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.

 

  Other related posts:

How to prepare/ present New syllabus - Both Modules : Tips/ Interview with Manooshri

New syllabus Exam Tips- Module 1- Interview with Hemasri

Interview with Nivetha who passed CS Prof - New Syllabus Both Modules