Important Update: The Maharashtra CET Cell has officially announced its plan to conduct MHT CET 2027 Attempt 1 between 15 December 2026 and 15 January 2027 — approximately four months earlier than the traditional April–May window. (Note: The formal notification with exact dates is yet to be released on cetcell.mahacet.org. All references to this schedule are based on the announcement by CET Commissioner Dileep Sardesai.)
If you are a student in the 2025–27 batch—targeting engineering through PCM or medical/pharmacy through PCB—this is the most consequential change to your preparation calendar. This guide covers everything you need to know.
What Has Changed? The New MHT CET 2027 Schedule
For over a decade, MHT CET was conducted in April–May after HSC board exams. Starting with the 2027 admission cycle, the Maharashtra State CET Cell has proposed a fundamental shift:
- First Attempt: 15 December 2026 to 15 January 2027 (proposed; not yet officially notified) *
- Second Attempt: April 2027 (traditional window, retained)
- Both PCM and PCB groups: Two attempts available; better score considered for admissions
- Application forms: Expected to open around September–October 2026 (not yet officially announced) *
Old vs. New Schedule at a Glance
| Milestone | Old Schedule | New Schedule (2027) |
| CET Attempt 1 | April–May | 15 Dec 2026 – 15 Jan 2027 * |
| CET Attempt 2 | Single attempt only (earlier years) | April 2027 (retained) |
| JEE Main | January | 3rd week of January (after CET Attempt 1) |
| HSC Boards | Feb–March | Feb–March (unchanged) |
| CET Result / Admissions | June–July | Earlier aligns with national cycle |
* Dates marked with an asterisk are based on the CET Cell’s public announcement and not yet formally notified.
Why Is This Change Happening?
CET Commissioner Dileep Sardesai has stated the goal is to align Maharashtra’s entrance exam calendar with national-level examinations, specifically JEE Main (held in the third week of January). The benefits:
- Students get a state-level benchmark score before sitting for the tougher JEE Main
- Reduces all-or-nothing pressure of a single April attempt
- Maharashtra’s admission cycle aligns with the national technical education framework
- Students who score well in December CET can approach JEE Main with greater confidence
What This Means for the 2025–27 Batch
If you are currently beginning Class 11 (the 2025–27 batch), this announcement fundamentally changes your study timeline. The single most important implication: you cannot wait until Class 12 to begin serious preparation.
The Board Exam Advantage
MHT CET follows the Maharashtra HSC Board syllabus almost entirely. Class 12 topics carry 80% of total marks. Every hour invested in HSC Board preparation directly strengthens your CET score—and vice versa.
This means the December attempt effectively functions as a pre-board mock exam with real stakes—forcing students to revise the complete syllabus before February boards. Students who appear in the December attempt consistently report being better prepared for boards.
For CBSE Students
If you study under the CBSE curriculum, note that MHT CET follows the Maharashtra State Board syllabus, not NCERT. There is approximately 80–85% overlap, but certain topics are unique to the Maharashtra Board. Supplement your NCERT preparation with Maharashtra Board textbooks from Class 11 itself.
Complete Preparation Strategy
For PCM Students — Engineering (JEE + MHT CET)
Exam Structure
- Physics: 50 questions — 50 marks (Class 11 = 1 mark; Class 12 = 2 marks per question)
- Chemistry: 50 questions — 50 marks (same split)
- Mathematics: 50 questions — 100 marks (all = 2 marks; your highest-scoring subject)
- Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes | No negative marking
Subject-Wise Priority Topics
Mathematics (100 marks): Integration & Differentiation, Trigonometry, Three-Dimensional Geometry, Matrices & Determinants, Probability—these 5 areas account for the bulk of the Mathematics score.
Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Electromagnetic Induction, Oscillations, Kinetic Theory of Gases, Modern Physics (Atoms, Nuclei, Semiconductors).
Chemistry: Chemical Bonding, Organic Chemistry Reaction Mechanisms, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Coordination Compounds.
