MHT CET 2026 Twice a Year: April & May Sessions Confirmed

In a major student-friendly reform, the Maharashtra government has announced that the MHT-CET will be held twice a year starting from the 2026 academic session. Following the JEE Main model, candidates will get two opportunities in April and May 2026 to appear for the entrance test. For admissions to B.Tech., B.Pharm., and even MBA/MMS courses, the higher of the two scores will be considered. This change significantly reduces exam stress, offers better flexibility, and aligns the state test with national-level entrance standards, ensuring students have a crucial second chance.

In a landmark decision set to redefine the landscape of professional education entrance in Maharashtra, the State government has officially confirmed that the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) will be conducted twice a year, beginning with the 2026 academic session. This monumental shift, applicable to the entrance examinations for Engineering (PCM), Pharmacy (PCB), and even MBA/MMS courses, mirrors the successful, student-centric model adopted by the national-level Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main. The decision, announced by the Higher and Technical Education Minister, is aimed at reducing the immense pressure associated with a single, high-stakes examination and providing lakhs of aspirants with greater flexibility and a vital second chance to prove their potential. The two confirmed sessions are scheduled for April 2026 and May 2026, offering candidates the best possible opportunity to achieve their target score for admission into top colleges across the state.

​ The New Two-Attempt System: How It Works

​The core of this reform lies in adopting the "best-of-two" scoring principle, which directly addresses the anxiety and risk associated with the previously single-attempt examination format. This new structure is universally applicable across all major CET streams.

• ​Dual Opportunities: Aspirants will have the chance to appear for two independent examination sessions: Session 1 in April 2026 and Session 2 in May 2026.
• ​Best Score Counts: If a student appears for both the April and May sessions, the higher of the two scores obtained will be automatically considered for the purpose of merit ranking and the subsequent Centralized Admission Process (CAP).
• ​Flexibility and Mandate: 
  • ​Appearing for one session is mandatory for admission into professional courses.
  • ​The second attempt is optional, serving as a safety net or an opportunity for score improvement.
• ​Scope of Change: The new two-attempt system is not limited to MHT-CET for engineering and pharmacy. It has also been extended to the MBA/MMS CET, allowing management aspirants the same advantage.

​This structure ensures that unforeseen circumstances like illness, technical glitches, or high-stress levels on a particular day do not derail a candidate's entire academic year, providing a true measure of their academic preparedness.

​ Why the Change Alignment and Stress Reduction

​The decision to adopt the two-attempt model is driven by pedagogical best practices and a desire to align the state's examination system with national standards, ultimately benefiting the student community significantly.

• ​Stress Mitigation: The single-attempt format created an environment of extremely high stakes, where one bad performance could potentially cost a student an entire academic year. The second chance fundamentally reduces psychological stress and allows students to perform closer to their true potential.
• ​Alignment with JEE Main: The reform directly follows the national model of JEE Main, which has been successfully conducting two sessions per year for several cycles. This synchronization ensures that students preparing for both national (JEE) and state (MHT-CET) exams face a consistent testing structure.
• ​Score Improvement Focus: The second session in May provides a crucial window for targeted improvement. Students can utilize their April score and performance analysis to identify weak areas and focus their revision in the short period between the two attempts.
• ​Logistics and Fairness: Holding two exams helps the CET Cell manage the large volume of candidates more efficiently across various computer-based test slots and reduces the effects of minor logistical issues on an aspirant's performance, ensuring a fairer testing environment.

​ Strategic Preparation: Leveraging the Dual Sessions

​With the examination structure confirmed, aspirants must now develop a preparation strategy that capitalizes on having two opportunities to excel. The final months leading up to the April session are paramount.

• ​Treat April as the Primary Attempt: Candidates should prepare rigorously to score their best in the April 2026 session. A successful first attempt alleviates pressure and allows the May session to be viewed purely as an opportunity for ranking improvement.
• ​Syllabus Review Strategy: The MHT-CET syllabus is a mix of 20% Class 11 topics and 80% Class 12 topics. Aspirants should ensure thorough coverage of both, prioritizing the higher-weightage Class 12 syllabus first.
• ​Time Management in Both Sessions: The time distribution for the MHT-CET is 90 minutes each for Paper I (Mathematics) and Paper II (Physics & Chemistry combined). Regular practice with mock tests is essential to master the time-per-question constraint in the computer-based format.
• ​Post-April Analysis: Between the April and May exams, conduct a detailed analysis of the Sectional Percentile and Weakest Areas from the first attempt. Devote the four-week gap primarily to revising and practising those specific concepts that need the most improvement.

​Conclusion

​The Maharashtra government's decision to conduct the MHT-CET 2026 twice a year is a significant victory for engineering and pharmacy aspirants, marking a progressive step in state-level technical education. With the opportunity to appear in both the April and May sessions and have the best score count, the pressure is minimized, and the scope for improvement is maximized. Aspirants must now utilize this assurance to focus solely on high-quality, consistent preparation. The pathway to securing admission in prestigious institutes like COEP Pune, VJTI Mumbai, and ICT Mumbai has just become more flexible and student-friendly.

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