The Maharashtra State CET cell has announced a major change for the MHT CET 2026 exam. Students will now get two attempts to take the engineering entrance test. These exams will be held in April and May 2026 using a computer-based test (CBT) method.
This move makes Maharashtra the first state in India to offer two attempts for its state-level engineering entrance exam. The new system is similar to the national-level JEE Main 2026 exam, which also allows two attempts.
MHT CET 2026 Exam Dates
The exam will be split into two groups: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics ( PCM ) and Physics, Chemistry, Biology ( PCB ). Here are the planned dates for both attempts:
| Exam Group | First Attempt (April 2026) | Second Attempt (May 2026) |
| PCM | April 11 to April 19, 2026 | May 14 to May 17, 2026 |
| PCB | April 21 to April 26, 2026 | May 10 to May 11, 2026 |
Students should expect registrations for MHT CET 2026 to begin soon, likely within the current month.
What Students Think: A Survey
To understand student opinions on this change and whether other states should adopt it, Shiksha.com conducted a poll. The question asked was: " MHT CET will be held twice a year. Should other state-level engineering exams also be held twice? "
The poll results show strong support for the two-attempt model:
- 78% of students who took part in the poll said "Yes" . They believe that having two chances will greatly help students.
- 22% of students felt that one exam per year is enough. Their main reasons were that it creates less stress and that holding the exam twice might make the paper harder.
One student, Arth , commented, "No, I think that level of the paper may be hard as it will be conducted twice." This shows a concern that the quality or difficulty of the exam might increase with more attempts.
Why Two Attempts Can Help
The majority of students believe that two attempts offer significant benefits. Students can use the first attempt to understand the exam pattern and identify areas where they need to improve. If their score is not good in the first attempt, they get a second chance to perform better without waiting an entire year. This can reduce pressure and provide a safety net for students who might face unexpected challenges during the first exam, such as illness or stress.
This system also encourages students to aim for higher scores, as they know they have another opportunity. It allows for more thorough preparation and can lead to better overall academic performance. By following the JEE Main model, Maharashtra aims to give its students similar advantages enjoyed by those taking the national entrance exam.
Call for Other States to Follow
The poll results clearly show that many students want other states to also hold their engineering entrance exams twice a year. They hope that other state education boards will consider this model to provide similar benefits to students across the country.
While some concerns remain about increased pressure or tougher exams, the overall sentiment among students is positive towards getting an extra chance to achieve their best possible score for engineering admissions.