For PCB Students — Medical / Pharmacy (NEET + MHT CET)
Exam Structure
- Physics: 50 questions — 50 marks
- Chemistry: 50 questions — 50 marks
- Biology (Botany + Zoology): 100 questions — 100 marks (your single most critical subject at 50% of total marks)
- Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes | No negative marking
Subject-Wise Priority Topics
Biology (100 marks): Cell Biology & Cell Division, Genetics & Evolution, Human Physiology (Digestion, Circulation, Excretion, and Neural Control), Plant Physiology (Photosynthesis and Respiration), Ecology & Environmental Biology.
Physics & Chemistry: Same high-priority areas as PCM (excluding mathematics). HSC textbook diagrams and definitions carry a premium in MCQ framing.
The HSC Textbook Rule
Approximately 80–85% of MHT CET questions are directly based on Maharashtra State HSC Board textbooks. Questions are frequently lifted from textbook examples, exercises, and definitions—sometimes nearly verbatim. Your board books are your most powerful CET resource.
- Physics & Chemistry: Solve every textbook example problem and chapter-end exercise
- Biology: Memorize labeled diagrams—many MCQs test diagram-based identification
- Mathematics: Complete every HSC Board exercise; procedural fluency is essential for timed CET Maths
Month-Wise Study Plan: June 2026 – April 2027
With the December exam window, here is how the 2025–27 batch should allocate the next ten months:
| Month | What to Focus On |
| June–July 2026 | Revise the full Class 11 syllabus — Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM) or Biology (PCB). Read HSC textbooks chapter by chapter. Build formula / reaction sheets. |
| August 2026 | Begin Class 12 syllabus — first half. Integrate HSC board notes with CET MCQ practice. Start 20-question daily subject drills. |
| September 2026 | Complete Class 12 second half. Begin full-length chapter-wise CET mock tests. Identify and plug weak areas. |
| October 2026 | 2 full-length mock tests per week. Revise high-weightage chapters. CET application forms expected to open (check cetcell.mahacet.org).* |
| November 2026 | Intensive revision—solve the last 5 years’ MHT CET papers under timed conditions. Accuracy drill for Maths (PCM) / Biology (PCB). |
| Dec 2026–Jan 2027 | CET Attempt 1 exam window (15 Dec – 15 Jan)*. After exam: begin JEE Main (PCM) or NEET final revision (PCB). |
| Jan–Mar 2027 | JEE Main — 3rd week of January (PCM aspirants). Board exam revision running in parallel for all students. |
| April 2027 | CET Attempt 2 (exact dates not yet announced)*. Use the Attempt 1 experience to improve the score if needed. |
* Items marked with an asterisk are based on proposed/expected timelines. Official announcements not yet released.
About PACE IIT & Medical
PACE IIT & Medical is one of India’s most established JEE and NEET coaching institutes, with 27+ years of experience, 10,000+ top ranks produced, a 95% success rate, and 40+ centers across India—primarily in Maharashtra and beyond.
PACE’s 2-year integrated program prepares students simultaneously for MHT CET, JEE Main/Advanced (PCM), and NEET (PCB), with the HSC Board syllabus at its core. This makes PACE’s curriculum especially well-suited to the new December CET schedule, since preparation runs in parallel across all three examinations.
Programmes Available
| Programme | For Engineering (PCM) | For Medical (PCB) |
| 2-Year Integrated Course | JEE Advanced + JEE Main + MHT CET | NEET + MHT CET |
| Distance / Online | Flexible online JEE modules | Online NEET / CET modules |
| Crash Course | Intensive last-mile JEE prep | Intensive NEET prep |
| Repeaters Batch | Advanced JEE rank improvement | NEET score improvement |
| Next batches starting: 16th June 2026 | 7th July 2026 | ||
Note: Course fees, specific batch schedules, and seat availability are subject to confirmation by your nearest PACE center. Contact details are available at iitianspace.com.
Recent PACE Results (2026)
PACE students delivered strong results in the 2026 examination cycle:
- JEE Advanced 2026: AIR 47 (Shubhran Sharma — confirmed). AIR 36 and AIR 39 were also reported by PACE (marked as provisional on the institute’s website*). 100+ students qualified JEE Advanced 2026.
