EA Student Journey: Sanket Sanghi’s Experience from CA Intermediate to EA

Introduction

Career decisions in professional education are rarely linear, and Sanket Sanghi’s journey reflects a thoughtful shift shaped by experience, exposure, and practical understanding. Coming from a background in Chartered Accountancy and finance, he chose to move toward the EA qualification after evaluating both his circumstances and long-term direction. His experience offers a grounded perspective on preparation, expectations, and learning.

Educational Background

Academic Foundation

Sanket Sanghi pursued Chartered Accountancy up to the Intermediate level and later completed an MBA in Finance through a correspondence program. Reflecting on his academic journey, he indicated that the MBA was primarily undertaken to obtain a postgraduate qualification rather than to gain new academic depth. A substantial portion of the syllabus had already been covered during his CA Intermediate studies, which made the program relatively straightforward.

Why He Did Not Continue CA

Sanket chose not to continue beyond the Intermediate level in CA. As he explained, he was not able to progress further at that stage, which led him to reassess his options. This moment became a point of transition, prompting him to explore alternative pathways that aligned better with his situation.

Why He Chose EA

Initial Inclination Toward CPA

Before deciding on EA, Sanket had already explored the CPA qualification and was interested in pursuing it. However, he reconsidered the sequence in which he wanted to approach his professional certifications.

Decision to Pursue EA First

He found the EA course comparatively easier and more approachable, particularly because the examination is entirely based on multiple-choice questions. After reviewing the study material, he did not perceive it as difficult. His prior experience played a significant role in this assessment.

Having spent several years working in Indian taxation and completing his articleship in the same domain, he had developed a foundational understanding of how taxation systems function. This familiarity made the transition to EA more intuitive.

He ultimately decided to pursue EA first and consider CPA later if required. In his own words, this approach resembled starting small and then expanding further when needed.

Study Approach and Preparation

Structured Study Routine

Sanket maintained a consistent study routine, dedicating approximately four to five hours per day. Recognizing the challenge of balancing work and study simultaneously, he chose to take a break from his professional responsibilities. Although he initially planned for a six-month break, he later reflected that four months would have been sufficient.

Focus on Conceptual Understanding

His preparation was centered on conceptual clarity rather than repetition. He engaged with lectures, created notes, and ensured that he understood the underlying principles of each topic. To strengthen his understanding, he also used tools such as ChatGPT to clarify concepts when required.

Exam Experience

Perceived Difficulty

Sanket did not find the EA examination particularly difficult. In comparison to CA, he felt that the level of effort required was considerably lower. The exam was more focused on conceptual understanding rather than extensive problem-solving or memorization.

Challenging Areas

Among the different sections, he found Part 3 to be relatively more challenging, primarily due to its theoretical nature. He described himself as less comfortable with theory-based content, which influenced his perception of difficulty.

Examination Day Reality

Despite experiencing anxiety and not sleeping the night before the exam, his actual experience was unexpectedly smooth. He found the paper to be easy and was able to complete it within one hour, which contrasted sharply with his initial apprehension.

Perspective on Learning and MCQs

Approach to Practice

Sanket did not rely heavily on solving large volumes of multiple-choice questions. He covered approximately eighty percent of the available MCQs but did not feel the need to complete them exhaustively.

Conceptual Priority

He observed that many students tend to focus extensively on solving thousands of MCQs. However, his approach was different. He emphasized understanding concepts over repetitive practice, noting that the questions in the exam are relatively basic and can be handled effectively with strong conceptual clarity.

Discovery of Simandhar Education

Sanket came across Simandhar Education through LinkedIn while exploring different options for his preparation. During his evaluation, he considered other alternatives but ultimately made his decision based on the availability of faculty he preferred.

Learning Experience

Overall Experience

He described his experience with Simandhar as positive and did not identify any significant issues. The process of enrollment and course access was smooth.

Teaching Methodology

What stood out for him was the teaching approach, which focused on explaining concepts in depth. He appreciated the emphasis on understanding rather than simply covering the syllabus.

Administrative Support

From an administrative perspective, he required minimal assistance. He raised one query related to a user interface issue, which was addressed without difficulty.

Current Career Situation

Details about Sanket Sanghi’s current career situation can be included here based on further inputs, including his current role, organization, and how EA has contributed to his professional growth.

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