MAH-CET, as reported for 2026, has 200 questions in 150 minutes across four sections: Logical Reasoning (75), Abstract Reasoning (25), Quantitative Aptitude (50) and Verbal Ability with Reading Comprehension (50). A correct answer scores one mark. There is no negative marking. So attempt everything and plan your time by section.
The pattern, as reported
| Section | Questions | Share of paper |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 75 | 37.5% |
| Abstract Reasoning | 25 | 12.5% |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 25% |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 50 | 25% |
| Total | 200 | 100% |
Time: 150 minutes in total. Marking: +1 for a correct answer, no deduction for a wrong one. These figures come from third-party exam portals for the 2026 cycle. The CET Cell brochure is the official source, and the pattern for your year may differ.
What the numbers mean
- About 45 seconds a question. 150 minutes over 200 questions is 0.75 minutes each. Few questions will give you more.
- No penalty for guessing. Leaving a question blank can only cost you. Mark something before time runs out.
- Logical Reasoning is over a third of the paper. Treat it as a main section, not a warm-up.
- Abstract Reasoning is small but unfamiliar. Students new to it lose time. Practise pattern types until you recognise them quickly.
A way to plan the time
This is a starting point, not a rule. Adjust it in your mocks.
| Section | Rough time to aim for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | About 50 to 55 minutes | Large set. Pick the quick ones first |
| Abstract Reasoning | About 15 minutes | Pattern recognition. Practise often |
| Quantitative Aptitude | About 40 to 45 minutes | Do the short calculations first |
| Verbal and RC | About 35 to 40 minutes | Reading passages take longer than the questions suggest |
| Final pass | Remaining minutes | Mark every unanswered question |
These timings are our suggestion. We have not measured how they affect scores.
Section by section
Logical Reasoning. With 75 questions, the winning habit is skipping fast. If a set does not open up in about a minute, move on and return.
Abstract Reasoning. Learn the common pattern families, then drill them. Because the section is short, a little practice has a large effect on speed.
Quantitative Aptitude. Spend the early weeks on arithmetic and number basics. Under time pressure, calculation speed matters as much as method.
Verbal and RC. Read daily. Practise reading a passage and answering within a fixed time.
Where this doesn’t apply
The pattern above is the 2026 cycle as reported by portals. If the CET Cell changes it for 2027, plan to the new one. This chapter does not cover registration, eligibility or counselling, which have their own official notices. And the time split is a suggestion from us that you should test in your own mocks.
Pattern and section counts from MBAUniverse’s MAH MBA CET page, which cites the State CET Cell. Third-party. We could not open the CET Cell site from our workspace. The percentages are our arithmetic from the section counts. The time split is our own suggestion.