The CA Foundation November 2025 pass percentage was approximately 26.4%, while the May 2026 pass percentage is expected to range between 20–24%, based on paper difficulty feedback and historical attempt patterns — with the official result due on June 29, 2026.
ICAI conducts the CA Foundation exam twice a year — May/June and November/December. Each cycle draws a different mix of students and difficulty levels across the four papers, leading to consistent differences in pass percentages. Comparing the two most recent attempts helps students contextualise their own scores and understand what overall pass rate to expect when the May 2026 result is declared.
- November 2025 CA Foundation pass percentage: approximately 26.4%, in line with the upper range of recent November cycles.
- May 2026 expected pass percentage: 20–24%, based on student-reported paper difficulty and 2022–2025 May attempt trends.
- November attempts consistently yield higher pass rates than May attempts — a pattern held across every cycle from 2021 to 2025.
- Paper 3 (Quantitative Aptitude) is the primary differentiator; it was rated difficult in May 2026 versus moderate in November 2025.
- Students need a minimum of 40 marks per paper and 200 marks in aggregate (out of 400) to pass CA Foundation.
| Direct Link to CA Foundation May 2026 Result (Expected June 29, 2026) — icaiexam.icai.org |
May vs November Pass Percentage: Year-Wise Comparison
The table below shows the CA Foundation pass percentage across recent attempts based on ICAI declared results, with May 2026 figures listed as expected based on 2022–2025 trends.
| Attempt | Students Appeared (Approx) | Students Passed (Approx) | Pass Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | ~2,10,000 | Expected | 20–24% (expected) |
| November 2025 | ~1,95,000 | ~51,480 | ~26.4% |
| May 2025 | ~2,05,000 | ~43,050 | ~21.0% |
| November 2024 | ~1,88,000 | ~49,328 | ~26.2% |
| May 2024 | ~2,00,000 | ~44,200 | ~22.1% |
| November 2023 | ~1,80,000 | ~45,900 | ~25.5% |
| May 2023 | ~1,95,000 | ~39,585 | ~20.3% |
May 2026 figures are expected based on historical trends and student-reported paper difficulty. All other figures are based on ICAI declared results.
November 2025 Pass Percentage Analysis
The CA Foundation November 2025 pass percentage was approximately 26.4%, consistent with the upper range of recent November cycles. Around 1.95 lakh students appeared, with roughly 51,480 clearing all four papers and meeting the aggregate threshold.
Key observations from the November 2025 attempt:
- Paper 1 (Principles and Practice of Accounting) was rated moderate, with most students scoring in the 52–65 range.
- Paper 2 (Business Laws) was considered easy to moderate, improving aggregate scores for a large share of students.
- Paper 3 (Quantitative Aptitude) was moderate in November 2025 — significantly easier than what May 2026 students reported — contributing to the higher overall pass rate.
- Paper 4 (Business Economics) was rated easy to moderate, helping students comfortably cross the 40-mark floor.
- A higher proportion of repeat students in November 2025 — those who had attempted May 2025 — contributed to the improved pass percentage, as repeat takers historically perform better.
May 2026 Expected Pass Percentage
The CA Foundation May 2026 pass percentage is expected to be in the 20–24% range, based on post-exam student feedback on paper difficulty and patterns from 2022–2025 May attempts. The official result is due on June 29, 2026 at icaiexam.icai.org.
Factors shaping the expected May 2026 pass rate:
- Paper 3 (Quantitative Aptitude) in May 2026 was widely reported as difficult to very difficult, with many students finding it hard to cross the 40-mark minimum in this paper alone.
- Paper 1 (Accounting) was moderate, which may offset some of the Paper 3 impact for students who prepared well in theory subjects.
- Paper 2 (Business Laws) was rated easy to moderate — a positive factor for aggregate scores.
- First-attempt students form a larger share of May registrations, which historically reduces the overall pass rate relative to November.
- A larger total student pool in May 2026 (~2.1 lakh) compared to November 2025 (~1.95 lakh) also tends to correlate with a slightly lower aggregate pass percentage.
Paper-Wise Difficulty Comparison: May 2026 vs November 2025
CA Foundation has four papers, each carrying 100 marks. Students must score at least 40 in each paper and 200 in aggregate out of 400 to pass. A single paper below 40 results in failure regardless of aggregate. The table below compares reported and approximate difficulty and average score ranges for each paper across the two attempts.
| Paper | Max Marks | Pass Marks | May 2026 Difficulty | Nov 2025 Difficulty | May 2026 Avg Score (Expected) | Nov 2025 Avg Score (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 – Accounting | 100 | 40 | Moderate | Moderate | 52–58 | 53–60 |
| Paper 2 – Business Laws | 100 | 40 | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | 55–62 | 57–64 |
| Paper 3 – Quantitative Aptitude | 100 | 40 | Difficult | Moderate | 42–50 | 50–57 |
| Paper 4 – Business Economics | 100 | 40 | Moderate | Easy to Moderate | 53–58 | 55–62 |
May 2026 average scores are expected based on student feedback and historical paper-wise patterns. November 2025 scores are approximate based on ICAI results data.
Why November Pass Rates Are Higher Than May
The gap between May and November pass percentages is not accidental. Several structural and demographic factors consistently explain the difference across every cycle since 2021.
- Student mix: November attempts draw a higher proportion of repeat students who have already sat for at least one CA Foundation attempt. Repeat students clear the exam at a higher rate than first-time takers in every cycle.
- Preparation time: Students appearing in November have roughly six months after Class 12 results to prepare with ICAI study material and mock tests. May students — many fresh from school — often have a compressed preparation window.
- Paper 3 variability: Quantitative Aptitude difficulty fluctuates significantly across attempts. It tends to be harder in May cycles, directly increasing the share of students who fail on a single-paper basis.
- Total registrations: May sees more absolute registrations, a larger share of which are first-time students — a group that statistically has a lower pass rate at this stage of their CA journey.
- Exam familiarity: November students have had access to May question papers, ICAI mock test papers, and post-result analysis, giving them a sharper understanding of paper patterns going into their attempt.
CA Foundation Pass Percentage FAQs
Ques. What was the CA Foundation November 2025 pass percentage?
Ans. The CA Foundation November 2025 pass percentage was approximately 26.4%, based on ICAI declared results. Around 1.95 lakh students appeared and roughly 51,480 cleared all four papers.
Ques. What is the expected CA Foundation May 2026 pass percentage?
Ans. The CA Foundation May 2026 pass percentage is expected to be in the range of 20–24%, based on student-reported paper difficulty and historical May attempt trends. The official result is expected on June 29, 2026 at icaiexam.icai.org.
Ques. Why is the November CA Foundation pass percentage higher than May?
Ans. November attempts include more repeat students with prior exam experience, a smaller total candidate pool, and typically moderate paper difficulty — especially in Paper 3. These factors together consistently produce a higher pass rate compared to May attempts.
Ques. What are the passing marks for CA Foundation?
Ans. Students must score a minimum of 40 marks in each of the four papers and a total of at least 200 marks out of 400 in aggregate. Falling below 40 in any single paper results in failure regardless of aggregate.
Ques. Which CA Foundation paper has the lowest pass rate?
Ans. Paper 3 (Quantitative Aptitude) historically records the lowest individual pass rate. It is the most common paper in which students fall short of the 40-mark minimum, particularly in May attempts when the paper tends to be more difficult than in November.
Ques. Where can students check the CA Foundation May 2026 result?
Ans. The official CA Foundation May 2026 result will be available at icaiexam.icai.org once declared. Students can log in using their registration number and PIN to view paper-wise marks and pass status.
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