The MICAT exam is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted by MICA Ahmedabad for admission to all seven of its programmes: PGDM-C, PGDM, Sports Management, Advertising and Marketing Communication, Digital Media and Marketing Communications, Strategic Communication and the FPM. MICAT stands for MICA Admission Test. MICA holds it in two sittings, MICAT I in December and MICAT II in February. Candidates for the PGDM-C, PGDM and Sports Management also need a valid CAT, XAT or GMAT score. The other programmes use MICAT alone.
Unlike CAT, the MICAT exam checks more than aptitude. It also checks creative thinking, communication skills, writing ability and personality. It shows whether a candidate can think logically and look at a problem from different angles.
For the 2027 admission cycle, MICA has published its admission calendar. MICAT-I registration opens in September 2026 and closes on 21 November 2026. MICAT-I is on 5 December 2026. MICAT-II is on 12 February 2027.
The 2026 admission cycle is a previous-cycle reference. MICA conducted MICAT-I on 6 December 2025 and MICAT-II on 13 February 2026. Registration for MICAT-I opened in September 2025.
Check MICA for changes
These dates come from MICA's 2027 admission calendar. Check the official MICA admissions page for any later change.
The MICAT exam is the common entrance exam for all programmes MICA offers through its two schools. These are the School of Management (SoM) and the School of Applied Creativity (SoAC).
Yes, for the School of Management. MICAT is used along with CAT, XAT or GMAT scores for programmes such as PGDM-C and PGDM. After the MICAT exam, shortlisted candidates also go through a Group Exercise and a Personal Interview.
MICAT suits candidates interested in marketing, advertising, public relations, digital media, brand management, content, communication and creative strategy.
The total duration of the exam is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. It varies from year to year.
The MICAT exam has three sections for the School of Management:
For the School of Applied Creativity, the exam covers Creative Aptitude & Potential (CAP).
Traditional exams give priority to verbal, logical and mathematical skills. The MICAT exam uses a different set of evaluation criteria. Candidates still need aptitude skills, and they also need to show:
MICA lists two MICAT phases in its 2027 admission calendar. MICAT-I is on 5 December 2026. MICAT-II is on 12 February 2027.
MICAT-I registration opens in September 2026 and closes on 21 November 2026, at 11:50 PM. MICAT-II registration opens on 25 November 2026 and closes on 30 January 2027.
September 2026
MICAT-I registration opens
21 November 2026
MICAT-I registration closes
Deadline is 11:50 PM.
25 November 2026
MICAT-II registration opens
3 December 2026
MICAT-I admit card
5 December 2026
MICAT-I exam
18 December 2026
MICAT-I score declaration
30 January 2027
MICAT-II registration closes
10 February 2027
MICAT-II admit card
12 February 2027
MICAT-II exam
28 February 2027
MICAT-II score declaration
For the full table of dates, read the MICAT 2027 exam dates page.
MICAT-I is on 5 December 2026 and MICAT-II is on 12 February 2027, as per MICA's 2027 admission calendar.
Check MICA's official admissions page for the latest MICAT exam registration, exam dates, eligibility, application instructions, application fee, admit card and other admission updates. Treat the official notification as the final source for 2027.
MICAT 2027 is a computer-based test conducted by MICA Ahmedabad. The table below lists the key facts. An asterisk (*) marks details based on the previous admission cycle.
| Particulars | MICAT 2027 |
|---|---|
| Exam name | MICA Admission Test (MICAT) |
| Conducting body | MICA Ahmedabad |
| Exam mode | Computer-based test |
| Frequency | Two attempts, MICAT-I and MICAT-II |
| Attempts | MICAT-I and MICAT-II* |
| Better score | Expected to be the best of the two scores* |
| Main sections | Psychometric, Descriptive and Aptitude* |
| Aptitude areas | Divergent & Convergent Thinking, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
| Language | English* |
| MICAT-I exam date | 5 December 2026 |
| MICAT-II exam date | 12 February 2027 |
| Registration | MICAT-I opens September 2026; MICAT-II opens 25 November 2026 |
| Registration last date | MICAT-I: 21 November 2026; MICAT-II: 30 January 2027 |
| Application fee | ₹2,500 for one programme; ₹500 for each additional programme, payable if shortlisted for interview |
| Official source | MICA admissions page |
*These details are based on the previous admission cycle and current information. Treat MICA's official 2027 notification as the final source.
