TANCET MBA 2026 – Data Sufficiency Section – Question Type, Answer Choice and Basic Approach – Explained in Detail

TANCET MBA 2026 – Data Sufficiency Section

Data Sufficiency can feel like a different exam section—20 questions, a specific question style, and a small set of answer choices that you must learn to read like a pro. If you want to improve your TANCET score, mastering Data Sufficiency is one of the quickest wins. Here’s a friendly, practical guide you can use during practice or in a TANCET online class.

What is Data Sufficiency?

Instead of asking you to fully solve a problem, Data Sufficiency asks whether the information given is enough to answer a specific question. Every item has a question followed by two statements. Your job is not to compute the final number but to decide whether the statements alone or together give a unique answer.

Standard answer choices (read these first)

• A: Statement 1 alone is sufficient; Statement 2 alone is not.
• B: Statement 2 alone is sufficient; Statement 1 alone is not.
• C: Both statements together are sufficient, but neither alone is sufficient.
• D: Each statement alone is sufficient.
• E: Even combined, the statements are not sufficient.

Note: You will get any 4 answer choices and could be in different order. Always read and, if helpful, write them down before you start the questions.

Step-by-step approach (the method that saves time)

1. Read the question carefully and identify exactly what is being asked.
2. Quickly scan the four answer choices and write their meaning on scratch paper.
3. Consider Statement 1 alone. Hide Statement 2 or ignore it mentally. Ask: is this enough to produce one unique answer?
4. Consider Statement 2 alone in the same way.
5. If both are individually insufficient, combine them and re-evaluate.
6. Choose the option that matches your conclusion.

Two critical rules to remember:

• Do not combine statements when evaluating them individually. Evaluate each independently first.
• Do not waste time fully solving numeric values unless you must—determine sufficiency, not calculation.

A clear example: the library vs canteen problem

Question: Vijay must visit either the library or the canteen. Which of these two is farther from his hostel?

Statement 1:

It takes Vijay an average of 20 minutes to ride his bike from his hostel to the library.

Statement 2:

It takes Vijay an average of 20 minutes to ride his bike from his hostel to the canteen.

Evaluate Statement 1 alone: It only gives time to the library. There is no information about the canteen, so you cannot compare distances. Statement 1 is insufficient.

Evaluate Statement 2 alone: Similarly insufficient, because it only gives time to the canteen.

Combine both statements: Both show equal travel time, but without information about speed or road conditions we cannot say which distance is greater. Speed may vary due to traffic or road quality. So combined they are still insufficient. The answer is choice E.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

• Combining too early: Always test statements separately first.
• Solving unnecessarily: You only need to know if a unique answer exists—don’t compute unless it helps decide uniqueness.
• Making extra assumptions: Stick strictly to given information. Avoid assuming integer values or equal speeds unless stated.

Smart guessing and elimination

If a single statement is clearly insufficient, you can immediately eliminate choices that claim it alone is sufficient. That often cuts your options in half and gives you a 50/50 chance if you must guess. Combine elimination with careful reasoning to maximize accuracy, especially when practicing under timed conditions.

How to practice effectively

• Practice Data Sufficiency sets on mixed topics: algebra, ratios, percentages, geometry and logical reasoning.
• Use timed drills in a simulated exam environment, then review every item for reasoning mistakes.
• Ensure you practice TANCET level data sufficiency questions.

Final tips

Always start by reading the answer choices and writing them down. Evaluate each statement alone before you combine them. Avoid extra assumptions and unnecessary calculations. With focused practice—either self-study or through TANCET coaching—you’ll build speed and confidence and see your TANCET score improve.

FAQs

1. How is Data Sufficiency different from regular problem solving?

Data Sufficiency asks whether the given information is enough to answer a specific question, not to compute the full numeric answer. The goal is to test reasoning about information, uniqueness, and logical sufficiency.

2. How many questions are there in the TANCET MBA Data Sufficiency Section?

There are 20 questions in the TANCET MBA Data Sufficiency section.

3. Which math concepts are tested in the TANCET MBA Data Sufficiency Section?

Numbers, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry or a simple logical reasoning concept can be tested – simply any math concept can be tested in the TANCET MBA Data Sufficiency section.

4. What about the answer choices given for the TANCET MBA Data sufficiency section?

You will have four answer choices among the five given below, for the TANCET MBA Data sufficiency section. Same set of answer choices are being given for all the 20 questions.

• A: Statement 1 alone is sufficient; Statement 2 alone is not.
• B: Statement 2 alone is sufficient; Statement 1 alone is not.
• C: Both statements together are sufficient, but neither alone is sufficient.
• D: Each statement alone is sufficient.
• E: Even combined, the statements are not sufficient.

5. What is the approach for the TANCET MBA Data sufficiency section?

1. Read the question carefully and identify exactly what is being asked.
2. Quickly scan the four answer choices and write their meaning on scratch paper.
3. Consider Statement 1 alone. Hide Statement 2 or ignore it mentally. Ask: is this enough to produce one unique answer?
4. Consider Statement 2 alone in the same way.
5. If both are individually insufficient, combine them and re-evaluate.
6. Choose the option that matches your conclusion.