Saturday, 8 March 2025

CS Professional Old Syllabus : Tips for all 3 Modules : Interview with Monikha

1. Hearty congratulations on completing the CS Course Monikha ; Did you write the groups separately or few of them together?

Thank you Sir. As everyone is aware of CS Professional (old syllabus) contains 3 modules. I attempted 3 modules separately. I think attempting modules separately gives us the ample of time to Study, especially those are simultaneously working.

2. How many years it took to clear the Professional alone? Were you working/ doing your training?

For me, to complete professional examination it took around 2 years. Except module 1, other modules ( i.e.,2 ND and 3 RD have cleared in 1 st attempt).

At present, I have completed my training. While attempting my professional exams, I was in my articles.

3. Can you tell paperwise how to prepare- first on Group 1 of old Syllabus

Paper 1- Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics

THIS IS THE SCORING PAPER IN MODULE 1.

This consist of 4 parts.

1. Governance – 50 marks(3^rd important): It has 11 chapters. Just come across all the chapters once. Chapters in this part are mostly you would have studied in executive level.

2. Risk Management – 20 marks (1^st important): This is the part you should be thorough with. One chapter carries 20 marks. Start with this part 1^st and learn the concepts clearly. All the concepts are very important, not to omit any topics. Answers can be written by your own words. Make sure you get at least around 15 marks in this part.

3. Compliances - 20 marks (2^nd important): This part consist of 3 chapters. This part is likewise important. All the notes mentioned above are applicable for this part.

4. Ethics & Sustainability - 10 marks (4^th important): This part consists of 3 chapters. The concepts in the chapters are general in nature. You can give your answers in your own.

Paper 2- Advanced Tax law

This would be the subjective paper. Almost the same chapters were covered as you studied in Executive level. Only difference is in executive level you would have attempted in objective manner but here it is subjective. For me, when I start reading it was tough like how to attempt the paper, but once I gone through and practiced the sums, I gained confidence. I purchased class for tax, my advice for tax paper would be if you are really good in accounts and numbers you can study by your own, if not you can purchase the class. Most important in respect to pass this paper is to do a lot of practice.

This consist of 2 parts.

1. Indirect Taxes - 70 Marks: This part subdivide into 2:

a. GST (60 marks) -

b. Custom law (10 marks).

2. Direct Tax & International Taxation: 30 Marks

Paper 3- Drafting, Pleading and appearances

This paper is to test our drafting skills. If you’re a person having good drafting skills then need not to be worried about this paper, all we want to do is to go through the formats given in the study material. Roughly for about 30-40 marks are pertaining to drafting the agreement etc., there will be direct questions also. I would say this subject will be really helpful in our CS career. Drafting will enhance our professionalism very much.

The tip I followed was, I wrote all the format in a paper while studying, in brief to make a quick revision frequently.

4. Tips on Group 2 papers…

Paper 4- Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence

This paper is the damn easy subjects in module – 2. I would say this would be your saving paper. This paper practically connects with our training very much. Need not spend much time in this subject. Learn the topics in the chapters write on your own.

These papers consist of 2 parts:

1. Compliance Management - 40 Marks

2. Secretarial Audit & Due Diligence - 60 Marks

Paper 5- Corporate Restructuring, Insolvency, Liquidation and Winding – up

Here comes the vast subject…..

This paper contains 2 books to study.

1. Part I – Corporate Restructuring – 50 marks

2. Part II: Insolvency, Liquidation & Winding-Up - 50 Marks

Study all the chapters once in both the books, analyse in which book you are very much confident with. Do thorough learning over the concepts. There will be sums regarding valuation for about 10 marks. Try solving past question papers. While studying the 2^nd part, start from the 1^st chapter, do not skip the in-between concepts and jump to the next chapter. All the chapters are inter connected. Time management will be learnt from this subject, like to allocate time, preference etc. At the time of Revision, you would have only time to just flip the pages you have already studied, so while studying itself make sure you understood the concepts. Try to know most of the caselaw for better marks

Paper 6- Corporate restructuring and insolvency

This subject is more with the legal terms. Some topics in this paper has to be byhearted. Do not skip any of the chapters. All the chapters have equal weightage. Try to know most of the caselaw for better marks. Caselaw based questions are highly asked.

