MHT CET 17 April 2026 answer key: Quick summary — what’s out now and what to expect
Unofficial MHT CET April 17 answer key PDFs have been released by several coaching centres based on memory-based questions from students. If you wrote the April 17 shifts, these keys let you estimate your raw score fast.
The official answer key will appear on cetcell.mahacet.org. The provisional answer key is expected in the last week of April 2026 and the final answer key in the first week of May 2026 . The MHT CET session 1 window runs April 11–20, 2026 for PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) — note PCM was not held on April 12 and April 14 — while PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) is scheduled April 21–26, 2026 .
Why the unofficial answer key matters (and its limits)
Unofficial answer keys give you a quick scoreboard. They are usually compiled by coaching centres from memory-based questions and student-shared sheets.
But they are not final. The CET Cell’s official key on cetcell.mahacet.org decides your official score and is the only document with legal standing. Coaching keys can differ because of ambiguous questions, typos in recollections, or different interpretation of options.
Use unofficial keys for immediate planning — estimating percentile ranges, shortlisting colleges, and deciding if you need to prepare for counselling paperwork. Don’t treat them as final proof for admission decisions.
Where the official answer key will be released and how to download it
The official MHT CET answer key will be released on the Maharashtra CET Cell portal — cetcell.mahacet.org. Expect provisional and final keys on the portal, published as PDFs.
How to download (simple steps you can follow once the key is live):
- Open cetcell.mahacet.org in a browser.
- On the homepage look for the MHT CET / Answer Key section — exam notices are usually highlighted.
- Click the relevant link for the provisional or final answer key (shift-wise PDFs are generally posted).
- Download the PDF and save a copy. If the portal shows response sheets, download those too.
Note: the portal will carry notifications about objection windows and any response-sheet downloads. Keep your registration details handy for result download later.
Important dates at a glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| MHT CET Session 1 (PCM) exam window | April 11–20, 2026 |
| PCM not conducted on | April 12 and April 14, 2026 |
| MHT CET PCB exam window | April 21–26, 2026 |
| Provisional answer key (expected) | Last week of April 2026 |
| Final answer key (expected) | First week of May 2026 |
| Expected result month | May 2026 |
MHT CET marking scheme and exam structure (quick reference)
The MHT CET marking scheme is straightforward — different marks per subject based on question weight.
| Subject | Marks per question | Total marks | Duration per section |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 2 marks | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Physics | 1 mark | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Chemistry | 1 mark | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Biology (PCB) | 1 mark | 100 | 90 minutes |
This means the PCM answer key you use should map each correct Maths answer to 2 marks and each Physics/Chemistry to 1 mark when you calculate raw scores.
How to calculate your raw MHT CET score (with worked examples)
Formula to estimate raw score using any MHT CET question paper solutions or the MHT CET 17 April 2026 answer key:
Raw score = (Number of correct Maths answers × 2) + (Number of correct Physics answers × 1) + (Number of correct Chemistry/Biology answers × 1)
Worked examples — use these templates to plug your correct counts from the shift 1 answer key or shift 2 answer key you downloaded.
| Example | Maths correct | Physics correct | Chemistry correct | Raw score calculation | Raw score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shift A (sample) | 40 | 35 | 30 | (40×2) + (35×1) + (30×1) | 80 + 35 + 30 = 145 |
| Shift B (sample) | 25 | 40 | 40 | (25×2) + (40×1) + (40×1) | 50 + 40 + 40 = 130 |
These are examples only. Use your personal correct-count derived from the unofficial answer key (shift 1 answer key or shift 2 answer key) or the provisional key when it is published.
Brief note on percentile: the CET Cell converts raw scores to percentiles using the session-wise normalization method. Final percentiles and official results are expected in May 2026 . Until then, percentiles you estimate from unofficial keys are indicative.
What to do if you find mistakes — challenging the provisional key
The provisional answer key is the stage where candidates can raise objections. The official portal typically opens a window for this.
Immediate actions you should take if you find an error:
- Save the provisional key PDF and take screenshots of the question and the official answer given.
- Prepare a concise objection: mention the question number, the answer you believe is correct, and a clear justification — a page/line from a textbook, a derivation, or an accepted reference.
- Watch cetcell.mahacet.org for the official objection submission link and the deadline.
Important: the scraped data does not list a challenge fee or exact objection timeline. That information will appear on the CET Cell portal with the provisional key. If a fee is mentioned later, follow the portal instructions for secure payment.
Shift-wise and date-wise notes for April 17 candidates
Match your memory sheet to the correct unofficial key carefully. Coaching centres often release separate PDFs labelled shift 1 answer key and shift 2 answer key. If you took the morning test, use the shift 1 answer key; if you took the afternoon/evening test, use the shift 2 answer key.
