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Maharashtra Shifts Both MHT-CET 2027 Attempts to Post-Board Period
By Drooid · · How we work
Rescheduling Decision
The Higher and Technical Education Department of Maharashtra announced that both attempts of the Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) for engineering and pharmacy admissions will now be conducted after the Class 12 board examinations, likely between March and May. The two examinations will be spaced at least four weeks apart, and the higher of a candidate’s two scores will be used for admission.
Background and Rationale
The two-attempt format was introduced in November 2022 to align the state’s entrance test with national exams such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and to give students a second chance to improve their scores. In the 2025-26 academic year, both attempts were held in April and May because the new system was announced late. For the current year, the original plan called for a December 2026 first attempt followed by a second attempt in April 2027. Feedback from parents, counsellors and educationists—particularly from rural districts such as Dharashiv, Nandurbar and Chandrapur—indicated that a December test would be too close to the Class 12 board schedule, prompting the department to revise the timetable.
Official Response
A senior official of the Higher and Technical Education Department explained that the department consulted parents, admission counsellors and other stakeholders before deciding to move both attempts to the post-board window. The official noted that the change aims to reduce exam pressure and provide a fairer opportunity for students across the state. The department indicated that a provisional timetable for all CET examinations will be released within the next week.
Implications for Students
By placing both MHT-CET attempts after the Class 12 results, students will have clearer separation between board examinations and entrance testing, potentially lowering stress and allowing more focused preparation. The four-week interval between the two CETs preserves the chance to improve scores, mirroring the approach used in the previous academic year. This adjustment also aligns Maharashtra’s schedule more closely with national entrance examinations, which could streamline the admission process for students applying to engineering and pharmacy programs nationwide.