5. Module 3 papers

Coming to module 3, I would say this would be the easier one comparatively.

Paper 7- Corporate Funding and Listings in Stock Exchanges

This paper contains 2 parts.

1. Corporate Funding - 60 Marks (2^nd important)

2. Listing - 40 Marks (1^st important)

All the chapters are equally important. This would be the scoring paper in Module 3.

Paper 8 Multidisciplinary Case Studies Open book

This paper is full of case laws. 1st read all the caselaw and write in brief by your own. Know the concepts of the caselaw that would be enough. 2nd make Index with the name of the case law (like in case of SEBI write all the related caselaw, insolvency write all the related caselaw), this will help to point out the caselaw in the exam. Make sure you manage the time in the exam, for 1st 30 mins– 45 mins try to find out the caselaw.

Around 40 marks are asked relating to chapter 6 (Business Strategy and Management), book back in the study material and in general. For this refer previous 6 question papers which will gives an idea.

Paper 9- Electives- Open book

I opted for Insolvency law and practice.

It is almost 90% same as insolvency in module 2.

6. Which of the groups you found it difficult? Why- how you managed it

I felt 1st module is little difficult because of tax paper. I try solving as many model questions which helps me to pass.

7. Module 2 of old syllabus – lot of people struggle though the papers are core subjects of Company law- getting aggregate here is very difficult – how to handle it

I would say Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence paper is the scoring paper. I don’t think module 2 is though rather I would say it is vast because it contains 4 books to study. If we allocate correct time and constantly revising, it will lead to success. Study and remember as many caselaw you can to get more marks.

8. Any general suggestions on how to prepare/ present.. mainly theory papers and open book exams?

· Make sure you answer for 100 marks; even you don’t know the answer write something related to those concepts.

· Try to mention section nos. wherever required.

· Write the answers according to the marks.

· Revise at least 2 times before going for exams. Try to write at least 1 past year question paper to allocate the time and that will gives you confident and clarity on how to present the paper.

· Try to attempt most known answers/parts in the beginning of the answer paper.

· In case of problem paper, there will be step marks so try attending all the questions.

· For open book I have already mentioned in detail

All the best future Company Secretaries - Monikha

Interview by: CS Mohankumar

CS Professional New syllabus - Paperwise tips- Interview with Dhanush

Interview with Nivetha who passed CS Prof - New SyllabusBoth Modules

New syllabus Exam Tips- Module 1- Interview with Hemasri

Friday, 7 March 2025

Exam Tips for Module 1 & 2 of New syllabus: Interview with M S Manickavasakam

Congratulations Manickavasakam on completing the CS Course; How the planning happened and how much preparation you did ..

I completed my 21 months training in listed company and ended up being as a semi qualified CS in a listed company again. Even though work was hectic, I found myself to dedicate specific time in a daily basis for completing the syllabus. I frequently used ICSI Centralised Online Classes and it was very much helpful for my preparation. I also used mock tests which helped me to shape writing skills and time management.

Your paperwise tips…

Module – 1

Paper 1- ESG:

ESG is a hardcore theory paper and it has been divided into three parts. First, i started with Risk Management because that one chapter alone weighs 20 marks. Part 1 is also easy as it is all based on Companies Act and SEBI contents. Since i have exposure of it in my workplace i felt it was bit easy to grasp. I studied all chapters and worked with scanners and past year papers

Paper 2- Drafting & Pleading

Since i was a law student, it was easy for me to learn and prepare for this paper. This paper gives equal weightage for drafts and theory. First four chapters is theory and remaining chapters are drafts. I prepared all the drafts and made skeleton drafts with main pointers for quick reference. For example, for Legal notice draft, it should be facts based, for affidavit the draft should be in first person like that.

