INTERVIEW WITH SWATHI- HOW TO PREPARE FOR CS PROFESSIONAL

Greetings! I am Swathi.N. I took up this course with no idea of what it is or how it would be. But later studied about it and realized my decision was correct even though I didn’t know about it completely. I started loving the subjects and it made me believe that landing up in this course was nothing but Destiny’s play. I cleared Module 1 and Module 2 of Executive in December 2019 and December 2020 respectively. I appeared for Module 1 & 3 of Professional Programme in December 2021 and by Almighty’s grace, cleared them. I will be appearing for my Module 2 exams in June 2022. One common thing throughout my CS journey till date is that I was blessed with great Mentors. Their Guidance and the inputs helped me a lot in clearing my exams. I am happy to share my experience and the little inputs hoping that it would help my peers in their journey. I would like to share about my mistakes as well so that those reading this can be cautious and can avoiding doing them. For the friends who have 9 more months for their Professional exams and have not started their training yet, I would very well suggest them to appear for all the 3 modules because the Open book papers are boon given by the Institute to its students and appearing for all the three modules will help with marks set off. Whereas for those people who do not have sufficient time, they could either appear for one module or two modules considering the factors like training, time left for the exams, preparation status, etc. But always trust your instincts; they are messages from your soul.

Hearty Congratulations on passing out 2 modules of CS Professional successfully.

In your very first attempt, you have written 2 modules and passed. Please tell us how you planned and did it.

Thank you so much Sir. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, I was not able to start my preparation as soon as I cleared my Executive exams in December 2020 attempt. I had only 5 to 6 months to prepare for my December 2021 professional exams. So I decided to appear for only 2 modules, i.e; module 1 & 3. I first completed my Open Book Exam papers (Labour Laws was my elective) so that I would feel like there are just 4 more papers to prepare and it can be done comfortably. By then I had purchased all the materials and lectures. I then started the preparation for other 4 subjects. I did not have much time so I had to ensure I understood the concepts at the earliest and learn them simultaneously as I could not afford piling them up for future. I wish I could have planned in such a way that I had some time to take up some test series. But due to time constraint, I was not able to take them up. I would suggest taking up test series as it helps us so much with writing practice and also helps us know where we stand with our exam preparation. Prefer test series where test syllabus is split into 4 or 8 parts than a full portions test. When test series are taken, it could be attempted during the last one month or 45 days revision time and also try to take up the tests within the time allotted for it as time management is the key during the exams. Though you know everything, only when you are able to put it in the paper within 3 hours, you will be able to score well.

What are the books you referred and any useful online classes that you would like to prefer.

Module 1:

GRMCE- It can very well be done on our own. Most of the topics are either already studied in other subjects like Company Law or Securities Law of Executive or Corporate funding of Professional or are very common and general and thus it could be understood very easily.

But for those students who would prefer some formatted material to ICSI Module, I would suggest them to go for GRMCE Book from YES Academy. Wonderful work has been done and it is extremely student friendly with key points highlighted.

TAX- I had purchased Mr. Mohd. Rafi’s Indirect Taxes book from Bharat Publications. It has wonderful content but it is too vast. Than investing in such books you could use the module itself and get a scanner or practice questions book. More the practice more will be the possibility to clear.

DRAFTING- I would very happily suggest taking virtual classes from YES ACADEMY (by Vikas Sir). The material was extremely nice. The classes were so productive and he ensured the students wrote each and every draft in their note. Do watch the demo lectures in YouTube and decide.

Module 3:

CORPORATE FUNDING- I took virtual classes from Inspire Academy (by Shubhamm Sir). I was extremely satisfied with the classes. Just follow the instructions religiously and I think you are half done with your preparations. To be honest, clearing the paper would seem really possible after attending his classes.

MCS- This is a paper which could be done on our own. No classes are required. Preparing an index for all the case laws given would help you very much during the exams. You can use materials from Inspire Academy, i.e; Saarthi (crux of the case), Yoddha (summary of the case). They are available for free in pdf format in their website. Even if you use their material, do not forget to note the page number of the case from the module and Yoddha next to the cases in Saarthi itself which would then serve as an index. This would make easy for attempting Part B of the question paper. Whereas for Part A, it is generally not from the module but based on the chapters given in it. So try to carry materials covering those topics. Say a material for Company law, Securities law, Labour laws, Competition Act, etc;

LABOUR LAWS- Just the module is enough. But edit the module’s index by including all the side headings in it. It helps during the exam to land straight into the page where the topic is given. It saves so much of time and easily helps us complete the paper within 3 hours. Even labour laws can be studied on our own. Also, have a list of important case laws along with its page number.

TEST SERIES- Lately I got to know about online test series. After much search, I got to know about CSTESTSERIES and the reviews have been great. Do check them as it would serve as both revision as well as writing practice.

Many students who want to write 2 modules prefer Module 1 and 3; however very few only crack both together. How can they crack both modules together

In module 1, a check point we have is Tax paper. The portions are so vast that we could appear for Direct and Indirect tax papers separately for 100 marks each and still be left will so much content untouched. So, prepare for this paper with all your possible efforts. Do not aim for ‘just pass’. Prepare for exemption and we will land up with 40 marks at least.

GRMCE is indeed a scoring paper provided you write the answers to the point. I have explained in detail about the preparation and presentation in the next question.

