MHT CET vs JEE Detailed Comparison: Syllabus, Difficulty Level, Exam Pattern

Confused about which exam to appear for: MHT CET vs JEE Main? MHT CET is a state-level entrance test, while JEE Main is conducted nationally for B.Tech. The article will provide a detailed comparison of both exams based on exam pattern, syllabus, and difficulty level.

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B.Tech aspirants are often seen facing the dilemma of MHT CET vs JEE Main exam, which one to appear for? The first difference between these two exams is that MHT CET is a state-level entrance test conducted for admission to institutions in the state of Maharashtra. Whereas, JEE Main is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission to institutions across India.

Moreover, JEE Main is one of the toughest exams in the world, while the difficulty level of the MHT CET exam is said to be easy to moderate. Both exams are crucial to shaping a promising future in the engineering field, offering lucrative salaries and jobs.

Thus, candidates must be aware of the key differences between MHT CET and JEE Main. Check this article to wisely choose the exam they wish to appear for.

MHT CET vs JEE Main: Key Definitions

Both MHT CET and JEE Main entrance exams are conducted for admission to engineering courses at various government and private colleges in Maharashtra and India respectively. However, candidates must understand that MHT CET can be cracked with JEE Main (Paper 1) preparation as the questions will mostly be based on the state's board syllabus. Whereas, JEE Main cannot be cracked with MHT CET's preparation.

JEE Main requires intense preparation as the questions will be more conceptual. Candidates must have a thorough and deep understanding of the difference between JEE Main and MHT CET to choose which exam to take.

So, let's have a look at the core of MHT CET and JEE Main to understand their nature better:

What is MHT CET?

Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test or MHT CET is a state-level entrance test conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education on behalf of the Government of Maharashtra. It is a gateway for admission to numerous undergraduate engineering and technical courses in Maharashtra.

The exam is conducted yearly in a computer-based format. Here's a detailed overview of the MH CET exam:

What is MHT CET?
Particulars	Details
Name of the Exam	Maharashtra Health and Technical Common Entrance Test
Level of Exam	State-Level
Competition	Comparatively less competition, since the exam is at the state level.
Application Mode	Online
Languages	English, Urdu, Marathi
Exam Mode	Online
Official Website	mhtcet2026.mahacet.org
Helpdesk	022 2264 115

What is JEE Main?

The JEE Main is a national-level engineering and architecture exam conducted by the National Testing Agency. It offers admission to tier 1 engineering colleges in India. Moreover, candidates are qualified to take the JEE Advanced level examination.

The exam is conducted at more than 300 centres in India and Abroad twice a year. Candidates appearing for the JEE Main exam can take the exam in online and offline modes for different subjects.

Here's a complete overview of the JEE Main exam:

What is JEE Main?
Particulars	Details
Name of the Exam	JEE Main (Paper 1)
Level of Exam	National-Level
Competition	Has a higher level of competition since students from all over the country and abroad appear for the exam
Application Mode	Online
Languages	English, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odiya, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil, and Urdu
Exam Mode	Online for B.E. & B.Tech
Official Website	jeemain.nta.nic.in
Helpdesk	7042399521, 7042399525, 7042399526

Also Read: How to Score 150+ in MHT CET 2025 for B.Tech Admission?

Key Difference Between MHT CET vs JEE Main

Now that the B.Tech, B.Arch & B.E. aspirants are aware of the basics of the MHT CET and JEE Main exams, let's understand the difference between JEE Main vs MHT CET:

MHT CET vs JEE Main Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for MHT CET and JEE Main differ as both are conducted at different levels. Here are the detailed eligibility criteria for the JEE Main and MHT CET exams:

MHT CET vs JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
Particulars	JEE Main Eligibility Criteria	MHT CET Eligibility Criteria
Educational	The candidates who have passed 10+2 or any other equivalent examination from a recognized educational board are eligible to appear for JEE Main.	The candidates should have passed the 12th standard (or equivalent) from a recognized board/university
Age	No specific age limit. Candidates can visit the official website of JEE Main participating colleges to check the age criteria	No age limit
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Compulsory) Biology/Biotechnology (Optional)	Physics and Mathematics (Compulsory) Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical/Vocational subjects (Optional)
Percentage	General and OBC: 75% aggregate Reserved Categories: 65% aggregate	General Category: 50% (in aggregate of 5 subjects) Reserved Categories & PwD: 45% (in aggregate of 5 subjects)
Nationality	Indian candidates, NIOS, Nepal/Bhutan, PIO, OCI Candidates qualified from other foreign are eligible only for Other State Quota Seats or the All India Quota Seats	The applicant must be a citizen of India, a ward of NRI, OCI, a Person of Indian Origin, an Indian worker in Gulf Countries, or a Foreign Nationals

MHT CET vs JEE Main Exam Pattern

The exam pattern of entrance examinations is vital to the aspirants' preparation. The following are the differences and similarities in the MHT CET vs JEE Main exam patterns:

MHT CET vs JEE Main Exam Pattern
Particulars	JEE Main (Paper 1)	MHT CET
Exam Mode	Computer Based Test	Computer Based Test
Duration	3 Hours	3 Hours
Medium	English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.	English, Urdu, and Marathi
Sections	Physics, Chemistry. Mathematics	Physics, Chemistry/Biology, Mathematics
Total Number of Questions	90 (Candidates have to answer 75)	PCM Group: 150 questions (50 from each subject) PCB Group: 200 questions (100 from Biology and 50 from Physics and Chemistry each)
Type of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking Scheme	4 marks for every right answer	Physics & Chemistry - 1 mark will be given for each correct answerMathematics - 1 mark will be given for every correct answer
Total Marks	300	200
Negative Marking	MCQs: 1 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer Numeric Value Questions: No negative marking.	No negative marking

MHT CET vs JEE Main Syllabus

The MHT CET syllabus topics are covered in class 11 and class 12 board exam syllabus from the NCERT books. Though the JEE Main syllabus is also from the class 11 and class 12 board exam syllabus, the concepts of JEE Main require very deep learning.