Paper 3- Compliance management, Audit & DD

Personally, I found CMADD to be a toughest subject because it is expected to provide precise answers which correlates with the ICSI study material. One challenge i faced was that even after completing the syllabus i tend to forget the concepts now and then. So, i started preparing one page fact sheet which contains information of all topics in that particular chapter. Mock test for this paper was really really helpful.

Paper 4- Open book

I chose CSR because the chapters of this paper are quite easy and not complex. This is one of the paper which doesn’t have any sections, provisions, case laws. This is actually an advantage in a open book paper. I created chapter - wise index and marked important topics/questions in it. Yes there were some case studies. In the index itself i created separate column and inserted summarised text in it which was useful at exam hall. Overall time management is key. I focused on attempting full 100 marks. Since it is open book paper, usually we as students will try to write more contents. What to write and what not to is a key.

Did you attend any classes – also suggest books and reference materials if any for the papers..

Earlier I attended online classes. For this attempt I used online centralised classes in ICSI TCS Ion website and it was useful to prepare and complete the syllabus. According to me, ICSI Study material is more than sufficient.

Open book exams – there is one paper each in both groups – students struggle to get more marks in open book- how to write open book exams

Open Book paper is all about time management and formulating techniques to limit the time to find answers in the exam hall. I kept a deadline for me. 15 minutes reading time + 10 mins extra time. 25 mins is the overall time limit within which answers for all the questions has to be found out. I practiced frequently with random questions and set timer to found out the answers. Index preparation is very vital as it helped during the exam hall very much. I understood that the examiners looks for answers with clarity rather than answers with quantity. They are not giving marks for very lengthy answers (my view), they are not providing marks if u exactly reciprocate the bare text of the book. Examiners expects students to provide their interpreted version of the answers with the help of materials and information therewith.

Any general suggestions on how to prepare/ present?

Generally, I usually prefer to split a day into multiple slots and study which provided me effective results. I split a day like 9 am-12 noon, 4-7 pm, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 11pm - 1am. there were sufficient breaks in between and also it is not too lengthy session which helped me to concentrate more rather than getting tired often.

I personally feel study material is more than sufficient and one has to complete all the chapters and if possible take mock tests. Try to shape a answer. For example, for a 5 marks application oriented questions, i will first write the facts provided in the questions, then respective provisions of it, then elaborate and correlate with the issue and conclude the answer. The overall answer can be of one page and i feel it is sufficient. So, Constructing a answer is more important.

I hope the above inputs will be useful to everyone. All the Best..!

Other related posts:

CS Professional New syllabus - Paperwise tips- Interview with Dhanush

Interview with Nivetha who passed CS Prof - New SyllabusBoth Modules

New syllabus Exam Tips- Module 1- Interview with Hemasri

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

CS Professional New syllabus - Paperwise tips- Interview with Dhanush

Interview with Dhanush

1. Hearty congratulations on completing the CS Course; you were someone who wrote & passed papers both in Old and New syllabus- can you share about that decision. Your general thoughts on both the syllabuses- whether it was a right decision to switch over?

Thank You Sir.

I had to balance both my internship and studies, which was quite challenging. However, I was determined to push through.

I failed my first two attempts, so in my third attempt, I focused on clearing one module at a time. This approach worked, and after passing my first module, my confidence improved. That’s when I decided to switch to the new syllabus, as it removed two of the toughest subjects. I also anticipated that the pass percentage might be higher with the new syllabus, and I believe I made the right decision.

Thoughts on Both Syllabuses

Old Syllabus (3 Modules, 9 Papers)

Module 1: Advanced Tax and Drafting were tough and felt like a burden.

Module 2: No matter how well one prepared, aggregate marks could still cause failure. This was my personal experience, though it might have worked for others.

