Day 1, Shift 1 of MAH MBA CET 2026 has concluded, and the initial analysis indicates a moderate difficulty level with a balanced distribution of questions across sections. Candidates reported that the paper maintained a pattern similar to previous years, with a strong emphasis on Logical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning, which together formed the bulk of the exam.
The exam tested not just speed but also accuracy under time pressure, as expected from MAH MBA CET’s unique format. Students found certain LR sets slightly time-consuming, while Quantitative Aptitude leaned toward arithmetic-heavy questions. Verbal Ability was relatively manageable, with direct reading comprehension and grammar-based questions.
Coaching institutes and experts have released memory-based questions and provisional answer keys, allowing candidates to estimate their scores. However, the official answer key will be released later by the exam authority.
Section-wise Analysis (Shift 1)
Section | Difficulty Level | Key Topics Covered | Good Attempts (Approx.) |
Logical Reasoning (LR) | Moderate | Arrangements, puzzles, coding-decoding, directions | 60–70 |
Abstract Reasoning (AR) | Easy–Moderate | Series, analogies, pattern recognition | 20–23 |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Moderate | Arithmetic, algebra, DI (tables & graphs) | 35–40 |
Verbal Ability & RC (VARC) | Easy–Moderate | RC passages, para-jumbles, vocabulary, grammar | 30–35 |
Overall | Moderate | Balanced paper with LR dominance | 140–160 |
Question Paper Highlights
Total Questions: 200
Total Duration: 150 minutes
No Negative Marking (key advantage for attempting more questions)
LR + AR combined made up nearly 50% of the paper, reinforcing their importance
DI sets were calculation-based but not overly complex
RC passages were short and fact-based, making them quicker to solve
Expected Cut-off Trends (Based on Shift 1)
Category | Expected Percentile |
Top MBA Colleges (JBIMS, SIMSREE) | 99.5+ |
Tier 1 Colleges | 98–99 |
Tier 2 Colleges | 95–97 |
Tier 3 Colleges | 85–94 |
Key Takeaways
Speed + smart question selection was critical
LR remained the game-changer section
No negative marking encouraged high attempts
Overall paper was fair and predictable, favoring well-prepared candidates