Consider the following pointers

Check the credibility of the teacher

• Experience

• Past Results

• Engagement with students.

Teaching experience in the relevant subject must be there. If the teacher is new, he must be passionate about the subject. Now you will ask ”How to check whether the teacher is passionate or not?”

The answer is simple, look for his YT Videos and check his energy while delivering the subject, look for his explanations of a few topics, you will get enough input about his passion for the subject(s).

Understanding of Subject Vs. Rattafication

To the point. You need both in CA Exams.

You need to understand the concept and you need “Rattafication” of keywords and phrases used in ICAI Publications like study material, RTPs, Mock Test papers and Suggested Answers.

Specifically in subjects like - Audit, Strategic management etc.

Have you seen 3 idiots?

We had “Chatur“ and We had “Rancho“

For CA we need to become “Chatur Rancho“

The teacher must be able to explain the concepts in sufficient detail for ca intermediate level and he must be able to give your keywords and phrases and preferably some techniques to memorise them.

Only understanding = Low chances of clearing CA Exams

Only Rattafication = Low chances of clearing CA Exams

Understanding + Rattafication = High chance of clearing exams.

☠️ Danger Zone

Beware of teachers who in the name of “Practical Understanding“ will just tell you stories and then read from the book or just make you read from the book.

Some people try to missell their below-par work experience by over-exaggerating it and creating fake self-hype.

Coverage of the course.

Repeat after me, you cannot cover 100% of the course in any subject. If someone is saying that they will cover 100% of course it is a complete lie.

What you should check as far as course coverage is concerned?

Coverage of ICAI Study Publication is a must. You must cover all examples, illustrations, and back questions from Study Material. You must get coverage of the latest mock tests & RTP by ICAI.

All the recently suggested answers issued by ICAI must also be covered.

Check whether you will be getting mock tests or not.

• Minimum 2 full syllabus mock tests must be there.

• The mock test must be with evaluation.

• You as a student must get proper feedback on the mock tests.

Say no to classes/institutes that are not taking your mock tests, it must be included in the package itself.

Check the doubt support system

• Irrespective of how great the teacher is if there is no doubt a support system, there is no point in taking classes.

• There must be a proper platform for doubt-support

• Peer-to-peer support is also a great way to resolve your doubts.

• Special Live Doubt Support Sessions must also be there.

Don’t fall for combos

Take all classes from our institute only

This is the biggest mistake you can do. If you like all the teachers and you are getting proper guidance then it is ok. Otherwise, choose a subject-wise teacher on the criteria mentioned above.

Coaching institutes will try selling you all the subjects at once because it suits them. They will sometimes even compel you to take all the classes from them only. Please don’t fall for it.

You have all the right to choose the best subject-wise teacher for yourself.

Should you take classes for both groups together?

This is another gimmick played by Coaching Institutes, they will motivate you to give both the groups of CA Intermediate together so that they can sell their classes to you.

You decide for yourself, considering your study style and your confidence zone, whether you want to go for both groups or not.

Most of the students end -up paying fees for both groups and then go for 1 group only and thereby wasting their time, money and effort.

In most of cases, they have to take classes for group 2 again.

Demo Classes

Don’t fall for them. They are nothing more than a sales pitch.

Demos can be deceptive. Everyone can give 2 or 3 demos by recording to the best of their abilities. But CA Inter classes are marathons, not a sprint.

What I want to say is that Demos can lead you to make bad decisions based only on 2 to 3 classes out of 100 hours which can be completely different from demos.

Check the YouTube channels of the teacher, try to understand how he/she communicates, compare it with other faculties on the parameters mentioned above such as

• Coverage of ICAI publication

• Mock Test

• Doubt-Support

and take your decisions.

Update 1 - 13/02/2022

Stay safe from Spammers.

Those who are messaging or calling you again and again for joining classes at their institute are in 90% of cases doing it unethically, they obtained your number of unethical sources and methods. Completely ignore them.

Online Vs. Face-to-Face Classes.

If the teacher is interactive enough you will never face problems in online classes. If live sessions are conducted, you will never feel left out in online classes. All online classes must be supplemented by live sessions and a community feeling. Otherwise, it is not worth it.

One issue you should take with online classes is that you should take care of your privacy, as some institutes compel you to switch on your web-cam even in online classes, they will take random screenshots, pictures and videos from your laptop which is a serious threat to your privacy.

Update 2 12th November 2022

Look beyond the subject too

"A good teacher does not teach facts, he or she teaches enthusiasm, open-mindedness and values." -- Gian-Carlo Rota

While choosing a mentor, also consider the enthusiasm of the teacher. He is going to transfer his/her energy and enthusiasm to the students as well.

A teacher must not only teach the subject but also imbibe open-mindedness and values which will help his/her students for life.

Feel free to add your views in the comment box below.

All the best. God bless you

Neeraj Arora

और हाँ,

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