Module 3: MDCS (Multi-Disciplinary Case Studies) was extremely difficult. Many questions were out of syllabus, and in one exam, I scored just 18 marks, despite earning exemptions in the other two papers of the module.

For me, switching to the new syllabus was the best choice, as it helped me clear my papers. However, the decision depends on each individual.

New Syllabus (2 Modules, 7 Papers)

With fewer papers (7 instead of 9) and only 2 modules, the workload naturally feels lighter.

Most of the stressful subjects from the old syllabus were removed, making the exam more manageable.

Based on my experience, I would say the new syllabus is a better option for those considering a switch.

2. Can you tell paper wise how to prepare- first on Group 1 of new Syllabus

PAPER 1- ESG:

The ESG paper consists of three sections:

Part A – 65 Marks

Part B – 20 Marks

Part C – 15 Marks

To make the best use of your preparation time, start with Parts B and C first. This will give you a sense of progress, as you’ll have covered 35 marks before moving to Part A.

Part C (15 Marks) – Cover First

· It consists of two lessons – cover both completely since the syllabus is limited.

Part B (20 Marks) – Cover Next

· Try to cover all the key concepts in this section.

· The last 10 pages of the lesson hold the least importance – you can either skip them or study them later.

Part A (65 Marks) – Cover in a Balanced Way

· Lesson 4 & 5: These contain practical questions. Start with these to be on the safer side.

· Lessons 1-3: These are highly theoretical. Go slowly, one lesson at a time.

(Corporate Governance Practices in Other Countries: These are rarely asked, so either skip them or study them at the end)

· Lessons 7-10: These are mid-sized lessons – pace yourself while covering them.

· Lessons 11-17: These are short lessons – they are easier to cover quickly.

Best Strategy for Part A

Mix small lessons with mid/large lessons to maintain balance.

This approach will help you cover the syllabus efficiently without feeling overwhelmed.

PAPER 2- DRAFTING & PLEADING

Drafting is divided into two parts:

Part A: 70 Marks

Part B: 30 Marks

· In drafting, theoretical questions account for approximately 70 marks, while drafting-based questions cover around 30 marks.

· Theoretical questions appear in both Part A & Part B.

· Drafting-based questions are mostly from Part A.

Part A (70 Marks)

Lessons 1 - 3: Medium-sized

Lessons 4 - 6: Large-sized

Lessons 7 & 8: Small-sized

Study Strategy:

· Break down difficult lessons into smaller parts.

· Pair one small or medium-sized lesson with portions of a difficult lesson.

· Except for Lessons 7 & 8, all other lessons contain drafts, which are extensive. Summarize them in a rough notebook for better retention.

Part B (30 Marks)

Lessons 11 & 14: Small-sized

Lessons 9 & 10: Medium-sized

Lessons 12 & 13: Large-sized

Study Strategy:

· Combine a small or medium-sized lesson with portions of a large lesson for efficient learning

Paper 3- COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT, AUDIT & DD

(Not Applicable to me)

Paper 4- OPEN BOOK

CSR & Social Governance

Part A (CSR): 50 Marks

Part B (Social Governance): 50 Marks

All lessons are medium-sized.

Common Mistake in Open-Book Exams

· Many students assume that open-book exams require no prior study. They simply prepare an index and rely on it during the exam. However, this can be misleading.

· While it may seem easy, the real challenge comes during the exam itself. You might feel confident that you know the concepts and their locations in the book, but when searching for answers under time pressure, it becomes difficult.

How to Approach Open-Book Exams

· Do not underestimate open-book exams—frequent revision is crucial.

· The more you familiarize yourself with the book and its structure, the easier it will be to locate answers during the exam.

Specific Strategies for CSR:

· Lesson Round-Ups: These contain additional concepts not covered within the main lesson—make sure to study them.

· End-of-Lesson Questions: Practice finding answers to these questions within the book.

· Xerox Copies of Applicable Acts: Identify the key Acts mentioned in lessons and keep xerox copies handy for quick reference.

