The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announced the CA Intermediate September 2026 examination results on October 22, with Mohammed Qutub Riyan securing All India Rank (AIR) 11. Reflecting on his preparation, Riyan attributed his performance to a structured study plan, daily revision and regular self-assessment, with his study routine extending to 10–11 hours a day as the examinations approached.
Riyan said dividing the CA Intermediate syllabus into manageable monthly targets helped him stay organised, while revising lessons on the same day prevented topics from piling up before the examination.
“For me, having a proper plan made the biggest difference. I divided the syllabus into smaller monthly targets and tried to follow them consistently,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of revisiting concepts soon after learning them, rather than postponing revision until the syllabus was complete. As the examination drew closer, he increased his study hours and reduced social engagements to focus on preparation.
“I used to study around 10–11 hours a day as the exams approached. I avoided social gatherings and focused mostly on my preparation,” Riyan said.
CA Intermediate Preparation Strategy
Regular testing was another part of Riyan’s preparation. He took weekly tests, self-evaluation tests and mock examinations to assess how well he had understood the syllabus. He would revise a few chapters before testing himself, using the results to identify topics that required additional attention.
“I would revise a few chapters and then test myself to see how well I had understood them,” he said.
Riyan said these assessments helped him evaluate his progress instead of relying only on the completion of the syllabus. His approach combined scheduled revision with opportunities to identify gaps in his understanding and work on them before the examination.
He also relied primarily on his study books and personal notes while preparing for the papers, alongside regular practice and revision.
Corporate Law A Challenging Subject
Corporate Law proved particularly challenging for Riyan because of the number of section numbers he had to remember. He said the subject initially felt overwhelming, but repeated revision and practice gradually helped him become more comfortable with it.
“Corporate Law was challenging for me because there were so many section numbers, and sometimes it felt overwhelming. I kept revising and practising until I became more comfortable with it,” he said.
The experience reinforced his belief that consistency matters when preparing for professional examinations, particularly in subjects that require students to retain substantial amounts of information.
Riyan said working through difficult topics rather than avoiding them helped him improve his understanding. He identified regular revision as one of the key lessons he took away from preparing for CA Intermediate.
“While studying Corporate Law, I learnt that consistency and regular revision can take you a long way,” he said.
On Plans For CA Final
Securing AIR 11 has given Riyan greater confidence as he moves towards the next stage of his Chartered Accountancy journey. He said he now wants to gain practical experience through articleship while building on the theoretical knowledge acquired during CA Intermediate.
The achievement has also reinforced his advice to students who are working hard but struggling to achieve their desired results. He recommends setting manageable targets, following a consistent schedule and evaluating performance regularly to understand where improvement is needed.
“Make a proper study plan, follow it consistently and keep evaluating your performance,” he said.
For aspirants facing difficulties during preparation, Riyan stressed the importance of remaining consistent with their efforts rather than becoming discouraged by setbacks. His preparation journey highlights the role of planning, regular revision and self-assessment in managing an extensive syllabus and preparing for a demanding professional examination.
