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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

                  SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT

$1,876,000                                                      Washington, D.C.
                                                                    May 31, 2001

               FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Michael A. D'Amato (the
"Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of The Advisory Board Company (the
"Lender"), the principal aggregate sum of ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIX
THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,876,000), in lawful money of the United States
of America together with interest from the date of borrowing on the principal
balance thereof from day-to-day remaining unpaid (calculated on the basis of a
360-day year) at a rate per annum equal to 120% of the Applicable Federal Rate
in effect as of the date hereof (6.5%), such interest to be due and payable
annually. The unpaid principal amount, together with all accrued but unpaid
interest thereon, shall be due and payable in full on May 31, 2006 (the
"Repayment Date"). This secured promissory note and pledge agreement (this
"Note") is being issued in connection with the acquisition by the Borrower of
770,000 shares of Class B Nonvoting Common Stock of the Lender (the "Pledged
Securities") pursuant to the exercise of stock options granted by the Lender to
the Borrower and is secured by the pledge of Pledged Securities contained
herein. This secured promissory note is a full recourse note and nothing
contained herein shall be interpreted to limit the legal remedies available to
the Lender in the event of default.

Pledge of Shares

               The Borrower hereby (a) grants to the Lender a first priority
security interest in, and assigns to the Lender, all of Borrower's right, title
and interest in and to the "Pledged Securities" and (b) pledges and deposits the
Pledged Securities, endorsed in blank, with the Lender as collateral for payment
of the Note. Upon payment in full of this Note, the security interest and pledge
shall terminate and the certificate representing the Pledged Securities shall be
delivered to the Borrower. During the term of the pledge, the Borrower shall
have full rights, if any, to vote the Pledged Securities represented by the
certificate, and shall have the right to sell the Pledged Securities in an
arms-length transaction provided that all of the proceeds of such sale are first
used to repay outstanding principal and unpaid interest until this Note is
repaid in full.

Prepayment

               The Borrower shall have the right to prepay the principal amount
of indebtedness evidenced hereby or any portion thereof at any time without
penalty or premium, provided, however, that any amounts received shall be
applied first to the repayment of any accrued but unpaid interest hereunder and
second to the reduction of the outstanding principal balance hereof. Prepayment
shall not postpone the Repayment Date or vary the duty of the Borrower to pay
all obligations when due, nor shall such prepayments affect or impair the right
of Lender to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder. In the event the
Borrower at any time prepays any amount of this Note, Lender shall have no
obligation to make any subsequent advance hereunder.

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Event of Default

               In the event that the Borrower files for bankruptcy (either
voluntary or involuntary) or becomes insolvent or unable to meet his debts as
they mature, the entire amount of the unpaid principal hereof and accrued
interest thereon shall be immediately due and payable and Lender may immediately
enforce payment of all liabilities of the Borrower under this Note, including,
without limitation, by foreclosure on the pledge of the Pledged Securities
securing the payment hereof. Lender's rights hereunder shall be in addition to
any other rights or remedies available to Lender.

Waivers

               The Borrower waives presentment for payment, demand, notice of
non-payment, notice of dishonor, protest of any dishonor, notice of protest and
protest of this Note, and all other notices in connection with the delivery,
acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of the payment of this Note.

Waivers of Rights Hereunder

               Lender shall not, by any act of omission or commission, be deemed
to waive any of his rights, remedies or powers hereunder or otherwise unless
such waiver is in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of
Lender, and then only to the extent specifically set forth therein.

Costs

               If this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection
by civil action or otherwise, or to enforce its collection or to protect any
security for its payment, the Borrower shall pay all costs of collection and
litigation together with all attorneys' fees, expenses and disbursements,
provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrower is the prevailing
party in any such action regarding collection, enforcement or protection of
security, the Borrower shall have no obligation under this paragraph with
respect costs, fees, expenses and disbursements relating thereto.

Governing Law

               This Note is to be construed and enforced according to the
substantive internal laws (and not the laws governing choice or conflicts of
laws) of the State of Delaware.

Maximum Interest

               Nothing herein contained nor any transaction related hereto shall
be construed or shall operate so as to require the Borrower or any person liable
for repayment hereof to pay interest in an amount or at a rate greater than the
maximum rate permitted, from time to time, under applicable Delaware State law.

