TANCET 2026 Syllabus PDF: Download Section-wise Syllabus with Weightage

Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test 2026 ( TANCET )

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Abhishek Dhawan
Updated on Oct 9, 2025 12:40 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

TANCET Syllabus 2026: Anna University releases the TANCET syllabus along with the exam notification. The syllabus of TANCET 2026 exam comprises the topics and sub-topics for each section of the exam. No change has been encountered in TANCET syllabus this year. The TANCET MBA syllabus comprises five sections, namely Business Analysis, Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Sufficiency, and General English. TANCET syllabus PDF comprises topics primarily from the Class 9 and Class 10 level course curriculum. Candidates preparing for the TANCET 2026 must strategise based on the topics included in the TANCET syllabus for MBA 2026.

The difficulty level of the TANCET exam remains moderate to tough every year. It is expected that the TANCET syllabus 2026 and difficulty level will remain unchanged based on the past trends. Scroll down for more details on the TANCET 2026 syllabus, including section-wise breakdown, recommended books, and preparation strategy.

Access past 10 year TANCET question papers for MBA and MCA

Table of content
  • Overview of TANCET Syllabus 2026
  • Section-wise TANCET MBA Syllabus 2026
  • Section Wise TANCET MCA Syllabus 2026
  • TANCET Syllabus 2026: Sectional Overview
  • Books recommended for TANCET Preparation 2026
  • TANCET Exam Preparation 2026
  • FAQs on TANCET 2026 Syllabus
View More
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Overview of TANCET Syllabus 2026

Find an overview of TANCET syllabus 2026 for MBA below:

  • Questions in the ‘Analysis of Business Situations’ part of TANCET are framed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to comprehend the data and apply the same to take business decisions
  • The Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability assess a candidate’s skill in filtering and assessing information from a given passage, as well as knowledge of grammar, punctuation, vocabulary,  etc.
  • Quantitative Aptitude topics are Class 10 and Class 12 level and the broad topics include Mathematics, Geometry, Algebra, Higher Maths, etc. 
  • Data Sufficiency questions test a candidate's mathematical skills as well as their knowledge of interpreting a given set of data
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Get the latest TANCET syllabus (course-wise) in PDF format for section wise preparation of TANCET exam.

Download Here
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the syllabus & exam pattern of TANCET?
A: 

TANCET exam is conducted for MBA and MCA admission. More than 25,000 candidates take the TANCET exam for MBA admission. The sections vary for MBA and MCA exams. The space below mention the TANCET MBA exam pattern:

  • Mode of TANCET exam: Offline, OMR based
  • Type of questions: Objective type
  • Number of questions: 100
  • Number of sections: 5
  • Exam duration: 120 minutes
  • Maximum marks: 100
  • Marks for correct response: 1 mark
  • Mark down for incorrect response: 1/4 mark
  • Exam medium: English

The TANCET MBA syllabus is based on five sections. The sections for TANCET MBA exam include:

  • Business Situations
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Quantitative Ability
  • Data Sufficiency
  • English Usage

All sections in the TANCET exam have equal weightage.

Q:   Is there a specific order to answer the sections in TANCET?
A: 

No, candidates can answer the sections in any order. However, it's advisable to start with the sections they are most comfortable with. This can help in building confidence and managing time effectively. Practicing with mock tests can help in identifying the best strategy for answering the sections.

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Section-wise TANCET MBA Syllabus 2026

Sections TANCET Syllabus 

Analysis of Business Situations

Candidates will be given to analye business situations in the form of a paragraph. This will be followed by some questions  

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension, Synonyms, Antonyms, Fill in the blanks, Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Corrections, Idioms, Cloze Test, One Word Substitution

Quantitative Aptitude

Number System, HCF LCM, Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Time Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Mixtures & Allegations, Quadratic Equations, Linear Equations, Logarithms, Series and Progressions, Binomial Theorem, Surds & Indices, Functions, Inequalities, Modulus, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Co-ordinate Geometry, Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory

Data Sufficiency

Questions will be based on Number Systems, Arithmetic Topics, Algebra, Data Interpretation (Pie Chart, Line Graph, Bar Graph, and Tables). Candidates will also get questions in the form of statements labelled as I and II. They have to determine whether the statements either I or II or both I and II are sufficient to solve the problem

General English

This section tests the candidate's knowledge of General English with questions on errors in usage, grammar, punctuation, etc.

DILR Question-Answers for Practice Quantitative Aptitude Question-Answers for Practice VARC Question-Answers for Practice
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which are the most important topics to focus for TANCET preparation?
A: 

Hi, TANCET sections include Questions from Business situations, Comprehension Passage, Graduate level Mathematics, Determining Data Sufficiency, English Language. The important topics to focus while preparing for TANCET are same as CMAT. Here are few tips which you should consider while preparing for TANCET. 

