The A to Z of MAH-CET MBA exam

MAH-CET 2025 exam dates have not been released. In this article, you will learn about all the important aspects of MBA CET/ MAH CET.
MAH-CET is conducted by the Directorate for Technical Education (DTE), Maharashtra. Its scores are accepted for admission to more than 300 B-schools of Maharashtra.
What is MAH-CET all about?
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test MAH-CET, also known as MHCET/ MBA-CET/ MAH-MBA-CET/ MMS-CET, is a State-Level entrance for admission to MBA/MMS programs affiliated to Maharashtra State Universities. It is a gateway to esteemed colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, K J Somaiya, N L Dalmiya, DSIMS, DY Patil and more. After the test, the shortlisted candidates are required to participate in the Centralized Admission Process (CAP).
GLIM
MAH CET is a computer-based test, that is held across 35+ cities of Maharashtra and 15+ cities of other states. Thousands of candidates appear for it every year, hoping to get admission to one of the reputed institutes.
MAH-CET Exam Pattern 2025
MAH CET is an objective test of 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) duration. It consists of 200 questions spread across four sections. The test is designed to check the general aptitude of management aspirants. Since MAH CET is much less difficult than entrance tests like CAT and XAT, it offers an excellent alternative for students looking to get into a Maharashtra-based B-school. However, you should not take the test lightly, as it still poses stiff competition due to limited admission seats in prestigious institutes.
The following table shows the section-wise details of MAH-CET exam pattern:
Section
No. of Questions
Logical Reasoning 
70-85
Abstract Reasoning
8-25
Quantitative Aptitude
48-60
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
50-55
Total
200
Things to Note about MAH CET structure:
  • Every correct answer is awarded one mark.
  • There is no negative marking in the exam.
  • There are no individual time limits for sections.
  • Each multiple-choice question has five answer options.
  • Different slots vary in the number of questions from different sections.
  • Candidates can attempt the test in any order, as well as navigate between sections.
Suggested Action:
Kick start Your Preparations with FREE access to 25+ Mocks, 75+ Videos & 100+ Sectional/Area wise Tests
Sign Up Now
MAH-CET Syllabus 2025
Although the authorities do not release the official syllabus for MAH CET, our experts have listed out the important topics of each section as per the past years’ trends. Like all other speed-based tests, time management and accuracy play an essential role in acing MAH CET. Have a look at the topics covered in the MAH-CET, as explained below:
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Questions asked under this section include passages to test your English comprehension. Here, your English language ability will be examined through (1) understanding of the contents of the passage and (2) choice of appropriate words, phrases, expressions and similar language skills.
Questions from grammar and vocabulary feature in the form of sentence completion, Jumbled paragraphs, Error corrections in sentences, synonyms, antonyms, Idioms and Phrases, phrasal verbs, comprehension of passages, Similar words used in different contexts, paragraph completion, and one-word substitutions.
Quantitative Aptitude
This section will test your speed, accuracy and how you work with numbers. Additionally, your ability to do numerical calculations, various arithmetic problems involving ratio and proportion, percentage, etc. will also be gauged. This test basically helps determine how good is your quantitative reasoning, interpretation of tables, common graphs and charts.
Quant-based questions are from areas such as Numbers, Ratio - Proportion, Percentage, Numbers, SI & CI, Time - Distance, Height & Distance, Indices & Surds, Geometry, Mensuration, Logarithms, Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Time & Work, Profit-Loss and Data Interpretation.
Logical & Abstract Reasoning
Questions asked in both these sections measure your ability to think fast and accurately. You will be asked questions based on figures, diagrams and verbal reasoning. Reasoning questions are drawn from the following concepts: Series, Input & Output, Directions, Linear and Circular Arrangements, Symbol-based Series Completion, Directions, Conditional Coding, Selection Criteria, Venn Diagrams, Deductions, and Coding-Decoding.
When is MAH-CET conducted?
