Established under the Company Secretaries Act, 1980, The Institute of Company Secretaries of India is a government administered body that creates and trains Company Secretaries in India. After the course of Company Secretaryship was announced in 1960 by the Company Law Board, the ICSI was initiated in 1968 which gained authority from the Company Law Board to ensure the timely conduction of the exam. Under the Company Secretaries Act, 1980, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) was then rehabilitated into a statutory body with effect from 1^st January, 1981. Comprising of 3 different categories for the students to appear for exams the CS certification includes Foundation Programme, Executive Programme, and Professional Programme. Professional Programme is the concluding round in Company Secretariat Exam. Candidates who have successfully passed their Foundation and Executive Programmes round are thus entitled to undertake Professional Programme. The candidate who qualifies the Professional Programme Examination along with valid practical experience, is obligatory to undergo practical training for four months.

However, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has withdrawn the CS Foundation Programme. Recently the CS Foundation programme has been substituted with CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET). Currently, students have to take CSEET for registration into Executive Programme, for which the candidates who have passed Class 12 are considered to be eligible.

The company secretariat exam is generally conducted in Computer-Based Mode. This article highlights some of the major aspects to help the candidates with some ultimate preparation tips for the company secretariat exam.

1. Have Clarity About CS Foundation Syllabus, Exam Pattern and Marking Style

To have a detailed CS Foundation Syllabus or CSEET Syllabus and Exam Pattern. You should analyse 4 papers in detail so a better study plan for the CS Foundation exam can be created. CS Foundation will cover topics related to English and Business communication, Economics and statistics, Financial Accounting, and Elements of Business Laws & Management. The students need to solve 100 questions without any negative marking along with a score of minimum 40% on individual subjects and 50% aggregate in all subjects to clear the exam.

2. Adopting a proper study schedule

Analysing the Company Secretary Foundation syllabus, students have to recognize their strength and weakness according to various sections. Another study plan for CS Foundation Exam is to create a proper study schedule by arranging the weaker sections and stronger sections in order. This will not only give the students a clarity about their preparing strategy, they will feel motivated to work on their weaker sections.  By working on those specific sections or subjects to build a thorough concept about them, students not only can easily convert their weakness to their strength before the final exam will feel encouraged to score better. 

3. Refer to online and off-line study materials

Thanks to the growing digitization and rapid use of the internet, students can access a wide variety of materials both online as well as offline. Most of the ex-candidates, aspiring students, and coaches form network over the internet with an intention of helping candidates. While the syllabus is fast, referring to study materials through various sources can help the students to gain clarity and confidence about this unique exam.

4. Practicing question papers of previous years and mock exams

Practicing the previous years’ question papers as well as the mock exams can encourage the students to attend maximum questions within the limited time frame. Since negative marking is also associated with the exam, practicing mock exams within the time limit will also increase the speed and efficiency of the students.

5. Get External help if needed

Students should never shy from taking external help either in form of coaching or moral guidance. Students can either approach the qualified students and ask for their guidance or enrol themselves in coaching institutions to stay aware and alert about various exam related notifications.