SSM Licensed Secretary
SSM Licensed Secretary Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The SSM Licensed Secretary credential is the practising licence for company secretaries in Malaysia, administered under the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) framework established by the Companies Commission of Malaysia Act 2001 and the Companies Act 2016. It matters most to secretarial executives, legal and compliance officers, accounting professionals and fresh graduates who intend to act as named company secretary for Malaysian private and public companies, including listed issuers. The licensing examination tests applied knowledge rather than trivia: how the Companies Act 2016 governs incorporation, share capital, meetings, directors' duties, registers and statutory filings, plus corporate administration practice, governance, insolvency and corporate rescue, financial reporting fundamentals, taxation and general commercial law. Expect a mix of multiple-choice and written papers, with written answers rewarded for accurate section references, correct procedural sequencing and clear drafting of resolutions, notices and minutes. Preparation should be built around the primary statutes and SSM practice materials first, then worked examples: draft a notice of meeting, compute a dividend entitlement, trace a winding-up timeline. Because the exam is practice-facing, candidates who only memorise provisions tend to struggle with scenario questions. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by SSM; always confirm licensing requirements, exam structure and current administrative details directly with SSM before applying.
What you'll study
About SSM Licensed Secretary preparation
What is the format of the SSM Licensed Secretary examination?
Candidates should expect both objective and written components, with written papers requiring drafted answers rather than short definitions. SSM publishes the current paper structure, syllabus and sitting arrangements on its official site, and those published documents override anything you read elsewhere. Check them before you plan your study schedule.
How difficult is the exam?
The difficulty lies in application, not recall. Questions often present a company scenario and ask what the secretary should do, file or draft. Candidates strong on section numbers but weak on procedure lose marks. Working through realistic resolutions, notices and timelines is the most efficient way to close that gap.
How much time should I allow for preparation?
Most working candidates need several months of consistent part-time study, weighted toward Company Law and Corporate Administration because those carry the largest shares. Written practice should start early, since drafting skill improves slowly. Treat any specific hour count as personal advice, not an official requirement.
What happens if I fail a paper, and can I retake it?
Retake rules, resit windows and any limits on attempts are set by SSM and can change between sittings. Do not rely on forum posts or older guides. Confirm the current retake policy, applicable fees and deadlines directly with SSM before you register for a resit.
In what order should I study the subjects?
Start with Company Law and the Companies Act 2016, because administration, governance and insolvency all build on it. Add Corporate Administration next, then governance and board duties. Keep accounting, taxation and commercial law as scheduled revision blocks rather than leaving them to the final weeks.
How long is the exam and what is the passing mark?
Duration, number of questions and the passing score are set by SSM and are not fixed permanently. They are published in the current examination regulations and candidate handbook. Verify these figures on the SSM website before your sitting rather than trusting third-party summaries.
Why do candidates fail the written papers?
Common causes are answering the question that was not asked, omitting statutory references, and writing narrative instead of a usable document. Examiners want a notice, resolution or minute that could actually be used. Practise under time pressure and compare your drafts against the statutory wording.
Do I need practical experience before sitting the exam?
The licensing pathway involves more than the examination, and eligibility requirements are set by SSM. Check the current criteria for academic qualifications, experience and any training component on the SSM site. The exam is one gate, not the whole licence.
How is this page connected to SSM?
It is not. This is an independent study resource written for candidates searching for the exam. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, and it does not reproduce official question material. Always use SSM's own publications as the authoritative source.