Introduction
As a faculty member who teaches Corporate and Other Laws for CA Intermediate, I've seen hundreds of students make the same avoidable mistakes - mistakes that cost them marks they could easily have scored. In this post, I'm sharing the Top 5 mistakes CA students make in Corporate Laws and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
Corporate and Other Laws (Paper 2, Group 1) is one of the most scoring papers in CA Intermediate if approached correctly. Let's make sure you approach it correctly.
Mistake 1: Rote Memorising Sections Without Understanding the Context
What students do: They memorise section numbers and provisions word-for-word without understanding what problem the law is trying to solve.
Why it's a problem: ICAI exam questions are increasingly application-based. If you don't understand the context, you won't be able to apply the provision correctly in a case-study question.
How to fix it: Before memorising any section, ask yourself: 'What situation is this law addressing? Who does it protect? What happens if this rule is violated?' Once you understand the purpose, the provision becomes much easier to remember and apply.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the Other Laws (Focusing Only on Companies Act)
What students do: They spend 80% of their time on the Companies Act and barely touch the other legislations - the LLP Act, FEMA, and others.
Why it's a problem: The 'Other Laws' portion carries significant marks. Neglecting it is like leaving free marks on the table.
How to fix it: Allocate at least 30-35% of your Corporate Laws study time to the Other Laws. These are often more straightforward than the Companies Act and can be high-scoring with focused preparation. Key areas: LLP Act, FEMA basics.
Mistake 3: Not Practising Answer Writing
What students do: They read the material, feel they understand it, and skip practising written answers. They assume they'll be able to write well in the exam.
Why it's a problem: Corporate Laws is a subjective paper. How you present your answer matters as much as what you know. Students who don't practise writing often run out of time or write disorganised answers that lose marks.
How to fix it: Practise writing at least 5-10 answers per week under timed conditions. Use the ICAI format: state the relevant provision, apply it to the facts, and give a conclusion. This structure alone can significantly improve your marks.
Mistake 4: Skipping ICAI Study Material and RTPs
What students do: They rely entirely on coaching notes or third-party books and skip the ICAI Study Material, Mock Test Papers (MTPs), and Revision Test Papers (RTPs).
Why it's a problem: ICAI sets the exam. Their Study Material, MTPs, and RTPs are the closest thing to the actual exam. Questions are frequently repeated or adapted from these resources.
How to fix it: Use coaching notes for understanding concepts, but always cross-reference with ICAI Study Material. Solve the last 3 years of MTPs and RTPs compulsorily. Treat them as your final mock tests.
Mistake 5: Leaving Revision Too Late
What students do: They complete the syllabus 2-3 weeks before the exam and think that's enough time to revise a subject as vast as Corporate Laws.
Why it's a problem: Corporate Laws has a large volume of content. Without multiple revisions, provisions get mixed up, section numbers are forgotten, and case studies become confusing under exam pressure.
How to fix it: Plan for at least 3 rounds of revision. First revision after completing each chapter, second revision after completing the full syllabus, and a rapid third revision in the final week using short notes and section-number flashcards.
Bonus Tip: Build a Section-Number Cheat Sheet
Create a one-page reference sheet with the most important section numbers from the Companies Act - incorporation, share capital, Management, Auditor etc. Review this sheet daily in the last month. It takes 5 minutes a day and can save you crucial marks.
Study Resources That Can Help
At Shikshadwar, our CA Intermediate Corporate and Other Laws books and test series are designed to help you avoid exactly these mistakes. Our test series includes application-based questions, case studies, and detailed solutions written in the ICAI-recommended format.
Explore our CA Intermediate Group 1 study material and test series - built for May 2026, September 2026, and January 2027 attempts.
Final Thoughts
Corporate and Other Laws is not a difficult paper - it's a paper that rewards students who are systematic, consistent, and smart in their approach. Avoid these 5 mistakes, and you'll be well ahead of most of your peers.
If you have specific questions about any topic in Corporate Laws, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help you succeed.
- CA Adarsh Joshi, Faculty - Corporate and Other Laws, Shikshadwar
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