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MHT CET Marks vs Rank 2026, Check Expected Percentile, Good Score

• Updated on 9 Oct, 2025 by Souvik

MHT CET Marks vs Rank 2026: The Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, will release the MHT CET 2026 Results in the form of percentile scores. The merit list for MHT CET 2026 will be prepared based on these percentile scores. Since the results are provided as percentiles, students often wonder about the marks they secured or the rank they might achieve in the exam. To provide clarity, we have analysed past years' data on MHT CET marks, percentiles, and ranks to offer candidates a rough estimate. It is important to note that the actual marks-to-percentile and percentile-to-rank conversions for MHT CET 2026 may vary, so students should use this information as a general guide only.

 

Table of Contents
  1. MHT CET Marks vs Percentile 2026
  2. MHT CET Percentile vs Rank 2026
  3. What is a Good Score in MHT CET Exam?
  4. MHT CET Marks vs Rank 2026 FAQs

 

MHT CET Marks vs Percentile 2026

The percentile score in MHT CET is determined based on the candidate's marks and the normalisation process applied. Due to this normalisation, percentile scores for MHT CET may vary slightly. Candidates who score between 150 and 160 marks can expect to achieve a percentile above 99. Achieving a percentile above 99 typically corresponds to a rank within the top 120 in the MHT CET 2026 exam. The relationship between marks and ranks this year is anticipated to be similar to that of the previous year. Below is a table outlining the expected marks versus percentile for MHT CET 2026.

MHT CET Marks

MHT CET Percentile

170+

99.9

150-160

99+

140-150

98.40

130-140

98

120-130

96-97

100-120

95-96

80-100

88-92

Below 60

Below 55

Check MHT CET Cutoff 2026

 

MHT CET Percentile vs Rank 2026

All candidates who will appear in the MHT CET 2026 should be aware that their percentile scores will be determined through a normalisation process. Since the exam is conducted in multiple shifts, this process ensures fairness by adjusting scores to account for varying difficulty levels across different sessions. Below is the expected relationship between MHT CET 2026 percentile scores and ranks for reference.

 

If needed, further customisation can be done. All candidates who will appear for the MHT CET 2026 must note that their percentile scores will be calculated using a normalisation method. This is done because the exam is held in multiple shifts, and normalisation ensures that no candidate is disadvantaged due to differences in difficulty levels across various sessions. The expected MHT CET 2026 percentile-to-rank comparison is provided below for reference.

MHT CET Percentile

MHT CET Rank

99-90

1 – 19,000

89-80

19,001 – 30,000

79-70

30,001 – 40,000

69-60

40,001 – 47,000

59-50

47,001 – 53,000

49-40

53,001 – 59,000

39-30

59,001 – 64,000

29-20

64,001 -73,000

19-10

73,001 - 81,000

Read MHT CET Exam Pattern 2026

 

What is a Good Score in MHT CET Exam?

A good score in the MHT CET 2026 exam generally falls around 120 marks or above. Scoring 120+ usually places candidates in a good percentile range (around 92+ percentile), helping them secure admission to reputed engineering colleges such as COEP and VJTI. A very good score is considered 150 marks or higher, which places candidates in the top 1-2% rank bracket, providing wider choices for top colleges. Candidates scoring between 110 and 150 can expect ranks roughly between 10,000 and 30,000, depending on the competition and the year’s cutoff trends.

 

For average to moderate difficulty shifts, a good score varies slightly by category, but overall, 120+ marks is a safe benchmark for open category candidates aiming for good engineering institutes. Here is a simplified summary below.

Score Range

Description

Approximate Rank Range

150+

Very Good Score

1 to 10,000

120 - 150

Good Score

10,000 to 30,000

Below 70-80

Average to Low

Above 50,000

Candidates scoring around 70 may be considered average and will find admission in less competitive institutes. Scoring above 150 is ideal for top branches and colleges.

 

MHT CET Marks vs Rank 2026 FAQs

What is the relation between MHT CET marks and rank?

The marks scored by candidates in MHT CET 2026 directly affect their rank. Higher marks usually mean a better (lower number) rank. For example, scoring above 150 out of 200 often places candidates in the top 1,000 to 2,000 ranks, while marks around 100-110 can lead to ranks between 7,000 and 10,000. This helps candidates estimate their chances of admission into preferred colleges based on their marks.

