Isca tips

CA. Rishabh (Professional) (656 Points)

05 April 2012  

 

Tips & Strategies for ISCA Exams:

 
Prep Tips
  • -Given the limited availability of time, first prepare all the MOST IMPORTANT questions of every chapter. Then target the IMPORTANT questions and based on remaining time, prepare the SEMI-IMPORTANT questions and so on. This will ensure that you do not leave ANY chapter COMPLETELY.
  • -Use Mnemonics carefully. Just remembering the first letter of every Headings may not help you remember the Headings in the exams. Relate Mnemonic to actual headings' words. E.g. For Classification of Information (Chap 3), instead of using "THCPIP", use "even TOP High Court (HC) Professor Uses Public toilet".
Exam Writing Tips
  • -Answer's headings in CAPITAL letters
  • -Answer's sub headings in BULLETS
  • -Sub-headings' important points/keywords in UNDERLINE (also prescribed in ICAI publication - How to face Exams)
  • -During exams, if you are able to remember only the headings of an answer, write all the headings in CAPITAL letters and leave some lines beneath all of them. Move on to next question and attempt to write the sub-headings in later part of the examination. This will help save time and prevent nervousness from creeping in.
  • -Attempt the entire paper. Attempt the unfamiliar questions at the last. Even if you do not know the answer, use common sense are write something so that the examiner may get some opportunity to provide SOME marks.
Example:
 
Q. What do you understand by classification of information? Explain different classifications of information.
["even TOP High Court (HC) Professor Uses Public toilet"]
 
A. Classification of information helps assign a level of sensitivity to information. Indicates degree of protection needed and provides indicative value of asset. The classification are as follows:
 
1) TOP SECRET
  • - Highly sensitive internal information
  • - Disclosure leads to serious damage
  • - Security level is highest possible
  • - E.g. pending mergers or acquisitions; plans or designs
2) HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
  • - Information critical to its ongoing operations
  • - Disclosure seriously impede organization’s operations 
  • - Security level is very high
  • - E.g. accounting information, sensitive customer information of banks
3) PROPRIETARY
  • - Information of a proprietary nature
  • - Security level is high
  • - E.g. procedures, project plans, designs & specifications
4) INTERNAL USE ONLY  
  • - Not approved for general circulation
  • - Disclosure causes inconvenience, not financial loss
  • - E.g.  internal memos, minutes of meetings, internal project reports
5) PUBLIC DOCUMENTS
  • - Information in the public domain 
  • - Security level is minimal
  • - E.g. annual reports, press statements etc. which has been approved for public use. 
 
All the best for exams ! - CA Rishabh Pugalia (ISCA Notes)