If you sat the ICAN CAP I exam, the days around result publication are stressful enough without also having to hunt down scattered information about where to check, how the marking scheme works, and what to do next. This guide puts everything in one place — the typical result timeline, the exact marking rules, and the re-totaling process if things don't go your way.
Quick note on naming: ICAN formally launched a revised curriculum in May 2025, under which "CAP I" is being renamed "Foundation Level." As of mid-2026, both names are still in active use — new registrants join under the Foundation Level syllabus, while students who registered earlier continue under the CAP I name during the transition period. This guide uses "CAP I" throughout since that remains the term most students search for, but the process described applies to both tracks unless noted otherwise.
When ICAN typically publishes CAP I results
ICAN conducts Chartered Accountancy examinations at every level twice a year: the Summer Examination in the first week of June, and the Winter Examination in the first week of December. Based on the historical pattern across past exam sessions, CAP I results are typically published roughly six to ten weeks after the exam ends — so a June exam sitting has usually seen results land sometime between late July and September, while a December sitting typically sees results in the January-to-February window. This is a general pattern rather than a fixed guarantee; the exact date for any given session is confirmed only when ICAN publishes the official result notice, so treat any date you see circulating on social media or forums before that as unconfirmed until it appears on the Institute's own channels.
Where results are published
ICAN publishes examination results directly on its official website, en.ican.org.np, under the results section for the relevant exam session — this is the authoritative source and should always be your first stop. The result notice is also posted on the Institute's physical notice board at its Lalitpur office and branch offices, which matters if you registered through a branch and want to double-check in person. Many students also rely on SMS or email alerts distributed by their coaching institute or study center once the result notice goes live, though these are secondary channels — always cross-check any result you receive second-hand against the official ICAN website or notice before treating it as final.
How to check your result step-by-step
Checking your result is straightforward once the notice is live. First, go to the official ICAN website (en.ican.org.np) and navigate to the Result section from the main menu. Second, locate the specific notice for your exam level and session (for example, "CAP I Examination Result — June 2026") — ICAN typically publishes results as a downloadable PDF list organized by roll number, alongside a searchable result-check tool on some result notices. Third, open the relevant document and search for your roll number using your browser's find function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) rather than scrolling manually, since these PDFs can run into hundreds of pages during high-volume sessions. Fourth, note your paper-wise marks and overall status (pass, fail, or — where applicable — any rank or distinction notation) directly from the official document, and save or screenshot the page for your own records before it's replaced by the next session's notice.
ICAN's marking scheme for CAP I
The CAP I passing criteria are simpler than the group-based system used at CAP II and CAP III. To pass CAP I, a candidate must, at one sitting, secure a minimum of 40% in each individual paper and an aggregate of at least 50% across all papers combined. All papers must be attempted together in the same sitting — there is no provision to attempt only some papers or split the level across sessions, unlike CAP II and CAP III where group-wise attempts are allowed. A candidate securing 75% or more in the aggregate is awarded a distinction, and ICAN typically publishes an All Nepal Rank list recognizing the top scorers at this level.
What "exemption" means if you don't clear overall
One important distinction for CAP I candidates: there is no subject-wise exemption rule at this level. If you don't clear the overall 40%-per-paper-plus-50%-aggregate requirement, every paper needs to be reattempted in your next sitting, regardless of how well you scored in any individual paper. This is different from CAP II and CAP III, where a strong score in one paper (60% or more) can earn you an exemption from re-sitting that specific paper in your next few attempts, even if you fail the group overall. Students moving from CAP I toward CAP II should keep this distinction in mind — the "carry forward a good score" safety net starts at CAP II, not before.
Re-totaling / answer sheet review — how to apply, cost, and timeline
If you believe your marks were added up incorrectly, ICAN allows candidates to apply for re-totaling of marks in any paper(s), within 10 days from the date of publication of the examination result, accompanied by the requisite fee. It's important to understand exactly what re-totaling covers: it verifies that the marks recorded across your answer script were correctly totaled and transferred — it does not involve a fresh evaluation or re-marking of your actual answers. If you want to see your own answer script rather than just request a re-totaling, ICAN has a separate procedure for students to view and obtain a copy of their answer paper, which is a distinct process from re-totaling and typically has its own timeline and fee. Students should apply promptly, since the 10-day window is calculated from the result publication date, not from when you personally discover your result.
What to do next if you clear — CAP II registration steps
If you've passed CAP I, the natural next step is registering for CAP II (Application Level under the new syllabus naming). Registration for CAP II is open throughout the year, so there's no need to wait for a specific enrollment window — but since CAP II has a nine-month course duration and a minimum registration period before you're eligible to sit the exam, registering promptly maximizes your preparation time and keeps you on track for the next available exam session. Many coaching institutes in Nepal begin CAP II classes within days of the CAP I exam ending — well before results are even out — since the roughly two-month gap between exam and result is otherwise idle preparation time. You do not need to wait for your CAP I result to start attending CAP II classes, though formal ICAN registration for CAP II does require confirmed proof of having passed CAP I.
What to do next if you don't clear — re-attempt process and study plan
If you don't clear CAP I, the process is straightforward but time-bound: you must pass the CAP I examination within three years from your date of registration, irrespective of when you first became eligible to sit. If you don't manage to pass within that three-year window, your registration is cancelled, though re-registration as a fresh (de novo) candidate remains an option. Practically, use the roughly six-month gap before the next sitting to do an honest paper-by-paper review of where marks were lost — since there's no subject exemption at this level, even a strong paper needs to be revisited if the overall aggregate fell short. Focus revision time disproportionately on whichever paper(s) came closest to the 40% threshold, since those are the most fixable gaps with a structured plan, rather than spreading effort evenly across all subjects.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes generally known and historically consistent ICAN policies and result patterns for informational purposes. Exact dates, fee amounts, and procedural details can change between exam sessions and should always be confirmed against the official notice published on en.ican.org.np for your specific exam session. This is not official guidance from ICAN — for binding information, always refer to the Institute's own notices or contact ICAN directly.
Related reading: Heading into CAP II next? See our companion guide, ICAN CAP II Syllabus Breakdown: Subject-Wise Weightage and Study Priority, for the full subject list and a sample study timetable.
Discussion