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JEE Main Vs MHT CET 2026: MHT CET and JEE Main are both engineering exams widely taken by aspirants. MHT CET is a state level exam while JEE Mains is nationally conducted. More than 1400 colleges accept JEE Main for engineering admission and at least 375 colleges provide BTech admission through MHT CET scores. Many students also wonder if JEE preparation is enough for MHT CET. The answer is yes. MHT CET 2026 will open up enormous opportunities for engineering aspirants who are anyway preparing for the JEE Main 2026 because it has a lower difficulty level. Moreover, a number of prestigious engineering colleges use MHT CET scores for admission. In this article, we have compared the two entrance exams so that the students can prepare for them with a common strategy for the upcoming year. The JEE Mains January session is completed and candidates are now preparing for the April session next. Whereas, MHT CET is yet to be conducted for both April and May sessions as per scheduled.
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JEE Main is an All-India level exam, whose scores are mandatory for admission to 32 NITs, 26 IIITs, GFTIs and many other top engineering colleges in India. Also, it is the first stage of admission to 26 IITs which is done through JEE Advanced. Qualifying JEE Main will make the candidates eligible to apply for admission to the 4-year BTech and 5-year BArch/ B.Plan programmes.
MHT CET is a state entrance exam, which is accepted by around 357 private sector institutions and 18 state government colleges in Maharashtra. The state CET cell conducts MHT CET every year for admission to undergraduate courses in engineering, pharmacy and agriculture (BTech/BE, Pharma D and B.Pharma) offered by colleges in Maharashtra.
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| Aspect | JEE Main | MHT CET |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Level | All-India national level | State level (Maharashtra) |
| Conducting Body | NTA (National Testing Agency) | State CET Cell, Maharashtra |
| Purpose | Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs; eligibility for JEE Advanced | Admission to engineering, pharmacy & agriculture colleges in Maharashtra |
| Programs Covered | BTech, BArch, BPlan | BTech/BE, BPharma, Pharma-D (Maharashtra) |
| Difficulty Level | Higher | Relatively easier |
| Eligibility for IITs | Yes (via JEE Advanced) | No |
| Scope of Colleges | Pan-India | Maharashtra only |
| Frequency | Multiple sessions per year | Once a year |
| Syllabus Base | Class 11 & 12 CBSE/State Boards | Class 11 & 12 Maharashtra State Board |
The analysis of JEE Main Vs MHT CET difficulty level shows that the later exam is comparatively easier. Those who are preparing for JEE Main 2026, can attempt for MHT CET 2026 as well.
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These are the differences and similarities between the two major exams:
Both of them will be conducted in computer-based mode.
As per previous year statistics, for the MHT CET examination, 7.25 lakh candidates registered as per previous statistics. For JEE Main, Over 12.31 lakh students enrolled for the four JEE Main January sessions and 12.57 lakh in previous year.
JEE Main is considered more difficult than MHT CET.
The questions of MHT-CET will be based on the syllabus of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Questions from the syllabus of Class 11 will have 20% weightage and 80% weightage will be given to questions from the Class 12 syllabus. JEE Main will focus almost equally on the Class 11 and 12 syllabus.
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Are you wondering if the MHT CET and JEE syllabus is same? Aspirants can check the following sections for the detailed syllabus comparison of Class 11 and Class 12 chapters for JEE Main and MHT CET.
The foundation of Physics is conceptual comprehension. Candidates must ensure that their notions are clear in each topic of this subject. Solving problems will help with clarity of concepts and lead to more confidence in the subject. The summary and extra questions of NCERT are helpful in solving the tricky questions of JEE Main.
