IndigoLearn
4898 Points
Joined May 2008
Personally i feel it may not be possible to adopt cramming approach for a subject like Direct Taxation. Yes there are some rules/portions which one may have to learn by rote but for rest it would be a better approach to understand things logically and conceptually -
For instance section 43B provides for disallowances. It may be possible to learn this by heart. I adopted the approach of understanding the underlying logic - the section talks about payment of statutory dues, dues to employees welfare fund etc. The reason being statute wants to protect interest of revenue and employees. This was my way of understanding the section.
For section on additional depreciation, it is to promote manufacturing and boost investment.
One you understand the logic, there is no need to memorise it. It sets in your memory automatically.
For some sections like those pertaining to quantum penalties, are to be learnt by heart. I never attempted reading things by heart because i could not retain the memorised figures for long. So I had simply skipped memorising these topics where learning by rote was required. I just went through the chapter once to understand what it talked about (Dont take it as a suggestion to skip some chapter, If you can remember, its always better)
This was my approach for PEII (94) and Final (70). I hardly quoted any sections (again it is not a suggestion not to rememer sections. Refer my experience here). If you can remember sections it is icing on the cake.. But for me this was painful to learn sections and sub- sections. I remembered only those which i could remember out of practise or which i came across in articleship.
For those who still feel, taxation is troubling, you may attend a good coaching class.
Mode of preparation may differ from person to person. Others may please share their views..