DRAFTING might seem easy to read and understand. But the herculean task lies in drafting the documents and that too within a few minutes during the exam hours. So only writing practice can help you manage time efficiently.

When it comes to Module 3, only Corporate Funding requires learning and understanding concepts. The other two papers are totally based on your strategies, how you implement them and how smartly you act during the 3 hours of exam time. It is generally suggested to choose either Labour Laws or IBC as the elective paper.

Whatever be your choice of 2 modules, do not forget that you can’t take the advantage of ‘marks set off’. You have to clear each module separately. So never ever think about just passing in few papers and scoring 60+ marks in other papers. It is safer to aim for 60+ in all the papers and prepare accordingly. So that, even in the worst case we at least just pass in one paper but clear the group.

4. First Module of CS Professional -Please tell us subject wise how to prepare and present.

GRMCE- It is very easy to understand the concepts. But we have to remember the side headings and not get confused as all the topics may seem similar after having a full reading.

• Try to figure out common points and never miss writing them because even in the case you do not know the exact answer, you can at least write down the common points.

• In your exams, attend the questions in the following order;

1. PART B

2. PART C

3. PART D

4. PART A

Ensure you have only Part A for the last 90 minutes.

TAX- This is that one subject which would literally turnout to be a nightmare if not prepared with consistency. It became one such for me.

• Do read the module at least one time fully. As the portions are vast, questions can be asked from any part and especially from those topics that we would not even have imagined a question could be asked.

• Be strong with the basics.

• Practice as many questions as possible.

• Attend PART B first. Complete it within 1 hour maximum.

DRAFTING- Writing practice is the key. Spending one day for one draft will also be sufficient.

• Though there is no specific mark allocation for drafts and theory questions, on an average drafts and theory are for around 40 marks and 60 marks respectively.

• First attend all the theory questions and then start with the drafts.

• Try not to spend more than 8 minutes for one theory question and 20 minutes for one 10 marks draft question.

• Time management is very important in this paper as it is generally a very lengthy one.

5. Third module of CS Professional – Please share your inputs paper wise. How to approach Open Book Exam?

CORPORATE FUNDING- It requires clear understanding of the concepts. It is very important to remember the limits.

• PART B (LISTING) is very scoring. Simple efforts can itself help you score 20 marks out of 40 marks. Mastering this part will help you fetch more marks in the paper as a whole because most of the exam questions are direct into the topic and not case study based.

• PART A is completely concept based. Efforts have to be put to understand them and remember them.

• In the exam, first attend PART B and then move to PART A.

• Ensure you do not spend more than 75 minutes for PART B.

MCS- Students can score well in this paper provided they identify the cases in a jiffy.

• Read the entire module at least once. For the revision, it is enough to read the summary.

• Writing practice is very important. So practice identifying the cases using the index and also practice presenting them as answer for the question.

• Do not forget to carry your Index. Ensure to have the crux, module page no., summary page no., at one place as it would be easier to land up straight into the case without wasting time in finding where the case is.

• If time permits, customize the index with cases sorted topic wise and section wise as in the case may be. It cuts down the number of cases to check even if you are unable to find the exact case.

• Page flags could be used in the module to easily reach the chapter.

• Do not write the entire case law as it is. Writing the summary alone is sufficient.

• Ensure to write the answer in accordance with the question and do not forget to quote the name of the parties to the case.

• I was personally very much benefitted with Yoddha and Saarthi. I had a customized index which helped me immensely during the exam. It was one of the main reasons I was able to completely attend the paper.

• Whereas for PART A of the question paper, keep materials handy covering the topics given in the module.

• Even though there is no restriction with the number of books to be carried to the exam hall, please carry only those materials that would actually be required. Do not carry a trolley full of books as you won’t have time even to unpack them and search page by page.

• First attend PART B and then proceed with PART A. Try to complete PART B within 90 minutes.

LABOUR LAWS- This is an extremely scoring paper.

• Read the entire module at least once. Highlight the key points.

• Index covering each and every topic and side heading is a must to carry.

• Page flags could be used to identify the Act quickly as there are different Acts in the syllabus and you can’t afford turning pages to find the chapter.

• Have a list of important case laws covered in the module along with its page number.

• It is sufficient to write the key points alone in the answer.

• Do not copy line by line for the answers.

• Just the module alone with index is sufficient to be carried to the exam hall. If necessary, you may carry a Dictionary and Bare Act along with the module.

• There are rare chances for asking a numerical question. So to be on the safer side, carry a calculator as well.

• Even in this paper, attend PART B first. Then proceed with PART A. Ensure to complete PART B within 90 minutes.

6. How to present the answers in the exam?

• Do not beat around the bush. Write specific points.

• Present the answers point wise and not as a paragraph.

• Stick with the planned time for answering the questions. Ensure Time management.

• Try to spend last 5 minutes of the exam time to highlight the key words.

• Answer case study questions (in any subject) in the format said below;

1. Facts of the case

2. Provision

3. Decision

4. Reason

• For MCS paper, attend the case law questions in the format said below;

1. Facts and Question involved

2. Applicable judgment and Provision

3. Conclusion

For any further clarifications or queries regarding exams, you can ping me through WhatsApp. I would be glad to help you by sharing whatever the little I know and also those techniques that helped me.

All the best. Not just for your exams but for all your future endeavors. Always remember “If we fail to prepare, we prepare to fail”