The credibility of Maharashtra’s State Common Entrance Test Cell (CET Cell) has come under sharp focus following revelations of multiple errors in both MBA and MHT CET entrance exams held earlier this year. A wave of student complaints led to the discovery of widespread inaccuracies in question papers, compelling the CET Cell to offer compensatory marks and even schedule a re-examination to ensure fairness.
In the MBA entrance exam conducted over six sessions between April 1 and 3, students were allowed to raise objections from April 28 to 30. The CET Cell received 253 complaints, with the highest number—134—related to the logical reasoning section, followed by 35 each in verbal ability and quantitative aptitude, and 21 in abstract reasoning.
Following verification, errors were found in 28 questions across three sessions. In response, the CET Cell decided to award one grace mark per flawed question to every student who appeared in those sessions. This correction could mean an increase of up to 10 marks for some candidates. Additionally, answer keys for six questions were revised after further scrutiny. While the Cell’s move aims to restore fairness, experts warn that this could significantly impact merit rankings, influencing admission outcomes across management colleges in Maharashtra.
In a parallel development, the CET Cell also confirmed a critical error in the MHT CET Mathematics exam held on April 27. The paper, originally framed in Marathi, had been translated into English, during which 21 questions had their answer options mismatched. CET Cell Commissioner Dilip Sardesai acknowledged the translation mishap and announced a re-examination for the 24,744 students who opted for the English version. The retest is scheduled for May 5.
To maintain transparency, the CET Cell published provisional answer keys for the MHT CET PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) stream on May 22. Candidates have been given a window until May 24 to submit objections. The PCM group exam was conducted from April 19 to 27, while the PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) group appeared for the test earlier, from April 9 to 17.
These errors have not only shaken student confidence but have also reignited calls for overhauling exam monitoring systems. As Maharashtra’s education authorities scramble to contain the fallout, stakeholders are demanding stricter quality checks, better translation protocols, and accountability in conducting high-stakes entrance examinations.
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