MHT-CET 2026 Preparation Guide — Syllabus, Tips & Strategy

MHT-CET Overview

• Maharashtra state common entrance test for engineering (PCM) and pharmacy/medicine (PCB) admission
• PCM: Physics, Chemistry, Maths (100 MCQs each); PCB: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (100 MCQs each)
• Negative marking: −1 for wrong; +2 for correct; 200 questions in 3 hours (90 min per subject)

MHT-CET Syllabus

• Based on Maharashtra HSC syllabus (Class 11 and 12); approximately 80% Class 12 weightage
• Physics: Mechanics, Optics, Electrostatics, Magnetics, Modern Physics
• Chemistry: Organic reactions (alcohols, halides, amines), Electrochemistry, Coordination compounds

Maths for PCM Students

• Calculus: integration (definite and indefinite) and differentiation — highest weightage
• Algebra: matrices, determinants, complex numbers, binomial theorem, probability
• Trigonometry and 3D Geometry: moderate difficulty; scoring if well-practiced

Biology for PCB Students

• Plant Physiology, Animal Physiology, Reproduction: highest marks in PCB biology section
• Genetics and Evolution: Mendel, DNA, mutations — application-type MCQs
• Ecology and Environmental Science: 10–15 questions; quick to revise

Preparation Strategy

• Target: start by November of Class 12; 4 months dedicated revision
• Complete all HSC textbook exercises; supplemented by MHT-CET previous year papers
• Mock tests: 3–4 per week from February; analyse mistakes by topic

Score vs. College Cutoffs

• 100 percentile: possible with 150+ marks in PCM; COEP Pune CSE requires 99.5+
• Engineering cutoffs: COEP CSE 98+; MIT CSE 95+; various private colleges: 75–90
• Pharmacy: MHT-CET PCB; scores above 120 give access to government pharmacy colleges

Official Resources

• MHT-CET official website: mhtcet2024.mahacet.org; practice portal with previous year papers
• DTE Maharashtra publishes merit lists and cutoffs from previous years — essential reference
• Coaching centres in Nashik: Bright Tutorials (score improvement guarantee for MHT-CET students)