Updated: May 2026 · 14 min read · By Pushpak Patil, PredictCollege.in
Understanding the expected changes in cutoffs and the full impact of the new 2-attempt system for Maharashtra engineering and pharmacy admissions in 2026.
Starting from the 2026 cycle, the State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) Maharashtra introduced a two-attempt system for MHT-CET — following the pattern already established by JEE Main at the national level. Under this system, eligible students can appear for MHT-CET twice in the same admission year — typically once in February/March (Session 1) and once in April/May (Session 2).
The best of the two scores is considered for CAP Round eligibility and merit list preparation. This means a student who scores 88 percentile in Session 1 and 92 percentile in Session 2 will be ranked using the 92 percentile score.
Important: Appearing in both sessions is optional — not mandatory. Students who are satisfied with their Session 1 score can choose not to appear for Session 2. However, there is no risk in attempting both — only your better score counts.
This is the most important question for students planning their preparation targets. Based on what happened with JEE Main when it moved to two attempts, and analysis of MHT-CET's current candidate pool, here is a data-informed projection:
The table below compares actual 2024–25 CAP Round II closing cutoffs with projected 2026 ranges, accounting for the 2-attempt system impact. These are estimates based on historical trend analysis — not official DTE data.
| College & Branch | 2024–25 Cutoff | 2026 Projected | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| COEP Pune — CS (OPEN) | 99.3 – 99.5%ile | 99.5 – 99.8%ile | ↑ 0.2–0.3 |
| VJTI Mumbai — CS (OPEN) | 98.5 – 99%ile | 99 – 99.5%ile | ↑ 0.5 |
| PCCOE Pune — CS (OPEN) | 97.5 – 98.5%ile | 98 – 99%ile | ↑ 0.5–1 |
| PICT Pune — CS (OPEN) | 97 – 98%ile | 97.5 – 98.5%ile | ↑ 0.5 |
| VIT Pune — CS (OPEN) | 95 – 97%ile | 95.5 – 97.5%ile | ↑ 0.5–1 |
| SPIT Mumbai — IT (OPEN) | 94 – 96%ile | 94.5 – 96.5%ile | ↑ 0.5 |
| MITAOE Pune — CS (OPEN) | 88 – 92%ile | 88.5 – 92.5%ile | ↑ 0.5 (minor) |
| GCoE Aurangabad — CS (OPEN) | 85 – 90%ile | 85 – 90%ile | → Minimal change |
⚠️ These are projections based on trend analysis, not official DTE Maharashtra data. Actual 2026 cutoffs depend on exam difficulty, total applicants, and seat availability. Always verify with PredictCollege.in's predictor once official results are declared.
Not every student benefits equally from having two attempts. Here's a realistic breakdown:
Having two attempts changes your preparation strategy in important ways. Here's how to approach both sessions intelligently:
JEE Main data consistently shows that Session 1 cutoffs are marginally lower because many students haven't fully committed to it. Students who treat Session 1 as their best attempt — with full preparation — often score higher than those who "save themselves for Session 2." Your goal should be to achieve your target score in Session 1 and use Session 2 only as a genuine improvement opportunity, not as your real attempt.
After Session 1, reconstruct which chapters caused the most wrong answers. This is your targeted improvement list for Session 2. Spending the inter-session gap revising all chapters equally is less effective than intensively addressing the 3–4 specific chapters where you consistently lost marks. MHT-CET has consistent chapter-wise question distribution — fixing your weak chapters has a predictable score impact.
Because more students will achieve their personal best through two attempts, percentile compression at the top end means you need higher raw marks to hit the same percentile as in previous years. If 120 marks gave 97 percentile in 2024–25, budget for needing 125–130 marks for the same 97 percentile in 2026. Build this buffer into your preparation target — aim higher than you actually need to land where you want.
