The MHT CET will now feature a second attempt for students, enhancing their chances to boost scores. This is a first in its history.
The introduction of a second attempt for MHT CET marks a significant change in the examination process, allowing students more opportunities to improve their scores. Starting on May 9, 2026, around 4,92,383 students will participate in this new format, which also includes other entrance exams like the MBA/MMS CET.
This year, the first attempt saw an impressive registration of 8,96,236 students, with 8,33,482 appearing and an attendance rate of 92.99%. The introduction of a second attempt aims to alleviate pressure on candidates and provide them with another chance to achieve better results.
That context matters because it reflects a shift towards accommodating student needs. For instance, the MBA/MMS CET will run concurrently on May 9, with 53,931 candidates expected. Meanwhile, the PCB group exam is scheduled for May 10 and 11 for 1,16,538 students, and the PCM group exam will take place from May 12 to May 21 for 3,21,914 candidates.
This dual-attempt structure is unprecedented for the CET Cell and mirrors practices seen in national-level exams like JEE (Main). Candidates can choose to take both attempts; however, they must appear for at least one exam. If they do participate in both attempts, only the higher percentile score will be considered for admission.
Key details about MHT CET:
- The second attempt begins on May 9, 2026.
- The answer key for Session 1 is expected to be released by May 2.
- A score of 100 marks corresponds to an estimated percentile of around 88-92 for PCM students and 85-90 for PCB students.
The announcement has received positive reactions from educational experts who believe that this flexibility could lead to better outcomes for students. As one expert noted: “If a candidate appears for both attempts, the higher percentile score will be considered for admission.” This change could significantly impact how students prepare and approach these critical exams.
The MHT CET has evolved over the years—this new policy indicates a growing recognition of student challenges and aims to enhance fairness in assessment. With more opportunities at stake, many are eager to see how this affects overall performance across various groups.
The official release of the answer key is anticipated on May 2. Students should keep an eye on cetcell.mahacet.org to download their answer keys and response sheets once available.
