Ahmedabad: Four young achievers from Ahmedabad revealed their strategies for conquering one of India’s most challenging professional exams, proving that success comes not just from hours invested but from smart preparation and balance.For 21-year-old Priyal Jain, who secured an impressive 18th rank in the chartered accountancy (CA) final examination, the path to success was paved with unwavering discipline and consistent dedication. The Bodakdev resident maintained a rigorous schedule of eight to ten hours of daily study for five months. She disconnected from Instagram, further limiting her already restricted screen time to essential use only. “When fatigue set in, I would talk to my mother or catch up on a TV show during meals,” she said. The final three months of preparation proved decisive for Parth Shah, 21, who achieved an outstanding All-India Rank (AIR) of 28 in the CA final exam. “I disconnected from my phone, using only my mother’s device for essential calls. Reading fiction during breaks helped me dive back into studies with a fresh mind,” he said.Kinjal Chaudhary, 18, who secured AIR 29 in the Intermediate exam, maintained an intensive 12-hour study schedule, yet grappled with constant self-imposed pressure. “Social interactions triggered guilt. In retrospect, completely isolating myself wasn’t ideal,” she reflected. “I will balance better the next time,” she said. Yug Patel, 18, who achieved AIR 38 in Intermediate, advocated strategic breaks. “To prevent mental exhaustion, I engaged in box cricket with friends or enjoyed movies occassionally. Despite moments of uncertainty, I focused on building confidence.” All four achievers unanimously identified ‘Auditing’ (Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics) as the most challenging subject.The national pass percentage in CA final increased to 18.75% from the previous 13.74%. The Intermediate exam results showed a slight decline to 13.22% from 14.05%. Ahmedabad demonstrated marginally better final exam results at 19.35%, while Intermediate examination performance was lower at 10.62%.