NCERT Physics Class 11 | JEE Main | MHT-CET |
Units And Measurements | ✔ | ✖ |
Motion In A Straight Line | ✔ | ✖ |
Motion In A Plane | ✔ | ✔ |
Laws Of Motion | ✔ | ✔ |
Work, Energy And Power | ✔ | ✖ |
System Of Particles And Rotational Motion | ✔ | ✔ |
Gravitation | ✔ | ✔ |
Mechanical Properties Of Solids | ✔ | ✖ |
Mechanical Properties Of Fluids | ✔ | ✖ |
Thermal Properties Of Matter | ✔ | ✔ |
Thermodynamics | ✔ | ✖ |
Kinetic Theory | ✔ | ✖ |
Oscillations | ✔ | ✔ |
Waves | ✔ | ✔ |
NCERT Physics Class 12 | JEE Main | MHT-CET |
Electric Charges And Fields | ✔ | ✔ |
Electrostatic Potential And Capacitance | ✔ | ✔ |
Current Electricity | ✔ | ✔ |
Moving Charges And Magnetism | ✔ | ✔ |
Magnetism And Matter | ✔ | ✔ |
Electromagnetic Induction | ✔ | ✔ |
Alternating Current | ✔ | ✔ |
Electromagnetic Waves | ✔ | ✔ |
Ray Optics And Optical Instruments | ✔ | ✔ |
Wave Optics | ✔ | ✔ |
Dual Nature Of Radiation And Matter | ✔ | ✔ |
Atoms | ✔ | ✔ |
Nuclei | ✔ | ✔ |
Semiconductor Electronics | ✔ | ✔ |
Communication Systems | ✖ | ✔ |
Experimental Skills | ✔ | ✖ |
As the questions are consistently tough, this subject needs more practice. The more applicants learn and practise Maths, the more analytical and problem-solving skills they will gain. Learning the tricks to solve questions helps students to save time and get exact answers. These tricks are available on YouTube.
Class 11 Maths NCERT | JEE Main | MHT-CET |
Sets | ✔ | ✔ |
Relations And Functions | ✔ | ✔ |
Trigonometric Functions | ✔ | ✔ |
Principle Of Mathematical Induction | ✖ | ✖ |
Complex Numbers And Quadratic Equations | ✔ | ✖ |
Linear Inequalities | ✖ | ✖ |
Permutations And Combinations | ✔ | ✔ |
Binomial Theorem | ✔ | ✖ |
Sequence And Series | ✔ | ✔ |
Straight Lines | ✔ | ✔ |
Conic Sections | ✔ | ✔ |
Introduction To Three Dimensional Geometry | ✔ | ✔ |
Limits And Derivatives | ✔ | ✔ |
Mathematical Reasoning | ✖ | ✔ |
Statistics | ✔ | ✖ |
Probability | ✔ | ✔ |
Class 12 Maths NCERT | JEE Main | MHT-CET |
Relations And Functions | ✔ | ✔ |
Inverse Trigonometric Functions | ✔ | ✔ |
Matrices | ✔ | ✔ |
Determinants | ✔ | ✔ |
Continuity And Differentiability | ✔ | ✔ |
Application Of Derivatives | ✔ | ✔ |
Integrals | ✔ | ✔ |
Application Of Integrals | ✔ | ✔ |
Differential Equations | ✔ | ✔ |
Vector Algebra | ✔ | ✔ |
Three Dimensional Geometry | ✔ | ✔ |
Linear Programming | ✖ | ✖ |
Probability | ✔ | ✔ |
Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry are the three fields of Chemistry that candidates must be familiar with. Go through all the Reaction Mechanisms and make a list of all of the named reactions. Make notes while studying each chapter. The theoretical chapters of Chemistry are the scoring chapters for both JEE Main and MHT CET.
