CSEET Exam Pattern 2026: Marks, No of Questions, Passing criteria

CSEET Exam Pattern 2026: Marks, No of Questions, Passing criteria

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CSEET Exam Date:08 Nov' 25 - 08 Nov' 25

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The Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) is a crucial qualifying exam conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). It is the gateway for students aspiring to join the CS Executive programme and pursue the Company Secretary course. Understanding the CSEET exam pattern 2026 is important for aspirants because it guides how the exam is structured and what types of questions to expect.

CSEET Exam Pattern 2026: Marks, No of Questions, Passing criteria
CSEET Exam Pattern 2026

The CSEET 2026 exam will be conducted online in a remote proctored mode. It is a 2-hour test consisting of four papers that build foundational knowledge for the Company Secretary (CS) course. The exam consists entirely of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with no negative marking. Understanding the CSEET 2026 exam pattern helps aspirants strategise their preparation and perform well in this crucial exam.

Key Highlights of CSEET Exam Pattern 2026

  • Exam mode: Online (Computer-Based Test) via remote proctoring

  • Exam duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

  • Question type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  • Total marks: 200

  • Negative marking: None

  • Language: English

  • Passing criteria: Candidates need an aggregate of 40% (80 marks) to qualify, with no separate sectional minimum required.

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Structure of CSEET Exam Pattern 2026

The CSEET paper pattern 2026 includes four subjects, each carrying 50 marks and comprising 35 questions. Some questions carry 1 mark, while others carry 2 marks, for a total of 140 questions. The breakdown of marks and question types is as follows:

CSEET 2026 Subject-Wise Marks Distribution

Part

Subject

Sub-sections

No of Questions

Marks

1

Business Communication

-

35

50

2

Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning

Legal Aptitude (30 marks), Logical Reasoning (20 marks)

35

50

3

Economic & Business Environment

Economics (25 marks), Business Environment (25 marks)

35

50

4

Current Affairs and Quantitative Aptitude

Current Affairs (30 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (20 marks)

35

50


Total


140

200

CSEET 2026 Exam Pattern

Feature

Details

Conducting body

Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

Mode of exam

Online (remote proctored exam)

Exam duration

2 hours (120 Minutes)

Number of papers

4 papers

Total questions

140 questions

Total marks

200 marks

Question type

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Marking scheme

1 or 2 marks per question (varies by paper), no negative marking

Sections and marks

- Business Communication: 50 Marks (35 Qs)

- Legal Aptitude & Logical Reasoning: 50 Marks (35 Qs)

- Economic & Business Environment: 50 Marks (35 Qs)

- Current Affairs & Quantitative Aptitude: 50 Marks (35 Qs)

Passing criteria

Minimum 40% overall (80 out of 200 marks), no sectional cutoff

Exam language

English

You may also check: CSEET 2026 Syllabus

Subject-wise Focus in CSEET Exam Pattern 2026

  • Business Communication: It evaluates grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, business correspondence, and essential communication skills.

  • Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning: This assesses knowledge of Indian Contract Law, Company Law basics, and reasoning abilities, including verbal and non-verbal logic.

  • Economic and Business Environment: The subject covers fundamentals of economics, business environment, Indian financial markets, and governmental institutions.

  • Current Affairs and Quantitative Aptitude: It includes national and international events and basic quantitative aptitude questions relevant to business contexts.

CSEET Exam Complete Guide
Candidates can download this e-book to know all the details related to CSEET such as eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, study material and other related information.
Check Now

You may also check: CSEET Eligibility Criteria

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: In what mode will the CSEET 2026 exam be conducted?
A:

The CSEET exam will be conducted online in a remote proctored mode.

Q: What is the passing criteria for CSEET 2026?
A:

Candidates must score a minimum aggregate of 40% (80 out of 200 marks) to pass. There is no sectional minimum.

Q: How many questions are there in the CSEET 2026 exam?
A:

There are 140 questions in total, 35 questions per subject, comprising both 1-mark and 2-mark questions.

Q: What is the structure of CSEET exam?
A:

The CSEET exam 2026 consists of four MCQ papers to be completed in 2 hours, with no negative marking.

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Questions related to CSEET

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CSEET ?

Hello Priyanka!

The CSEET exam, face a technical glitch, and then have your result cancelled. Unfortunately, technical issues during online exams are a known problem, and the best step now is to formally write to the ICSI explaining your situation. Attach proof if you have screenshots, error messages, or invigilator reports. Mention that the paper difficulty felt unusually high, though keep in mind that exam difficulty alone is not usually a valid reason for re-evaluation—it’s the technical failure that strengthens your case for a retest or consideration. ICSI sometimes conducts special re-tests for affected candidates.

Best wishes, and thank you!


Hi Priyanka,

If you successfully passed the CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) in May 2025, you are eligible to register to appear for CS Executive in the next available session, which will be June 2026. The CS Executive exams are conducted twice a year, in June and December, so you can plan to attempt the exams from June next year after completing the CSEET.

Hello Shreeja,

Since you cleared your CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test) in May 2024 and missed the date for a single module in June 2024, you do not need to give the CSEET again for the December 2024 attempt.

You can register for both modules of the Executive Program in December 2024 without reappearing for the CSEET. Just ensure that you complete your registration and submit the required documents before the deadline.

It's always good to check the official ICSI (Institute of Company Secretaries of India) website for any specific updates regarding registration and eligibility.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.

No, you cannot appear for the Executive exam in June 2025 if you give the CSEET in May 2025. To be eligible for the Executive level, you must clear the CSEET first, and only then can you register for the Executive program. Additionally, there is a mandatory gap of at least 8-9 months between clearing the CSEET and attempting the Executive exams. Since the registration cut-off for the June 2025 Executive attempt would likely be in February 2025, clearing the CSEET in May 2025 would not allow sufficient time to register for that attempt.

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