

The Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) is your first step toward becoming a Company Secretary (CS). This test is held by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). Every candidate needs a solid study plan, as the exam tests your knowledge of law, economics, business, and aptitude. Since the exam is online and has four papers. Candidates should know how to prepare for CSEET 2026 exam by aligning the study schedule for the preparation.
The CSEET is a qualifying test means you must pass it to move on to the next level (CS Executive). The exam is held four times a year: January, May, July, and November. Proper preparation is needed for every candidate to clear it successfully. A table is provided here, including the key highlights of the CSEET Exam 2026:
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CSEET 2026 Exam Overview |
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Exam Name |
Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) |
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Conducting Body |
Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) |
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Exam Frequency |
Four times a year (Jan, May, July, Nov) |
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Mode of Exam |
Remote Proctored (Take-from-Home mode) |
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Total Marks |
200 Marks (MCQ portion) |
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Passing Marks |
40% in each paper and 50% in the total aggregate. |
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Negative Marking |
None (No marks are cut for wrong answers) |
CSEET Important Topics from the four papers are compiled in a table format. Candidates can refer to the table to get the topics to focus on how to prepare for the CSEET 2026 exam.
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CSEET Important Topics |
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Paper Name |
Key Subject Area |
Important Topics to Focus On |
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Paper 1 |
Business Communication |
English Grammar (Nouns, Verbs, Tenses), Vocabulary, Business Correspondence (Letter formats), and Types of Communication. |
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Paper 2 |
Legal Aptitude & Logical Reasoning |
Legal Aptitude: Indian Constitution, Indian Contract Act, Elements of Company Law. Logical Reasoning: Syllogism, Calendars, Clocks, Blood Relations. |
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Paper 3 |
Economic & Business Environment |
Economics: Basics of Demand and Supply, Forms of Market, National Income Concepts. Business Environment: Key Government Institutions (RBI, SEBI, NITI Aayog). |
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Paper 4 |
Current Affairs & Quantitative Aptitude |
Current Affairs: Updates on National and International bodies (G20, BRICS), Recent Appointments, Awards, and Government Schemes. Quantitative Aptitude: Ratio, Proportion, Simple & Compound Interest, Percentage. |
Candidates know that the CSEET exam 2026 covers four papers. It includes Business Communication, Legal Aptitude, Economics and Business Environment, and Current Affairs & Aptitude. A weekly plan on how to prepare for CSEET 2026 exam can help to cover the concepts. Then, candidates can solve the questions.
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CSEET Study Plan |
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Week |
Paper 1: Business Comm. |
Paper 2: Legal Aptitude & Reasoning |
Paper 3: Economic & Bus. Env. |
Paper 4: Current Affairs & Aptitude |
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1-2 |
Grammar (Tenses, Voice, Speech). Introduction to Communication types. |
Legal Aptitude: Constitution (Basic structure, Citizen rights). |
Economics: Demand, Supply, Market Types. |
Quantitative Aptitude: Ratio, Percentage. Start reading daily news. |
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3-4 |
Vocabulary building, Business Terminology. Formal Correspondence (Email, Memo). |
Legal Aptitude: Indian Contract Act (Offer, Acceptance, Capacity). |
Economics: Basics of National Income, Money & Banking. |
Quantitative Aptitude: Simple & Compound Interest. Focus on National Appointments/Awards. |
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5-6 |
Legal and Commercial Terms. Practice comprehension and writing skills. |
Logical Reasoning: Syllogism, Deductive Reasoning, Sequencing. |
Business Environment: Govt. Institutions (RBI, SEBI, NITI Aayog). |
Quantitative Aptitude: Time & Distance. Solve monthly Current Affairs quizzes. |
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7-8 |
Revision of Notes (Grammar & Vocabulary). Solve chapter-wise tests. |
Legal Aptitude: Elements of Company Law (Types of Companies). Revision of Contract Act. |
Business Environment: Key Govt Policies, Ease of Doing Business. Revision of Economics. |
Logical Reasoning: Verbal/Non-Verbal Reasoning. Practice Aptitude questions daily. |
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9 |
Full Subject Revision. Focus on quick recall of formats. |
Full Subject Revision. Solve one Mock Test (120 mins). |
Full Subject Revision. Focus on definitions and key facts. |
Full Subject Revision. Solve one Mock Test (120 mins). |
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10 |
Final Revision of short notes. |
Analyze Mock Test errors and correct mistakes. |
Analyze Mock Test errors and correct mistakes. |
Focus only on Current Affairs of the last 3 months. Solve 2-3 final Mock Tests. |
Candidates aiming to appear in the CSEET exam 2026 should focus on understanding the syllabus topics. It is one of the key aspects covered in CSEET preparation tips. It can help them on how to prepare for CSEET 2026 exam.
Understand the Law First: The Legal Aptitude section is very important. Since many concepts are new, read the Indian Contract Act and Indian Constitution topics slowly to build a strong base.
Focus on English Grammar: Business Communication tests your basics. Spend time practicing grammar rules, vocabulary, and sentence correction, as these questions are easy to score if you prepare well.
Use ICSI Material Only: The ICSI provides study material. Stick to this material as it covers exactly what is needed for the exam. Do not use too many different books.
Stay Updated: For the Current Affairs paper, a candidate must read a good newspaper or watch reliable news for 3-4 months before the exam. Focus on business, finance, and major government decisions.
Time for Aptitude: Dedicate specific time every week to solving Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude problems. Practice makes these topics much easier and faster to solve.
Mock tests are the most important part of your final preparation. Candidates should align the CSEET exam strategy with a focus on regularly solving mock tests for practice. It is the way helpful for candidates who want to know how to prepare for CSEET 2026.
Know the Time: The total exam time is 120 minutes (2 hours). When you solve a mock test, set a timer for 120 minutes (2 hours). This teaches you to manage your time and finish all 120 questions.
Start with Your Strength: When you begin the test, don't waste time on very tough questions. A smart candidate should start with the section they know best, like Business Communication or Logical Reasoning, to gain confidence quickly.
Attempt All Questions: Since there is no negative marking, you should attempt every single question in the final exam. Even if you are unsure of an answer, make a calculated guess after ruling out the wrong options.
Review the Hard Topics: After every mock test, check your answers. Note down the topics where you made mistakes. Review those specific topics from your study material the next day. This helps turn your weak areas into strong ones.
Practice System Check: Before the official exam, the ICSI usually provides a mock test to check your computer and internet setup. Make sure you participate in this mock test to avoid any technical problems on the real exam day.