· Checklist of Materials: Prepare a detailed checklist of all the materials you will take into the exam hall.

3. Tips on Group 2 papers…

Paper 5- STRATEGIC MANEGEMENT & CORPORATE FINANCE

Part A (Strategic Management) – 40 Marks

Part B (Corporate Finance) – 60 Marks

Part A (SM - 40 Marks)

Lessons: 3 small-sized, 1 medium-sized & 2 large-sized

Study Plan:

· Break down large lessons into smaller parts.

· Study medium and small lessons together to ensure steady progress.

· All lessons have case laws, but they are lengthy—summarize them to present precise answers.

Part B (CF - 60 Marks)

· Lessons: 14 lessons in total

· Except Lessons 8, 12, and 13, all others are small or medium-sized.

· Study them simultaneously for better coverage.

Important Points:

· Every lesson has threshold limits—note them carefully to avoid confusion later.

· Thresholds in REITs & InvITs lessons are similar—study them together and highlight the differences.

Key Numerical Topics:

1. Green Shoe Option

2. Letter of Credit

3. Bank Guarantee

4. Factoring

5. Maximum Permissible Bank Finance

Paper 6- CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING & INSOLVENCY

Not Applicable

Paper 7- OPEN BOOK

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law & Practice

If you have chosen this paper as your optional subject, kudos to you! You’ve made a smart decision. This subject is already covered under the Corporate Restructuring, Valuation, and Insolvency paper.

However, this paper includes two to three additional lessons, so make sure to cover them properly.

How to Prepare:

· Prepare an index in a way that suits you best.

· Go through the book frequently to get used to it.

· Open-book exams may seem easy because you don’t have to memorize everything, but if you don’t revisit the book regularly, it can become stressful.

Exam Focus Areas:

· The paper includes case laws and practical scenarios—expect questions on both.

· Review similar lessons from the Corporate Restructuring paper—additional case laws from there may be asked.

· Always cover amendments thoroughly, as they can carry significant marks.

Presentation Tips:

· Utilize the first 15 minutes to read the questions. If you can’t, start answering the ones you have found.

· Highlight important provisions and case references in your answers.

· If you don’t remember a case name, simply write: “As per the judgment/provisions given in a decided case law."

4. Hailing from a smaller town like Coimbatore–Did you attend any classes? How was your preparation ?

No, sir. I didn’t attend any formal classes, but I firmly believe that success isn’t determined by location. With a positive mindset, daily commitment, and the right resources, anyone can excel. Nowadays, online classes—both live and recorded—make quality education accessible to everyone, so being from a smaller town is no longer a limitation.

Preparation Strategy:

· I aimed to give my best every day, but since I was balancing my internship and studies, my daily efforts varied. Whether it was 70%, 50%, or even just 10%, I ensured that I showed up consistently.

· Studying two subjects in parallel worked well for me. Switching between subjects helped maintain focus and prolonged study hours without exhaustion.

· I followed a clear study plan—mapping out my daily, weekly, and monthly goals. This ensured I covered concepts effectively, followed by revision and exam readiness.

· I maintained a study log, noting down the topics covered and whether they were studied or revised. This visual progress tracker kept me motivated.

· I used short stories to simplify complex concepts and sticky notes to reinforce difficult topics. Regular revision reduced last-minute stress.

Approach During the Exams:

· Even after months of preparation, certain topics may feel unfamiliar during the exam. However, if the preparation has been strong, staying confident is key.

· Reviewing past years' guideline answers helped me understand question patterns and prepare accordingly.

· If one exam didn’t go well, I wouldn’t dwell on it. Instead, I would refocus on the next paper, which was still in my control.

Post-Exam Evaluation:

· After exams, I took a short break and then evaluated my answers to estimate my performance.

· If I felt confident about passing, I shifted focus to the next module or skill enhancement. If not, I started preparing again without delay.

5. Are there any paper which has problem oriented in new syllabus and how much they ask problems in papers…

· No Sir. I don’t see any paper in the new syllabus as completely problem-oriented.

