MAH MBA CET 2026 Phase 1 vs Phase 2: Which Had Higher Cutoff

MAH MBA CET 2026 Phase 2 was marginally harder than Phase 1, with Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude posing greater difficulty; expected cutoffs for top colleges remain similar across both phases, with JBIMS requiring 155 or more out of 200.

CET Cell Maharashtra conducted MAH MBA CET 2026 in two phases — Phase 1 in March and Phase 2 in May 2026. Students who appeared in both phases benefit from the best-score policy, where only the higher raw score is considered for admission to MBA and MMS programs across Maharashtra. Understanding how both phases compared on difficulty and expected cutoffs helps you gauge your admission prospects accurately.

• Total marks: 200 (200 questions, 1 mark each, no negative marking).
• Phase 1 overall difficulty: Moderate; Phase 2 overall difficulty: Moderate to High.
• Best score from either phase is considered automatically — no separate submission required.
• Expected JBIMS cutoff 2026: 155 to 165 marks, based on 2025 trends.
• Expected top private college cutoffs: 128 to 145 marks, depending on institute and category.

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MAH MBA CET 2026 Phase 1 and Phase 2 — Quick Overview

MAH MBA CET 2026 was conducted in two separate windows to give students a second opportunity to improve their score. The exam carries 200 marks across four sections with no negative marking, making the second attempt especially valuable for students who under-performed in Phase 1.

Both phases test the same four sections: Logical Reasoning (75 questions), Abstract Reasoning (25 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (50 questions). The marking scheme is identical across both phases.

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Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Difficulty Comparison

Student feedback collected after both phases indicates clear differences in section-wise difficulty. Phase 2 was harder overall, particularly in Logical Reasoning, where complex arrangement sets and input-output questions appeared in greater numbers.

Because Phase 1 was easier, students attempted more questions comfortably. Good attempts in Phase 1 ranged from 165 to 185 questions, while Phase 2 good attempts are estimated at 155 to 175 questions, based on post-exam student reports.

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Expected Score Range and Percentile Comparison

Phase 1 students recorded marginally higher raw scores on average due to the easier paper. However, the percentile for a given raw score depends on the performance of all test-takers in that specific phase. A lower raw score in Phase 2 can still translate to a better percentile if the overall pool scored lower.

All percentile figures are expected estimates based on 2025 MAH MBA CET trends and are subject to revision after the official 2026 result release.

The data shows that the same raw score yields a slightly higher percentile in Phase 2 because the harder paper compressed the score distribution at the top. Students who scored 135 in Phase 2 may find themselves at a higher percentile than those who scored 135 in Phase 1.

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Expected College-wise Cutoff Scores for MAH MBA CET 2026

College cutoffs are expressed in percentile but translate to specific score ranges. The table below shows expected cutoff scores and percentiles for prominent Maharashtra MBA colleges in 2026, based on 2025 closing marks and 2026 paper difficulty adjustment.

Cutoff figures are expected estimates based on 2025 MAH MBA CET closing marks. Actual cutoffs will be declared by respective colleges during the CAP counselling process.

Reserved category students (SC, ST, OBC, VJNT, SBC) can expect cutoffs 10 to 20 marks lower than General category benchmarks. JBIMS typically sees OBC cutoffs around 145 to 155 marks and SC/ST cutoffs around 130 to 145 marks, based on 2025 trends.

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Which Phase Score Is Used for Admission

CET Cell Maharashtra applies your best score from either phase automatically — you do not need to submit a preference or make any request. The scorecard displays your highest raw score, and colleges use this figure throughout the Centralised Admission Process (CAP).

• If Phase 1 was your stronger attempt, that score goes to colleges; Phase 2 does not reduce your standing in any way.
• If Phase 2 was better, the harder paper may have also pushed your percentile marginally higher at the same raw score.
• Students who appeared in only one phase are not disadvantaged — their single score is directly considered.
• For tie-breaking at equal scores, CET Cell applies age (older student ranked higher) and then alphabetical order of name.

Overall, Phase 1 produced higher average raw scores while Phase 2 produced slightly more competitive percentiles at equivalent marks. For students targeting JBIMS and other top-tier colleges at the 99.95 percentile level, the phase difference has minimal practical impact — both phases required scores of 155 or higher.