CA Inter SM Question Bank: Solved Strategic Management Questions with RTP and MTP Tags

The preview opens with Chapter 1, Introduction to Strategic Management, split into Part I: Descriptive Questions. The first topic, Concept of Strategy, asks the classic question 'Strategy is partly proactive and partly reactive. Discuss', which the note tags as appearing in RTP May 2018, the Nov 2018 paper, MTPs of Nov 2019 and May 2021, RTP Nov 2020, MTP May 2022, RTP May 2023 and the ICAI Study Material. Case studies follow: Yummy Foods and Tasty Foods competing in ready-to-eat snacks in Patna, Kamal Sweets Corner regaining lost business with a new Dahi Samosa, and ALBELA Foods and JustBE Foods reacting to the Covid-19 lockdown with contactless dining, immunity foods, hygiene measures and an online delivery app. The next topic, Strategic Management, begins with its definition covering vision, objectives, crafting, implementing, evaluating and corrective adjustments. Answers explain the concept, identify the strategic approach in the case and state which approach is better with reasons.

From the questions previewed, a few points recur and are worth learning word for word. Proactive strategy is planned strategy: the organisation analyses possible environmental scenarios, builds a strategic framework and works in a predetermined manner. Reactive strategy is an adaptive reaction triggered by changes in the environment, helping the firm cope with negative factors or use emerging opportunities. No company can forecast internal and external environments exactly, so a company's strategy is usually a blend of both. If resources permit, being proactive is better, as it can bring first mover advantage and a stronger position in the customer's mind. In case questions, the answer pattern is to identify which company is proactive and which is reactive, explain both approaches, then justify the better one using facts from the case. Strategic management also helps a business build core competencies and competitive advantages, a point used in the Kamal Sweets Corner answer. Bold keywords in the answers act as ready revision cues.

Start with the ICAI Study Material chapter so the concepts are clear, then attempt the questions in this bank chapter by chapter without looking at the answers. Because every question shows its source and attempt, you can see which ones have been repeated across RTPs, MTPs and past papers; the proactive versus reactive question, for example, appears in about eight sources. Give these repeated questions first priority and practise writing them in full at least once. For case studies, practise the three-step structure the answers follow: identify, explain, justify. After a chapter, solve the latest RTP and MTP on your own and compare with how similar questions are answered here. In the final days before the exam, read only the bold keywords in each answer for quick recall. Questions marked NA carry no stated marks, so judge answer length from similar 5-mark questions in the bank.

This strategic management question bank is meant for CA Intermediate students taking the FM and SM paper, where Strategic Management is the theory half and answers are judged on presentation and use of the right terms. It helps students who have finished reading the chapters and now need exam-style practice, as well as those who want one place to see questions already asked in RTPs, MTPs and past papers instead of collecting them separately. Students who find case-based questions difficult will benefit from the worked cases on proactive and reactive approaches. Since the tagged sources run up to May 2023, check the latest ICAI study material and the current RTPs and MTPs for your own attempt and use this bank alongside them. It is also useful for teachers or study groups who want a ready set of practice questions for weekly SM tests.

• Introduction to Strategic Management
• Concept of strategy
• Proactive strategy
• Reactive strategy
• Blend of proactive and reactive strategies
• Definition of strategic management
• Competitive advantage and core competencies
• First mover advantage
• Case studies on strategic approach
• RTP MTP and past paper questions

• All CA Inter FM AND SM amendment notes
• CA Inter FM AND SM notes: every chapter
• All CA Inter notes
• CA Inter doubts answered by students and mentors
• Trending CA notes this week