TANCET MBA 2027: Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Mock Tests
TANCET (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test) is the state-level entrance exam for MBA and MCA admissions in Tamil Nadu. It is conducted by Anna University, Chennai, on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, and its score is used for admission to Anna University departments, government and aided colleges, and self-financing colleges and business schools across the state. This page covers what to expect for TANCET 2027, eligibility, the exam pattern, what each section tests, sample questions with solutions, a preparation plan and how to use mock tests.
Last updated: November 2026
TANCET at a glance
| Detail | TANCET MBA |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Anna University, Chennai, for the Government of Tamil Nadu |
| Courses | MBA and MCA (M.E., M.Tech, M.Arch and M.Plan admissions use a separate exam, CEETA-PG) |
| Mode | Offline, pen and paper with an OMR answer sheet |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions in 5 sections |
| Language | English |
| Last exam | TANCET 2026 was held on 9 May 2026; results were declared on 22 May 2026 |
| TANCET 2027 | Dates not yet announced. Based on recent years, expect the notification in early 2027 and the exam between March and May 2027 |
| Admissions | Tamil Nadu MBA/MCA counselling (single-window, conducted by the state) |
| Official website | tancet.annauniv.edu |
Always confirm dates, fees and rules in the official TANCET 2027 notification on tancet.annauniv.edu.
Eligibility
- •Degree: a bachelor's degree of at least 3 years from a recognised university, with at least 50% marks (45% for specified reserved categories of Tamil Nadu).
- •Final-year students: can apply, provided they complete their degree before admission.
- •Age: there is no upper age limit.
- •Candidates from other states: can take TANCET, but admission eligibility is set by the admitting authority. Check the counselling rules if you are not a Tamil Nadu candidate.
Exam pattern
TANCET MBA is a 2-hour, 100-question paper with five sections of 20 questions each.
| Section | What it tests | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis of Business Situations | Reading business cases and data (tables, charts) to make decisions | 20 |
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding and inferring from passages | 20 |
| Quantitative Ability | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry and number systems | 20 |
| Data Sufficiency | Deciding whether given statements are enough to answer a question | 20 |
| English Usage | Grammar, vocabulary and sentence correction | 20 |
| Total | 100 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours | 100 |
Marking scheme
- •Each correct answer gets 1 mark.
- •Wrong answers carry a negative mark, so avoid blind guessing. Check the exact deduction in the official TANCET bulletin.
- •Unanswered questions get no marks and lose none.
- •There are no sectional time limits: you can move between sections freely and decide your own order.
Because there is no sectional timing, a clear time plan matters more in TANCET than in exams like CAT. Most candidates do best by starting with their two strongest sections.
How TANCET scores become admissions
- 1.TANCET score. You receive a score out of 100 for the paper you took (MBA or MCA).
- 2.Counselling registration. After the results, you register for Tamil Nadu MBA/MCA counselling and upload your documents.
- 3.Rank list. A state rank list is prepared from TANCET scores, with community-wise ranks for reservation.
- 4.Choice filling and allotment. You list your preferred colleges, and seats are allotted by rank, reservation and availability.
Some institutions also run their own selection (group discussion or interview) or accept other scores such as CAT, MAT or XAT, so check each college's admission page.
Syllabus
Analysis of Business Situations
Short business cases and data sets (tables, bar charts, pie charts) followed by questions on interpretation, calculation and the best decision.
Reading Comprehension
Passages on business, economics, science and social topics, with questions on the main idea, inference, tone and details.
Quantitative Ability
- •Arithmetic: percentages, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, averages, simple and compound interest, time and work, time, speed and distance
- •Algebra: linear and quadratic equations, progressions
- •Geometry and mensuration: triangles, circles, area and volume
- •Number system: divisibility, remainders, HCF and LCM
- •Modern maths: permutations and combinations, probability
Data Sufficiency
A question followed by two statements. You decide whether statement I alone, statement II alone, both together, either one, or neither is enough to answer it.
English Usage
Grammar and error spotting, sentence correction, fill in the blanks, vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, word usage) and sentence arrangement.
Sample questions with solutions
Try each question before reading the solution. These are written in the style of TANCET questions.
Analysis of Business Situations
Use this data for questions 1 and 2. A company's sales (in Rs lakh) in four regions over two years:
| Region | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| North | 120 | 150 |
| South | 200 | 220 |
| East | 80 | 72 |
| West | 100 | 130 |
1. Which region had the highest percentage growth in sales from 2025 to 2026?
(a) North (b) South (c) East (d) West
Answer: (d) West. Growth: North 30/120 = 25%; South 20/200 = 10%; East −8/80 = −10%; West 30/100 = 30%. West is highest.
2. What share of the company's total 2026 sales came from the South region?
(a) 36.4% (b) 38.5% (c) 40.0% (d) 42.3%
Answer: (b) 38.5%. Total 2026 sales = 150 + 220 + 72 + 130 = 572. South's share = 220 / 572 = 0.385, or 38.5%.