Because PCM slots were not held on April 12 and April 14, make sure you check the exam city and slot printed on your admit card against the key release. Mistakenly using another shift's key will give you wrong estimates.
Tips to preserve your evidence and recollection:
- Keep any handwritten memory notes safe and date-stamped (photo with timestamp helps).
- If you saved any screenshots of questions during exit interviews or from peer chats, store them in a single folder.
- Keep copies of the unofficial key PDFs you used and note down which coaching institute published which version — you may need to reconcile differences later.
Gaps students often ask about (and quick fixes)
You will see several common information gaps right now. Here’s what to do for each:
- No direct download links to coaching PDFs in one place: check the official portal for the provisional key; for unofficial PDFs, monitor recognised coaching YouTube channels, Telegram groups and institute websites — but treat them as memory-based.
- Missing challenge fee/timeline specifics: wait for the provisional key notification on cetcell.mahacet.org — that page will include the fee, if any, and the exact objection window.
- No historical cutoff or percentile-to-marks trends here: use past years’ percentile charts or the CET Cell’s previous notifications to get an idea of cutoffs; final percentiles come with results in May 2026.
Practical next steps after you get an estimated score
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Note the raw score from your calculation and save screenshots of the answer key you used. You will need these during counselling if any dispute arises.
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Start shortlisting colleges based on likely rank ranges. Remember state quota rules: Maharashtra domicile candidates usually have access to state quota seats. Non-Maharashtra candidates can appear for the test at allotted centres but state quota preferences differ — check the counselling brochure later.
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Prepare documents for counselling: keep your application number, password, a scanned photo, signature, and domicile certificate ready. These are standard and will be required once results are out.
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If your score is lower than expected, use the counselling waiting time to improve backup options — private colleges, non-MHT CET admission routes, or lateral alternatives.
Answer key files and response sheets: what to expect
When the CET Cell publishes the provisional key it may include:
- Shift-wise answer key PDFs (labelled by date and slot)
- Candidate response sheets (sometimes downloadable as separate PDFs)
- An official notification with objection procedure and deadline
If response sheets are published, download them. Comparing the CET Cell response sheet with the provisional key is the best way to verify any discrepancy.
Resources and reliable places to check
- Official Maharashtra CET Cell portal: cetcell.mahacet.org (primary source for provisional and final keys, response sheets, objections and results).
- Reputed coaching institutes and their verified social channels for memory-based solutions — useful for immediate score checks but not official.
- Keep an eye on official notifications for provisional answer key April 2026 and the final answer key May 2026.
Fees (what we know right now)
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | Not mentioned |
| Answer key challenge fee | Not mentioned |
The CET Cell notification with the provisional key will specify if any fee is required to challenge answers.
FAQs — short, actionable answers
Q: Where will the official MHT CET 17 April 2026 answer key be released? A: On the Maharashtra CET Cell website: cetcell.mahacet.org.
Q: When will the provisional and final answer keys be released? A: Provisional key is expected in the last week of April 2026 ; final key is expected in the first week of May 2026 .
Q: How do I calculate my raw MHT CET marks using the April 17 answer key? A: Use: (Maths correct × 2) + (Physics correct × 1) + (Chemistry/Biology correct × 1). Maths questions are 2 marks each; Physics/Chemistry/Biology are 1 mark each.
Q: Are unofficial answer keys reliable? A: They are useful for immediate score estimates but can differ from the official key. Rely on the CET Cell’s provisional and final keys for official scores.
Q: How do I challenge the provisional key if I find an error? A: Save evidence, prepare a clear objection with references, and submit it via the official objection link on cetcell.mahacet.org when the portal opens the window. Fee and exact timeline will be published with the provisional key.
Q: Where can I find shift 1 answer key and shift 2 answer key PDFs for April 17? A: Coaching centres release unofficial shift-wise PDFs; the official shift-wise keys (and any response sheets) will be on cetcell.mahacet.org when published.
Q: When will results be declared for MHT CET 2026? A: Results are expected in May 2026 . Keep your application number and password ready to download your scorecard.
Q: Is MHT CET a centre-based test or can I take it from my laptop at home? A: MHT CET is a centre-based computer test conducted at allotted exam centres, not from home or a personal PC.
Final note — what you should do today
If you sat for April 17: download any unofficial shift-wise key you trust, calculate your raw score using the marking scheme above, and save screenshots and PDFs. Bookmark cetcell.mahacet.org and watch for the provisional answer key announcement in the last week of April 2026. Prepare your objection evidence now so you can file quickly if needed.
Keep copies of your calculated score and the unofficial solution you used. These will help you plan counselling and college shortlists while you wait for the official MHT CET results in May 2026.