MHT CET Paper Analysis 2026 May 21 Shift 1: Difficulty Level, Answer Key & Student Reactions

The last day of the MHT CET 2026 2nd attempt exam was successfully conducted. The morning shift is held for three hours starting from 9:00 P.M to 12 PM. After the completion of the exam, we have come up with the detailed MHT CET Paper Analysis for the May 21st shift 1, with crucial insights such as MHT CET Chapter wise weightage, student reaction, and so on. 

Based on the student overview, the MHT CET Paper Analysis for the May 21 shift 1 suggests that the MHT CET PCM paper was moderate, with Mathematics being the most lengthy section due to calculations. Read the full blog to get a detailed MHT CET 2026 May 21 exam analysis for Shift 1, along with mark vs percentile analysis. 

Also Check

• MHT CET May 18 Shift 1 Paper Analysis
• MHT CET May 18 Shift 2 Paper Analysis
• MHT CET May 19 Shift 1 Paper Analysis
• MHT CET May 19 Shift 2 Paper Analysis
• MHT CET May 20 Shift 1 Paper Analysis
• MHT CET May 20 Shift 2 Paper Analysis

MHT CET Paper Analysis 2026 for May 21 Shift 1

In the context of difficulty, the MHT CET 2026 Shift 1 paper held on May 21st was moderately difficult. The MHT CET May 21 Question paper of shift 1 was relatively easy for students who had prepared with questions from Maharashtra State Board, NCERT, and previous years’ papers.

Considering the subject-wise MHT CET Paper Analysis, the chemistry section is relatively easier among other subjects, making it the most scoring section of the exam. On the other hand, the mathematics section was relatively lengthy, requiring effective time management skills; the physics section had a balanced number of conceptual and numerical problems. 

Want to know where you stand after this shift? Use the MHT CET Percentile Predictor to check your expected percentile based on the paper difficulty and exam trends.

Shift 1 May 21 MHT CET 2026 Difficulty Level

Candidates can refer follow table to get an overview of the difficulty level based on the MHT CET 2026 Shift 1 Analysis.

May 21 Shift 1 MHT CET PCM Paper Analysis 2026

The subject-wise MHT CET 2026 exam analysis not only helps you be aware of the difficulty level, but it also allows you to identify the MHT CET chapter wise weightage​ and the most crucial areas.

MHT CET 2026 Exam Analysis for Chemistry Section

Following the trends, the Chemistry Section was the easiest and most scoring part in the MHT CET May 21 Question Paper. As per the MHT CET Paper Analysis.  There were many questions based directly on NCERT concepts. Thus, students believed that chemistry improved their overall attempts and accuracy.

The physical chemistry numericals were easy to moderate, whereas the organic chemistry had reaction-based direct questions. Key topics where questions are asked in this shift

• Coordination Compounds
• Chemical Kinetics
• Thermodynamics
• Biomolecules
• Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers
• p-Block Elements
• Polymers
• Surface Chemistry
• Electrochemistry

MHT CET Paper Analysis for Physics Section

The Physics Section was also considered moderate. The numerical questions were direct, but proper formula use was needed. A majority of questions were formula-based, with some conceptual applications. Students who had solved PYQs found the physics section easy. Some students found the Physics section a little long due to its calculative aspect. Key topics where questions are asked in this shift

• Current Electricity
• Electrostatics
• Magnetic Effects of Current
• Modern Physics
• Semiconductor Devices
• SHM & Waves
• Thermodynamics
• Ray Optics
• Rotational Motion

MHT CET Paper Analysis for Maths Section

Again, the mathematics paper was the lengthiest section, as per the MHT CET Paper Analysis. Though the paper comprised questions based mostly on formulas, the calculation involved was time-consuming. Calculus had more importance than other topics; however, look at the key themes where questions are asked during this shift.

• Integration
• Differentiation
• Probability
• Matrices & Determinants
• Vector Algebra
• 3D Geometry
• Application of Derivatives
• Line & Plane

MHT CET May 18 Shift 1 Paper Analysis- Student’s Reaction

Some of the students’ views about the MHT CET Shift 1 paper of May 21 are shared hereafter:

• “Chemistry was the easiest among all subjects. Most questions involved direct application of basic concepts.” – Aarav Patil
• “The mathematics question paper was lengthy. Questions were challenging, but not impossible to solve.” – Sneha Kulkarni
• “Physics question paper contained balanced questions. Numerical problems were moderately difficult as well.” – Rohan Deshmukh
• “The shift 1 of the MHT CET May 21 question paper was easier than the previous few difficult shifts, but proper time management was essential.” – Pranav Joshi

MHT CET Answer Key 2026

The MHT CET Answer Key 2026 for the PCM group is anticipated to be available during the first week of June 2026. However, the MHT CET Answer key release date for the 2nd attempt has not been disclosed yet. 

Appeared students can obtain the MHT CET PCM Group answer key from the official CET Cell website. Apart from accessing the MHT CET PCM Group Answer Key, candidates will be able to check their MHT CET response sheet and question paper PDF file through the login dashboard. Until then, you can use the unofficial Answer key to evaluate your performance. 

MHT CET Subject wise Marks Distribution​

MHT CET Subject wise marks distribution​ allows candidates to strategize their preparation and calculate their scores using the MHT CET Answer Key. Look at the  Marking scheme of the MHT CET Exam Paper below.

Good Score based on MHT CET 18 May Shift 1 Paper Analysis

In accordance with the analysis of the MHT CET 2026 May 21 Shift 1 question paper, the predicted good attempts ranged depending on the overall difficulty level of the examination paper. I

 As the MHT CET 2026 difficulty level of the May 21 Shift 1 question paper is moderate, it can be predicted that 130+ attempts with good accuracy will be considered a safe scoring range for getting a high percentile score. 

MHT CET Marks vs Percentile 2026

The MHT CET Marks vs Percentile is a very crucial comparison that students need to understand to make decisions. Below we have expected MHT CET Marks vs Percentile data based on the MHT CET 2026 exam analysis. However, the final percentile will depend on the normalization process adopted by Maharashtra CET Cell.

Conclusion

As per the MHT CET Paper Analysis 2026 for May 21 Shift 1, the overall difficulty level of the paper was moderate; however, mathematics was relatively long and time-consuming. Chemistry was easier and high-scoring because of direct questions from the NCERT syllabus, whereas Physics questions were balanced both theoretically and numerically.

Those students who had practiced past year questions and the Maharashtra State Board syllabus, and NCERT-based questions found the paper relatively easier. Time management and quick calculation ability were essential aspects.

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