TANCET Books 2026: Check best books for exam preparation

Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test 2026 ( TANCET )

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Abhishek Dhawan
Updated on Nov 22, 2025 13:31 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

TANCET Books 2026: Anna University conducted the TANCET 2026 exam as per the schedule. The entrance exam is conducted for admission to MBA and MCA programmes offered by various colleges in Tamil Nadu. To score well in the exam, candidates must start their TANCET preparation with the best books and study materials developed for TANCET. Read below section-wise best TANCET preparation books along with recommended study material and key preparation tips.

Also Read: Last 10 Year TANCET MBA Question Paper PDF Download

Q:   Which are the best books to prepare for English Proficiency in TANCET?
A: 

Candidates preparing for TANCET English section can refer to Objective General English by S. P. Bakshi, English Grammar and Composition by SC Gupta, Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, among others. Candidates can seek help from previous year's toppers to know more about the study material.

Q:   How can I perform well in English section of TANCET exam?
A: 

TANCET exam's English Proficiency section is further divided into two sub-sections. These sub-sections include Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability followed by General English which evaluates the grammatical skills of the candidate. Candidates should develop a habit of reading newspapers, magazines and books to have a better understanding of English Knowledge. They can also refer to High School Grammar by Wren and Martin for developing a strong foundation. Basic Grammar forms the base of this examination and a candidate should be good in basic grammar such as Articles, Parts of Speech, Tense, etc. A candidate needs to read the basic grammar books and can also learn the rules of grammar online by practicing more. Following areas require candidate's attention to score well in the TANCET English section:

  • Vocabulary
  • Synonyms and Antonyms
  • One word Substitutions
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Spotting Errors
Q:   Are CAT books helpful in TANCET exam preparation?
A: 

Yes, CAT books can help while preparing for the TANCET MBA exam. CAT is a national level MBA exam, whereas TANCET is a state level MBA exam. Several topics in both exams are common. Therefore, CAT books can be a good resource for preparing for the TANCET exam.

Q:   Which is the easiest section of the TANCET exam? Do I need any specific books for the preparation of the same?
A: 
All sections of the TANCET exam have equal weightage. However, candidates find the English Proficiency section of TANCET MBA exam as the easiest. Besides the English Proficiency section, candidates find the Reading Comprehension easy if compared with other sections. Since most of the candidates have been studying English Language during the graduation or during the school. English is found the easiest among other sections. Although candidates find the English section easy, candidates must not take the same lightly. A good score in the English section can work as an advantage while evaluation process.
Table of contents
  • TANCET Books and Sample Papers
  • Best Books for TANCET MBA Preparation
  • Best Books for TANCET MCA Preparation 2026
  • How to Prepare for TANCET 2026 Exam?
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TANCET Books and Sample Papers

Candidates must choose correct books for TANCET preparation as there are several books that cover MBA entrance exam syllabus. Candidates can choose to prepare for TANCET exams online as well offline. Aspirants should refer to those books that extensively covers all topics and explain answers in simplest possible way. They can also take help from coaching institutes where study material is designed by experts of subject. To make preparation easier, Shiksha has listed down best books for TANCET preparation.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which book will be best to prepare for TANCET Exam?
A: 
Some of the preparation books for preparing for Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) are mentioned here: English Language Student Book by Alison Ross Quantitative Aptitude by S. N. Jha Numerical Test by Dr. M. B. Lal & Jain Reasoning Test (Verbal & Non-Verbal) by Dr. M. B. Lal & A. K. Singh Logical and Analytical Reasoning by A. K. Gupta TANCET MBA Exam Book - Author: E. S. Ramasamy TANCET MBA (Anna University) - Author: V K Subburaj A Comprehensive Study of Data Interpretation Analysis and Sufficiency - Author: Ashok Gupta Non-Verbal Reasoning - Author: B. S. Sijwali & Indus Sijwali Besides the above mentioned books, candidates can get section wise recommended books on Shiksha's article on recommended books for TANCET MBA (https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/best-books-for-tancet-preparation-blogId-20375). .
Q:   What is the best study material available for TANCET exam preparation?
A: 

There are several study materials available for TANCET exam preparation. Candidates can choose a TANCET preparation book after checking the content in the book.

