Summary: Go through each section in rounds: easy questions first, then the ones that need work, then guesses for everything left. Reserve the last three to four minutes of each 90-minute section for marking an answer on every blank question, because a blank scores zero and a guess does not cost anything. Analyse every mock for time leaks, not only for wrong answers.Why CET time management is different
Two rules in the 2026 pattern shape everything. First, the paper runs in two separate 90-minute sections: Physics and Chemistry together, then Maths or Biology. Time left over in the first section is lost, not carried forward. Second, there is no negative marking. Taken together, they mean every section must end with no blanks, and running out of time with twenty questions untouched is the costliest mistake a CET student can make.
A quick calculation shows why. Suppose you leave 12 Physics and Chemistry questions blank when the section closes. Had you marked a random option on each, you would expect about 3 correct (12 × ¼), which is 3 marks. In Maths, 12 blanks cost an expected 6 marks, since each question is worth 2. Near the top of the merit list, a few marks can move a percentile noticeably.
The round system for a 90-minute section
This is the method most of our students settle on after a few mocks. Adjust the minutes to your own speed.
| Round | Physics + Chemistry (100 questions) | Maths (50 questions) | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Minutes 0 to 50 | Minutes 0 to 45 | Answer every question you can solve in under a minute. Mark the rest for review and move on without hesitation. |
| Round 2 | Minutes 50 to 82 | Minutes 45 to 82 | Return to the marked questions. Solve the ones you know how to do; eliminate options on the rest. |
| Round 3 | Minutes 82 to 86 | Minutes 82 to 86 | Mark your best guess on every question still blank. Eliminated options first. |
| Buffer | Minutes 86 to 90 | Minutes 86 to 90 | Check that the count of answered questions equals the total. |
For the PCB group, Biology gets the same 90 minutes for 100 questions. The round system works well there too, with most of the paper done in Round 1, since Biology questions are usually direct recall or short reasoning.
The questions appear on screen one at a time, as the brochure notes. Get used to the "mark for review" button and the question palette during mocks so that you do not lose time finding them in the exam.
Which subject first in Physics and Chemistry
Inside the first section you can move between Physics and Chemistry freely. Most students gain by starting with whichever subject is faster for them, which is usually Chemistry. Finishing 40 Chemistry questions in 25 minutes gives a calm start and leaves more time for Physics numericals. Try both orders in your first few mocks and keep the one that gives the higher total, not the one that feels better.
Taking a mock properly
- Take it at the same time of day as your likely shift. The 2026 shifts ran from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm.
- Use a computer, not paper. The CET Cell publishes an official mock test link on mahacet.org before the exam; use it at least once.
- Follow the section lock strictly. Do not look at Maths during the Physics-Chemistry 90 minutes, even in practice.
- No phone, no breaks, no checking answers midway.
Analysing a mock
A mock without analysis is just another test. Spend about as long analysing as you spent writing. For each mock, fill a simple table like this:
| Category | Count | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | Your base score | |
| Wrong: concept not known | Chapters to study again | |
| Wrong: silly mistake (sign, unit, misread) | Habits to fix; usually the fastest gain | |
| Wrong: guessed in Round 3 | Normal; nothing to fix unless the count is large | |
| Correct but took more than 3 minutes | Method to speed up | |
| Left blank | Should be zero. If not, your Round 3 did not happen. |
Look for patterns across three or four mocks rather than reacting to one. If "silly mistake" stays above five per paper, slow down slightly in Round 1. If "took more than 3 minutes" is high, revisit methods for those chapters. Our post on safe speed methods in Maths may help.
How many mocks
There is no magic number, and too many mocks without analysis make scores flat. A pattern that works for most students:
| Period | Full mocks | Other practice |
|---|---|---|
| December to February (Class 12) | One every two weeks | Chapter tests, board preparation |
| After boards, until one month before CET | Two a week | Previous years' papers, weak chapters |
| Final three weeks | One a day, or five a week with rest days | Analysis, formula revision |
Include past MHT‑CET papers in the mix. They show the real level better than any practice book. Our previous year papers section lets you attempt them online with analysis, and our free daily mini tests help with chapter-level speed.
For JEE and NEET students
If you have trained for JEE Main or NEET, your instinct is to skip uncertain questions. In CET, that instinct costs marks. For your first few CET mocks, write "Round 3: no blanks" at the top of your rough sheet as a reminder. Most students need about three mocks before answering everything becomes automatic.
Our post on preparing for CET and JEE Main together has more on switching between the two exams.
Common questions
Should I attempt all questions in MHT‑CET?
Yes. There is no negative marking, so an answered question can only add marks. Keep the last few minutes of each section for guessing on anything left blank.
How many mock tests should I take before MHT‑CET?
Most students do well with occasional mocks from December, two a week after boards, and about one a day in the last three weeks, each followed by proper analysis.
Is there an official MHT‑CET mock test?
Yes. The 2026 brochure says a mock link for the computer-based test is made available on mahacet.org before the exam.