1) Try preparing all the topics listed in the official syllabus. Leaving any topic will risk your chances of obtaining a high score. However, at the last minute, avoid picking up a new topic.

2) Candidates should choose or select the appropriate study material so that they can easily understand it and it will help them to understand the structure of the exam. Negative marking is applicable in the test.

3) Therefore, another TANCET MBA preparation tip is to avoid guesswork. Mark the answers which you are sure of else leave them unanswered. The candidates must concentrate on enhancing their vocabulary as they will have to answer different questions in this section of the exam. Read the newspaper on a daily basis, it will help you prepare for the further rounds of admission. Hope it helps.

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
View Syllabus
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Section Wise TANCET MCA Syllabus 2026

The table below mentions the TANCET syllabus for MCA courses in detail:

Sections

TANCET syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude

Number System, HCF LCM, Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Time Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Mixtures & Allegations, Quadratic Equations, Linear Equations, Logarithms, Series and Progressions, Binomial Theorem, Surds & Indices, Functions, Inequalities, Modulus, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Co-ordinate Geometry, Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory

Analytical Reasoning

Number Sequence (series), Input-Output, Coded-inequality, Blood Relations, Conditional Statements, Odd one out, Inequalities, Syllogism, Venn Diagram, Sitting Arrangement – Linear, Circular; Directions & Ranking, Sets based on games

Logical Reasoning

Alphanumeric series, Artificial Language, Blood Relations, Reasoning Analogies, Calendars, Cause and Effect, Coding-Decoding, Critical path, Clocks, Cubes and cuboids, Deductive Reasoning/Statement Analysis, Data Sufficiency, Decision Making, Dices, Directions, Embedded Images, Mirror and Water Images, Picture Series and sequences, Paper Folding, Puzzles, Order & Ranking, Seating Arrangements, Pattern Series and Sequences, Shape Construction, Statement and Conclusions, Statement and Assumptions, among other topics.

Computer Awareness

Computer Hardware, Controls, Basic Terminology, Internet & Protocols, Network Basics, Computer Abbreviations, Security Tools, Shortcuts, History of Computer, Memory, Computer Organization, Input-Output tools, Computer Architecture, Languages and Algorithms.

Also Read: TANCET 2026 Preparation Plan for Analytical Reasoning

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How much time will I get to answer questions in TANCET exam?
A: 

The TANCET exam lasts for 2 hours. Candidates must manage their time effectively to answer all sections within this period. Time management is crucial as each section requires focused attention. Practicing with timed mock tests can help candidates get accustomed to the exam duration and improve their speed and accuracy.

While preparing candidates can calculate the number of seconds they should take to answer one question. This will help candidates manage time effectively during the TANCET exam.

Q:   What are the type of questions that appear in the TANCET exam?
A: 

TANCET exam has objective type questions, this means that each question will have four options. Candidates have to choose one correct answer option for the question in the TANCET exam.

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TANCET Syllabus 2026: Sectional Overview

Candidates can find the question weightage along with the difficulty level as per the TANCET syllabus for MBA and TANCET exam pattern: 

TANCET Sections Total Questions Difficulty Level

Reading Comprehension

20

Moderate

English Grammar & Usage

20

Moderate

Analysis of Business Situation

20

Moderate to difficult

Quantitative Ability

20

Moderate to difficult

Data Sufficiency

20

Moderate to difficult

The space below mentions the section-wise question weightage in TANCET MCA exam:

Sections Total Questions Difficulty Level

Quantitative Ability

25

Moderate to difficult

Logical  Reasoning

25

Moderate to difficult

Analytical Reasoning

25

Moderate to difficult

Computer Awareness

25

Moderate to difficult

Check TANCET cut offs and predict calls from colleges accepting TANCET score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all TANCET participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict TANCET Admission Calls
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which section of the TANCET exam has the highest weightage?
A: 

The TANCET exam has five sections, namely,

  1. Business Situations 
  2. Reading Comprehension
  3. Quantitative Ability
  4. Data Sufficiency
  5. English Usage

As per the TANCET exam pattern, a total of 100 questions are asked collectively from all sections of the TANCET exam. All five section of TANCET MBA exam have equal weightage. Therefore, candidates have to answer a total of 20 questions, irrespective of the section. Since all sections of the TANCET exam have equal weightage, candidates must take all sections seriously. Each section of TANCET exam holds identical importance.

