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MHT CET 2026 Exam Pattern Explained: Subject-Wise Questions, Marks & Time Limit

MHT CET 2026 Exam Pattern
MHT CET 2026 Exam Pattern

The MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026 is one of the most crucial components in your preparation strategy if you are aspiring to pursue engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, or related undergraduate courses in Maharashtra. Every year, thousands of students prepare rigorously to crack this state-level entrance exam. To succeed, it’s essential not only to master the syllabus but also to understand the exam structure, marking scheme, duration, subject weightage, and recent updates—especially since the format is aligned with competitive exams like JEE Main and NEET in terms of difficulty level.

In this comprehensive blog, we will walk you through everything you must know about the MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026, including detailed subject-wise breakdowns, section formats, question distribution, scoring rules, latest changes, preparation tips, FAQs, and more.


What is MHT CET?

The MHT CET (Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell for admission into various undergraduate courses such as BE/BTech (Engineering), BPharm (Pharmacy), and certain agriculture and allied programmes. The exam tests your knowledge and analytical skills in core subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology based on Class 11 and 12 syllabi.


Latest Updates in MHT CET 2026

Before diving into the exam pattern, here are some important updates for 2026:

  • Exam Twice a Year: From 2026, the MHT CET may be conducted twice in a year (April and May sessions), offering students greater flexibility and a second chance to improve their scores. This follows a new policy decision by the Maharashtra Government to align with national-level patterns like JEE Main.

  • Difficulty Level: The level of questions in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics is designed to be comparable to JEE Main, while Biology’s difficulty is at par with NEET.



MHT CET 2026 Exam Pattern Overview

The MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026 differs slightly for aspirants based on the group they choose—PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) for engineering and PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) for pharmacy or life sciences.


Key Features

Feature

Detail

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (Online)

Total Duration

180 Minutes (3 Hours)

Question Type

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Language

English, Marathi, Urdu (Mathematics only in English)

Negative Marking

None

Total Marks

200

Syllabus Basis

Class 11 & 12 Maharashtra Board (SCERT)


Exam Pattern for PCM Group (Engineering)

The PCM Group comprises Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The exam is structured into two main sections:

Section-Wise Breakup

Section 1 – Physics + Chemistry

  • Total Questions: 100 (50 from Physics + 50 from Chemistry)

  • Marks per Question: 1

  • Total Marks: 100

Section 2 – Mathematics

  • Total Questions: 50

  • Marks per Question: 2

  • Total Marks: 100

This sums up to a 200-mark paper completed in 180 minutes.



Marking Scheme & Scoring Rules

  • Mathematics: 2 marks for every correct answer.

  • Physics, Chemistry, Biology: 1 mark each.

  • Negative Marking: No negative marks for incorrect options, encouraging attempts on all questions.

This structure ensures that students can attempt questions without fear of losing marks, though accuracy is always key to maximizing scores.


Subject-Wise Weightage & Difficulty

The MHT CET is not just about rote memorization, but application of concepts. The question distribution follows a clear balance:

  • 20% from Class 11 syllabus

  • 80% from Class 12 syllabus

This applies consistently across all subjects whether you take PCM or PCB papers, which reflects the emphasis on advanced-level understanding.

The difficulty level for Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry is set to be at par with the JEE Main level to help in better benchmarking and fairness. Similarly, the Biology section’s difficulty is crafted to be equivalent to the NEET-style questions.


Exam Language Options

One of the candidate-friendly aspects of the MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026 is the language flexibility:

  • Physics, Chemistry, and Biology papers are available in English, Marathi, and Urdu.

  • Mathematics is available only in English.



Session & Timing Structure

The MHT CET is usually conducted in multiple sessions or slots across several days to accommodate the large number of aspirants. Each session limits students to 3 hours to complete both their respective sections.

If administered twice a year, the performance of each attempt can be used to score better and improve rank considerations during admissions.



Preparation Tips Based on MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026

Here’s how to prepare effectively:

1. Strengthen Your Concepts

Cover all topics from Class 11 and Class 12 meticulously since both contribute significantly to the total question weightage.

2. Take Full-Length Mock Tests

Practice full-length mock tests under strict time limits to build speed, accuracy, and time management.

3. Focus on Application-Based Questions

Since the MHT CET tests analytical and conceptual understanding, base your practice on solving application-style questions and previous years’ papers.

4. Track Your Progress

Keep note of your performance in different sections and understand which areas need more attention.



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026 and how is it structured?

A: The MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026 is designed to assess Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology through a Computer-Based Test with multiple choice questions. The PCM group has Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics sections totaling 200 marks completed in 180 minutes. The PCB group substitutes Biology for Mathematics, with similar scoring and timing. There is no negative marking.


Q: Does the MHT CET 2026 exam have negative marking?

A: No, the MHT CET 2026 exam does not use negative marking, making it beneficial for students to attempt as many questions as possible without the fear of losing marks for incorrect answers.


Q: How many sections are there in MHT CET 2026?

A: There are two key sections: Physics + Chemistry and either Mathematics (for PCM) or Biology (for PCB). Each section is worth 100 marks.



Conclusion

Understanding the MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026 thoroughly can dramatically improve your preparation strategy and exam confidence. Whether you are preparing for engineering or pharmacy, knowing the structure, marking scheme, subject weightage, and question distribution helps you prioritise study topics and manage your time appropriately during the exam.

With no negative marking and a clear pattern based on Class 11 and 12 syllabi, strategic preparation aligned with this exam structure significantly increases your chances of success.



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