MAH-CET registrations are expected to be opened in January 2025. The exam will take place in March 2025. To register for the exam, the candidates have to apply online at the official website, provide the requisite information, select the preferred test centres, and pay the application fee.
Who can appear for MAH-CET 2025?
Before applying for the MAH-CET exam, you must check its eligibility criteria. Here are the key requirements that you need to fulfil to sit for MAH-CET 2025:
  • The candidate must be a citizen of India.
  • NRI/Foreign nationals and similar other candidates can also appear for MAH CET, provided they have completed the basic educational requirements from an India-based institution.
  • The candidate must have passed a minimum 3-year bachelor's degree awarded by a university recognized by the University Grants Commission or Association of Indian Universities. General category/ candidates from outside Maharashtra must have a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate or equivalent in any discipline (45% is the minimum criteria for reserved category candidates of Maharashtra).
  • Candidates in the final year of their graduation are also eligible for MAH-CET.
Further, some of the institutes have more specific criteria for their MBA programmes. To know more details on the same, you need to check the official websites of the respective colleges/ universities.
NOTE: Some of the Maharashtra-based B-schools also accept the scores of CAT and similar other entrance tests for admissions.
Which institutes accept MAH-CET scores?
MAH-CET scores are accepted by 300-400 institutes in Maharashtra. These include both government and private institutions. Each of the MAHCET-participating B-schools has around 60-80 seats in its MBA/MMS/PGDM programme. Here is the list of reputed management institutes that accept MAH-CET scores:
  • Jamanalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
  • Sydenham Institute of Management Studies & Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), Mumbai
  • K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mumbai
  • Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai
  • N. L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai
  • S.I.E.S. College of Management Studies, Mumbai
  • Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA), University of Pune
  • Xavier Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai
  • MET's Institute of Management, Mumbai
  • Chetana's Ramprasad Khandelwal Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai
  • Indian Education Society's Management College & Research Centre, Mumbai
  • Lala Lajpatrai Institute of Management, Mumbai
  • MAEER's MIT School of Management, Pune
  • Zagdu Singh Charitable Trust's Thakur Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mumbai
  • Rizvi Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mumbai
  • Vivekanand Education Society's Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mumbai
  • Shree C. E. Society's Indira Institute of Management, Pune
  • Alkesh Dinesh Modi Institute for Financial & Management Studies, Mumbai
  • St. Francis Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai
  • MAEER's M.I.T. College of Engineering, Kothrud, Pune
  • Agnel Charities Agnel Seva Sangha's Fr. C. Rodrigues Inst. Of Management. Studies, Vashi, Navi Mumbai
  • Shree Chanakya Edu. Society's Indira School Of Business Studies, Tathwade
  • Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Mumbai
  • Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies, Malad (W), Mumbai
Admission Process
After the declaration of MAH-CET results, the shortlisted candidates will be called for the Centralized Admission Process (CAP), wherein they go through the final rounds of admission. CAP is basically a counselling procedure, that is conducted in 2-3 rounds. Candidates are required to register for it on the official website.
CAP generally begins in October and ends in November, after which the list of final cut-off figures of participating colleges is released. The complete process is computerised, where initially, a provisional merit list is announced and later, a final merit list is made available online.
Note: The candidates who have taken MAH-CET do not have any registration fee for CAP. However, the ones participating on the basis of CAT or other MBA entrance scores have to pay the required fees.
Suggested Action:
Download FREE Strategy E-Books and Question Banks to boost your prep for MBA Entrance Exams
Download Now
ROI of MAHCET-accepting Institutes
It is no secret that most aspirants seek to earn an MBA from one of the top-ranked management schools. At these prestigious B-schools, the return on investment (ROI) is sufficiently good and guarantees a high-paying job at a leading corporate. Every year, hundreds of recruiters from India and outside swarm these institutions to hire their potential managers. So, it is important that you learn about your desired B-schools prior to enrolling into one. This is because not all institutes maintain a credible placement record. Here is a glimpse of the placement statistics of top MAHCET-participating institutes:
  • For MMS batch of JBIMS, the placement packages go as high as Rs. 42 LPA, with the average CTC being around Rs. 26-28 LPA.
