MAH-MBA/MMS-CET is a state-level entrance exam directed by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Government of Maharashtra. MBA-CET is conducted for admission to full-time 2-year postgraduation courses in management such as MBA/MMS offered at state university-affiliated colleges in Maharashtra. There’s virtually no difference between the MBA & MMS degrees.They are the same courses provided by different universities under different nomenclatures. The course which is called MMS at Mumbai University, is called MBA in other Universities of Maharashtra.

MBA-CET is a 150-minute exam and follows no negative marking scheme. A total of 200 questions are asked in the exam and the mode of exam is CBT (Computer Based Test). The difficulty level of MBA-CET ranges from easy to moderate as compared to tougher exams like CAT, XAT, GMAT, etc. Hence, it becomes imperative to seek a balance between speed and accuracy while attempting the test. Seats are allotted based on rank in the merit list and choice filled by the candidate in the CAP (Centralised Admission Procedure) round.

The syllabus of MBA-CET consists of Logical Reasoning, Visual/Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Aptitude. These questions may not be segregated into sections. They may be jumbled up as well. Hence, students need to be prepared accordingly. Some of the top colleges under MBA-CET are Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) Mumbai, Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research & Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE) Mumbai, Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) Mumbai, SIES College of Management Studies Mumbai, Xavier Institute of Management & Research Mumbai, Chetana’s Institute of Management & Research Mumbai, Department of Management Sciences – University of Pune (PUMBA), MIT School of Management Pune, Indira Institute of Management Pune, Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Management Studies Pune, etc. Normally, CET aspirants also take up other important management entrances such as TISS NET, SNAP, NMAT, MICAT, IBSAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, etc. These exams are more or less of a similar difficulty level as MBA-CET but may have a negative marking scheme.

Some of these exams do not have questions on Visual Reasoning but may have an additional section on Current Affairs. MBA-CET students can also attempt exams for the full-time autonomous management programs offered by many b-schools. Instead of an MBA/MMS, they award a PGDBA or PGDBM i.e. Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration or Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management or simply a PGDM. These programs don’t fall under the ambit of UGC but they are approved by a statutory body AICTE – All India Council of Technical Education. Admission to PGDBA or PGDBM programs of various colleges is basis scores in CAT, XAT, MAT, ATMA, CMAT, GMAT, MAH-MBA/MMS-CET, etc. In the second round of selection, they may have a GDPI Group Discussion and Personal Interview. It does not matter whether the student eventually gets a degree or a diploma but the brand name of the b-school does matter. The industry also does not differentiate between the nomenclatures. What matters is what skills have you imbibed during the two-year full-time management program.