Q:   What is the section wise weightage in TANCET exam?
A: 

TANCET exam for MBA admission have five sections. Each section of the TANCET exam have an equal weightage. Anna University provides 20 per cent weightage to all five sections of the exam. Eacg section has 20 questions, collectively taking the question count to 100. The sections in the TANCET MBA exam include:

  • Business Situations
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Quantitative Ability
  • Data Sufficiency
  • English Usage

Since all the sections of the TANCET exam have equal weightage, candidates provide equal importance to all five sections. Any of the section may lead to act as an advantage in pulling the overall score of the candidate.

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Books recommended for TANCET Preparation 2026

  • TANCET MBA Superior Guide by S. SAMBASIVAN and Dr D. ANTONY XAVIER
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R. S. Aggarwal
  • Quantitative Aptitude by S.N Jha
  • Reasoning Test (Verbal & Non-Verbal) by Dr M.B.Lal & A.K.Singh
  • Logical and Analytical Reasoning by A. K. Gupta
  • Compendium General English by Dr BB Jain
  • New Pattern Tests of Objective English by Dr R.N. Singh
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What type of questions are asked in the Reading Comprehension section of TANCET exam?
A: 

The Reading Comprehenshion section of the TANCET exam has passages followed by questions related to these passages. Candidates have to answer questions in this section based on their understanding, inference, and analytical skills. Candidates need to read the passages carefully and answer the questions based on the information provided. Practicing reading comprehension exercises can improve reading speed and comprehension abilities.

 

Q:   How to improve Reading Comprehension skills for TANCET MBA exam?
A: 

Here are some tips on how to improve reading comprehension skills for MBA exam preparation:

  1. Read regularly
  2. Summarize what you read
  3. Reach out mentors for help
  4. Practice using sample papers and mock tests
  5. Pay attention to the author's purpose
  6. Identify the main idea of each paragraph
  7. Look for clues to the author's tone.
  8. Is the author being serious, humorous, or sarcastic?
  9. Read between the lines. What is the author not saying? What are they implying?

By following the above mentioned tips, one can improve their reading comprehension skills and increase their chances of success on the MBA exam.

View list of Books
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TANCET Exam Preparation 2026

Candidates need nearly four months for TANCET exam preparation. Before starting the studies, candidates must first strategise the TANCET exam preparation. Candidates must check the syllabus, patern, and entire test structure for TANCET exam. A good TANCET preparation plan must require candidates to cover all topics in the TANCET syllabus followed by practising mock tests. MBA aspirants who are also preparing for exams other than TANCET will find the syllabus and pattern in line with other MBA entrance exams.

TANCET 2026 Preparation Tips and Exam Strategy

How to prepare for TANCET 2026 in two months

TANCET 2026 Preparation Tips

How to prepare for TANCET in 3 months

How to prepare for TANCET 2026

How to prepare TANCET 2026: Quantitative Aptitude

Read More:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How can I crack TANCET in 6 months?
A: 
TANCET is conducted by Anna University Chennai on behalf of Government of Tamil Nadu and is accepted by many good colleges across India. Make your plan according to the time you can give for the preparation on a daily basis. Work on your plan and identify your weakness and strength. Try to plan and identify above stated things within a week. Set your plan agile and keep buffer time for revision and solving mock test papers. Start with your verbal and quantitative practice in parallel. Six months can make or change the game, time management is very important at every single point of time till the final day and even on the day. Keep positive! Solve questions in a specified time frame this will help you in doing questions in time. Maintain a good balance between your accuracy and solving time. Be focused and calm. For the last month keep all the formulas and tricks handy and revise on a daily basis. Remember not to be emotional while solving or appearing for exam. Manage your time wisely.
Q:   How can I prepare for TANCET MBA by self-study? What are the materials I have to use?
A: 

Tips and tricks to clear TANCET exam include

  1. Clearing your concepts and basics
  2. Taking mock tests
  3. Practicing previous year's question papers/sample papers
  4. Focus on improving speed and accuracy
  5. Time Management using techniques such as the Pomodoro technique
  6. Revision using short notes
  7. Avoid starting any new topics in the last phase of TANCET preparation
  8. Prepare a clear and defined exam day strategy
  9. Know your strength and weaknesses

Coming to the second part of the question, some of the recommended books to prepare for TANCET exam include:

  • TANCET MBA Superior Guide by S. SAMBASIVAN and Dr. D. ANTONY XAVIER
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R. S. Aggarwal
  • Quantitative Aptitude by S. N. Jha
  • Reasoning Test (Verbal & Non-Verbal) by Dr. M. B. Lal & A. K. Singh.
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FAQs on TANCET 2026 Syllabus

Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to the TANCET exam syllabus:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is the syllabus for CAT and TANCET same? Can I prepare for TANCET exam using CAT study material such as mock tests and question papers?
A: 

CAT is a national level exam for MBA admission, while TANCET is a state level exam for MBA admission. Syllabus for both CAT and TANCET are on a similar lies with slight changes in the sections. TANCET exam includes an additional section for Business Situation analysis. Candidates who have prepared for CAT exams section, including DILR, VARC, and QA, need a minimal study plan to prepare for TANCET. Candidates who took the CAT exam must drive deeper into the section for analysis of business situations. Study material, including books, question type remains similar for CAT and TANCET exam.