Q:   How to choose books for TANCET exam preparation?
A: 

Candidates preparing for TANCET must avoid random MBA books. While purchasing book, check book content and compare it with TANCET syllabus. Candidates can also consider books after huidance from mentors or past toppers.

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Best Books for TANCET MBA Preparation

TANCET MBA syllabus have five sections, namely, Quantitative Ability, Data Sufficiency, Business Situation Analysis, Reading Comprehension, and English Usage. Check below the section-wise list of best books to prepare for the TANCET exam.

Best Books for TANCET MBA Preparation: Quantitative Ability

This section has questions to test arithmetic skills of the candidate. Aspirants are required to cover topics such as Algebra, Number Systems, Linear Equation, Speed, Distance, Time & Work, Mensuration, and Probability among others. Candidates can refer to the following books for TANCET preparation:

Book Title

Author

The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations

Dinesh Khattar

Quantitative Aptitude

RS Aggarwal

Class IX and X books

NCERT

Magical book on Quicker Maths

M Tyra

TANCET MBA

ES Ramasamy

Best Books for TANCET MBA Preparation: Data Sufficiency

The topics in Data Sufficiency section include Bar Graph, Line Chart, Tabular Form, Caselet Form, and Missing Data among others. Refer to the best books for Data Interpretation preparation in the table below:

Book Title

Author

Data Interpretation for CAT

Arun Sharma

Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

Ananta Ashisha

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Gautam Puri

Data Interpretation Simplified

Jagan Saneja

Best Books for TANCET MBA Preparation: Business Situation Analysis

This section evaluates the candidates’ analytical ability as well as decision making skills. Refer to the best books for Business Situation Analysis preparation in the table below:

Book Title

Author

Analytical Reasoning

MK Pandey

Multi-Dimensional Reasoning

Mishra & Kumar Dr. Lal

Reasoning Book for Competitive Examinations

Pearson

Best Books for TANCET MBA Preparation:  RC & English Usage

This section analyses candidates’ fluency in the English language. The section has topics such as Antonyms, Articles, Editing, Omitting, Prepositions, Analogy, etc. Refer to the best books for Reading Comprehension & English Usage in the table below;

Book Title

Author

High School Grammar

Wren & Martin

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

Business English and Communication

John O E Clark

30 Days to a more powerful Vocabulary

Norman Lewis

The Students’ Companion

Wilfred D Best

Other Recommended Books for TANCET 2026

  • TANCET MBA by E.S. Ramaswamy
  • TANCET MBA Solved Papers by S.Sambasivan DR.Antony
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is it necessary to join coaching classes for TANCET preparation?
A: 

Those who have prepared for any other MBA entrance exam can sklip joining a coaching institute. Candidates who feel they are unable to solve most of the questions from past exam papers can consider expert help.

Q:   What are the best books for the TANCET Data Sufficiency section?
A: 
There are several books for a decent preparation of Data Sufficiency section of TANCET exam. Here are a few of the best books for TANCET Data Sufficiency section: - Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency for CAT & Other MBA Exams by Abhishek Banerjee and Gajendra Kumar. - Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashiha - Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation by Odisha Experts Besides the above-mentioned books, candidates can refer to the books for Data Interpretetion prescribes for any competitive exam. The topics under Data Sufficiency section of TANCET exam are similar to the topics included in other competitive exam, irrespective of the streams. With a little effort, one can learn data sufficiency and improve chances of success in the TANCET MBA exam.
Q:   How to improve Reading Comprehension skills for TANCET MBA exam?
A: 

To improve RC skills in TANCET, candidates need to read regularly. Candidates can use sample papers and previous exam papers to practise RC questions.

View list of Books
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Best Books for TANCET MCA Preparation 2026

The exam paper of MCA will have questions from Quantitative Ability, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Computer Awareness. Here is the list of best books for TANCET MCA.