| MICAT Exam Features | MICAT Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (MICAT-I in December and MICAT-II in February) |
| Exam Mode | Computer based |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes) |
| Total Marks | Varies by test cycle (consists of Psychometric, Descriptive, and Aptitude sections) |
| Question Types | MCQs, Psychometric questions, and Descriptive (Essay/Story writing) questions |
| Marking Scheme | Section C (Aptitude) carries +1 for correct answers and −0.25 for wrong answers. No negative marking for Psychometric and Descriptive sections. |
| Languages | English |
| Exam Purpose | Admission to MBA and Executive MBA programmes |
| Official Website | www.mica.ac.in |
MICA has not yet published the MICAT 2027 eligibility criteria. Candidates can use the 2026 previous-cycle criteria to get an idea of the next cycle.
For the 2026 admission cycle:
Candidates applying for MICAT 2027 should verify the new admission document once MICA releases it.
No. Meeting the minimum academic requirement allows you to apply. It does not guarantee a call from MICA or admission to a programme.
Final-year candidates were eligible under the previous admission rules. They had to meet MICA's conditions for completing the degree and submitting the required documents. Verify the eligibility requirements once the MICAT 2027 notification is published.
MICAT-I registration opens in September 2026 and closes on 21 November 2026, at 11:50 PM. MICAT-II registration opens on 25 November 2026 and closes on 30 January 2027.
Candidates can register only through MICA's online admission portal. The process generally needs a candidate account, personal and academic details, programme selection and fee payment. For step-by-step help, read the MICAT 2027 registration page.
Follow these steps for the MICAT exam registration process:
The exact steps may change when MICA opens the 2027 application cycle. Follow the steps listed on the official admission portal.
MICA lists the application processing fee as ₹2,500 for one programme, and MICAT is included in it. The fee table is below.
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| One programme | ₹2,500 |
| Each additional programme | ₹500, payable if you are shortlisted for interview |
| FPM | ₹2,500, with no additional ₹500 charge |
MICA offers programmes through two schools, the School of Management and the School of Applied Creativity. In a single MICAT attempt, candidates can apply to programmes from either one school, not both. The published application guidelines also state that the MICAT paper is unique for each school.
Pay the fee online during the application process. If payment fails, MICA advises you to check your payment method. You can also use another device or browser, and complete the application on a laptop or desktop. Save the payment confirmation after you finish.
Yes, based on the previous admission cycle. Candidates could appear for both MICAT-I and MICAT-II, and MICA considered the better MICAT score.
For MICAT 2027, the same arrangement is expected, but MICA has not officially confirmed it. A second chance does not mean you should treat the first attempt casually.
MICA conducts the MICAT exam in multiple cities in India. The previous cycle listed more than 45 centres. These included major cities such as Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Guwahati.
MICA has not yet announced the MICAT 2027 exam centres. You pick a preferred city in the registration form, and MICA allots the exact venue closer to the exam date. Choose the city carefully while you complete the application.
MICAT-I registration opens in September 2026. MICAT-II registration opens on 25 November 2026.
MICAT-I registration closes on 21 November 2026, at 11:50 PM. MICAT-II registration closes on 30 January 2027.
MICA lists ₹2,500 for one programme. An additional ₹500 per additional programme is payable if you are shortlisted for interview. FPM is ₹2,500 only.
MICA lists the MICAT-I admit card for 3 December 2026 and the MICAT-II admit card for 10 February 2027.
The MICAT 2027 admit card page explains the download steps in detail.
Check these details after you download your admit card:
If any detail is incorrect, contact MICA through the prescribed admission support channel before the examination.
The MICAT-I admit card is listed for 3 December 2026 and the MICAT-II admit card for 10 February 2027. Both come two days before the exam.