- JEE Main 2026: Multiple students in top percentile brackets (detailed ranks available at iitianspace.com/result).
- NEET achievers: Rasika Mal — 706/720, AIR 55 (NEET 2021); Prachi Dhote — 705/720, AIR 82 (NEET 2021); Ashutosh Nagargoje — 685/720 (NEET 2023).
* AIR 36 and AIR 39 results are displayed on PACE’s website with an asterisk, indicating these may be provisional or subject to verification. Please confirm current results directly with PACE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is the December 2026 MHT CET date officially confirmed?
Not yet officially confirmed as of June 2026. The plan was publicly announced by CET Commissioner Dileep Sardesai and has been reported by multiple sources, including Careers360 and KollegeApply. The formal notification with final dates is expected on cetcell.mahacet.org around September–October 2026. PACE will share official updates when released.
Q2. Can I skip the December attempt and only appear in April?
Yes—appearing in both attempts is optional. If you appear in both, the higher score counts. However, the December attempt is strongly recommended as an early benchmark and safety net.
Q3. Does MHT CET preparation help with JEE Main?
For PCM students, yes — with limits. MHT CET is textbook-based at moderate difficulty with no negative marking. JEE Main demands deeper application and higher-order thinking. CET preparation builds a solid foundation, but JEE aspirants must supplement it with advanced problem-solving beyond the textbook level.
Q4. What will the MHT CET 2027 syllabus be?
The syllabus is based on Class 11 and Class 12 Maharashtra State Board. Class 12 topics carry 2 marks per question vs. 1 mark for Class 11, making Class 12 content approximately 80% of your score. A change in the syllabus is not expected unless the Maharashtra Board updates its curriculum—but always verify on cetcell.mahacet.org for the official notification. *
Q5. When will MHT CET 2027 registration forms be released?
Based on the proposed December exam window, application forms are expected to open around September–October 2026. This is estimated based on past patterns and is not yet officially announced. * PACE will communicate the official registration window to all enrolled students.
Q6. Is there negative marking in MHT CET?
No — MHT CET has no negative marking. Attempt every question, as wrong answers carry no penalty.
Q7. How do I join PACE for MHT CET + JEE / NEET preparation?
PACE admissions are currently open. The next batches are starting on 16th June 2026 and 7th July 2026. Visit iitianspace.com or call your nearest PACE center to enroll. Class 11 students joining now will complete the full 2-year integrated program ahead of the December 2026 CET exam.
Quick Checklist for 2025–27 Batch Students
- ✅ Have I completed the full Class 11 syllabus (Physics, Chemistry, Maths/Biology)?
- ✅ Am I reading my HSC board textbooks regularly—not just coaching material?
- ✅ Have I started chapter-wise MCQ practice from CET-specific books?
- ✅ Do I have a study schedule running through December 2026?
- ✅ Am I doing at least one timed mock test per week?
- ✅ Am I tracking performance by subject and addressing weak areas?
- ✅ PCM students: Is my JEE Main preparation integrated with my CET plan?
- ✅ PCB students: Is my NEET Biology work aligned with my CET Biology study?
- ✅ Have I enrolled at PACE or confirmed my coaching plan for the 2025–27 session?
Final Words from Team PACE
The MHT CET schedule change is not a reason for anxiety — it is an opportunity for students who plan early. If you begin in June 2026 with a clear strategy, you will enter the December exam window with confidence that most students will lack.
The dual benefit of simultaneous board and CET preparation is real—but only for those who start now, read their HSC textbooks consistently, and practice under timed conditions well before December.
PACE IIT & Medical will continue to share official MHT CET 2027 updates, registration deadlines, and exam schedules as they are released. All students and parents are encouraged to stay in touch with their nearest PACE centre and monitor cetcell.mahacet.org for official notifications.
PACE IIT & Medical | Next Batches: 16th June 2026 & 7th July 2026 | Official CET site: cetcell.mahacet.org