MHT CET Exam Day Guidance: Complete Checklist, Dress Code, Rules and Strategy

Performing well on MHT CET exam day requires more than subject knowledge. Many candidates lose marks or miss entry due to avoidable errors: arriving late, carrying a prohibited item, forgetting the admit card, or mismanaging time across the three papers. This page provides a complete, practical guide for exam day covering the schedule, what to carry, dress code, prohibited items, the CBT interface, time management strategy for each paper, and the official warning on unfair means.

For the exam structure and pattern, visit the MHT CET complete guide. To review the admit card download process, visit MHT CET Admit Card.

MHT CET Exam Day: Key Facts

MHT CET Exam Day Timeline

Plan the day using the following timeline:

For Shift 1 (Exam starts 9:00 AM):

For candidates with religious or traditional attire (turban, hijab, burqa): Arrive at least 90 minutes before the shift start time to allow for additional security checking.

For Shift 2 (Exam starts 2:00 PM): The same timeline applies from 12:30 PM onwards.

Documents to Carry to the MHT CET Exam Centre

Prepare this document set the evening before the examination. Place everything in a clear folder.

Mandatory:

For specific categories:

Permitted items inside the hall:

• Admit card and ID proof
• Transparent water bottle (as permitted by centre rules)
• Transparent pen (for signing biometric register)

MHT CET Dress Code

The CET Cell prescribes a dress code to prevent concealment of electronic devices or unfair materials. Following the dress code prevents delays at security and avoids disqualification.

Dress Code for Male Candidates

Dress Code for Female Candidates

Additional Dress Code Rules

• Watches of any type (analogue, digital, or smart) are not permitted inside the examination hall
• Hair accessories with metal components are not permitted
• Candidates wearing religious or customary attire (turban, hijab, burqa, etc.) are permitted entry but must arrive 90 minutes before their shift for additional security screening
• Sikh candidates may carry religious items (kara, kangha, kirpan) subject to security verification

Prohibited Items at MHT CET Exam Centre

The following items are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. Any candidate found with a prohibited item faces immediate disqualification and may be reported to authorities:

Warning on AI‑based cheating tools: The State Common Entrance Test Cell issued an explicit warning for MHT CET 2026 that the use of AI‑based cheating tools, hidden smart devices, or any electronic communication device during the examination constitutes a serious violation. Candidates caught using such tools face immediate disqualification, cancellation of all exam results, and possible legal action under the relevant Maharashtra ordinance on malpractices in examinations.

The MHT CET CBT Interface: What to Expect

MHT CET is conducted in Computer‑Based Test (CBT) mode. Candidates sit at individual computer terminals. Understanding the interface before exam day prevents confusion:

Login: On arrival at the terminal, candidates log in using the credentials printed on or verified against the admit card.

Question Display: One question is displayed at a time. Four answer options (A, B, C, D) are shown below the question text. Diagrams, equations, or tables may appear as part of the question.

Answer Selection: Click on the radio button next to the answer option. The selected option is highlighted. To change the answer, simply click another option.

Question Palette: A panel on the right side of the screen shows all question numbers. Each has a colour or symbol indicating:

• Not visited (grey)
• Answered (green)
• Not answered (red)
• Marked for review (purple/blue)
• Answered and marked for review (special colour)

Mark for Review: Candidates can flag any question for review using the "Mark for Review and Next" button. This does not submit the answer; it bookmarks it for a second look.

Navigation: Use the "Next" and "Previous" buttons to move between questions, or click directly on any number in the question palette to jump to that question.

Submit: At the end of the 90‑minute duration, the system auto‑submits the paper. Candidates can also submit manually before the time limit using the "Submit" button. Once submitted, no changes are possible.

Rough Work: A physical rough sheet is provided. Write all calculations on it. The rough sheet must be returned to the invigilator at the end of the examination. Writing on it and taking it out is strictly prohibited.

Biometric Registration at the Exam Centre

MHT CET uses biometric verification at the exam centre for identity authentication:

1. Candidates place their thumb or finger on the biometric scanner.
2. A photograph is captured digitally at the centre.
3. Both are matched against the data submitted during registration.

For biometric capture to succeed, hands should be clean, dry, and free of cuts or abrasions. Candidates with physical conditions affecting fingerprint quality (dry skin, skin disorders) should inform the invigilator in advance. The centre staff has provisions for alternate identification in genuine cases.

Biometric failure does not prevent entry if the admit card and ID proof match, but the candidate's attendance record may be manually noted.

Time Management Strategy on Exam Day

Paper 1: Physics and Chemistry (50 + 50 questions, 90 minutes)

Allocate approximately 45 minutes per subject. This gives approximately 54 seconds per question in Physics and 54 seconds per question in Chemistry.

Since Chemistry is consistently easier and more direct, many candidates prefer to attempt Chemistry first to build momentum, then move to Physics. Alternatively, Physics‑confident candidates can start with Physics.