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Remedies Cumulative and Concurrent

               The remedies of Lender as provided herein, or any one or more of
them, or in law or in equity, shall be cumulative and concurrent, and may be
pursued singularly, successively or together at Lender's sole discretion, and
may be exercised as often as occasion therefor shall occur.

                                            BORROWER:

                                            /s/MICHAEL A. D'AMATO
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            MICHAEL A. D'AMATO

                                            LENDER:
                                            THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY

                                            By:/s/David G. Bradley
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               David G. Bradley
                                               Chairman

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.11

                           THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY

                  1997 STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

        1. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF THE PLAN. That certain Continuing
Stock-Based Incentive Plan (the "Continuing Plan") was originally established by
The Advisory Board Company, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), as of March
1, 1994. The Continuing Plan was, in part, adopted to document and reflect
ownership interests in the Company previously offered to the Optionees (as
defined below). This 1997 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan")
modifies, amends and restates the Continuing Plan. The Plan's purpose is to
provide Eligible Employees with an increased economic and proprietary interest
in the Company in order to encourage the Optionees' contributions to the success
and progress of the Company. The Plan is designed to provide for the grant of
options ("Options") that will not qualify as incentive stock options under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        2. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. The maximum number of shares of stock that
may be subject to Options granted hereunder shall not exceed 400,000 shares of
the capital stock, one cent ($0.01) par value (the "Stock"), of the Company,
subject to adjustment under Section 10 hereof. The Stock that may be subject to
Options granted may be authorized and unissued Stock or Stock reacquired by the
Company and held as treasury stock. Such Stock may be redeemable stock and may
be non-voting stock or non-voting stock convertible into voting stock after a
public offering in the sole discretion of the Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Company or his designee. If any Option granted under the Plan is canceled
without the Optionee having received any benefit of ownership, the number of
shares subject to such Option that have not been exercised prior to the Option's
cancellation may again be optioned hereunder, subject to the limitations of
Sections 2 and 11 of the Plan.

        3. ELIGIBILITY. Persons who shall be eligible for grants of Options
hereunder ("Eligible Employees") shall be those employees of the Company who are
members of a select group of management or other key employees that the
Committee may from time to time designate to participate under the Plan (
"Optionees") through grants of Options.

        4. OPTIONEE'S AGREEMENT.  The terms upon which Options are granted shall
be evidenced by a written agreement executed by the Company and the Optionee to
whom Options are granted (the "Optionee's Agreement"). The Options shall be
subject to the terms and restrictions contained in the Optionee's Agreement.

        5. STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT. Stock issued pursuant to Options shall also
be subject to the terms and restrictions contained in a Stockholders' Agreement
related to the Company. The Stockholders' Agreement may contain such terms,
provisions, and conditions as may be determined by the Committee as long as such
terms, conditions and provisions are not inconsistent with the Plan. A copy of
the Stockholders Agreement shall be delivered to the Optionee at the time of
grant.

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        6. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.  The Plan shall be administered by a
committee (the "Committee") appointed by David G. Bradley. If no persons are
designated by David G. Bradley to serve on the Committee, the Plan shall be
administered by David G. Bradley and all references herein to the Committee
shall refer to David G. Bradley. David G. Bradley shall have the discretion to
add, remove or replace members of the Committee, and shall have the sole
authority to fill vacancies on the Committee.

        All actions of the Committee shall be authorized by a majority vote
thereof at a duly called meeting. The Committee shall have the sole authority,
in its absolute discretion, to adopt, amend, and rescind such rules and
regulations as, in its opinion, may be advisable in the administration of the
Plan, in construing and interpreting the Plan, the rules and regulations, and
the agreements and other instruments evidencing Options granted under the Plan,
and in making all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan. All decisions, determinations, and interpretations
of the Committee shall be final and conclusive upon the Eligible Employees.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any dispute arising under any Optionee's
Agreement shall be resolved pursuant to the dispute resolution mechanism set
forth in such Agreement.

        Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall
determine the number of shares of Stock subject to grants or issuances and the
terms thereof, including the provisions relating to the exercisability of
Options and the termination and/or forfeiture of Options under the Plan.

        7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. No Option shall be granted for a
term beyond May 1, 2009. The Committee shall have full and sole discretion to
determine the exercisability of the Options under the Plan. The Optionee's
Agreement may contain such other terms, provisions, and conditions as may be
determined by the Committee as long as such terms, conditions and provisions are
not inconsistent with the Plan.