Practising mock tests for CAT and TANCET must be done individual as the difficult standards, exam duration, number of questions and other elements of test pattern will vary. Mock test will provide a better understanding of taking TANCET and CAT exam.

Q:   Is it easy to get high scores in TANCET exam?
A: 

Yes, it is easy to obtain high score in TANCET exam. to meet the cutoff scores. An exam is considered tough or easy by an individual based on his/her preparation. TANCET exam pattern is easier compared to other MBA entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, etc.

TANCET MBA has five sections with 20 marks for each section. These sections are mentioned below:

  • Business Situations
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Quantitative Ability
  • Data Sufficiency
  • English Usage
Q:   Is it necessary to join coaching classes for TANCET preparation?
A: 
It's entirely a candidate's call how he/she wishes to prepare for the TANCET exam. If aspirants have a strong foundation, they can rely on self-study. However, if the candidate wishes to make the best of available resources, he/she can certainly opt for an online course or join a coaching institute. Joining a coaching institute is not necessary for TANCET exam preparation. However, it can be helpful for some aspirants. Coaching institutes can provide access to experienced teachers, practice questions, and study materials. They can also help candidates develop a study plan and stay motivated. When deciding on coaching institutes, it is crucial to choose a reputable and has a good track record of success. You should also make sure that the institute offers the type of instruction that you are looking for. The best way to prepare for TANCET is to find a method that works for you and stick with it. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to exam preparation. The most important thing is to start early and give yourself plenty of time to study.
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TANCET Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 4 weeks ago

Some of the factors that lead to determination of TANCET cutoff scores include the number of seats available for admission, difficulty level of exam, previous cutoff trends, number of test takers, performance of test takers, among other factors.

D

Dhanya Shekhar

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

TANCET counselling is conducted by GCT Coimbatore. DTE, Tamil Nadu has allocatted the responsibility for TANCET counselling to GCT, Coimbatore. Candidates will have to participate in the centralised counselling process for TANCET based admissions.

B

Bhumika Sharma

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

The last date for TANCET exam registration is expected to lie around 20-30 days after the start date. Therefore, if the registration starts in January, candidates can expect the last date to apply for TANCET exam to be in the month of February. The timeline for TANCET registration is notified with t

...Read more

L

Loveleen Sharma

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

No, there is no facility for revaluation in TANCET exam. The results declared by Anna University are final and will be considered for admissions in Tamil Nadu. Anna University will not entertain any requests for revaluation and rechecking of the TANCET answer sheet.

R

Rupali Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

TANCET exam has objective type questions, this means that each question will have four options. Candidates have to choose one correct answer option for the question in the TANCET exam.

78471306
Abhishek Dhawan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

TANCET exam is conducted once every year. Candidates aiming for admissions via TANCET in current year must appear for the current cycle of the TANCET exam. In case of change in the TANCET exam frequency, Anna University will notify the details on teh official website and the infoirmation brochure.

A

Akansha Goyal

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

TANCET scores remain valid for a period of one admission cycle. Candidates appearing for the TANCET exam in this year can only get admission in the current admission cycle.

S

Shruti Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

Yes, TANCET exam consists of negative marking. For each incorrect response candidates face a penalty of 1/3 mark. Therefore, candidates must avoid guesswork while answering questions in the TANCET exam.

R

Rohini Bisht

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

TANCET exam details are released around the month of January every year. Candidates find the start dare for the TANCET registration along with the TANCET syllabus, infomation brochure, and exam date. Additionally, the TANCET website mentions the notification release date beforehand. TANCET notificat

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J

Jaya Katariya

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

TANCET ranks are allotted based on the marks of the candidates. All candidates with a TANCET Bscore who get their documents verified before the counselling process will be placed in the TANCET rank list. the highest scorer in the TANCET exam who will get the documents verified will get first rank in

...Read more

V

Vikram Tyagi

Beginner-Level 5

529 Institutes accepting TANCET

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science

Kelambakkam, Chennai Private

Hindustan
  • 3.02 Lakh
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time
  • 35,000
  • 2 years
  • |
  • Full Time
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    Mepco Schlenk Engineering College

    Tamil Nadu - Other Private

    Mepco Schl
    • 35,000
    • 2 years
    • |
    • Full Time

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