“I never expected to achieve an AIR; I was initially focused only on passing,” said Ronak Kumar, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 14 in the ICAI CA Intermediate exam through persistent efforts and resilience. From completing classes on time to revisiting chapters, doing homework and solving mock tests, Ronak’s schedule was crafted in a way that left no room for errors or for missing out on anything significant. When asked what made the biggest difference in his preparation and whether there was a particular strategy that helped him outperform other candidates, Ronak told Times Now Digital, “I believe consistency made the biggest difference. I started CA Intermediate preparation through CA Wallah’s recorded lectures on 12 November 2025. I had also prepared for CA Foundation through their YouTube channel, where I scored 284 marks. I made sure I had no backlogs and completed my classes, homework and revision on time.” “Staying consistent helped me cover the syllabus without feeling overwhelmed,” he said. His days used to begin at 8 AM, with classes for different subjects starting at hourly intervals. After wrapping them up, Ronak would revise the topics covered and complete the assigned homework. Once he had completed his lectures by the end of May, he started taking mock tests and practising ICAI module questions and previous years’ questions to identify and work on his Achilles’ heel. Ronak's weaker subject was Costing, as he still had doubts about it even after completing the lectures. Elaborating on how he overcame this weakness, he said, “I kept revising the concepts and practising questions until I understood them better. I realised that regular practice is the best way to improve in Costing. Even if a subject seems difficult initially, it becomes more interesting as you start understanding it.” Since it can be difficult to decide what to prioritise when there is still a lot of syllabus to cover, we asked Ronak about his approach to ICAI study material, question papers and mock tests, and how he decided where to invest more time. He said, “I relied on experts' books for Financial Management, along with faculty modules. Taxation required more time, while Accounting needed regular practice. I also solved MTPs, RTPs and previous years’ questions from the ICAI module to understand different question patterns.” He added, “I maintained a tracker to keep track of my syllabus and ensure that I revised everything on time.” Securing an AIR has spurred Ronak to aim higher, with plans to work at one of the Big Four firms before pursuing a career in investment banking. “I also want to achieve an AIR in CA Final and become the first Chartered Accountant in my family. Supporting my family is one of my biggest motivations,” he remarked. Sharing a piece of advice for future aspirants, Ronak said that trusting oneself and staying consistent are imperative. “I never expected to achieve an AIR; I was initially focused only on passing. This experience has taught me not to doubt myself and to keep working hard. Believe in your preparation, and trust the process,” he concluded. Deepali Samaniya has been covering education for the past 2 years with a passion for SEO and a knack for crafting engaging stories. She specialises in... View More