Scoring 120 marks out of 200 in MHT CET 2026 places you in the 85 to 92 percentile range, based on 2023 and 2024 trends — making you eligible for government-aided engineering colleges in tier-2 Maharashtra cities and reputed private colleges through CAP.
MHT CET 2026 is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra. Your raw score is normalised across exam shifts and converted into a percentile that determines your position in the CAP merit list. Understanding where 120 marks places you helps you build a realistic college choice list before CAP registration opens.
- MHT CET total marks: 200 (PCM for engineering, PCB for pharmacy)
- 120 marks = 60% of total; expected percentile: 85–92 (based on 2024 trends)
- Government college CAP options in Aurangabad, Nanded, Amravati and Chandrapur are realistic at this score
- Top colleges like COEP Pune and VJTI Mumbai require 98+ percentile — beyond this score band
- Reserved category seats and home university preference can significantly shift your college options
| Direct Link — MHT CET 2026 CAP Portal (Active) |
Expected Percentile for 120 Marks in MHT CET 2026
Based on previous years’ normalisation patterns, 120 marks in MHT CET 2026 is expected to translate to a percentile between 85 and 92. The exact figure shifts each year based on exam difficulty and the total number of students who appeared in the PCM group.
In 2024, a score of 120 corresponded to roughly 88 to 92 percentile after shift-wise normalisation. In 2023, the same score yielded approximately 85 to 89 percentile as that year’s paper was marginally easier. These are expected estimates based on 2023–2024 trends and will be confirmed only after MHT CET 2026 results are officially declared by CET Cell.
MHT CET Score vs Percentile Table (PCM)
The table below maps approximate raw scores to expected percentile bands for the PCM group, based on 2023 and 2024 data. The 120–134 marks band, which applies to you, is highlighted.
| Marks (out of 200) | Expected Percentile (General) | Approximate CRL Rank Range |
|---|---|---|
| 150–200 | 97–100 | 1–5,000 |
| 135–149 | 93–97 | 5,001–20,000 |
| 120–134 | 85–92 | 20,001–55,000 |
| 105–119 | 75–85 | 55,001–1,00,000 |
| 90–104 | 60–75 | 1,00,001–1,80,000 |
| Below 90 | Below 60 | 1,80,000+ |
All figures are expected estimates based on 2023–2024 trends. Actual percentile and rank are published by CET Cell after the official result date.
How MHT CET Percentile Is Calculated
MHT CET uses a percentile score, not a direct percentage. CET Cell normalises raw scores across multiple exam shifts to correct for difficulty variation, then computes each student’s percentile within the PCM or PCB group.
- Percentile formula: (Number of students who scored less than you ÷ Total students in group) × 100
- Scores are normalised shift-wise before the percentile is computed to ensure fair comparison across sittings.
- A percentile of 88 means you scored better than 88% of all PCM students who appeared — not that you scored 88% marks.
- The CAP merit list uses your percentile directly — raw marks are not used for rank assignment after normalisation.
- Two students with identical raw scores from different shifts may get marginally different percentiles due to shift-level adjustments.
CAP College Options for 85 to 92 Percentile
With an expected percentile of 85 to 92, your realistic MHT CET CAP 2026 college pool includes government-aided engineering colleges in non-metro districts and mid-tier private autonomous colleges. The table below lists options based on 2024 CAP closing percentiles and represents expected figures for 2026.
| College | Branch | Approx. Closing Percentile (2024, General Open) |
|---|---|---|
| Govt. College of Engineering, Aurangabad | Mechanical Engineering | 82–87 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Aurangabad | Civil Engineering | 78–84 |
| SGGS Institute of Engineering and Technology, Nanded | Electronics and Telecommunication | 84–89 |
| SGGS Institute of Engineering and Technology, Nanded | Mechanical Engineering | 80–85 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Amravati | Computer Science | 87–92 |
| Govt. College of Engineering, Chandrapur | Computer Science | 83–88 |
| Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli | Civil Engineering | 85–90 |
| MIT College of Engineering, Pune | Mechanical Engineering (Home University) | 85–90 |
| Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune | Information Technology | 82–88 |
| KJ Somaiya College of Engineering, Mumbai | Mechanical Engineering | 83–89 |
Closing percentiles are based on 2024 CAP data and are expected figures for 2026. Actual cutoffs change each year based on seat availability and the applicant pool.
Students targeting CS or AI/ML branches at government colleges in Pune or Mumbai will need 95+ percentile. At 120 marks, focus on non-CS branches at government colleges and CS or IT at private autonomous colleges in tier-2 cities for a realistic admit.
Category-wise Admission Chances at 120 Marks
Your category plays a significant role in CAP eligibility. Reserved category students often access better colleges or branches at 120 marks compared to General category students competing for Open seats.
| Category | Expected Percentile (120 Marks) | Realistic College Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| General (Open) | 85–92 | Govt. colleges in tier-2 cities; mid-tier private colleges |
| OBC / SEBC | 85–92 (lower cutoff for reserved seats) | Better branch access at govt. colleges across districts |
| SC | 85–92 (lower cutoff for reserved seats) | CS or IT branches feasible at several govt. colleges |
| ST | 85–92 (lower cutoff for reserved seats) | CS or IT at COEP or VJTI possible in later CAP rounds |
| EWS | 85–92 | EWS-specific seats may open better options in some colleges |
Home university preference also matters — home university seats carry lower closing percentiles than state-level seats. Students should check both state-level and home university seat options while building their CAP choice list, as this preference alone can unlock a better college or branch.
MHT CET 2026 120 Marks FAQs
Ques. What percentile can I expect for 120 marks in MHT CET 2026?
Ans. Based on 2023 and 2024 trends, 120 marks out of 200 in MHT CET 2026 is expected to yield a percentile between 85 and 92 for the PCM group. The exact figure depends on this year’s paper difficulty and the normalisation applied across exam shifts.
Ques. Is 120 marks in MHT CET good enough for government engineering colleges?
Ans. Yes, 120 marks gives you a realistic chance at government-aided engineering colleges in districts like Aurangabad, Nanded, Amravati and Chandrapur. Flagship institutes like COEP Pune or VJTI Mumbai need 98+ percentile and are not reachable at this score in the General category.
Ques. Can I get a Computer Science branch with 120 marks in MHT CET 2026?
Ans. CS or AI/ML at top government colleges is difficult at this score in the General category. However, CS at government colleges in Chandrapur or Amravati, or IT at private autonomous colleges, may be achievable — especially with a home university preference or a reserved category seat.
Ques. How is MHT CET percentile different from marks percentage?
Ans. Percentage is raw score divided by total marks, multiplied by 100 — 120 out of 200 gives 60%. Percentile tells you what share of students scored below you after shift-wise normalisation. A percentile of 90 means you scored better than 90% of all PCM students, not that you scored 90% marks.
Ques. Does home university preference help students with 85 to 92 percentile?
Ans. Yes, home university seats typically carry lower closing percentiles than state-level seats. Students in this percentile range benefit significantly by prioritising home university preferences in their CAP choice list, as it can unlock better colleges and branches than the state-level merit would allow.
Ques. When does MHT CET 2026 CAP registration begin?
Ans. MHT CET 2026 CAP registration schedule, document requirements, and round dates are published on the official CET Cell portal. Students should check cetcell.mahacet.org regularly for real-time updates as announcements are made.
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