How these small-town girls topped the CS finals!

Meet Mahima Kapoor from Satna and Geetika Bhatia from Jaisalmer who stood first and second in in the Company Secretary final exam

Mahima Kapoor achieved success in her first attempt in the Company Secteray final exam, and shares that self-study is 'more than sufficient for success in this exam'.

She also urges students to choose their faculty wisely in case they consider coaching. Mahima's father Mohan Kapoor is a manager with a construction company and her mother Usha Kapoor is a teacher and her hobbies include painting, reading books and watching films.

How did you feel when you got the good news?

I got the news in office where my colleagues were very excited to know my rank. They all stood up and clapped for me, and that was an overwhelming moment for me.

When did you decide to take up CS? And in how many attempts did you crack it?

I decided to pursue CS as my career when I was Class 10 as it is a reputed profession. After completing my graduation I started with my CS course.I have cleared the Executive programme (AIR 13) as well as Professional exams in my first attempt

Please tell us about your life as a student...

My life as a student started from my home -- my mother is my first teacher. I started my schooling from my hometown (Satna) and chose the commerce stream in Class 11. In my entire school life I have never taken any coaching or private coaching classes.

After my schooling I joined graduation in my hometown and did a BBA (Bachelors of Business Administration) after which I joined CS in 2009. I cleared the executive level in June 2010 and professional level in June 2011.

Tell us about your articleship...     

I started my articleship after my exams in June 2011, with Prestige Group of Companies in Indore.

Is training important so as to become a competent CS?

Besides being a compulsory, the 15-month-long training is very important because in the class we only get to know about relevant laws and their provisions but how to implement these laws practically, this is part of our training.

To become a competent CS we must have practical knowledge of all the procedures n their compliances.

How do you spend your time when you are not studying?

I usually spend my time chatting and hanging out with friends, watching TV, movies and reading books.

What would you like to do after CS -- practice or higher studies?

I'll go for a job in a company. But I would also like to do an LLB to support my career.

Did you take any guidance for preparation?

I joined Nahata Professional Academy in Indore for CS coaching. I have not referred any other books other than the institute study material and the notes provided by my coaching Faculty.

Your strategy at every level...

CS is a three level course - Foundation, Executive and Professional level. I skipped Foundation as I was already a graduate. My Strategy was to attend classes regularly and be attentive in classes. I gave myself one month's time for self-study in the Executive and Professional level.

How good are coaching institutes and what to be cautious of if you choose one?

As there are no colleges for CS students these coaching institutes are very helpful as CS is a law field, and to get complete knowledge and understanding of our syllabus it is important to have good mentor.

The most important subject is Company Law and I'm lucky enough that I got a mentor like Mr Tanay Kasera who has a good command in this subject.

While choosing any coaching we must be cautious about its faculty and regular classes. It is very important that they are referring study material for preparing for exams.

Your message to the future CS aspirants...

Good luck, be attentive in classes and grasp laws properly.

FAST FACTS

Name: Mahima Kapoor
Exam: CS Professional Programme
Rank: All India First
Date of Birth: July 19, 1989
School: Christ Jyoti Hr Secondary School, Satna (MP)
College: Shri Rama Krishna College, Satna (MP)
Course: BBA with specialisation in HR and marketing

Geetika Bhatia hails from a small district in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and managed to clear her Company Secretary exam with a second rank, sans coaching.

As a student of Chartered Accountancy, she saw the exam as a step towards her larger goal.

She opines that there is no substitute for hard work and perseverance. In her free time, she loves spending quality time with her friends and family and her hobby is dancing!

How was the news of your success broken to you?

I was informed about the news by my close friend, who sent me a message on my mobile phone congratulating me for the 2nd rank in CS exams. I was immensely overjoyed to hear it and then went ahead and checked the result myself.

When did you decide to take up CS?

At present, I am pursuing my Chartered Accountancy. I intended to upgrade my profile, as I continue with my studies. It was necessary to gauge my strengths and weaknesses. So in August 2009, I decided to take the CS examinations and started preparing for it.

In how many attempts were you able to achieve success?

I believe I am immensely lucky as I managed to clear all the stages in my first attempt.

Please tell us about your life as a student 

I would say student life is the golden era of a human being's life and the most beautiful phase. I have always tried to persevere towards my goals and ambitions and taken them up with challenge.

Courage and dedication are my two important weapons. I have taken up every endeavour in my student life as a battle, fought with valour and managed to win the situation.

How important do you think training is to become a competent CS?

Like in any other sector, training is important to gain a practical experience and understand industry trends. It exposes an individual to the current industry practices, its prospects and future.

It would not be possible to cater to your clients in best possible way, unless you have a hands-on training. So I believe training is a prerogative and essential to become a competent CS.

How do you usually spend your time if you are not studying?

I have a very loving and supporting family. I love to spend my free time with them and enjoy every single moment of it. Also, I have numerous friends and it is always a treat to catch up with them in my free time.

How do you now intend to plan your career?

CS for me was only a step towards achieving my larger goal of becoming a CA. I needed to understand where I stand with respect to my preparations.

As of now, my rank in CS has given me a lot of motivation to work towards my CA completion. Once I complete my CA, I would take a call on how to pursue my career.

Did you take any guidance for preparation?

I belong to a small district in Jaisalmer, which doesn't really have many proper educational institutions and coaching centres. I tried to seek guidance from my seniors in college and other acquaintances, who had given CS examinations. However, major part of my preparation was my effort.

How good are coaching institutes and what should one be cautious of, if you choose one?

I don't know how to respond to the importance of coaching institutions. I did not take any coaching for CS examinations. I just gave in my 100 per cent in preparation of the course and got little help from my seniors.

But if I had to comment on the precautions regarding coaching institutions, I would say that don't go by elaborate advertisements endorsing complete success.

Do some research on your own, regarding the results and success rate of the various coaching institutions in your vicinity. Talk to your friends and seniors, who have attended these institutions. Then choose the institution, which has shown best possible results.

Your message to the future CS aspirants...

After having cleared the CS successfully, I can only tell my aspiring friends that there are no shortcuts to success.

The only mantra is to work hard and give your 200%. The other things will fall in place on their own.

Could you list the prominent study materials, books that you consulted for preparation?

As discussed earlier, I did not have access to any coaching institutions or much guidance. The only material, which I studied was the study modules and the scanners. I guess if these materials are studied thoroughly, they are extremely useful in clearing the examinations.

FAST FACTS:

Full Name: Geetika Bhatia
Date of Birth: November 6, 1989
Parent's Name and Occupation: Rajan Bhatia - Businessman, Gayatri Bhatia - Homemaker
Schooling: Air Force School, Jaisalmer
College and Subjects: BCom at SKB College, Jaisalmer
Score in CS: 484/800
Rank: Second
Hobbies: Dancing