ICSI: 16 Tips for Excelling in CS Executive and Professional Courses

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) offers the Company Secretary (CS) qualification through a three-stage course which is Foundation, Executive, and Professional. The Exams for the Executive and Professional courses commences from June 1.

The Exam Dates and syllabus for the ICSI CS Executive and Professional Courses are illustrated in the table below. It should be noted that the exams will be held for both 2017 (Old syllabus) and 2022 (New syllabus).

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Subjects and Exam Dates 2025 for ICSI CS Executive and Professional Courses 

• Subject Table for Professional Courses (Old Syllabus 2017)

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• ICSI CS Professional Course Exam Dates 2025 (Old Syllabus 2017)

Important Note: ICSI stated that June 2025 will be the last examination session for the Professional Course (Old Syllabus 2017). Students will be compulsorily switched over to the 2022 (New Syllabus) from December 2025 onwards.

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• Subject Table for ICSI CS Executive and Professional Course (New Syllabus 2022)

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• ICSI CS Executive and Professional Course Exam Dates 2025 (New Syllabus 2022)

Now let’s discuss the Tips to excel in the exams 2025 of ICSI CS Executive and Professional course

1. Understanding the Foundation  

• Master the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

First  thoroughly understand the syllabus for each subject. Pay close attention to the weightage of different topics and the exam pattern (e.g., MCQs, descriptive questions, case studies, open book). This will help you prioritize your studies effectively.

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• ICSI Study Material is Key

The ICSI study material should be your primary resource. It’s designed to cover the syllabus comprehensively. Additionally it has recommended reference books for deeper understanding and different perspectives, but don’t get overwhelmed by too many resources.

• Stay Updated with Amendments

For law-heavy subjects, staying current with the latest amendments, circulars, and notifications from ICSI, MCA, SEBI, etc., is very important. Marks can be lost for citing outdated provisions in the exams.

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2. Effective Study Strategies

• Create a Realistic and Consistent Study Plan

Develop a well-structured study timetable that allocates sufficient time to each subject based on its complexity and your proficiency. Consistency is more important than long study sessions. Aim for daily study goals and stick to your schedule.

• Focus on Conceptual Clarity

Move beyond memorization. Strive to understand the “why” behind the concepts, especially for law and practical subjects. This will enable you to tackle application-based questions effectively.

• Prepare Concise Notes

Make your own short notes, charts, and summaries while studying. This aids in quicker revision and better retention of key points, formulas, and sections.

• Practice a lot

Solve Previous Year Question Papers daily. This helps you understand the question patterns, difficulty level, and important topics.

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3. Develop Answer Writing Skills

• Develop Strong Answer Presentation

For descriptive answers:

1. Write clear, concise, and well-structured answers.  
2. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to improve readability.                               
3. Support your answers with relevant legal provisions, section numbers (if confident), and case laws (especially for law papers).

Additionally underline key terms and provisions in your answer which will help boost your marks

• Time Management During the Exam 

1. Allocate time to each question based on the marks allotted.                                              
2. Read the question paper carefully in the initial 15 minutes which will be granted in ICSI exams and plan your answering sequence.                                         
3. Attempt questions you are confident about first to build momentum.                                     
4. Don’t spend too much time on a single question if you’re stuck; move on and come back later if time permits.

4. Subject-Specific Tips

• Tackling Law Papers

1. Refer to Bare Acts to understand the exact language of the law.                                                      
2. Focus on interpretation and application of legal provisions.                                                             
3. Practice writing answers to case studies by identifying the core issue, relevant legal provisions, applying the law to the facts, and concluding with a reasoned judgment.

• Excelling in Practical Papers

1. Understand the underlying concepts and formulas thoroughly.                                                
2. Practice a wide variety of problems to gain speed and accuracy.                                                
3. Clearly show your workings and steps.

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• Strategic Approach for Open Book Exams (Professional Course)

1. Familiarize yourself thoroughly with your study material and Bare Acts. You need to know where to find information quickly.                                                                                     
2. Use bookmarks and highlight key sections in your reference materials beforehand.    
3. Focus on analytical and application-based answers. Simply copying from the book won’t fetch good marks. The aim is to apply the information to the given scenario.          
4. Time management is critical; don’t waste too much time searching for information.

5. General Tips for Success

• Consistent Revision is Non-Negotiable

Regular and cumulative revision is essential for retaining the vast syllabus. Plan for multiple revisions- weekly, monthly, and a final intensive revision before the exams.

• Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Don’t resort to selective studying. The entire syllabus is important.                                 
2. Avoid procrastination. Start your preparation early.                                                            
3. Don’t ignore your weaknesses. Identify and work on them.                                               
4. Refrain from comparing your preparation with others; focus on your own progress.

• Maintain Physical and Mental Well-being

1. Get adequate sleep, eat nutritious food, and stay hydrated.                                              
2. Incorporate short breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout.                           
3. Practice stress management techniques like meditation or light exercise.                        
4. Maintain a positive attitude and believe in your ability to succeed.

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6. Additional Tip

Attempt Mock Tests which will be available on the internet. Regularly take mock tests under exam conditions to assess your preparation, improve time management, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze your performance after each test.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can significantly enhance your preparation and boost your chances of scoring high in the ICSI CS Executive and Professional Course examinations. Good luck!

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