Strategy:

• In the first pass, attempt all direct questions. Skip lengthy numericals and revisit them.
• After completing the full paper once, return to skipped questions using the question palette.
• In the last 5 minutes, ensure all 100 questions have a selected answer. Since there is no negative marking, guessing is always preferable to leaving blank.

Paper 2: Mathematics (50 questions, 90 minutes)

90 minutes for 50 questions gives 108 seconds (just under 2 minutes) per question.

Mathematics is calculation‑intensive. Time discipline is critical.

Strategy:

• Begin with the questions you can solve quickly: Mathematical Logic, Matrices, direct formula‑based Probability and Statistics.
• Attempt Integration questions next; allocate 2 to 3 minutes per question.
• Move to Vectors, 3D Geometry, and Conics, which require 2 to 4 minutes each.
• In the final 10 minutes, check the question palette and ensure no question is left unanswered. Any unmarked question should receive a best‑guess answer.

Mathematics at 2 marks per question means every question skipped loses twice as much as skipping a Physics or Chemistry question. Prioritise completion over perfection.

Paper 3: Biology (100 questions, 90 minutes)

90 minutes for 100 questions gives 54 seconds per question.

Biology questions are largely direct recall questions, which are faster to attempt than Physics numericals or Mathematics calculations.

Strategy:

• Attempt Botany and Zoology alternately or in blocks based on your comfort.
• Prioritise Genetics, Biotechnology, and Human Health and Disease questions, which appear frequently.
• For diagram‑based questions that are unclear, eliminate obviously wrong options and make an educated guess rather than spending excessive time.
• Ensure all 100 questions are answered; no marks are deducted for wrong answers.

The Night Before the MHT CET Exam

What to do:

• Verify the exam centre address on Google Maps and confirm the route and travel time
• Print the admit card if not done already; check that the photograph and signature are clear
• Organise all documents in a folder
• Prepare light, comfortable clothing as per dress code
• Set an alarm at least 2 hours before the reporting time for Shift 1 candidates
• Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep; fatigue measurably reduces calculation accuracy and recall speed

What not to do:

• Do not study new topics or attempt difficult problems the night before; revision of key formulas is acceptable
• Do not carry textbooks or notes to the exam centre; they will not be permitted inside
• Do not use the phone for long periods the night before the exam; screen time affects sleep quality

What to Do if a Technical Issue Occurs During the CBT

Occasionally, candidates experience technical issues at the computer terminal:

• Screen freeze or hang: Do not restart the computer. Raise your hand and inform the invigilator immediately. The centre staff will reset the session without losing your responses.
• System crash or shutdown: The CBT system saves responses automatically in real time. After the system is restored, previously submitted answers are retained. Inform the invigilator and the centre supervisor.
• Incorrect question set loaded: If the paper on screen is for a different exam group (PCB instead of PCM or vice versa), report it to the invigilator immediately before attempting any questions.
• Power outage: Exam centres have backup power. If the outage exceeds 5 minutes, the invigilator will provide instructions. Do not leave the terminal.

Any technical disruption that is not caused by the candidate's own action is compensated by the CET Cell through compensatory time or rescheduling as per the information brochure provisions.

After the Exam: Immediate Next Steps

After the examination is complete:

1. Collect the rough sheet from the terminal desk and hand it to the invigilator. Do not take it out.
2. Collect the admit card and ID proof from the document verification desk.
3. Do not attempt to discuss questions with other candidates inside the centre.
4. Track the official answer key release on cetcell.mahacet.org. The provisional key is typically released 5 to 15 days after the exam.
5. If you have objections to any answer key response, prepare the supporting reference (textbook page or official source) and submit within the objection window.

For the answer key, result, and post‑exam steps, refer to MHT CET Result.

MHT CET Exam Day: Do's and Don'ts Summary

Frequently Asked Questions on MHT CET Exam Day

What happens if I arrive after the gate closes?

Entry is strictly not permitted after the gate closing time, which is typically 30 minutes before the examination starts. There are no exceptions. Plan travel time accounting for traffic and unfamiliar routes.

Can I leave the exam centre before the 90 minutes are up?

Candidates may not leave the hall during the examination period. Early departure is not permitted to prevent communication of questions to candidates in the same or later shifts.

What if I do not have the admit card but have the ID proof?

Entry without the admit card is not allowed. The admit card is the primary entry document. If the printout is lost, log in to cetcell.mahacet.org from a mobile or laptop on the way to the centre and take a printout at any nearby print shop.

Is drinking water allowed inside the examination hall?

A transparent water bottle is typically permitted. Check the specific instruction on your admit card. Opaque bottles or bottles with labels that could conceal information are not allowed.

Can I use a pencil for rough work?

Both pen and pencil are typically acceptable for the rough sheet. Use what you are comfortable with. The rough sheet is a physical paper provided at the desk; write all calculations on it.