Optical Instruments is a Class 12 topic in the Ray Optics chapter in the Physics section of the MHT CET for candidates who are preparing for the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics).

The key topics covered in Optical Instruments PYQs are:

  • Compound and simple microscope
  • Astronomical telescope
  • Resolving power
  • Magnifying power
  • Chromatic aberration

Practising Optical Instruments MHT CET PYQ helps candidates to understand question pattern, improve calculation speed, and identify concepts which were asked in previous exams.

Based on chapter-wise analysis of the MHT CET Physics paper, you can get less than 1 mark per paper by covering Optical Instruments. The chapter recorded 27 questions across the 80 shifts in the data, and 9 of them came in the 2025 and 2026 papers, where it contributed about 0.5% per shift.

MHT CET Optical Instruments Chapter: Question Count, Marks and Weightage:

0.34
Average questions per shift (2018-2026)
9
Questions in the 2025 and 2026 papers (33 shifts)
27
Questions in the PDF (2018-2026)
0.7%
Estimated Physics paper weightage (0.5% in 2025-2026)

The PDF holds 27 questions from MHT CET 2026 to 2018, newest first, each with its exam date and shift. Options are as printed and answer keys are not included.

Optical Instruments PYQ Statistics (2022-2026)

The table below shows the number of questions asked in MHT CET Optical Instruments PYQs. Every shift has 50 Physics questions, so the last column is the average per shift divided by 50.

YearTotal Questions (across shifts)Shifts in the DataAverage per ShiftWeightage (out of 50 Physics Qs)
20266160.380.8%
20253170.180.4%
20247180.390.8%
20232120.170.3%
2022010.000.0%

The 2018 to 2021 papers in the PDF add 9 more questions: 2021 had 1, 2020 had 5, 2019 had 2, 2018 had 1.

MHT CET Optical Instruments Important Questions: Based on the Last 5 Years

The major types of questions asked from Optical Instruments in MHT CET cover the following topics:

TopicQuestions in the PDFQuestions in 2022-2026Average per Shift (2022-2026)
Microscope11100.16
Astronomical telescope1360.09
Resolving power, lens combinations and aberration320.03

Pair PYQs with Other Study Material for MHT CET 2027

Click on the link to practise problems and time management skills:

ResourceLink
MHT CET Sample PaperCheck Here
MHT CET Mock TestCheck Here

Question Style in MHT CET Optical Instruments PYQs

Every question in this PDF is a single-correct MCQ. More than half are theory questions on the aperture, the resolving power or the magnifying power of a microscope or telescope.

Question StyleWhat it Tests
Resolving powerHow to improve the resolving power of a compound microscope, and the ratio of resolving powers when the wavelength changes from 4500 Å to 6000 Å
Aperture and magnifying power of a telescopeWhy a telescope has a large aperture, and which objective and eyepiece give a high magnifying power
Length of the instrumentThe length of a compound microscope of 15 cm with magnifying power 25, and an astronomical telescope with an objective of 1.5 m in normal adjustment
Intermediate imageThe nature of the intermediate image formed by the objective of a compound microscope
AberrationThe defect when rays of different colours fail to converge at a point after a thick converging lens

How to Use the Optical Instruments PYQ PDF for MHT CET

  • Start with the 2025 and 2026 papers first, because they hold 9 of the 27 questions.
  • Learn that resolving power increases with a larger aperture and a shorter wavelength, since several questions only test this.
  • Write the formulas for the magnifying power and tube length of a microscope and a telescope in normal adjustment side by side.
  • Solve year-wise PYQs by timing yourself, as time management is crucial.
  • Re-attempt only the questions you got wrong, and note which formula or step you missed.

Video: Optical Instruments PYQs and MCQs

Source: RG LECTURES

Optical Instruments PYQ for MHT CET Physics FAQs

Ques. How many questions come from Optical Instruments every year?

Ans. In this PDF, the questions are 6 from 2026, 3 from 2025, 7 from 2024, 2 from 2023 and 1 from 2021 and the rest from earlier papers. In 2025 and 2026 together the chapter had 9 questions across 33 shifts, about 0.27 per shift.

Ques. Which topics are asked most frequently in MHT CET Optical Instruments?

Ans. Astronomical telescope is the largest group with 13 of the 27 questions, about 48%.

Ques. What kind of questions are asked from Optical Instruments?

Ans. Single-correct MCQs. Most are theory questions on resolving power and aperture, and the rest are short calculations on the length or magnifying power of a microscope or telescope.

Ques. What is the best way to practise Optical Instruments PYQs?

Ans. First solve the 2025 and 2026 questions completely, then the older ones, and finally re-attempt the questions you got wrong.

Ques. Can I score full marks from Optical Instruments?

Ans. In 2025 and 2026 together the chapter had 9 questions across 33 shifts. Learning the resolving power and magnification formulas is enough to secure it. Each Physics question in MHT CET is worth 1 mark.

Ques. Does the Optical Instruments PYQ PDF include solutions?

Ans. No. The PDF contains the questions with their exam date and shift, without answer keys or solutions.