  • At SIMSREE, the highest placements are in the range Rs. 22-24 LPA while the average CTC is nearly Rs. 12-14 LPA.
  • For MBA batch of KJSIMSR, the highest placement goes uptoRs. 25-27 LPA, and the average package is between Rs. 10-12 LPA.
  • For other good B-schools, the average placement package is about Rs. 8-12 LPA.
  • Placement recruiters are from various sectors, including IT/ITes, BFSI, FMCG, Manufacturing, etc. Some of the popular recruiters are: Amazon, Citi Group, Nestle, Morgan Stanley, CRISIL, Deloitte, etc.
How to Prepare for MAH-CET 2025?
Once you have understood the exam pattern and syllabus of MAH-CET, you should plan a study schedule and prepare a strategy to ace all the important topics. Here are the expert tips for your MAH-CET preparation:
  • To start with, you should grasp the basics of all sections in the first phase of your preparation. For this, you can take help from books, coaching, and online resources.
  • After learning about each concept/ topic, you must take a set of related practice tests. You should also refer to the previous year papers to know the expected questions.
  • Since Logical reasoning carries the highest weightage in the exam and does not follow any standard formulas, you must invest adequate time in practising its different types of questions. In the case of abstract reasoning, the concepts remain the same, but you must get familiarised with the different format of questions.
  • For mathematical concepts, you must learn the shortcut technique and aim to improve your speed and accuracy in the associated questions.
  • Verbal section demands a good hold over grammar and vocabulary, for which you need to develop a regular habit of reading. Alongside, you should practice RC passages daily.
  • In the next phase of preparation, proceed to practising sectional tests and, finally, go for the complete MAH CET mock tests. Accordingly, you must analyse your performance, modify your exam-taking approach, and work on your weak areas.
FAQs Regarding MAH-CET 2025
  1. What is a good score in MAH CET?
  2. The top-ranked management institutes generally set their MAH CET cut-off above 95 percentile. So, you should ideally target a percentile of 98+, which is equivalent to 150+ marks.
  3. Is MAH-CET easy?
  4. Yes, MAH CET is quite moderate in difficulty level, and you can crack it well with effective preparation.
    Bimtech
  5. Is CET compulsory for MBA?
  6. Yes, it is essential to take CET exam, if you wish to get admission into the MBA programme offered by the associated institutes. Besides, similar other entrance tests are required for admission to other B-schools of the country and abroad.
  7. Is CAT preparation enough for CET?
  8. Definitely! Both CAT and MAH CET focus on similar areas, albeit with varying levels of difficulty. So, if you have prepared for CAT, you will be able to tackle CET as well. However, you must go through the previous year CET papers and related mock tests to get prepared for the exact exam structure and time restraints.
  9. What are the passing marks of MBA CET?
  10. There are no such passing or qualifying marks in MBA-CET. But different B-schools set different cut-offs for admissions.
  11. How many times is MAH-CET exam conducted in a year?
  12. MAH CET is held only once a year.
  13. What is the validity of MAH-CET score?
  14. MAH-CET scores are valid for one year only. In other words, your scores in MAH CET 2025 can be considered for admission to MBA 2025 batch only.
  15. What is the application fee for MAH-CET?
  16. MAH CET registration fee is Rs. 1000 for general category/ candidates belonging to places outside Maharashtra and Rs. 800 for reserved category candidates of Maharashtra.
  17. What are the age limits for MAH-CET?
  18. There is no upper age limit for MAH-CET. However, the candidate must be of 21 years or above.
  19. How many times can I take the MAH-CET exam?
  20. There is no restriction on the number of attempts for MAH CET.
Rate Us
Views:54361