88 Percentile In MHT Cet: Expected Ranks, College Admissions & 2026 Outlook
Achieving an 88 percentile in MHT CET 2025 for PCM group typically translates to a rank around 24,000, which is about 19,000 ranks higher than the 5,000 expected for a 95 percentile. The 88 percentile in MHT CET is a competitive score that can secure admission to various engineering and pharmacy programs across Maharashtra. While top-tier Computer Science Engineering (CSE) branches at premier institutes may remain challenging, this percentile opens doors to other popular branches like Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (E&TC), Electrical Engineering (EEE), Information Technology (IT), and Mechanical Engineering in many reputable colleges.
MHT CET 2026 Examination Schedule
The MHT CET 2026 examinations are scheduled across multiple dates in April and May, providing candidates with clear timelines for planning their test attempts.
| Event | Dates (2026) |
|---|---|
| MHT CET PCM Group Exam Window (Session 1) | April 11 – April 20 |
| MHT CET PCB Group Exam Window (Session 1) | April 21 – April 26 |
| MHT CET PCM Group Exam Window (Session 2) | May 14 – May 17 |
| MHT CET PCB Group Exam Window (Session 2) | May 10 – May 11 |
| Admit Card Re-download | April 7 onwards |
MHT CET 2025 Counselling Timeline (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The MHT CET 2025 counselling process involved several rounds of seat allotment, with key dates for registration, merit list display, and option filling.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| CAP Counselling Registration Begins | June 28 |
| Last Date to Register for Counselling | July 14 |
| Provisional Merit List Display | July 18 |
| Final Merit List Display | July 24 |
| CAP Round I – Option Filling | July 26 – July 28 |
| CAP Round I – Provisional Allotment Result | July 31 |
| CAP Round II – Provisional Allotment Result | August 11 |
| CAP Round III – Option Entry | August 16 |
| CAP Round III – Seat Allotment Result | August 21 |
| CAP Round IV – Seat Allotment Result | September 1 |
88 Percentile in MHT CET 2025: Marks and Rank Analysis
An 88 percentile in MHT CET 2025 corresponds to specific marks and ranks, varying slightly between the PCM and PCB groups.
| Percentile Range (2025) | Expected Marks (PCM) | Expected Rank (PCM) | Expected Marks (PCB) | Expected Rank (B.Sc Agriculture) | Expected Rank (B.Pharmacy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88.9 | 94.5+ | ≲ 22,200 | 114.5+ | ≲ 3,110 | ≲ 5,440 |
| 88.5 | 92.5+ | ≲ 23,000 | 112.5+ | ≲ 3,220 | ≲ 5,640 |
| 88.0 | 90+ | ≲ 24,000 | 110+ | ≲ 3,360 | ≲ 5,880 |
Colleges Accepting 88 Percentile in MHT CET 2025
Several engineering and pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra consider candidates with an 88 percentile in MHT CET for various branches.
| College Name | Likely Branches (88 Percentile) | City |
|---|---|---|
| G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering & Management | Various Engineering Branches | Pune |
| Dr. D. Y. Patil School OF Engineering | Various Engineering Branches | Pune |
| S.I.E.S. Graduate School of Technology | Various Engineering Branches | Navi Mumbai |
| Government College of Engineering, Yavatmal | Computer Engineering (Home University Quota) | Yavatmal |
| Government College of Engineering, Amravati | Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering | Amravati |
| Government College of Engineering, Jalgaon | Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering | Jalgaon |
| Terna Engineering College | Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering | Navi Mumbai |
| Vidyavardhini’s College of Engineering and Technology | Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering | Mumbai |
| Saraswathi Vidya Bhavan’s College of Pharmacy | B.Pharmacy | Thane |
Frequently Asked Questions About MHT CET 2026 Cutoffs
Q1. What factors influence the MHT CET cutoff ranks?
MHT CET cutoff ranks are influenced by several factors, including the total number of candidates appearing for the exam, the difficulty level of the paper, the number of available seats in various colleges, reservation policies, and previous year admission trends.
Q2. Is an 88 percentile in MHT CET considered a good score for engineering admissions?
An 88 percentile in MHT CET is considered a decent score, offering admission opportunities in many good engineering colleges for branches like ECE, EEE, IT, and Mechanical. For top-tier Computer Science programs, a higher percentile, typically above 95, is often required.
Q3. How does the MHT CET cutoff differ for Maharashtra and All India candidates?
MHT CET cutoffs are released separately for Maharashtra (MH) and All India (AI) candidates. The admission criteria and seat allocation processes vary for these two categories, with different closing ranks published during the CAP rounds.
Q4. When can I expect the MHT CET 2026 cutoff to be released?
The MHT CET 2026 cutoff will be released by the Maharashtra State CET Cell after the completion of the counselling process, typically around July-August 2026. Candidates should monitor the official website for updates.
Q5. Can I get a Computer Science Engineering (CSE) seat with an 88 percentile in MHT CET?
While securing a CSE seat at top-tier colleges like COEP or VJTI with an 88 percentile might be challenging, it is possible to get into CSE or IT branches at some lower-ranked government or private colleges, especially under the home university quota or later counselling rounds.
Q6. What is the difference between opening and closing ranks in MHT CET cutoffs?
The opening rank is the highest rank at which admission was offered to a particular course and college, while the closing rank is the lowest rank (or highest percentile) at which admission was granted for that specific program and institute in a given counselling round.