If Session 1 gives you a strong result — say, above your target percentile — still consider appearing for Session 2 if you believe a higher score is achievable. There is no downside (only your best score counts). However, if Session 1 met your target, don't put excessive stress on Session 2 improvement — use that time for CAP Round preparation instead (building your college choice list, collecting documents, using the predictor to finalise options).
Based on the projected impact of the 2-attempt system, here are the adjusted raw marks targets students should aim for to reach specific percentile bands in MHT-CET 2026:
| Target Percentile | 2024–25 Marks Needed | 2026 Estimated Marks | Accessible College Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99.5%ile | ~155+ marks | ~160+ marks | COEP CS, VJTI CS |
| 99%ile | ~145–155 marks | ~150–162 marks | PCCOE CS, PICT CS |
| 98%ile | ~135–145 marks | ~140–152 marks | VIT CS, Somaiya CS, SPIT IT |
| 97%ile | ~125–135 marks | ~130–142 marks | Somaiya IT, COEP Mech, Thakur CS |
| 95%ile | ~115–125 marks | ~118–128 marks | SKNSCOE CS, Walchand CS |
| 90%ile | ~95–110 marks | ~97–112 marks | MITAOE IT, K.K. Wagh CS |
| 85%ile | ~80–95 marks | ~82–97 marks | GCoE Aurangabad CS, WIT Solapur IT |
| 80%ile | ~68–82 marks | ~70–84 marks | Mid-tier private colleges, various branches |
Amid all the discussion about the 2-attempt system, it's equally important to be clear about what stays the same — so you don't over-adjust your planning.
Given the projected cutoff shifts, here are specific adjustments to your CAP Round 2026 strategy:
When using historical cutoff data to set your "reach" choices for CAP Round I, add 0.5–1 percentile to the 2024–25 cutoff to estimate 2026 equivalents. A college that closed at 96.5 percentile last year may close at 97–97.5 in 2026. Plan accordingly — don't set reach choices assuming the same cutoffs as previous years.
For your "safety" choices — colleges and branches where you're confident of allotment — use historical data without significant adjustment. The 2-attempt shift doesn't materially change the 80–88 percentile range. Use the PredictCollege.in predictor with your exact score to see your true safe options.
With more students achieving higher scores, more students will receive and upgrade allotments across rounds. This means more seat vacancies in Round II and III than in previous years. Always choose "Accept & Upgrade" after Round I if your allotment isn't your first choice — more upward movement is expected in the 2026 cycle.
With only one year of 2-attempt data for MHT-CET specifically, it's too early to establish a reliable pattern. JEE Main data shows Session 1 is marginally harder in some years and Session 2 in others — it's not consistent. Rather than trying to game the session difficulty, treat both sessions as equally important and prepare to perform well in whichever order they come.
No. The system uses strictly your best score. A lower Session 2 score has no negative effect on your Session 1 result. Your final merit list position will always reflect whichever session gave you the higher percentile.
Not significantly. The 2-attempt system's cutoff impact is concentrated at the 92–99 percentile range. For students at 75–88 percentile, the cutoffs at mid-tier colleges and Tier-3 city colleges are expected to change by less than 1 percentile point, which is within normal year-to-year variation. Your choice strategy should be based primarily on 2024–25 historical data with minor adjustments.
Yes. The 2-attempt system applies to both MHT-CET PCM (engineering stream) and MHT-CET PCB (pharmacy stream). The same "best of two" scoring principle applies. Pharmacy cutoff projections follow similar patterns to engineering — marginal increases at the most competitive pharmacy programs (B.Pharm at top colleges) and minimal change at lower percentile ranges.
No. You have one single MHT-CET 2026 score for CAP Round purposes — whichever of your two session scores is higher. You cannot mix scores from different sessions for different college preferences. Your single best percentile is used across your entire preference list in CAP Round.
Founder of PredictCollege.in. Engineering student and data analyst helping MHT-CET aspirants make smart, data-backed admission decisions using real CAP round cutoff data.