Quantitative Ability
3. A trader buys an article for Rs 800 and marks it 25% above cost. He then gives a 10% discount. What is his profit?
(a) Rs 80 (b) Rs 100 (c) Rs 120 (d) Rs 200
Answer: (b) Rs 100. Marked price = 800 × 1.25 = 1000. Selling price after 10% discount = 900. Profit = 900 − 800 = Rs 100.
4. Two numbers are in the ratio 3 : 5, and their sum is 96. What is the larger number?
(a) 36 (b) 48 (c) 56 (d) 60
Answer: (d) 60. The numbers are 3k and 5k with 8k = 96, so k = 12. The larger number is 5 × 12 = 60.
Data Sufficiency
For questions 5 and 6, choose:
(a) if statement I alone is sufficient, but statement II alone is not;
(b) if statement II alone is sufficient, but statement I alone is not;
(c) if both statements together are sufficient, but neither alone is;
(d) if neither statement, even together, is sufficient.
5. What is the value of x? I. 2x + 3y = 12. II. y = 2.
Answer: (c). Statement I has two unknowns, and statement II gives only y. Together: 2x + 6 = 12, so x = 3.
6. What is Ravi's age? I. Ravi is 4 years older than Sita. II. The sum of Ravi's and Sita's ages is 4 more than twice Sita's age.
Answer: (d). Statement I gives R = S + 4. Statement II gives R + S = 2S + 4, which also simplifies to R = S + 4. Both statements say the same thing, so even together they can't fix Ravi's age. This is a common trap: two statements can look different and still carry the same information.
English Usage
7. Choose the correct sentence.
(a) Neither the manager nor the employees was present at the meeting.
(b) Neither the manager nor the employees were present at the meeting.
(c) Neither the manager or the employees were present at the meeting.
(d) Neither the manager nor the employees has been present at the meeting.
Answer: (b). With "neither... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "Employees" is plural, so "were" is correct. (c) wrongly pairs "neither" with "or".
8. Choose the word closest in meaning to "meticulous".
(a) careless (b) careful and precise (c) quick (d) generous
Answer: (b) careful and precise. "Meticulous" means showing great attention to detail. "Careless" is its opposite.
A 3-month preparation plan
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | Learn the basics in each section: arithmetic and algebra for Quant, grammar rules for English Usage, and the data sufficiency method. Read one long article a day for RC. |
| 5 to 8 | Practise section-wise tests twice a week. Start full-length mocks once a week. Work on business situations and data tables for speed. |
| 9 to 11 | Two full-length mocks a week, each followed by careful analysis. Fix your weakest section first. |
| 12 | Light revision of formulas, grammar rules and your error log. One final mock. Rest well before the exam. |
Daily routine: one hour of quant, 30 minutes of English usage, one RC passage, and one set of data sufficiency or business situation questions.
How to use mock tests to raise your score
- •Take mocks on paper or in exam conditions. TANCET is a pen-and-paper exam with an OMR sheet, so practise marking answers quickly and neatly.
- •Plan your section order. With no sectional timing, decide in advance which sections you attempt first and how long you give each.
- •Respect negative marking. Attempt a question when you can eliminate at least two options; skip pure guesses.
- •Learn the data sufficiency method. Always test each statement on its own before combining them. It's one of the fastest sections to improve.
- •Analyse every mock. Track your score and accuracy by section, keep an error log, and review it before the next mock.
Aceora TANCET mock tests
Aceora's TANCET mock tests follow the actual TANCET MBA pattern: 100 questions across the same five sections, with the same 2-hour time limit and marking scheme.
- •Full-length TANCET mocks with the real section mix and timing
- •Detailed solutions for every question
- •Performance analysis showing your section-wise scores, accuracy and time spent
See the TANCET mock test series and packages and prices. Not sure where you stand? Take a free TANCET mock.
Frequently asked questions
Who conducts TANCET?
Anna University, Chennai, conducts TANCET on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
When is TANCET 2027?
The dates haven't been announced yet. In recent years the exam has been held between March and May, so expect the notification in early 2027. Check tancet.annauniv.edu for the official schedule.
What is the TANCET MBA exam pattern?
A 2-hour paper of 100 multiple-choice questions in five sections of 20 each: Analysis of Business Situations, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Sufficiency and English Usage.
Is there negative marking in TANCET?
Yes. Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and a fraction of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
What is the eligibility for TANCET MBA?
A bachelor's degree of at least 3 years with at least 50% marks (45% for specified reserved categories of Tamil Nadu). Final-year students can apply, and there is no age limit.
Is TANCET an online exam?
No. TANCET is a pen-and-paper exam with an OMR answer sheet, held at test centres across Tamil Nadu.
How is TANCET different from CAT?
TANCET is a state-level exam for Tamil Nadu colleges, with five sections and no sectional time limits. CAT is a national computer-based exam for the IIMs and other B-schools, with three sections and fixed 40-minute section timings. Many Tamil Nadu aspirants take both.
How many mock tests should I take before TANCET?
Aim for 10 to 15 full-length mocks in the final two to three months, alongside section-wise practice. Analysing each mock matters more than the number you take.
Start practising for TANCET 2027
Starting early gives you time to build speed in every section. Enroll Aceora TANCET mock test series.