Maharashtra CET Cell announces tentative MHT CET 2026 exam dates by stream

Great news for Engineering and Pharmacy hopefuls in Maharashtra The MHT CET 2026 exam will be held in a new dual-session format for the first time, offering two attempts—in April and May—to secure your admission. This student-centric reform aligns the state exam with national standards like JEE Main, aiming to significantly reduce academic stress. The best score from both sessions will be considered for merit, maximizing your opportunity for a top rank. Separate dates are confirmed for the PCM (April 11–19, May 14–17) and PCB (April 21–26, May 10–11) groups. Read on to master your preparation strategy for this game-changing two-session structure.

The landscape of professional entrance examinations in Maharashtra is set for a major, aspirant-friendly overhaul! For the first time, the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) 2026 for admission to Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) and Pharmacy (B.Pharm./Pharm.D.) courses will be conducted in a dual-session format. This landmark decision by the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell marks a significant progressive step, mirroring the national-level Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main pattern. This reform is expected to be a substantial relief for the lakhs of students who vie for admission to top institutions across the state.

​This new structure offers students two crucial opportunities—one in April 2026 and the second in May 2026—to perform to their true potential. The official, tentative schedule confirms separate testing windows for the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) group and the PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) group. Crucially, if an aspirant attempts both sessions, their higher score will be considered for the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) merit list. This policy effectively minimizes the high-stakes pressure of a single-day exam and significantly increases the overall chances of securing a high percentile.

​Maximize Your Score: The Strategic Advantage of Two Sessions

​The introduction of the two-session model is a profound, student-centric change designed to benefit over six lakh aspirants by directly addressing historical exam-day stressors and performance inconsistencies. This flexible system allows for better stress management and a more refined approach to preparation.

• ​Stress Reduction and Performance Flexibility: 
  • ​The previous single-attempt format made performance solely dependent on one day, where unforeseen issues like minor illness or logistical glitches could severely impact a student's result.
  • ​The second session in May 2026 provides a vital safety net and a definitive fallback option, ensuring that one day's performance does not exclusively determine the academic fate of a candidate.
  • ​Aspirants can approach the first attempt in April with less anxiety, viewing it as a high-value diagnostic test to benchmark their readiness.
• ​Targeted Improvement and Preparation Cycles:
  • ​The results and detailed performance analysis from the first attempt can be utilized to precisely identify weak topics and specific mistake patterns (e.g., conceptual errors, calculation mistakes, time management).
  • ​The short, focused window between the two sessions allows candidates to dedicate time to targeted revision and intense problem-solving in the areas needing the most improvement.
  • ​The "best score counts" methodology acts as a powerful incentive for students to actively strive for significant improvement in the second attempt without the anxiety of a score reduction.
• ​Alignment with National Standards:
  • ​By adopting the dual-session format, MHT CET is aligning itself with national competitive exams like JEE Main, offering a consistent and modern examination experience that is standard across the country.

​Key Dates and Logistics: Planning Your Dual Attempt

​A detailed understanding of the timeline for the two sessions is essential for every aspirant to draft an effective, two-phased study plan. The State CET Cell has ensured separate, clearly defined windows for the PCM and PCB streams to prevent any overlap.

• ​PCM (Engineering) Group Exam Schedule:
  • ​Session 1: April 11 to April 19, 2026
  • ​Session 2: May 14 to May 17, 2026
• ​PCB (Pharmacy) Group Exam Schedule:
  • ​Session 1: April 21 to April 26, 2026
  • ​Session 2: May 10 to May 11, 2026
• ​Application and Eligibility Overview:
  • ​The official registration for MHT CET 2026 is tentatively expected to begin in December 2025 on the official CET Cell website.
  • ​Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be Indian nationals and must have either passed or be appearing for the Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2026. A minimum aggregate of 45% marks in the relevant subjects (PCM/PCB) is generally required for the General Category (40% for Reserved Categories of Maharashtra State).

​Aspirants' Roadmap: Strategy for Two Success Attempts

​To fully leverage the dual-session opportunity, aspirants must structure their preparation into two distinct phases, maximizing both the initial attempt and the crucial improvement window.

• ​Phase 1: Foundation and Diagnostics (Focusing on Session 1 - April 2026): 
  • ​Comprehensive Syllabus Coverage: The primary goal is to complete the entire MHT CET syllabus, which is predominantly based on the Maharashtra State Board's Class 11 and Class 12 curriculum, ensuring deep conceptual clarity.
  • ​Simulated Testing: Take numerous full-length MHT CET mock tests under strict exam conditions. The April session should be treated as a genuine attempt to establish a high baseline score.
  • ​Short Notes Mastery: Create a dedicated notebook for quick-reference formulas, reaction mechanisms, and key physics/math constants for rapid revision.
• ​Phase 2: Error Rectification and Peak Performance (Focusing on Session 2 - May 2026): 
  • ​In-Depth Analysis: Immediately after the first session, thoroughly analyze the results to pinpoint topics where marks were lost. Categorize mistakes (e.g., speed, accuracy, conceptual gap).
  • ​Focused Practice: Abandon generalized study. Dedicate all time to solving practice questions and previous years' papers exclusively on the identified weak chapters.
  • ​High-Weightage Topics: Re-emphasize high-scoring topics based on the exam pattern and the perceived difficulty level of the first attempt. This targeted approach is the key to maximizing percentile improvement in May.

​Conclusion

​The introduction of the dual-session MHT CET 2026 is a monumental, aspirant-empowering reform that dramatically enhances the probability of success for engineering and pharmacy hopefuls across Maharashtra. By adopting the "best-of-two scores" policy and providing separate, well-spaced dates for the PCM and PCB groups, the State CET Cell has delivered a modern, student-friendly examination system. Aspirants must seize this opportunity not as a relaxation, but as a strategic tool, ensuring that they apply consistent, high-quality effort in both sessions to secure their dream professional college admission.

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