On the other hand, since the candidates have to answer 150 questions in 3 hours in the MHT CET exam, the calculation and answering speed of the candidates must be worked on. In recent times, there are a few topics that are in the JEE Main syllabus but not included in MHT CET's syllabus.

The subject-wise topics of JEE Main that aren't to be covered in MHT CET are as follows:

MHT CET vs JEE Main Syllabus
Subject	Topics
Mathematics	Properties of Determinants Area of Triangle Family of Lines Condition of Tangency Solution of Quadratic Equations in Complex Number Systems Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions Sum up to n terms of Arithmetic and Geometric Uniqueness of Inverse of a Matrix Proofs of Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions Vector Triple Product Rolle's Theorem Lagrange's Mean Value Theorem Integral as limit of a sum Linear Differential Equation
Physics	Accuracy and precision of measuring Instruments Newton's Law of Motion Law of conservation of linear momentum Temperature and Heat Change of State Longitudinal and transverse waves Principle of superposition of waves Electric Charge Proof of the Gauss' law Electric dipole Continuous charge distribution Electric Current Drift velocity Ohm's law Electrical energy and power Resistors Ultraviolet Rays, X & Gamma Ray Modulation Semiconductor Devices Rolling Motion Bernoulli Equation Behaviour of a gas Ideal Gas and Real Gas Mean Free Path Law of Equipartition of Energy Second Law of Thermodynamics Damped Oscillations Free Oscillations, Forced Oscillations and Resonance Reflection of waves Polarization Refraction of light at a Plane Boundary between two media Resolving Power Equipotential Surfaces Conductors and insulators Cyclotron Motion Torque Acting on a Magnetic Dipole in a Uniform Magnetic Field Magnetic Properties of Materials Hysteresis Permanent Magnet and Electromagnet A.C. Generator Power in A.C. Circuits Davisson and Germer experiment Radioactive Decays Zener Diode
Chemistry	Matter State of Matter Daltons atomic theory Scientific Figures Calculations with significant figures Chromatography Kossel and Lewis approach to chemical bonding Ionic Bond Lattice enthalpy Covalent Bonding Hydrogen Hydrogen Peroxide Allotropes of Carbon Liquid State Factors affecting vapour pressure Application of surface tension Adsorption isotherms Homogeneous Catalysis Heterogeneous catalysis Preparation of colloids Coagulation Methods of coagulation Application of equilibrium constant Combustion Structure of Benzene Crystalline solid Amorphous solid Electrical properties of solids Magnetic properties of solids Demonstration and Exceptions to Henry's Law Van't Hoff factor Modification of expressions of colligative property Van't Hoff factor and degree of dissociation Properties of Buffer Common ion effect and solubility Gibbs energy Electrodes Dry cell and lead accumulator; Fuel cells Collision theory of bimolecular reactions Temperature dependence of reaction rate Compounds of Xenon Factors affecting Crystal Field splitting parameters Classification of polymers Preparation of Bakelite

Also Read: Importance of Revision in JEE Main 2026 Preparation

Preparation Tips for MHT CET vs JEE Main

JEE Main vs MHT CET preparation require different approaches. While referring to the MH CET previous year's question papers is enough to prepare for the exam, the JEE Main preparation requires in-depth learning along with solving sample questions.

Here's a detailed overview of the preparation approaches required for JEE Main and MHT CET exams:

Preparation Tips for MHT CET vs JEE Main
Particulars	JEE Main	MHT CET
Syllabus	Master the class 11th & 12th science syllabus prescribed by CBSE	Master the class 11th & 12th science syllabus prescribed by the Maharashtra State Board
Preparation Time Required	Two to three years, with a minimum of 8 to 10 study hours of dedicated per day	One year ideally, with a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of study every day
Detailed Learning	Require an in-depth understanding of core concepts of Physics, Chemistry & Maths	Does not require an in-depth study of concepts
Study Material	NCERT class 11th & 12th books along with two reference books for each subject, guides, sample papers	NCERT class 11th & 12th books along with two reference books for each subject
Solving Previous Year's Question Papers	Highly recommended	Highly recommended
Mock Tests	Highly recommended	Depends upon students' level of preparation
Coaching	Required (depending upon students' requirements)	Not required

MHT CET Vs JEE Main: Which Exam is More Difficult?

As mentioned above, even though the MHT CET and JEE Main examinations' difficulty level is perceived to be the same, JEE Main requires intense preparation and deeper knowledge and understanding of the concepts.

Additionally, being a national-level examination, JEE Main has higher competition and is attempted by lakhs of students. Whereas, competition is lesser for MHT CET as it is limited to the candidates in the state of Maharashtra. These features make JEE Main more difficult than MHT CET.

Also Read: How to Improve Accuracy in JEE Main 2026?

Candidates seeking to gain admission to top engineering colleges in India must compare JEE vs MHT CET to understand which exam they must take. It will provide an idea of the scope and opportunities presented after taking the exam.