Anita Rai
Introduction
If you appeared for MHT CET 2026 PCM second attempt, your wait is over.
The Maharashtra State CET Cell has officially released the MHT CET 2026 Answer Key for the 2nd Attempt PCM group on May 28, 2026, at the official portal — cetcell.mahacet.org. Along with the provisional answer key, the response sheet and question paper are also available for download.
In this comprehensive guide, you will find:
- How to download the MHT CET 2026 PCM answer key step by step
- Key dates you must not miss (objection window closes May 30!)
- How to read your response sheet and understand answer key symbols
- How to calculate your score
- Eligibility criteria and exam pattern at a glance
- Tips to raise a valid objection
Table of Contents
- MHT CET 2026 Answer Key 2nd Attempt — Latest Update
- Important Dates at a Glance
- How to Download the MHT CET 2026 PCM Answer Key
- How to Read Your Response Sheet: Symbols Explained
- How to Calculate Your Score Using the Answer Key
- How to Raise an Objection — Step-by-Step Guide
- Eligibility Criteria for MHT CET 2026
- Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
- What Happens After the Provisional Key?
- Preparation Tips for Future Aspirants
- Common Mistakes Students Make
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
- FAQs
MHT CET 2026 Answer Key 2nd Attempt — Latest Update
The Maharashtra CET Cell has released the provisional MHT CET 2026 PCM answer key for the second attempt today, May 28, 2026. Candidates who appeared for the PCM session 2 examination — held between May 12 and May 21, 2026 — can now access their answer key, question paper, and response sheet through the candidate login portal.
The objection window is open until May 30, 2026. This is your only chance to formally challenge any answer you believe is incorrect, so act fast.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the last day. The portal can get congested close to the deadline.
Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| MHT CET 2026 PCM Session 2 Exam Dates | May 12–21, 2026 |
| PCM 2nd Attempt Answer Key Released | May 28, 2026 ✅ |
| Response Sheet Available | May 28, 2026 ✅ |
| Last Date to Raise Objections | May 30, 2026 |
| Objection Fee Per Question | ₹1,000 + service charges |
| Final Answer Key Release (Expected) | June 2026 |
| MHT CET 2026 Result (Expected) | June–July 2026 |
Note: The PCB group second attempt answer key was released on May 23, 2026, with an objection deadline of May 25, 2026.
How to Download the MHT CET 2026 PCM Answer Key
Follow these steps carefully to access your answer key and response sheet:
Step 1: Visit the official website — cetcell.mahacet.org
Step 2: On the homepage, look for the “Candidate Login” tab and click on it.
Step 3: Log in using your registered Email ID and Password. (Keep your credentials handy before starting.)
Step 4: Once logged in, navigate to the Objection Tracker section.
Step 5: Your MHT CET provisional answer key, question paper, and response sheet will appear on the screen.
Step 6: Download and save the PDF for offline reference. You can also take a printout for cross-checking.
If you forgot your password, use the “Forgot Password” option on the login page with your registered email ID.
How to Read Your Response Sheet: Symbols Explained
The response sheet can look confusing at first glance. Here’s what the common symbols and indicators mean:
- Filled Circle / Bubble: The option you selected for that question.
- Correct Answer Column: Shows the official answer as per the provisional key.
- Blank / No Response: Indicates you left that question unattempted. No marks are deducted.
- Q. No.: The question number as it appeared in your exam paper.
- Section Code: Indicates which set/shift/slot your paper belongs to.
- Marks Awarded: Some portals display 0, 1, or 2 depending on the subject and correctness.
Compare your filled responses with the correct answer column systematically — question by question — to calculate your raw score accurately.
How to Calculate Your Score Using the Answer Key
MHT CET 2026 follows a subject-wise marking scheme. Here’s how to manually tally your score:
For PCM Group (Total: 200 marks)
| Subject | Questions | Marks Per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 50 | 1 mark | 50 |
| Chemistry | 50 | 1 mark | 50 |
| Mathematics | 50 | 2 marks | 100 |
| Total | 150 | — | 200 |
Score Calculation Formula:
Your Score = (No. of Correct Answers in Physics × 1) + (No. of Correct Answers in Chemistry × 1) + (No. of Correct Answers in Mathematics × 2)
No negative marking — wrong answers or unattempted questions carry zero marks. This means every question you attempted has a chance of scoring, so always attempt all questions.
Score Interpretation (Rough Guide):
- 160+: Excellent — strong chance at top government colleges
- 130–159: Good — mid-tier government and private colleges
- 100–129: Average — private colleges likely
- Below 100: Consider strategy revision for next attempt
How to Raise an Objection — Step-by-Step Guide
If you believe a question in the answer key is incorrect or the provided answer is wrong, you can challenge it. Here’s how:
Step 1: Log in at cetcell.mahacet.org using your credentials.
Step 2: Go to the Objection Tracker section.
Step 3: Select the question you want to challenge.
Step 4: Upload supporting proof — such as a scan from a textbook, NCERT reference, or official source — to back your claim. Objections without supporting documents are NOT accepted.
Step 5: Pay the objection fee of ₹1,000 per question (plus applicable service charges). This fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome.
Step 6: Submit the form and save your acknowledgement.
Important: Objections submitted via post, courier, or email are not entertained. Only online submissions through the portal are valid.
Deadline: May 30, 2026.
After the objection window closes, the CET Cell reviews all valid challenges and publishes the Final Answer Key — typically in June 2026 for PCM.