MICA has not yet released the official MICAT 2027 exam pattern. For preparation, use the 2026 previous-cycle pattern as the latest published reference. That test had three broad sections: Psychometric Test, Descriptive Test and Aptitude Test. Read the MICAT 2027 exam pattern page for the full breakup.
| Section | 2026 Previous-Cycle Pattern | MICAT 2027 Status |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | Psychometric Test | To be announced |
| Section B | Descriptive Test | To be announced |
| Section C | Aptitude Test | To be announced |
| Duration | 135 minutes | To be announced |
| Psychometric | 150 questions, 30 minutes | To be confirmed |
| Descriptive | 4 questions, 25 minutes | To be confirmed |
| Aptitude | 70 questions, 80 minutes | To be confirmed |
| Total | 224 questions, 135 minutes | To be confirmed |
The exact question count has varied across years and sources. For MICAT 2027, follow the question count and timing in the official admit card and examination instructions when MICA releases them.
The 2026 previous-cycle pattern used a qualifying Psychometric section. Candidates who did not clear the applicable psychometric stage did not move ahead for evaluation of the later sections.
MICA has not yet released the official MICAT 2027 marking scheme. The 2026 previous-cycle marking approach differed by section.
| Section | 2026 Previous-Cycle Marking |
|---|---|
| Psychometric Test | Qualifying in nature |
| Descriptive Test | No conventional objective negative marking |
| Aptitude Test | +1 for correct answer |
| Aptitude Test | -0.25 for incorrect answer |
The previous cycle used the Psychometric section as a qualifying stage for the School of Management selection process. Check the exact MICAT 2027 marking scheme in the official exam instructions once MICA releases them.
The previous-cycle MICAT pattern had three sections: Psychometric Test, Descriptive Test and Aptitude Test. MICA has not released the 2027 pattern, so use the previous pattern only for preparation.
Yes, the previous MICAT pattern had negative marking in the Aptitude section, at -0.25 for an incorrect answer. MICA has not announced the MICAT 2027 marking scheme. Check the official exam instructions.
The 2026 previous-cycle pattern is the reference for the MICAT question types. Each section tests a different skill.
The Psychometric Test assesses behavioural and personality-related traits. You do not need to prepare formulas or memorise facts for this section. The key is consistency.
Candidates may see statements or situations. They indicate how closely each one matches their preferences, behaviour or decision-making style. Do not guess what the examiner wants to hear. Keep your responses consistent with each other.
You can prepare by understanding these areas:
Do not try to prepare fixed answers. The main aim is to understand your own responses and stay consistent.
The Descriptive Test checks your ability to express ideas in writing. Creativity and clarity matter in this section. The time available is limited, so you need to think and write quickly.
Questions can require candidates to:
Strong writing does not mean complicated vocabulary. A clear idea supported by logical reasoning is more useful than a paragraph full of difficult words.
You can practise these areas:
Focus on the idea and on how clearly you present it.
Section C is the conventional aptitude part of the MICAT exam. It still contains areas closely connected to MICA's focus. It covers:
The 2026 previous-cycle pattern used negative marking in this section, with +1 for a correct response and -0.25 for an incorrect response. The MICAT 2027 marking scheme is yet to be announced.
MICA has not yet officially released the MICAT exam syllabus 2027. For preparation, use the broad areas from the 2026 previous-cycle syllabus and the latest MICA information as a working guide. The syllabus combines reasoning, language, quantitative skills, awareness and creative thinking. The MICAT 2027 syllabus page covers each area in more detail.
This area checks how a candidate approaches problems from different angles.
Topics and question types may involve:
Practise questions that need you to move beyond the first obvious answer. Also work on questions where you must connect more than one idea before reaching the answer.
The broad syllabus becomes easier to prepare when you divide it into smaller areas.
| Section | Major Preparation Areas |
|---|---|
| Psychometric | Behaviour, preferences, decision-making and consistency |
| Descriptive | Creative writing, argument, visual interpretation and idea development |
| Divergent & Convergent Thinking | Logic, patterns, relationships, reasoning and unusual situations |
| Verbal Ability | Grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, RC and verbal reasoning |
| Quantitative Ability | Arithmetic, percentages, ratios, averages, algebra and basic quantitative concepts |
| Data Interpretation | Tables, graphs, charts and data-based questions |
| General awareness (not a separate section) | Current affairs, business, brands, advertising, media, technology and society |
This list is a preparation framework based on the latest previous-cycle syllabus. It is not an official chapter-wise MICAT 2027 list.