NCERT Chemistry Class 11 | JEE Main | MHT-CET |
Some Basic Concepts Of Chemistry | ✔ | ✔ |
Structure Of Atom | ✔ | ✔ |
Classification Of Elements And Periodicity In Properties | ✔ | ✖ |
Chemical Bonding And Molecular Structure | ✔ | ✔ |
States Of Matter | ✖ | ✔ |
Thermodynamics | ✔ | ✖ |
Equilibrium | ✔ | ✖ |
Redox Reactions | ✔ | ✔ |
Hydrogen | ✖ | ✔ |
The s - Block Elements | ✖ | ✔ |
The p - Block Elements | ✔ | ✖ |
Organic Chemistry Some Basic Principles And Techniques | ✔ | ✔ |
Hydrocarbons | ✔ | ✔ |
Environmental Chemistry | ✖ | ✖ |
Class 12 Chemistry NCERT | JEE Main | MHT-CET |
Solid States | ✖ | ✔ |
Solutions | ✔ | ✔ |
Electrochemistry | ✔ | ✔ |
Chemical Kinetics | ✔ | ✔ |
Surface Chemistry | ✖ | ✔ |
General Principle And Processes Of Isolation Of Elements | ✖ | ✔ |
The p-Block Elements | ✔ | ✔ |
The d-And f-Block Elements | ✔ | ✔ |
Coordination Compounds | ✔ | ✔ |
Haloalkanes And Haloarenes | ✔ | ✔ |
Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers | ✔ | ✔ |
Aldehydes, Ketones And Carboxylic Acids | ✔ | ✔ |
Amines | ✔ | ✖ |
Biomolecules | ✔ | ✔ |
Polymers | ✖ | ✔ |
Chemistry In Everyday Life | ✖ | ✔ |
Exam Preparation:
Here is a comparison table between JEE Main exam pattern and MHT CET exam pattern. Aspirants can refer to the information below before starting their preparation.
Particulars | JEE Main | MHT CET |
Mode of exam | Computer-based | Computer-based |
Types of questions | MCQs Numerical type | MCQs |
Number of sections | One | Two |
Number of subjects |
|
|
Number of questions | Each section-
|
|
Total questions | 75 | 150 |
Exam duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
Marking Scheme |
|
|
Language | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. |
|
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Candidates wondering if JEE preparation is enough for MHT CET can check the exam strategy given below. Those who are preparing for JEE Main can easily attempt the MHT CET exam due to the similarity in syllabus and the exam pattern. However, note that JEE Main is considered tougher than MHT CET.
Know The Syllabus And Exam Pattern: To ace at any exam the candidates must understand its pattern and syllabus before starting their preparation. The syllabus of MHT CET 2026 is based on the subjects taught in Class 11 and 12. So, the candidates must necessarily know which topic to study from the syllabus of both classes. The same goes for JEE Main. Most of the topics overlap for both exams. Thai would save a lot of time.
Prepare A Timetable: Candidates should always prepare a study timetable. They should divide their preparation time in such a way that all the important topics are covered before the exam.
Study Material: Selection of suitable books and study material is very important. One must start with NCERT books and refer to other books only after that. Candidates can also check the list of best books for JEE Main and MHT CET online.
Revision: Candidates should make a provision in their study plan for extra time for revision. As the syllabus is vast the candidates must revise all the topics at least once before the exam.
Sample Papers And Mock Tests: Candidates should practise a number of sample papers and mock tests in order to increase speed in problem solving. This will also help in time management. Since the difficulty level of JEE Main is higher than MHT CET, students can practice with JEE Main mock tests for better revision. The sample papers and mock tests are usually based on the pattern of the exam. By attempting them the candidates will also be able to analyse their performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, the MHT CET syllabus and JEE Main syllabus are not exactly same. There are a few differences between both. For more details check the article above.
Both, JEE Main and MHT CET are considered best for engineering. One must note that MHT CET is a state level exam and JEE is a national-level engineering entrance exam.
Mostly yes. Since the exam difficulty level of JEE Main is higher, it automatically prepares one for the MHT CET exam. However, there are a few differences in their syllabi and exam patterns. So, aspirants will have to strategize accordingly.
The JEE Mains Jan session was moderately difficult.
On Question asked by student community
Approx 1 lakh to 3 lakhs as you are from a general category
There are many NITs that accepts JEE Main rank below 35,000 in different branches including Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and many more. These NITs are -
Yes, based on previous years' trends, some of the good colleges that offer BTech admissions with JEE Main rank between 65,000–80,000 include:
Arnav Gautam & P.Mohith secured 300 out of 300 in JEE Mains session 1, as per the provisional answer key. The list of toppers to be released with JEE Main results
JEE Main 2026 session 1 result is not declared yet. JEE Main session 1 result will be declared on February 12.
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