CSEET · October 2026 · Paper 1
CSEET Business Communication October 2026: paper analysis
Our own analysis of the official paper, as of 12 October 2026. The questions and answers belong to ICSI; read them on ICSI's website.
Chapter-wise marks
Where the marks were in this paper (out of 100; internal-choice alternatives not double counted).
| Chapter | Questions | Marks | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | 13 | 66 | 50% |
| Business Correspondence | 7 | 34 | 26% |
| Essentials of Good English | 4 | 24 | 18% |
| Common Business Terminologies | 2 | 8 | 6% |
What each question tested
In our words, by question number. Open the official paper for the full question.
| Q | Marks | Tests | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(a) | 8 | Recommending suitable digital communication channels for a company seeking to cut in-person and paper-based communication costs | Communication |
| 1(b) | 6 | Meaning of listening skills and the different types of listening | Communication |
| 1(c) | 6 | Drafting an office order for transfer of a senior employee between branches with reporting instructions | Business Correspondence |
| 2(a) | 8 | Mixed grammar drill: one-word substitution, punctuation, redundancy, voice change, subject-verb agreement, idiom meaning and tense conversion | Essentials of Good English |
| 2(b) | 4 | Business attire defined and common mistakes made in professional dressing | Communication |
| 2(c) | 4 | Explaining four business terms from capital markets, collaboration, criminal procedure and customs | Common Business Terminologies |
| 3(a) | 8 | Reading comprehension on a renewable energy passage answered through multiple-choice items | Essentials of Good English |
| 3(b) | 4 | Drafting the agenda for a board meeting on share issue and director appointment items | Business Correspondence |
| 3(c) | 4 | Management Information System: meaning and its main characteristics | Communication |
| 4(a) | 8 | Complaint letter in semi-blocked format seeking replacement of defective equipment under guarantee | Business Correspondence |
| 4(b) | 4 | Vocabulary and usage MCQs: part of speech, synonym, correct verb form and spelling | Essentials of Good English |
| 4(c) | 4 | Different means of communication available to a business in a global environment | Communication |
| 5(a) | 8 | Communication barriers: types and measures to overcome them | Communication |
| 5(b) | 4 | Importance of a defined workplace hierarchy for communication and management | Communication |
| 5(c) | 4 | Etiquette expected of a participant in a business meeting | Communication |
| 6(a) | 8 | True or false with reasons on cultural politeness, risk offsetting, business reports and physical noise | Communication |
| 6(b) | 4 | Why courtesy matters in communication and the tools of courtesy | Communication |
| 6(c) | 4 | Intranet versus extranet and the benefits and purpose of an intranet | Communication |
| 7(a)(i) | 4 | Strategies for effective social media communication | Communication |
| 7(a)(ii) | 4 | Tips for effective intercultural communication | Communication |
| 7(b) | 4 | Parts of speech explained with examples | Essentials of Good English |
| 7(c) | 4 | Government of India email policy 2024 and its main features | Business Correspondence |
| 8(a)(i) | 4 | Drafting a circular to customers about temporary suspension of a digital payment service | Business Correspondence |
| 8(a)(ii) | 4 | Drafting an office memorandum granting special leave for a sports event | Business Correspondence |
| 8(b) | 4 | You-attitude in business writing and its benefits | Business Correspondence |
| 8(c) | 4 | One-word substitutes for meeting, banking security, invoicing and charge-related terms | Common Business Terminologies |
What stood out
- Communication dominates the paper: 13 of 26 entries map to the Communication chapter, covering barriers, listening, etiquette, digital channels and intercultural and social media communication.
- Drafting is a fixed feature: office order, board meeting agenda, complaint letter, circular and office memorandum together account for 26 marks across 5 entries.
- Grammar is tested mainly as drills and comprehension MCQs: the 4 English entries in Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q7 total 24 marks, with no long essay.
- Contemporary themes appear: a government email policy, intranet and extranet, social media strategy and an energy-transition comprehension passage.
- Structure: Q1 compulsory for 20 marks plus any five of seven 16-mark questions, so candidates can skip the heaviest drafting or grammar blocks.
Practise the chapters that carried the marks
Communication, Business Correspondence, Essentials of Good English: study guides and practice questions in the CSEET format.