The introduction of a second attempt for MHT CET marks a significant change in the examination process, allowing 4,92,383 students more opportunities to improve their scores. This new policy will begin on May 9, 2026, coinciding with the MBA/MMS CET which will see 53,931 candidates participating.
The immediate impact is striking. In the first attempt, 8,96,236 students registered, with 8,33,482 appearing—an impressive attendance rate of 92.99%. The first-time introduction of two attempts follows a trend seen in national-level exams like JEE (Main), aiming to give students a fairer shot at admissions.
Key details:
- The second attempt will take place from May 9 for MBA/MMS candidates and will continue with the PCB group exam on May 10 and 11.
- The PCM group exam is set for May 12 to May 21, excluding May 16 and 17.
- If candidates take both attempts, only their higher percentile score will be considered for admission.
This year’s changes are particularly notable because they allow students who may not perform well initially another chance to boost their scores. The percentile calculation—based on how many candidates score less than or equal to a specific mark—will now play an even more critical role in determining admissions.
For instance, achieving a score of 100 marks is expected to yield a percentile between 88-92 for PCM and 85-90 for PCB. This could significantly shift how students prepare and strategize their study plans.
The official release of the MHT CET 2026 Answer Key Session 1 is anticipated by May 2, 2026. Candidates can download it along with their response sheets from cetcell.mahacet.org. This transparency aims to enhance trust in the process.
As reactions unfold, officials have confirmed that this new structure aims to alleviate pressure on students while ensuring fairness in admissions. However, some educators worry about potential inconsistencies in preparation across two attempts.
The landscape of entrance exams is changing rapidly. With these adjustments, will we see a shift in student performance? The implications are profound as we look toward the future of educational assessments.