MHT-CET: Maharashtra Common Entrance Test — Complete Overview

MHT-CET is the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test conducted by the Maharashtra State CET Cell. It is the gateway to engineering (B.E./B.Tech) and pharmacy (B.Pharm) undergraduate programmes in Maharashtra's government-aided, unaided, and private colleges. It is one of the largest state-level entrance examinations in India by candidate volume.

The exam has two subject groups: PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) for engineering aspirants, and PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) for pharmacy aspirants. Since 2021, MHT-CET has moved to a computer-based test format with multiple sessions. A normalization and percentile system is used to equate scores across sessions, which is why rank and percentile — not raw marks — matter for counselling.

MHT-CET at a glance

ItemDetail
Conducting bodyMaharashtra State CET Cell
Official portalcetcell.mahacet.org
Subject groupsPCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) for engineering; PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) for pharmacy
FormatComputer-based test (CBT) in multiple sessions
Syllabus basisMaharashtra State Board Class 11 and 12 Science syllabus (with some weightage from Class 11)
ScoringRaw marks normalised to a percentile across sessions; counselling rank is based on percentile
Negative markingNo negative marking
CAP counsellingCentralised Admission Process (CAP) run by the state; year-stamped portal announced each cycle from the CET Cell home page
EligibilityClass 12 (or appearing) from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology; domicile rules apply — confirm on the official portal

Always confirm the current exam pattern, session dates, and eligibility criteria on cetcell.mahacet.org.

MHT-CET subject-wise marks (no negative marking)

StreamSubjectQuestionsMarks
PCM (Engineering)Physics5050
PCMChemistry5050
PCMMathematics50100 (2 marks each)
PCM total—150200
PCB (Pharmacy)Physics5050
PCBChemistry5050
PCBBiology (Botany + Zoology)100100
PCB total—200200

Mathematics is double-weighted at 2 marks per question, so for engineering it carries half the PCM total. About 20% of questions come from Class 11 and 80% from Class 12. No negative marking — attempt every question. Confirm the current pattern on cetcell.mahacet.org.

MHT-CET process: from registration to counselling

  1. Register on the CET Cell portal — MHT-CET registration opens several months before the exam, typically in January or February. Fill the form carefully and upload required documents.
  2. Download your admit card — Hall tickets are released on the CET Cell portal a few weeks before the exam. Check your session date, centre, and subject group.
  3. Appear for the exam in your session — MHT-CET runs across multiple sessions (Session 1 and Session 2 in recent cycles). Results for each session are normalised to a common percentile before the rank list is published.
  4. Check your result and percentile — The result shows your raw marks and your normalised percentile. For MHT-CET, percentile — not raw marks — determines your CAP counselling rank.
  5. Participate in CAP counselling — CAP (Centralised Admission Process) rounds are run by the state. Register, enter college and branch preferences in merit order, and track allotment. Confirm the current cycle's CAP portal link on cetcell.mahacet.org.

PYQ access note: Official MHT-CET previous-year question papers and answer keys are available behind candidate login (application number and date of birth) on the CET Cell portal. There is no open public archive. To access your own papers, log in with your candidate credentials after the exam window.

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