        8. EXERCISE PRICE OF OPTIONS.  The exercise price for each Option
granted hereunder shall be set forth in the applicable Optionee's Agreement.

        Payment for Stock purchased upon exercise of any Option granted
hereunder shall be in cash at the time of exercise. At its sole discretion on an
individual basis, the Committee may permit payment or agree to permit payment by
such other alternative means as may be lawful, including (but not limited to)
the acceptance of a promissory note secured by the number of shares of Stock
then issuable upon the exercise of the Option.

        9. NONTRANSFERABILITY. Unless provided otherwise in the Optionee's
Agreement, any Option granted under this Plan shall, by its terms, be
nontransferable by the Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution (in which case such descendant or beneficiary shall be subject to
all terms of the Plan applicable to Optionees), and is exercisable during the
Optionee's lifetime only by the Optionee.

        10. ADJUSTMENTS. If at any time the Stock subject to this Plan is
changed into, or outstanding Stock is exchanged for, a different number or kind
of shares or securities, as the

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result of any one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, stock splits,
reverse stock splits, stock dividends or similar events, an appropriate
adjustment shall be made in the number, exercise or sale price and/or type of
shares or securities for which Options may thereafter be granted under the Plan
unless waived in writing by the Optionee. The Committee also shall designate the
appropriate changes that shall be made in Options under the Plan, and the
Committee may do so either at the time the Option is granted or at the time of
the event causing the adjustment. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options
shall be made without changing the aggregate exercise price applicable to the
unexercised portions of such Options.

        11. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.  Unless earlier terminated by
the Board of Directors of the Company, the Plan shall terminate on May 1, 2009.

        The Committee may amend the Plan or any agreement issued hereunder to
the extent necessary for any Option granted under the Plan to comply with
applicable tax or securities laws. If the Company shall become a reporting
Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") and if such amendment is required under Exchange Act Rule 16b-3 or any
successor or similar rule or regulation, no such action of the Committee, unless
taken with or ratified by the approval of the stockholders of the Company, may
materially:

        (a) increase the maximum number of shares of Stock subject to the Plan;

        (b) reduce the minimum exercise price of Options granted under the Plan;

        (c) increase the benefits accruing to Optionees under the Plan; or

        (d) modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the
            Plan.

        No Option may be granted during any suspension or after the termination
of the Plan. No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or of any
Optionee's Agreement issued hereunder shall, without the consent of the affected
holder of such Option alter or impair any rights or obligations in any Option
theretofore granted or issued to such holder under the Plan.

        12. NATURE OF PLAN. This Plan is intended to qualify as a compensatory
benefit plan within the meaning of Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933.
This Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded arrangement for a select group
of management or other key employees.

        13. CANCELLATION OF OPTIONS.  Any Option granted under the Plan may be
canceled at any time with the consent of the holder and a new Option may be
granted to such holder in lieu thereof.

        14. WITHHOLDING TAXES. The Committee may in its discretion require the
Optionee to remit to the Company, prior to the delivery of any certificate or
certificates for such Stock or the payment of any such amounts, all or any part
of the amount determined in the Committee's discretion to be sufficient to
satisfy federal, state and local withholding tax obligations (the "Withholding
Obligation") that the Company or its counsel determines may arise with respect
to such exercise, issuance or payment. At the sole discretion of the Committee
on an individual

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basis, the Optionee may (i) request the Company to withhold delivery of a
sufficient number of shares of Stock or a sufficient amount of the Optionee's
compensation or (ii) deliver a sufficient number of previously-issued shares of
Stock, to satisfy the Withholding Obligation.

        15. RIGHT OF REDEMPTION. The Committee, in its sole discretion and on an
individual basis, may provide within any agreement issued hereunder the right of
the Company to redeem the Options and/or the shares of Stock issued under the
Plan (the "Right of Redemption"). The Right of Redemption shall be subject to
such terms, provisions, and conditions as may be determined by the Committee as
long as such terms, conditions and provisions are not inconsistent with the
Plan.

        16. RIGHT OF SALE. The Committee, in its sole discretion and on an
individual basis, may provide within any agreement issued hereunder the right of
the Optionee to sell his or her Options and/or shares of Stock issued under the
Plan to the Company (the "Right of Sale"). The Right of Sale shall be subject to
such terms, provisions, and conditions as may be determined by the Committee as
long as such terms, conditions and provisions are not inconsistent with the
Plan.

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