How is the MHT CET percentile calculated from marks?

The percentile shows how well a candidate performed compared to others. It is calculated using normalisation because the exam happens in multiple shifts with different difficulty levels. Candidates with the highest marks in each shift get a 100th percentile. The percentile is then figured out based on candidates' relative performance in all shifts, helping to compare candidates fairly across different exam sessions.

What rank can candidates expect with 120 MHT CET marks?

Candidates scoring around 120 in MHT CET 2026 can generally expect a rank between 5,000 to 15,000. This score usually places them in the 90+ percentile range. Such a rank allows candidates to apply for many good engineering colleges but may not guarantee seats in top government colleges like COEP or VJTI, where higher ranks are usually required.

Can candidates get a good rank with 100 MHT CET marks?

Scoring 100 marks will usually give candidates a rank between 15,000 and 20,000, approximately. This score can help candidates get admission into decent private or less competitive government engineering colleges. However, such marks may not be enough for top-tier engineering branches, where high cutoffs and ranks are expected.

Why does MHT CET use normalisation for marks?

Normalisation is used because the MHT CET exam is conducted in multiple shifts, and question difficulty can vary between shifts. This ensures candidates are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged based on the particular shift they appear for. It balances marks across shifts so that percentile scores fairly represent candidates’ relative performance statewide.

What rank is expected for candidates scoring 150+ marks?

Candidates scoring 150 or more out of 200 in MHT CET 2026 are likely to secure ranks below 2,000. This puts them in the top 1% or higher percentile and increases their chances of admission into top engineering colleges like COEP, VJTI, or other reputed government institutes within Maharashtra.

How does percentile affect the MHT CET rank?

The percentile shows how well a candidate performed relative to others. A higher percentile means a better rank. For instance, a percentile of 95+ usually corresponds to ranks below 10,000. This helps candidates understand their relative position in the exam and predict the kinds of colleges or branches they qualify for based on their rank.

What is considered a good MHT CET rank for government colleges?

For general category candidates, an MHT CET rank below 5,000 is usually considered good for admission into top government engineering colleges. These ranks correspond to scores generally above 130-140 marks. Candidates with higher ranks can expect admission in good private or lesser-known government colleges.

How many total candidates appear in MHT CET annually?

Around 2 to 2.5 lakh candidates typically appear for MHT CET every year. This large number creates high competition, and small differences in marks or percentile can cause significant differences in rank. Candidates need good scores to secure seats in competitive colleges.

How does category affect qualifying marks and ranks?

Different reservation categories have varying cutoff marks and ranks. For example, candidates from SC/ST or OBC categories usually need fewer marks to qualify for reserved seats, as cutoffs are lower compared to the general category. This affects the rank ranges for admission for candidates across categories.

How do marks below 70 affect candidates' chances?

Candidates scoring below 70 may find it difficult to get admission into most government or reputed private colleges. Such scores generally correspond to ranks above 50,000 and lower percentiles, limiting choices for good engineering branches or colleges. Candidates with such marks may consider less competitive or private institutes.

Can candidates predict their rank from marks before results?

Candidates can estimate ranks based on previous years’ trends of marks vs rank. Online tools and rank predictors use past data and normalisation to give a rough idea of the expected rank. However, the exact rank can differ yearly based on overall candidate performance and exam difficulty.

Does paper difficulty affect raw marks and rank?

Yes, difficulty varies between shifts, which affects raw marks. The normalisation process adjusts for this, so candidates appearing in tougher shifts are not disadvantaged. This ensures fair ranking regardless of paper difficulty and lets candidates know their real performance compared to others.

How important is speed and accuracy in improving marks?

Speed and accuracy are crucial for scoring high marks in MHT CET. Candidates who solve questions quickly and accurately score higher. This directly improves their percentile and rank. Regular practice and mock tests help candidates build both speed and accuracy to maximise their performance.

How can candidates improve their rank if marks are close?

Small differences in marks can lead to large rank changes due to competition. Candidates can improve their rank by practising hard to increase accuracy, using shortcuts, and managing time well during the exam. Carefully revising weak topics also helps improve overall scores, positively affecting their final rank.