came.

This is the trend. But, I am not undermining the due importance of Amendments and Recent case laws. I am just adivising you, not to give maximum priority ONLY to Amendments and Recent Case Laws.

The short cut devised by some : Do Recent Case Laws : 20 marks covered + Do Amendments : 20 marks covered + Wealth Tax : 10 marks covered. Total : 50 marks covered.

This is dangerous.

Dear Nitin,

ICAI likes to test your ability and proficiency on the concepts in this subject. Be thorough with your concepts in this subject. Focus on amendments and concentrate on important chapters such as Assessment Procedure, Profits and Gains from Business and Professions, Capital Gains, Minimum Alternate Tax, Taxation of a Non Residents. Always keep revising, 1 thorough reading and 2 revisions are a must. If you have done an articleship and taken it seriously and pursued it seriously, you will reap some benefit from it for sure.

We recommend Vinod Gupta for reference!

All the Best!

QLI Success Oriented Coaching for CA and CS

www.qli.co.in

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