· In fact, problem-based papers have been reduced compared to the old syllabus.

· Subjects like Advanced Tax Laws, Multi-Disciplinary Case Studies, and Resolution of Corporate Disputes, which previously had problem-solving elements, now focus more on conceptual understanding.

· Students appearing for exams under the new syllabus should take advantage of this change and focus on building a strong grasp of the concepts.

6. What are the points to score more marks in theory paper?

Many students see theory papers as a burden, but they don’t have to be. If you have covered the concepts well, there’s no need to panic—examiners can’t ask anything beyond the syllabus. While application-based and accounting papers may have twisted questions, theory papers are more straightforward.

Let’s break down easy steps to study theory papers effectively:

1. Break Down Large Lessons:

· Theory chapters tend to be lengthy. Instead of tackling a 60-page lesson all at once, break it into smaller parts (e.g., 20 pages at a time).

· Study one section at a time—this makes learning easier and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed.

2. Focus on Concepts, Not Just Memorization:

· You don’t have to memorize every word—just understand and retain the key concepts.

· Some theory papers don’t have clear concepts and may feel vague or difficult to remember. In such cases:

· Seek help from a friend who has already cleared the paper—they might have a useful strategy.

· Use AI tools to simplify complex topics. Copy a difficult concept, paste it into an AI assistant, and ask for a short, simple explanation. This can make learning easier.

3. Use Smart Study Techniques:

· Make short stories for point-wise answers to aid memory.

· Recall tough concepts frequently to reinforce retention.

· Mark difficult topics with sticky notes and review them regularly.

4. Refer to Previous Year Guideline Answers:

· Going through past papers helps you understand what kind of topics are frequently asked.

· This allows you to align your preparation accordingly and focus on high-priority topics.

By following these steps, you can simplify theory paper preparation and improve your chances of scoring well.

7. Any general suggestions on how to prepare/ present?

PREPARATION

I have already covered the preparation phase in detail earlier, so you can refer to that for key insights. Here are a few additional steps you can apply:

1. Organize Your Study Material:

· For each subject, note the number of pages a lesson covers in the index.

· You don’t have to follow the lesson order strictly (Lesson 1, then 2, and so on).

· Start with shorter lessons first—they take less time to complete and give you confidence. Once you gain momentum, move on to longer lessons.

2. Mixing Lesson Sizes:

· Instead of only studying short lessons, you can combine two small lessons and one big lesson (divided into smaller parts) in a study session.

3. Regular Revision:

· Schedule regular recall sessions.

· I used to allocate at least half a day on weekends to revise concepts covered during the week.

PRESENTATION

1. Clarity Matters:

· Covering all concepts is important, but how you present them matters more.

· Try to write 1 to 2 pages per answer, unless a longer explanation is necessary.

2. Use One Pen Color:

· Avoid switching between black and blue pens—stick to one to save time.

· Underline key points at the end for emphasis.

3. Time Management:

· You have 3 hours and 15 minutes, so plan accordingly.

· If you take 15 minutes to read the question paper, that’s fine—start writing as soon as you're ready. If not, begin answering immediately without wasting time.

4. Practice with Previous Papers:

· Write at least one past year question paper to assess whether you can complete the exam within the allotted time.

5. Time Tracking:

· Some people allocate 5 to 10 minutes per question—you can follow this or at least keep track of time after completing each section.

6. Answer Formatting:

· Start a new page for each answer, unless the previous page has only 2-3 lines left.

· Write answers point-wise to highlight key points and make it easier for the examiner to award marks.

· Leave one line space between points to improve readability.

7. Sequence Matters:

· Try to answer in order (Q1, then Q2, Q3, etc.)—this helps create a good impression on the examiner.

8. Post-Exam Evaluation:

· Try to get a copy of your answer sheet after results. This helps you analyze how marks were awarded and identify areas for improvement in future attempts.