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.
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