Reliable evaluation of base saturation and cation balance in calcareous soils depends on accurate estimation of exchangeable cations. However, this estimation is often challenged by the partial dissolution of soil calcium carbonate (CaCO3) during extraction with the 1 N ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) method buffered at pH 7.0. Present study evaluated the combined effect of buffer pH, soil CaCO3 content, and extraction duration on CaCO3 solubility and its effect on the determination of exchangeable Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K) and CEC in low to moderately calcareous semi-arid soils. Both pure CaCO3 and soil samples with varying carbonate contents (0-3%) were assessed using different 1 N NH4OAc buffer pH (6.5-9) at different extraction equilibrium durations (24-72 h). Prolonged extraction increased Ca release at lower buffer pH, while extraction duration had a negligible effect at pH 8.5. Results revealed that CaCO3 solubility decreased with increasing 1 N NH4OAc buffer pH, particularly pH 8.5 buffer reduced Ca and Mg dissolution compared with the pH 7.0 buffer. Both extractants yielded comparable results in soils having lower carbonate content (< 0.2% CaCO3), whereas pH 8.5 showed more consistent estimates in soils with >0.5% CaCO3. Across CaCO3 levels, NH4OAc buffered at pH 7.0 increased Ca solubilization by 12-115% compared with pH 7.5 to 8.5 resulting in significant overestimation of exchangeable Ca, whereas it didn't significantly affect the extraction of Mg, Na and K. This measurable Ca overestimation at pH 7 mainly affects pedological interpretations such as base saturation and cation balance calculations in calcareous soils.