Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.
Official Overview & Examination Scope
Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact
MHT-CET is the premier state-level engineering and pharmacy entrance examination in Maharashtra. It is the exclusive gateway for state quota admissions into prestigious autonomous engineering institutions such as COEP Pune, VJTI Mumbai, SPIT Mumbai, and PICT Pune.
Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
Total: 200 Marks| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Mathematics | 50 Questions | 100 Marks (+2 per correct) | 90 Minutes |
| Paper 2: Physics & Chemistry | 50 Physics + 50 Chem = 100 Qs | 100 Marks (+1 per correct) | 90 Minutes |
Mathematics: +2 marks per correct answer. Physics & Chemistry: +1 mark per correct answer. Zero negative marking. Total 200 Marks.
Negative Marking Rule: No negative marking
Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark
COEP and VJTI Computer Science require 99.8+ percentile (~165+ marks out of 200). SPIT and PICT CSE typically close around 99.4+ percentile.
Participating Institutes / Career Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there negative marking in MHT-CET?
No, there is absolutely no negative marking in MHT-CET.
Can students from outside Maharashtra apply?
Yes, All India candidates can apply for All India Quota (AI Seats) in private/un-aided colleges based on JEE Main or MHT-CET scores.
Related Examinations & Pathways
Explore other national, state-level, or professional examinations in this discipline.
JEE Main (Joint Entrance Examination Main)
The largest engineering entrance exam in India with over 14 lakh candidates annually. Serves as the single gateway for admission into 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and ~38 GFTIs, and serves as the qualifying screening test for the top ~2.5 lakh candidates to appear in JEE Advanced for the 23 IITs.
JEE Advanced (IIT Entrance)
Widely considered one of the most intellectually demanding undergraduate entrance examinations in the world. Tests deep conceptual physics, multi-concept mathematical calculus, and intricate reaction mechanisms. The sole gateway to all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
BITSAT (BITS Pilani Admission Test)
Speed and accuracy based entrance exam for admission into B.E., B.Pharm, and M.Sc Integrated degrees across BITS Pilani (Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses). Features 130 core questions plus 12 unique bonus questions for candidates who finish early.