Exam Prep • Last reviewed 2026-05-01

What is MHT-CET and who should take it?

Short answer

MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) is the state-level entrance examination conducted by the State CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra, for admission to engineering, pharmacy and agriculture undergraduate programmes in Maharashtra. It is taken primarily by Maharashtra HSC (Class 12) Science students and is based ~80% on the Maharashtra HSC syllabus and ~20% on the Class 11 syllabus.

Key facts

Conducted by the Maharashtra State CET Cell
PCM and PCB papers; ~80% based on Maharashtra HSC syllabus
Primary gateway for Maharashtra engineering and pharmacy admissions
Held annually around April-May

What MHT-CET is

MHT-CET is conducted annually (typically April-May) by the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell. It has separate PCM (engineering, agriculture) and PCB (pharmacy, agriculture-allied) papers.

Who takes it

Mainly Maharashtra HSC (Class 12) Science students who want to remain in Maharashtra for engineering or pharmacy. Students from other boards and other states are eligible too, but the syllabus weighting favours Maharashtra HSC students.

MHT-CET vs JEE

JEE Main is national and almost entirely NCERT-based. MHT-CET is state-level and HSC-based. A Maharashtra HSC student aiming for the best engineering colleges in Maharashtra typically prepares for both — using JEE-level rigour and then sitting MHT-CET as the primary admission gateway for state colleges.

Mindarc's roadmap

MHT-CET, JEE Main and NEET-UG mock tests are live on Mindarc Test Series (testseries.mindarc.in), on a CBT interface that matches the real exam, alongside the Class 1–12 school platform.