MHT-CET 2027 exam date: The MHT-CET 2027 exam date plan has changed. Starting this year, both attempts of the Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) for admission to Engineering and Pharmacy courses will be held after the Class 12 board examination. The earlier plan of a December first attempt has been dropped.
Why the Schedule Changed?
The state’s higher and technical education department said the decision followed consultation with parents, admission counsellors and others. They had raised concerns that the first attempt, likely in December, fell too close to the Class 12 board exams.
An official from the CET Cell explained that the department and the Cell received several representations saying the timing of the first attempt was very close to the Class 12 examination. This, the official said, was likely to make it hard for candidates to prepare for both exams. As a result, the decision was taken to hold both attempts after the Maharashtra State Board’s Class 12 exams, scheduled for February.
Practicals Were a Key Concern
Feedback came strongly from interior districts such as Nandurbar, Dharashiv and Chandrapur. These representations pointed out that practical assessments for Class 12 board exams begin in January. Many students felt that preparing for and appearing in the first MHT-CET attempt just before the practicals was unfair. They preferred that both attempts take place after the Class 12 exams.
What the Original Plan Was?
Under the original plan, the first attempt was scheduled for December 2026 and the second for April 2027. The new arrangement removes the December attempt entirely.
Likely Schedule and Scoring
The CET Cell has not yet declared a final schedule. For now:
- Both attempts are likely to be held between March and May
- The two attempts will be at least four weeks apart
- A candidate’s best score of the two will be considered for admission
MHT-CET 2027 at a Glance
| Particular | Earlier Plan | Revised Plan |
|---|---|---|
| First attempt | December 2026 | After Class 12 boards (likely March–May) |
| Second attempt | April 2027 | After Class 12 boards (likely March–May) |
| Gap between attempts | Not stated | At least four weeks |
| Scoring | Best of two | Best of two |
| Final dates | Not applicable | Yet to be declared |
Background: The Two-Attempt System
The state introduced the two-attempt system in November last year. The aim was to align MHT-CET with national entrance exams such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), give students another chance to improve their scores, and ease the pressure of a single high-stakes test.
Because that decision came late, both attempts for the 2025-26 academic year were held in April and May. This year’s plan was meant to leave a wider gap between the attempts, and officials said they sought feedback from students and other stakeholders while planning it.
What Students Should Do Now?
- Treat the December date as cancelled and plan around a March to May window
- Watch the official CET Cell website for the final schedule rather than relying on reports
- Prepare for the Class 12 boards in February first, then shift fully to MHT-CET preparation
- Plan to use both attempts, since the better score counts and the attempts are at least four weeks apart
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | MHT-CET 2027 (Engineering and Pharmacy) |
| Conducted by | Maharashtra CET Cell |
| Change | Both attempts after Class 12 boards |
| December attempt | Dropped |
| Likely window | March to May 2027 |
| Gap between attempts | At least 4 weeks |
| Scoring rule | Best of two attempts |
| Class 12 board exams | February |
| Class 12 practicals begin | January |
Why This Matters?
For lakhs of Maharashtra students, the change removes the need to prepare for a competitive entrance exam in the same weeks as board practicals. It also lets students focus on the Class 12 boards first, then use the March to May window for both MHT-CET attempts. Because the final dates are not yet out, students should treat the schedule as provisional and keep checking official CET Cell announcements. The best-score rule continues to give candidates a second chance within the same admission cycle.
