With CBSE board examinations knocking at the doors, stalls stocked with mock test papers have witnessed significant footfall at the New Delhi World Book Fair here.

Books filled with sample papers for Class X and Class XII examinations and of various competitive examinations, are distinctly arranged in sections at these stalls, making it easier for the visitors to browse and make their pick.

Most publishers, however, claim that more than facilitating sales at the fair, their agenda is to introduce their brand or make them more popular among the audience.

Arihant Publishers, one of the front runners in the genre of help-books, has books on sale from JEE Question bank, to BITSAT sample papers.

Maneesh Raj, Marketing head, Arihant Books, says they were among the more populated stalls.

"The response is certainly dull compared to last time, but if we compare with other stalls, visitors seem to be dropping by at our stall the most," he say.

With the UGC application forms already out, Raj says "The demand for UGC NET practice papers and their supporting books has been tremendous." While subject wise books for JEE, BITSAT and other entrance examinations are also available, Raj says people prefer books that are more comprehensive and including everything in a single book.


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"Our "All in One Study" series for engineering students has been selling like hot cakes. Another book that has been extremely popular is our General studies book which has been updated as per the latest examination pattern," he says.

A visitor Anusha bought five books from the Arihant stall for her younger brother studying in Rajasthan. “He will be appearing for IIT, and Arihant sample papers are very useful during preparation," she says.

Dolly Arora, senior Production Editor with the Goodluck publishers says the house is here to make the "visitors aware that we exist." From English, Mathematics, to Art and Craft, the stall exhibits a huge range of books for children studying in Nursery till class X.

"Most of the visitors have asked for class sample papers, but since the ones we have are based on ISCE syllabus, the sale hasn't been much," says Arora.

An ambitious Rakhi (15) who will be taking her Class 10 from CBSE Board says she has been practicing ICSE mock tests as well while picking up a copy from Goodluck publishers.

"The chapters are similar in both the boards only the pattern is different. Solving ICSE board questions gives me a wider perspective of the possible questions that might be asked," she says.

Goodluck Publishers also have an impressive collection of worksheets for the beginners along with children's literature like abridged versions of popular classics "Gulliver's Travels", "Three Men in a Boat" and biographies of Ann Frank and Helen Keller.

Upkar Prakashan has a varied collection of career oriented books in both Hindi and English medium.

"The response has been 50 per cent of what we had expected, but owing to the approaching exams, the sales have been decent," says SP Gupta, General manager, Upkar Prakashan.


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Apart from the regular books for Engineering and PMT entrance examination, books for Civil services, TET and Mass communication are popular, he says.

"People have been purchasing books for banking examination extensively. Our special series and motivational books are also among the popular ones," he adds.