CA
CA Saarthi← All Posts
Home/Blog/CA Foundation Pass Percentage: Trends, Analysis, and What It Means for You

CA Foundation Pass Percentage: Trends, Analysis, and What It Means for You

25 April 2026·6 min·By CA Saarthi
CA Foundation pass percentageICAI Foundation resultCA Foundation difficulty trend

# CA Foundation Pass Percentage History

Pass rates for CA Foundation have stayed in a narrow band for years — usually **20–30%**. That's both reassuring (it's not impossible) and humbling (most candidates don't clear on first attempt).

Recent trend (indicative based on public ICAI announcements)

AttemptPass % (approx)
Nov 202227%
May 202323%
Nov 202330%
May 202424%
Sep 2024 (new pattern)27%

Two things to note:

  • There's no obvious downward trend. Pass rates oscillate around the long-term mean.
  • The pattern change in 2024 didn't drastically alter outcomes — the syllabus restructured, but difficulty calibrated similarly.

    • Paper-wise reality

  • Paper 2 (Laws) — consistently has the lowest pass rate. Theory-heavy, section-memorisation drives mistakes.
  • Paper 3 (Maths) — has the highest variance — top scorers cross 90, weakest cluster in the 30s.
  • Paper 1 (Accounting) — has steady distributions; presentation matters as much as accuracy.
  • Paper 4 (Economics & BCK) — rewards current-affairs awareness in BCK alongside core economics.

    • What the pass rate doesn't tell you

  • It's a snapshot, not a story. Among the **70–80% who don't pass**, many are <40 in just one paper. Re-attempting the failed paper alone often clears it.
  • The **6-attempt window** (registration valid 3 years, two attempts each) means almost everyone who applies seriously eventually clears.
  • Top decile (>= 70%) pass with comfort margins. The borderline pass (50–55%) is where students are nervous.

    • How to position yourself in the top quartile

  • **Don't over-rely on Paper 3** for marks. It's variance-heavy.
  • **Defend Paper 2.** A clean 60+ in Laws gives you the cushion if Paper 3 wobbles.
  • **Practice mocks under timed conditions** — at least 6 full-length attempts before the exam.
  • **Solve every ICAI past paper** for the last 4 attempts. The recurrence rate is significant.

    • CA Foundation isn't about beating geniuses — it's about not making preventable errors. The 20–30% who clear are usually the 20–30% who finished the syllabus, not the 20–30% who were smartest going in.

    Ready to Start Your CA Foundation Journey?

    Free diagnostic test, 2,500+ practice questions, and personalised study plans.

    More Articles

    5 min
    Time Management During the CA Foundation Exam
    6 min
    How to Write Paper 1 Descriptive Answers (and Pick Up Free Marks)
    7 min
    CA Foundation Paper 3 Strategy: How to Split Maths, LR & Stats
    5 min
    ICAI Study Material vs Coaching Notes: Which Should You Use?
    7 min read
    Forensic Accounting & Fraud Detection 2026: What CA Foundation Students Must Know
    7 min read
    ICAI Ethics Code Updates 2026: What CA Foundation Students Must Know
    7 min read
    Impairment Testing Standards 2026: CA Foundation Guide to Asset Valuation Changes
    6 min
    CA Foundation Exam-Day Checklist: The Complete Pre-Exam Playbook
    7 min
    ICAI Mock Test Strategy: How to Analyse a Mock the Right Way
    6 min
    How to Memorise Business Laws Sections Without Losing Your Mind
    5 min
    CA Foundation vs Class 12 Commerce: What Actually Changes
    12 min
    90-Day CA Foundation Study Plan for May 2026 (Week-by-Week)
    10 min
    Partnership Accounts for CA Foundation: A Full Roadmap with Examples
    6 min
    Indian Contract Act 1872: Quick Revision Guide for CA Foundation Paper 2
    7 min
    Top 10 Mistakes CA Foundation Students Make (and How to Avoid Them)
    9 min
    CA Foundation Paper 1 Accounting: Complete Strategy & Chapter-wise Weightage
    8 min
    How to Start CA Foundation Preparation from Scratch in 2026
    7 min read
    Ind AS 19 Employee Benefits: Latest Updates for CA Foundation 2026
    7 min read
    ICAI Guidance on Cryptocurrency Accounting for CA Foundation: What You Must Know
    12 min read
    Time Series Analysis for CA Foundation: Master Trend and Seasonal Variation
    12 min read
    CA Foundation Index Numbers: Construction Methods and Problems Explained
    7 min read
    New Accounting Standards for Financial Instruments: What CA Foundation Students Must Know in 2026
    7 min read
    ICAI Related Party Transaction Disclosure Guidance: Key Updates for CA Foundation Students
    7 min read
    Lease Accounting Standards Changes 2026: CA Foundation Guide to Ind AS 116 & Practical Implications
    7 min read
    ICAI Updates on Revenue Recognition Standards: What CA Foundation Students Must Know in 2026
    12 min read
    Time Value of Money for CA Foundation: Complete Guide to Annuity and Present Value
    7 min read
    Fair Value Measurement under Ind AS 113: Recent Updates Every CA Foundation Student Must Know
    7 min read
    New ICAI Practice Management Standards for CAs: What CA Foundation Students Must Know
    7 min read
    CA Foundation Exam 2026: New Eligibility Criteria and Registration Changes You Must Know
    12 min read
    CA Foundation Ratio and Proportion: Quick Shortcuts and Tricks for Faster Problem Solving
    7 min read
    ICAI Vision 2030 and the Future of Chartered Accountancy: What CA Foundation Students Must Know
    7 min read
    CA Foundation Exam Guide: Latest ICAI CPE Requirements and Continuing Education Updates 2026
    8
    BRS Bank Reconciliation Statement: Practice and Problem Solving
    8
    CA Foundation Mock Test Strategy: How to Analyze and Improve
    8
    Companies Act 2013 for CA Foundation: Simplified Guide
    9
    CA Foundation Preparation Without Coaching: Self-Study Guide
    8
    CA Foundation Negotiable Instruments Act: Complete Notes and Guide
    8
    Partnership Accounts: Admission and Retirement Explained (CA Foundation)
    7
    CA Foundation Statistics Formulas Cheat Sheet: Quick Reference Guide
    8
    CA Foundation Pass Percentage and Difficulty Analysis: What You Need to Know
    8
    How to Prepare for CA Foundation While in College: Balancing Studies
    8
    CA Foundation Business Economics: Important Topics and Concepts
    8
    Difference Between Sale and Agreement to Sell in CA Foundation
    8
    CA Foundation Accounting Adjustments Entries Explained
    7
    How to Solve Ratio and Proportion Questions in CA Foundation
    7
    CA Foundation Study Plan for 3 Months: Complete Roadmap
    8
    Indian Contract Act: Important Sections for CA Foundation
    8 min read
    CA Foundation June 2026: Latest Exam Pattern, Dates & What Has Changed
    7 min read
    CA Foundation Exam Day Strategy: What to Do Before, During & After Each Paper
    8 min read
    CA Foundation Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude Maths & Stats — How to Score 50+
    8 min read
    CA Foundation Paper 2 Business Laws: How to Study & Remember Everything
    7 min read
    CA Foundation Paper 1 Accounting: Chapter-wise Tips & Scoring Strategy
    8 min read
    How to Prepare for CA Foundation 2026: Complete Strategy Guide
    10 min read
    CA Foundation Syllabus 2026: Paper-wise Topics and Weightage
    7 min read
    Top 10 Mistakes CA Foundation Students Make (And How to Avoid Them)