The MICAT syllabus covers Psychometric assessment, creative and descriptive writing, Divergent and Convergent Thinking, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation. Check the exact 2027 syllabus after MICA releases its admission notification.
The MICAT exam is not the only part of MICA's admission process. For the School of Management's PGDM-C and PGDM programmes, MICA uses CAT/XAT/GMAT performance, MICAT performance and later stages such as Group Exercise and Personal Interview.
In the previous cycle, MICA described the process in three steps:
MICA stated that it checked the Psychometric Test first. Candidates who qualified then moved through the applicable screening stages. Check the exact MICAT 2027 selection process and weightage in the new admission document.
For the 2026 previous admission cycle, MICA listed this weightage for the PGDM-C and PGDM final merit score:
| Component | 2026 Previous-Cycle Weightage |
|---|---|
| CAT/XAT/GMAT | 35% |
| MICAT | 25% |
| Group Exercise | 10% |
| Personal Interview | 20% |
| Academics | 5% |
| Diversity and extracurricular achievements | 5% |
These figures belong to the previous cycle. Do not treat them as the confirmed MICAT 2027 weightage. MICA can change the selection process in a future admission cycle.
For MICA's School of Management programmes, candidates need to submit a CAT, XAT or GMAT score. MICAT is a separate part of the admission process. MICA considers it along with the applicable external examination score.
No, a MICAT score alone does not guarantee admission. For the School of Management, MICA also considers CAT/XAT/GMAT performance and later stages such as Group Exercise and Personal Interview. A MICAT score alone does not guarantee admission.
MICAT sample papers and previous year papers help you prepare because the exam is different from a standard aptitude test. MICA provides sample-paper and demo-exam resources through its admissions page. These help you understand the computer-based interface and the type of tasks in the exam. Use official sample material before you rely on coaching-centre predictions. The MICAT question papers page lists what is available.
A MICAT sample paper can help you understand:
This is especially useful for candidates taking the exam for the first time.
A MICAT previous year paper shows how the exam has behaved across different cycles. Solve the paper first without checking the answers. Then review:
Do not use one previous paper to predict the exact 2027 question pattern. The question count and topic mix can change.
| Resource | Main Use |
|---|---|
| Official sample paper | Understand current format and question style |
| Previous year paper | Study past question types |
| Mock test | Practise complete test conditions |
| Topic-wise test | Improve weak areas |
| Descriptive practice | Improve writing speed and clarity |
Use official sample material first. Then add previous-year papers and mock tests.
MICA provides sample-paper and demo-exam resources through its admissions page. Use them to understand the computer-based interface and the type of tasks in the examination.
Yes, you should solve them. MICAT previous year papers help you understand question types, time pressure and how aptitude, writing and reasoning tasks are presented. Combine them with official sample material and full-length mocks.
MICAT preparation should not look exactly like CAT preparation. You need aptitude practice, and you also need to build creative thinking and writing ability.
Understanding the paper first stops you from preparing for the wrong test. Before you solve hundreds of questions, know these points:
For MICAT 2027, update these details once the official notification is released.
Read for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day. Choose different types of material:
The purpose is to improve comprehension and build awareness of topics that can appear in the MICAT exam.
Set a timer and write short responses. Try prompts such as these:
After writing, check whether the response has a clear beginning, logical development and a strong ending.
Do not try to memorise answers for the Psychometric Test. Understand your own decision-making patterns instead. When you answer the MICAT exam Psychometric section:
For Section C, revise the fundamentals of these areas:
Focus on accuracy before speed.
Follow MICA's sample material. MICA provides sample-paper and demo-exam resources through its admissions page. These help you understand the computer-based interface and the type of tasks in the exam. Use official material before you rely on coaching-centre predictions.
Take full-length mocks and record the following after each one:
| What to Track | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Correct answers | Shows strong areas |
| Wrong answers | Reveals conceptual gaps |
| Time spent | Shows where you slow down |
| Unattempted questions | Shows time pressure |
| Psychometric consistency | Helps identify response patterns |
| Writing quality | Shows whether your ideas are clear |
A mock analysis is often more useful than taking another test immediately.
Start with the exam structure. Then divide preparation between aptitude, creative thinking, descriptive writing, Psychometric practice. Read current affairs regularly, practise writing under time limits and use sample papers and mocks to track your progress.
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