Book Title

Author

TANCET MCA Entrance Exam Preparation Book

VVK Subburaj

Popular Master Guide MCA Entrance examination

R Gupta

A Complete Package for MCA Entrance Guide

Amit M Agarwal

High Speed System of Basic Arithmetic

Upkar Publication

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How to Prepare for TANCET 2026 Exam?

For TANCET preparation, candidates should first get familiar with the TANCET exam pattern. Here we have shared course-wise exam pattern for the entrance exam

TANCET Exam Pattern for MBA and MCA

Check below the TANCET exam pattern for MBA and MCA programmes:

Programmes

MBA

MCA/MCA(LE)

Mode of TANCET Exam

Offline

Offline

Duration of test

2 hours

2 hours

Number of sections

5 (Business Situation Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Sufficiency and English Usage)

4(Quantitative Ability, Analytical Reasoning, Computer Awareness, Logical Reasoning.

Sectional Weightage

20 marks allotted to each section

25 marks allotted to each section

Total Marks

100

100

Negative Marks

1/3

1/3

CEETA PG Exam Pattern for M.Tech/M.E/M.Arch/MPlan

Check below the TANCET exam pattern for M.Tech/M.E/M.Arch/MPlan programmes

Programmes

M.Tech/M.E/M.Arch/MPlan

Mode of TANCET Exam

Offline

Duration of Test

2 hours

Number of Section

3(Part I-Engineering Mathematics, Part II-Basic Engineering & Sciences Part III- for different disciplines)

Sectional Weightage

Part I: Part II: Part III- 20:20:60

Total Marks

115

Negative Marks

1/3

TANCET 2026 Preparation Tips

Here are some of the TANCET preparation tips recommended by the toppers and experts from the previous sessions: 

  • Candidates should chalk out a preparation plan which should include the subject-wise preparation strategy, the books that needs to be covered, the hours that need to be devoted to each subject
  • Candidates must understand their strengths and weaknesses. While building on their strength, aspirants should not overlook topics that lower their confidence.
  • More than spending long hours, candidates must focus on making each study session as productive as possible. Every session must have some takeaways.
  • Candidates should also make a list of shortcut tricks and formulas. This will help reach the answer to a question quicker.
  • Candidates should solve at least 15 to 20 TANCET mock tests in the last two months to the examination.

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TANCET Exam

Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered Yesterday

TANCET exam notification has details like the registration dates, exam date, and type of colleges accepting TANCET scores. Exam notification also states the courses available for admission via TANCET.

R

Rupali Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Annamalai University MCA cutoff 2025 was released for General and OBC categories under the AI quota. For the students belonging to the General AI quota, the TANCET required cutoff score was 1811. In the OBC category, the cutoff score was 2523.

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Annamalai University accepts the TANCET scores for admission to the MBA course. In 2025, the TANCET cutoff score was 3212 for getiing admission to the MBA course. This cutoff score is valid for the students belonging to the General AI quota. For the OBC category students, the TANCET last round cutof

...Read more

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

No. Candidates are not allowed top carry calculators inside the TANCET exam centre. Calculations are to be done manually while taking the TANCET exam.

J

Jaya Katariya

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

In case of errors on TANCET admit card, candidates must report the issue to Anna University admission desk. Errors on the TANCET hall ticket may create hassles on the exam day.

V

Vikram Tyagi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

No. TANCET admit card is released in an online mode onlyu. Candidates have to login on the official exam website to download TANCET hall ticket.

D

Dhanya Shekhar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

JNN Institute of Technology admissions are held on the basis of entrance tests. Students wishing to take admissions can visit the official website and check the course-wise eligibility as well as specialisations. The accepted exams at the institute include TNEA and TANCET, etc. After obtaining valid

...Read more

A

Ashwin Yadav

Contributor-Level 10

549 Institutes accepting TANCET

  • 21,120
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Alagappa University

Karaikudi Public

Alagappa U
  • 24,000
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

University of Madras

Chepauk, Chennai Public

University
  • 28,000
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Bharathidasan University

Tiruchirappalli Public

Bharathida
  • 80,000
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time

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