Why CS Executive Pass Percentage Matters
Before you sit for your CS Executive exam, understanding historical pass percentages helps you plan smarter — which group to attempt, how competitive each session is, and what score you actually need to clear.
CS Executive Pass Percentage — All Attempts (2019–2025)
All figures below are for the new Syllabus 2022 (Group 1 & Group 2). Older syllabus Module 1 & 2 figures are indicated separately.
| Year | Attempt | Group 1 % | Group 2 % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December | 18.03% | 22.26% |
| 2025 | June | 14.57% | 24.82% |
| 2024 | December | 15.91% | 19.74% |
| 2024 | June | 8.15% | 20.87% |
| 2023 | December | 6.92% | 7.40% |
| 2023 | June | 5.85% | 13.05% |
| 2022 | December | 9.05% | 12.32% |
| 2022 | June | 8.76% | 18.12% |
| 2021 | December | 9.64% | 21.91% |
| 2021 | June | 15.60% | 23.66% |
| 2020 | December | 8.27% | 15.49% |
| 2019 | December | 7.68% | 11.95% |
| 2019 | June | 10.22% | 8.60% |
Key Observations
- Group 2 consistently outperforms Group 1 — in 9 out of 13 attempts, Group 2 had a higher pass rate. If you have limited time, Group 2 offers a slightly better chance.
- 2023 was the hardest year — both groups dropped below 10%, likely due to new syllabus transition under Syllabus 2022.
- December attempts trend slightly higher for Group 2 than June — students have more preparation time after June exams.
Should You Attempt Both Groups Together?
If you have more than 5 months of preparation time and have completed at least 70% of both groups, attempting both together is efficient. However, if you are under 3 months, focus on one group first — preferably Group 2 if you are stronger in laws and taxation.
💡 E-mentor tip: Use the e-mentor Study Planner to assign chapters from one group per week, track your daily progress, and never lose momentum. The built-in streak tracker ensures you study every day — not just before the exam.
How to Improve Your Chances
- Attempt minimum 3 past papers per subject before the exam
- Focus on high-weightage topics in Company Law (17 chapters — cover at least 10 thoroughly)
- Track chapter completion using e-mentor and never skip a subject
- Use e-mentor Test Series to simulate real exam conditions
The low pass percentage is not a wall — it is a filter for those who prepare systematically. With structured study and daily tracking, you are already ahead of 80% of candidates.
What These Pass Percentages Mean for You
A Group 1 pass rate of 6–18% sounds alarming, but it doesn't mean the exam is impossible — it means most students appear underprepared. Here's how to read these numbers strategically.
Group 1 vs Group 2: Which Is Harder?
Historically, Group 1 is more difficult. Company Law & Practice (CLP) alone has caused thousands of failures. Group 2 has a higher pass rate largely because Economic Laws and Tax Laws reward consistent practice.
- Group 1: Company Law is the highest-weightage, most case-study-based paper. Attempt only when you've done at least 3 full revisions of CLP.
- Group 2: Tax Laws and Capital Market papers are formula and concept-heavy. Start early, practice MCQs daily.
Best Attempt Strategy Based on Pass Data
December attempts historically show higher pass rates than June for Group 1. Students who attempt both groups together pass at a lower rate than those who split them. Consider this before your registration.
Subject-wise Preparation Tips for CS Executive
- Company Law (CLP): Study bare act + ICSI study material. Make section-wise notes. Case laws are 20–30 marks.
- Economic Laws: High-yield topic. FEMA, Competition Act, IBC are frequently tested. 2–3 reading of ICSI material is enough.
- Tax Laws: GST + Income Tax. Practice at least 100 past paper questions. Tax laws change every year — use current year ICSI scanner.
- Capital Market: Theory-heavy. SEBI regulations, listing obligations, takeover code. Read the ICSI material once; revise twice.
How Toppers Actually Clear CS Executive
Top scorers in CS Executive share one common habit: they attempt 10+ mock tests before the actual exam. Writing under time pressure is what separates a 60% score from a 45% score, even when you know the content.
Use the ICSI's own mock test series, available free on the ICSI portal. Attempt each paper in 3 hours without looking at notes. Review immediately and note what you got wrong.
Common Mistakes That Kill CS Executive Attempts
- Starting Case Law revision in the last week — they take months to absorb
- Ignoring ICSI's Study Material in favour of only coaching notes
- Attempting both groups together without adequate preparation
- Skipping past 5 years' question papers
- Writing answers in paragraphs instead of points — CS exams reward structured answers
How to Use e-mentor for CS Executive Prep
Track your chapter progress in e-mentor's Chapter Tracker to see how much of the CS Executive syllabus you've covered. Use the Study Planner to distribute Company Law and Tax Laws chapters across 90–120 days. The leaderboard shows how your daily study hours compare with peers — aim for the top 10%.
📎 Official Resources
