A First Class student throughout, Sneha recently
completed B.Com at Lucknow University. Aiming to make a career in the
banking sector, Sneha shares that she cracked the CS Finals in her first
attempt using strategy and time management. Regular study is the key to
success, maintains Sneha who practices Vipassana, a form of meditation,
which helped her to focus.
FAST FACTS
Name: Sneha Singh
Exam: CS Professional Programme (June 2011)
Rank: AIR third
Score: 479/800
Subjects if interest: Company Secretarial Practice;
Financial
Treasury & Forex Management
Date of Birth: September 8, 1987
Father: R. P. Singh (Manager, in General Insurance Company); Mother: Poonam Singh (LLM)
Schooling: St. Fidelis College, Lucknow
Course review:
How to become CS
Q.
How was the news of your success broken to you?
A. By a
friend on Facebook. Then I checked my result on ICSI website. I was
content with passing all groups with decent marks. I wasn’t expecting a
rank! It was one of my life’s greatest moments.
Q.
When did you decide to take up CS?
A.After completing graduation, alongside Chartered Accountancy course, I decided to take up CS.
Q.
Please tell us about life as a student…
A.I was an
all rounder till Class 12. I participated in debates, quizzes, sports
and various other competitions at both district and state level. I had a
rich co-curricular exposure. After Class 12 I channelised all my
energies into studies for CA and CS. Life has been a mixed bag of
struggle and success as a student; I do what I love and love what I do.
Q.
Please tell us about articleship and future career planning ?
A.I have
done my CA. articleship and will apply for exemption from training after
three years in job. Now, I will be joining Bank of Baroda as a Manager
(finance). I am looking forward to work with the bank in a corporate
Banking profile. I am moving to Mumbai for the same job. I was selected
through campus placements.
Q.
How important do you think training is to become a competent CS?
A.Training
is extremely important; application of theoretical knowledge to practice
gives an overall picture and a command over the subject.
Q.
What was your strategy for the exam?
A.I stuck
to the modules provided by ICSI on daily basis, and I also practiced
with previous years papers. I marked the relevant portion in the books
using the scanners (collection of previous years papers), and studied
the weightage of chapters and worked accordingly. I gave special
attention to how I presented the answers in both theory and practical
papers.
Q.
Did you take any guidance for preparation?
A.Yes, I
took a lot of guidance from my immediate college seniors and teachers
for the approach required for each subject, preparation time, organizing
and planning.
Q.
What is your perspective of coaching institutes?
A. Coaching
institutes do provide an indepth knowledge on the subject under
consideration. But please choose the coaching of renowned teachers,
having expertise in core areas. Not the ones’ who are providing solution
under one roof!
Q.
What is the future of a CS in the country?
A. CS’ are
the intelligent tools that corporates have to provide timely compliance
with laws and cover grey areas. They have plethora of opportunities both
in practice as well as job. With the onset of hundreds of acts,
notifications and amendments, CS plays a serious role of a compliance
officer. CS’ have a very bright future.
Q.
How do you usually spend your time when not studying?
A.I hang out with my close friends and family, watch movies, listen to music, and practice Vipassana meditation.
Q.
Your message to the future CS aspirants.
A. My
serious request to all CS aspirants is please give all modules at one
go. It is not as not as difficult as it seems. Organise your time. Plan
and strategise. Ask solutions for problems, there is an answer for each
one. Magnify your strengths and work on your weaknesses.
