The MICA Admission Test, MICAT, is one of the institute-level entrance exams for admission to the PGDM in Communications and PGDM in Management. It is aimed at evaluating qualification and borderline scores across quantitative and verbal reasoning, data interpretation, psychometric profiling, ‘sui generis’ reasoning, as well as assessing divergent and convergent thinking. The MICA admission test aims at assessing the marketing and communication leadership potential of a candidate. MICAT is a computer-based test and is conducted twice a year; an eligibility check is required prior to applying to this test.
MICA has been conducting the MICAT since it first started, and became a premier institute for Strategic Marketing and Communication in 1991. Besides the branding, advertising, and media PGDM-C and PGDM courses, MICA also incorporates a postgraduate diploma in marketing management. For MICAT 2026, it will be conducted in two phases and paired with the CAT/XAT/GMAT scores. Creativity, communication, and overall aptitude are assessed through the MICAT, Group Exercise (GE), and Personal Interview (PI). The MICAT exam consists of 148 questions, of varying types, spread across three sections, and needs to be completed in 125 minutes. It follows the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format.
Event |
Tentative Dates for 2026 |
Online registration starts (Phase I) |
Second/Third week of September 2025 |
Deadline for registration (Phase I) |
Third week of November 2025 |
Last date of payment (Phase I) |
Third week of November 2025 |
MICAT Phase I exam date |
First Saturday of December 2025 |
Online registration starts (Phase II) |
Last week of November 2025 |
Deadline for registration (Phase II) |
Second week of January 2026 |
Last date of payment (Phase II) |
Second week of January 2026 |
MICAT Phase II exam date |
Last Saturday of January 2026 |
GE & PI Shortlist |
February 2026 |
Group Exercise & Personal Interview |
March 2026 |
Final Merit List & Results |
April 2026 |
Commencement of classes |
June 2026 |
Features |
Details |
Exam Name |
MICA Admission Test (MICAT) 2026 |
Conducted By |
Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) |
Exam Level |
Institute |
Exam Mode |
Online (Computer-Based Test - CBT) |
Exam Duration |
125 minutes |
Question Type |
MCQs, Descriptive, Psychometric |
Total Questions |
~148 (Psychometric: 36; Aptitude: 108; Descriptive: 4) |
Sections |
Psychometric, Aptitude (VARC, QA/DI, Reasoning, DT, GA), Descriptive |
Section-wise Questions |
Psychometric: 36; VARC: 25; QA/DI: 19; Reasoning: 10; DT: 10; GA: 44; Descriptive: 4 |
Marking Scheme |
No negative marking; Psychometric qualifier; Aptitude +1; Descriptive holistic |
Syllabus |
Psychometric (Personality); Aptitude (VARC, QA, DILR, DT, GA); Descriptive (Essays) |
Language |
English |
Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree (50%; 45% reserved); CAT/XAT/GMAT score |
Candidates must have a UGC-recognized university bachelor’s degree (3 years minimum), with a minimum of 50% marks (or 45% marks in the case of SC/ST/PwD). Please note that final-year students can apply, with proof submitted by June 30, 2026. A valid CAT 2025, XAT 2026, or GMAT score is required. There is no age limit.
Bachelor's degree (3 years) from UGC UGC-recognized university.
General- minimum 50% marks; SC/ST/PwD- 45%.
Final-year students are eligible with proof by June 30, 2026.
Submit a valid CAT 2025, XAT 2026, or GMAT score.
No upper age limit.
You can register for the MICAT online at mica.ac.in. Provide your name, email, and phone number. Provide your personal, educational, and CAT/XAT/GMAT information. Upload your photograph (JPEG < 100 KB), signature ( <50 KB), and your documents. Pay the MICAT registration fee (INR 1,980 + GST for General; INR 1,485 + GST for SC/ST/PwD), which can be paid by card, net banking, and UPI. Download the confirmation page after completing the registration. You must register separately for Phase I and Phase II.
Register on mica.ac.in with email and mobile.
Fill the form with personal, academic, and test details.
Upload a photograph, signature, and certificates.
Pay the MICAT exam fee online.
Download the confirmation page.
Adhere to the MICAT last date for each phase.
The MICAT exam pattern includes a 125-minute CBT with three sections: Psychometric (25 mins), Aptitude (90 mins), and Descriptive (30 mins). No negative marking.
Section |
Questions |
Duration |
Negative Marking |
Marks |
Psychometric |
36 |
25 minutes |
No |
Qualifier |
Aptitude (VARC, QA/DI, Reasoning, DT, GA) |
108 |
90 minutes |
No |
108 |
Descriptive |
4 |
30 minutes |
No |
Holistic |
The topics covered in MICAT include Psychometric and personality tests, Descriptive tests related to creative writing, and Aptitude tests in the areas of VARC, QA, DILR, Divergent Thinking, and General Awareness. These elements are aligned in creativity along the lines of the CAT.
The MICAT admit card can be downloaded from mica.ac.in one week prior to each of the phases and can be accessed using the application number and date of birth. It specifies the exam date and center, of which there are 48 cities. It also includes instructions, which must be followed along with a photo ID, such as an Aadhaar card or PAN card.
The result of MICAT for Phase I is available in December 2025, while the result for Phase II is released in February 2026. The authorities will also release the Final merit list for the exam in April 2026. All results can be accessed from mica.ac.in.
The Counselling for MICAT 2026 will include General Exercises and Personal Interviews in March 2026 and will be held in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, which will assess creativity and communication. These sessions will include document verification.
For the preparation of the MICAT exam, it is important to understand the exam pattern as well as the syllabus. It is recommended to study for a period of 6-9 months with an emphasis on creativity for the Descriptive section and Divergent Thinking. Timed practice using mock examinations will help develop the desired enhancement in time management skills. For General Awareness, reading newspapers every day is essential. Participating in Group Exercises will help to develop teamwork.
Ensure that the clear passport photograph and signature are uploaded. Bring your MICAT admit card and identification documents (Aadhaar/PAN). Arrive well before the scheduled time. Electronics are not allowed; violations of this will lead to disqualification.
Merit-Based: Up to 50% tuition for top performers (CAT 95+, MICAT 90+).
Need-Based: 20-30% fee waiver (income < INR 8 LPA).
Diversity: INR 2-5 lakh for underrepresented groups.