MAH BBA CET 2026: Exam on 28–30 April; CET Cell adds new BHMCT course

The Maharashtra State CET Cell has announced the MAH BBA CET 2026 will be held from April 28–30, 2026. This year, the exam is unified, incorporating admissions for BHMCT, alongside BBA, BMS, BCA, and BBM programs. This significant change simplifies the admission process for aspirants across multiple fields. The exam duration has been extended to 120 minutes. Prepare with the updated syllabus focusing on English, Reasoning, GK, and Computer Basics to secure your seat in top Maharashtra colleges.

The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Maharashtra, has made a landmark announcement for undergraduate aspirants, confirming the exam dates and a major restructuring for its entrance test for management and allied courses. The MAH BBA CET 2026 is officially scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30, 2026. This multi-day, computer-based test (CBT) is set to become the single gateway for admission to five diverse professional undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA), Bachelor of Business Management (BBM), and, crucially, the Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BHMCT).

​This decision marks a significant shift, as the BHMCT course previously required a separate entrance examination (MAH BHMCT CET). The unification of these exams into a single entity—titled MAH–B.HMCT/BCA/BBA/BMS/BBM–CET 2026—is a highly beneficial move for candidates, streamlining the application and examination process for aspirants seeking admission across multiple disciplines in Maharashtra’s top colleges. The State CET Cell justified the change by noting the commonality in eligibility criteria across these courses, aiming to make the entire process more convenient and candidate-friendly.

​Exam Structure, Timeline, and The New 120-Minute Edge

​Aspirants must acquaint themselves with the finalized dates and the structural changes introduced by the State CET Cell for the 2026 examination cycle. The unification brings with it important updates to the test format and duration.

• ​Crucial Dates and Examination Mode:
  • ​MAH BBA CET 2026 Exam Dates:April 28, 2026, to April 30, 2026 (Conducted in multiple shifts).
  • ​Mode of Examination: Online (Computer-Based Test/CBT).
  • ​Registration Start (Tentative): First week of January 2026.
  • ​Registration End (Tentative): Last week of March 2026.
• ​Revised Exam Pattern and Duration: The MAH CET Cell has officially increased the exam duration, providing candidates with more time to attempt the same number of questions, potentially boosting efficiency and accuracy. 
  • ​Total Questions: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
  • ​Total Marks: 100 Marks (+1 for each correct answer).
  • ​Negative Marking: None (No penalty for incorrect or unattempted answers).
  • ​Duration: The total examination time has been increased to 120 minutes (2 hours), a notable increase from the previous 90-minute structure for the BBA/BMS/BCA exam.
• ​Sectional Weightage (100 Questions, 100 Marks - Indicative): While the inclusion of BHMCT might necessitate minor syllabus adjustments, the core sectional structure remains focused on general aptitude. 
  • ​English Language: 30 Questions
  • ​Reasoning (Verbal and Arithmetic): 30 Questions
  • ​General Knowledge & Awareness: 20 Questions
  • ​Computer Basics: 20 Questions

​ Preparation Strategy for the Unified Syllabus

​The new unified exam requires a strategic and balanced preparation plan. Since the core management courses (BBA/BMS/BBM) and the BHMCT course now share the same test, aspirants must ensure their study plan covers the common aptitude areas thoroughly. The inclusion of the Computer Basics section is a distinguishing feature of the MAH BBA CET, which is often not seen in other UG management exams.

• ​Targeted Sectional Focus: 
  • ​English Language (30 Marks): Focus heavily on Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms), and Grammar usage. Regular reading of English newspapers is essential for both language and General Knowledge improvement.
  • ​Reasoning (30 Marks): This section includes both Logical and Arithmetic Reasoning. Practice complex topics like Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Coding-Decoding, and fundamental concepts from school-level Mathematics (Percentages, Ratio, Time & Work).
  • ​General Knowledge (20 Marks): Preparation should be two-pronged: focus on Current Affairs (last 6-9 months) related to Business, Trade, Sports, and Awards, as well as Static GK (History, Geography, Polity).
  • ​Computer Basics (20 Marks): This is critical. Study the fundamentals of computer organization, CPU, input/output devices, system/application software, and the basics of the Internet. This section is often a high-scoring one.
• ​Leveraging the 120-Minute Advantage: The extension of the duration to 120 minutes for 100 questions translates to 1.2 minutes per question, giving candidates approximately 30 seconds more per question than in the previous pattern. 
  • ​Time Management: Utilise this extra time to meticulously read Reading Comprehension passages and cross-check complex calculations in the Reasoning section. Since there is no negative marking, candidates should attempt all 100 questions.
  • ​Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests strictly under the new 120-minute time limit to acclimatise to the pace and develop an optimal section-attempt strategy.

​ Opportunities: Colleges Accepting the Unified MAH CET Score

​The MAH BBA CET score is the mandatory criterion for admission to hundreds of government, government-aided, and private unaided institutions across Maharashtra that offer these five undergraduate degrees. The inclusion of BHMCT opens up new avenues in the hospitality sector.

• ​Top Institutions to Target:
  • ​For BBA/BMS: Highly reputed colleges in Mumbai and Pune like Jai Hind College, R.A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics, and various other colleges affiliated with Mumbai University, SPPU, etc.
  • ​For BHMCT: Prestigious institutions such as the Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pune, and All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society's College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pune, will now accept this unified score.
• ​Post-CET Admission Process:
  • ​The State CET Cell conducts a centralized admission process called CAP (Centralised Admission Process) based on the MAH BBA CET 2026 score.
  • ​The CAP rounds allocate seats based on the candidate's rank, preference list, and category. A higher score translates to a better rank and, thus, a higher chance of admission into a top-tier college and preferred course.

​Conclusion: A Simplified Path to UG Excellence

​The State CET Cell’s decision to unify the undergraduate entrance test for BBA, BMS, BCA, BBM, and BHMCT into a single, 120-minute MAH BBA CET 2026 is a welcome simplification for aspirants. With the exam scheduled from April 28–30, 2026, students have a clear timeline to focus their preparation. The lack of negative marking, coupled with the extended duration, offers a unique opportunity to maximize scores. Candidates must leverage this unified exam structure to secure their admission into the most sought-after management, IT, and hospitality programs across Maharashtra.

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