Eligibility Criteria for MHT CET 2026
For candidates planning future attempts or verifying their eligibility, here’s a quick breakdown:
Nationality: Indian citizen.
Qualifying Exam: Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (HSC) or an equivalent board examination.
Subject Requirements (PCM Group): Physics and Mathematics are compulsory. A third subject from Chemistry, Biotechnology, or Biology is also required.
Minimum Marks:
- General category: 45% in relevant PCM subjects combined
- SC/ST/EWS/PwD (Maharashtra domicile): 40%
Age Limit: No upper age limit for MHT CET 2026.
Appearing Candidates: Students currently in their final year of Class 12 are eligible to apply.
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Understanding the exam pattern is critical for preparation. MHT CET 2026 is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with only Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
PCM Group at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Language (Physics/Chemistry) | English, Marathi, Urdu |
| Language (Mathematics) | English only |
Syllabus Weightage:
- Class 11 syllabus: approximately 20%
- Class 12 syllabus: approximately 80%
The difficulty level is broadly comparable to JEE Main. Strong conceptual clarity at the Class 12 Maharashtra Board level is the foundation.
What Happens After the Provisional Key?
Here’s the process after the provisional answer key phase:
- Objection Window Closes (May 30): No more challenges accepted.
- CET Cell Reviews Objections: All submitted challenges are evaluated by subject experts.
- Final Answer Key Released (Expected June 2026): Incorporates valid corrections. In MHT CET 2025, 40 questions were awarded full marks after objection review.
- Scorecard / Result Declared: Based on the final key, percentile scores are calculated and published.
- CAP Counselling Begins: Candidates use their best percentile score (Session 1 or Session 2) for the Centralised Admission Process.
If you appeared in both sessions, only your higher percentile is considered — so your Session 2 score can only help, not hurt you.
Preparation Tips for Future Aspirants
If you’re planning to appear in future MHT CET sessions, here’s what actually works:
- Master the Maharashtra Board Syllabus First. 80% of questions come from Class 12 topics. Don’t skip basics chasing JEE-level problems.
- Focus on Mathematics for Maximum Gain. Each Maths question carries 2 marks. Scoring well here can significantly lift your total.
- Attempt Every Question. No negative marking means there is zero downside to guessing on questions you’re unsure about.
- Use Previous Year Papers. Patterns repeat. Solve at least 5 years of MHT CET past papers under timed conditions.
- Target High-Weightage Chapters. Mechanics and Electrostatics in Physics; Organic Chemistry; Calculus and Vectors in Mathematics historically carry maximum questions.
- Take Both Sessions. Since only the better score counts, appearing in both attempts is a strategic advantage.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Avoid these pitfalls when dealing with the answer key:
- Not logging in before the deadline. The objection window is short — just 2 days for the PCM 2nd attempt.
- Raising objections without proof. All challenges need a credible supporting document. Submitting without one wastes ₹1,000.
- Miscalculating score. Forgetting that Mathematics carries 2 marks per question (not 1) leads to an incorrect estimate.
- Ignoring the response sheet. The response sheet is not just for objections — it helps you understand your own performance trends.
- Assuming the provisional key is final. Always wait for the final key before drawing conclusions about your rank.
Key Takeaways
- MHT CET 2026 PCM 2nd Attempt Answer Key is officially released on May 28, 2026 at cetcell.mahacet.org.
- The response sheet and question paper are available alongside the answer key through candidate login.
- The objection window closes on May 30, 2026 — act promptly.
- Objection fee is ₹1,000 per question and is non-refundable; supporting proof is mandatory.
- Mathematics carries 2 marks per question; Physics and Chemistry carry 1 mark each.
- No negative marking — attempt every question.
- Higher percentile between Session 1 and Session 2 is used for CAP counselling.
- Final answer key is expected in June 2026; result to follow after that.
Conclusion
The release of the MHT CET 2026 2nd Attempt PCM Answer Key marks the final step before results. If you appeared for the exam, download your response sheet immediately, cross-check every answer carefully, and file objections (with proof) before the May 30 deadline.
Whether your score meets expectations or not, understanding where you went right or wrong is valuable. Use this opportunity to assess your preparation, and if you’re planning engineering or pharmacy admissions in Maharashtra, stay tuned to cetcell.mahacet.org for the final key and result updates.
Good luck!
FAQs
Q1. Where can I download the MHT CET 2026 2nd Attempt PCM Answer Key?
The answer key is available at the official portal — cetcell.mahacet.org — under the Candidate Login section using your registered email ID and password.
Q2. What is the last date to raise objections for the MHT CET 2026 PCM 2nd Attempt Answer Key?
The objection window closes on May 30, 2026. No extensions have been announced.
Q3. How much does it cost to challenge an answer in MHT CET 2026?
The objection fee is ₹1,000 per question plus applicable service charges. This fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Q4. Is there negative marking in MHT CET 2026?
No. MHT CET 2026 has no negative marking. Incorrect answers and unattempted questions both carry zero marks.
Q5. If I appeared in both Session 1 and Session 2, which score will be considered?
The higher percentile score between the two sessions is considered for merit list preparation and CAP counselling.
Q6. When will the MHT CET 2026 Final Answer Key be released?
The final answer key for the PCM group is expected in June 2026, after the CET Cell reviews all valid objections received during the challenge window.
Q7. What is the minimum score needed to qualify for MHT CET 2026?
There is no minimum passing score for MHT CET. Any non-zero score qualifies you to receive a scorecard. However, competitive college admissions depend on your percentile relative to other candidates.