Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
Are you aiming for a career in strategic marketing, brand management, digital communications, or advertising? If yes, then MICA Ahmedabad should be on your radar—and to get there, the entrance exam you need to crack is MICAT.
This article provides a detailed overview of the MICAT exam, including its structure, eligibility, important dates, preparation tips, and more.
What is MICAT?
MICAT (MICA Admission Test) is the entrance exam conducted by MICA Ahmedabad for admission into its flagship Post Graduate Diploma in Management - Communications (PGDM-C) and PGDM programs. MICA is known as The School of Ideas and specializes in Strategic Marketing and Communication.
MICAT is unique in its approach, evaluating candidates on both conventional and creative thinking abilities.
Quick TL;DR
-
Who runs it: MICA, Ahmedabad (MICAT is institute-specific). mica.ac.in
-
MICAT windows: MICAT-I (Dec) and MICAT-II (Jan/Feb) — you can take one or both; MICA considers the best score.
-
Total duration: ~2 hours 15 minutes (varies by year).
-
Key sections: Section A — Psychometric (qualifying); Section B — Descriptive (qualifying/assesses fit); Section C — Verbal, Quant, Divergent & Convergent Thinking, General Awareness (used for shortlisting).
-
Selection flow: Minimum qualifying in Section A → check CAT/XAT/GMAT eligibility → Section B & C evaluated → shortlisted for Group Exercise (GE) & Personal Interview (PI). Final offers based on composite weightage.
MICAT Exam Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | MICAT |
| Conducting Body | MICA Ahmedabad |
| Programs Offered | PGDM-C, PGDM |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year – MICAT I & MICAT II |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 2 Hours 15 Minutes |
| Medium | English |
| Exam Level | National |
| Official Website | www.mica.ac.in |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for MICAT, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s Degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Must have appeared in at least one of the following exams:
- CAT (Conducted by IIMs)
- XAT (Conducted by XLRI)
- GMAT (Valid score)
There is no minimum percentage requirement in graduation.
MICAT Exam Pattern
MICAT is a comprehensive test divided into three major sections:
Section A: Psychometric Test (Mandatory Qualifier)
This is a non-scoring section but is eliminatory. Candidates who do not clear this are not evaluated further.
| No. of Questions | Type |
|---|---|
| 150+ (approx.) | Personality-based MCQs |
Section B: Descriptive Test
Assesses your creative and analytical writing skills.
| Components | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing | On a given topic |
| Argument Writing | For/Against the topic |
| Story Writing | Based on given images |
Section C: Aptitude Test
| Subsection | No. of Questions | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Divergent-Convergent Thinking | 20–25 | Word associations, pattern recognition |
| Verbal Ability | 20–25 | Grammar, vocabulary, RCs |
| Quantitative Aptitude and DI | 20–25 | QA, Data Interpretation |
| General Awareness | 20–25 | Business, marketing, current affairs |
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | MICAT I | MICAT II |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Starts | August 2025 | November 2025 |
| Registration Ends | November 2025 | January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | November 2025 | January 2026 |
| Exam Date | December 2025 | January 2026 |
| Result Declaration | December 2025 | February 2026 |
| GE-PI Shortlist | February 2026 | February 2026 |
MICAT Selection Process
The final selection is a three-step process:
- Shortlisting for GE-PI based on:
- Performance in MICAT (either I or II)
- CAT/XAT/GMAT score
- Psychometric Test (qualifying in nature)
- GE-PI (Group Exercise & Personal Interview):
- GE includes team activities to assess leadership, innovation, and communication.
- PI focuses on your goals, creativity, and alignment with MICA’s vision.
- Final Merit List based on:
- 50% MICAT
- 20% CAT/XAT/GMAT
- 30% GE-PI performance
Preparation Strategy
1. Psychometric Test: Be honest and consistent. This section judges your personality traits, not your knowledge.
2. Descriptive Test:
- Practice essays and story writing.
- Focus on structure, clarity, and creativity.
3. Aptitude Sections:
- Verbal: Read newspapers and novels to build vocabulary.
- Quant: Practice arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and DI.
- DCT: Solve puzzles, riddles, and practice lateral thinking.
- GK: Stay updated with marketing news, brand launches, and current affairs.
Why Choose MICA?
| Feature | Value Proposition |
|---|---|
| Unique Curriculum | Blend of marketing, media, and creativity |
| Diverse Career Opportunities | Advertising, Branding, Digital Marketing, Consulting |
| Alumni & Industry Network | Strong placements with top recruiters like Google, Amazon, TATA |
| Excellent Campus Culture | Inclusive, creative, and innovation-driven |
FAQs
Q1: Is MICAT mandatory for admission to MICA?
A1: Yes — MICAT (either MICAT-I or MICAT-II) is the institute’s own test and is required in addition to a valid CAT/XAT/GMAT score.
Q2: How many times is MICAT conducted?
A2: Two windows are typically offered: MICAT-I (December) and MICAT-II (Jan/Feb). MICA usually accepts the best of the two scores.
Q3: What is Section A (Psychometric) in MICAT?
A3: A timed personality assessment (qualifying). It measures behavioral preferences and fit, not correct/incorrect answers.
Q4: Does the descriptive section carry marks?
A4: Yes — Section B (Descriptive) is scored or qualifying depending on the cycle and contributes to shortlisting; practise crisp, structured responses.
Q5: What should I read for Divergent Thinking?
A5: Practice lateral thinking prompts, creative problem solving, marketing campaign analysis, and timed idea generation exercises.
Final Words
If you're someone who wants to go beyond traditional MBA specializations and dive into the world of branding, communications, and marketing strategy, MICA is the place for you. And cracking MICAT is your first step toward it.
Stay focused, prepare strategically, and give your best!
Comments are disabled for now