MET 2026 Phase 2 Slot Booking Opens May 9, Giving Candidates Three Days to Act
Registered candidates for the Manipal Entrance Test 2026 have a narrow window - just three days - to secure their preferred examination slots for Phase 2, with the booking period running from May 9 to May 11, 2026. The slot selection process is a critical procedural step that directly determines when and where a candidate will sit the computer-based test, scheduled for May 23 and 24, 2026. Missing this window means losing the ability to choose, and potentially losing a place in the examination entirely.
What the Slot Booking Process Involves
The booking is conducted through the MET Online Test Booking System, known as OTBS. Candidates access the system using their MAHE application number and their MET OTBS password - credentials issued during registration. Once logged in, they select from available exam time slots for the Phase 2 examination dates.
One rule carries particular weight: slot selections are final. Once a booking is confirmed, it cannot be reversed or altered. This makes careful decision-making essential before submitting a choice. Candidates should consider travel logistics, personal scheduling constraints, and the availability of slots at their preferred examination centres before committing.
Allocation follows a first-come, first-served basis. Popular time slots and centres are likely to fill quickly in the opening hours of the booking window. Waiting until May 11 risks finding preferred options already unavailable. Early access on May 9 is therefore strongly advisable.
Key Dates Every Candidate Must Know
- Slot Booking Opens: May 9, 2026
- Slot Booking Closes: May 11, 2026
- Admit Card Available for Download: May 20, 2026
- Phase 2 Examination Dates: May 23 and 24, 2026
The admit card, released on May 20, serves as the official entry document for the examination. It carries the candidate's confirmed exam date, time, and venue - details that are determined by the slot selected during booking. Candidates will retrieve the admit card through the same OTBS portal using their application form number and password. Downloading it promptly after release, rather than the day before the exam, avoids any technical or access complications at the last moment.
Understanding MET and Its Role in University Admissions
The Manipal Entrance Test is the primary admissions examination conducted by Manipal Academy of Higher Education, a deemed university with campuses across India and internationally. The test is the qualifying route for candidates seeking admission into undergraduate programmes - including engineering, pharmacy, and allied health sciences - offered by MAHE and its affiliated institutions.
The examination is structured into phases to accommodate the large number of applicants from across the country and abroad. Phase 2 represents a second sitting opportunity within the same admissions cycle, allowing candidates who either missed Phase 1 or seek to improve their performance to appear again. The computer-based test format standardises evaluation conditions across all test centres, reducing variability in the examination experience.
Only candidates who have successfully completed the MET 2026 registration process are eligible to book slots. Those who have not yet registered cannot access the OTBS system and are not eligible to appear in Phase 2. The official slot booking link is distributed to eligible candidates via their registered email address - candidates should verify that their inbox, including spam folders, has received this communication before May 9.
