MICAT 2027 on 5 December: Dates, Fee, Pattern and How to Apply (and the February Attempt)

MICA's entrance test, MICAT, has two attempts this year. MICAT I is on 5 December 2026, and MICAT II follows in February 2027. If you miss the first one or want to improve your score, you get a second chance. Here is everything you need to decide which attempt suits you.

MICAT 2027: Key Dates

Why Two Attempts Matter

You can appear for MICAT I, MICAT II or both. MICA uses your better score for shortlisting. That gives you three options:

• Appear in December only, if you are well prepared and want an early result.
• Appear in February only, if you want more time to prepare.
• Appear in both, if you want a second chance to improve your score. Each attempt needs its own application fee.

Programmes

MICA offers the PGDM and the PGDM-C (Communications) through MICAT, and a separate Fellow Programme (FPM) for research candidates. MICA is known for marketing, brand and communication careers.

Application Fee

The fee is ₹2,500 per programme. Reports say each extra programme choice costs ₹500, payable only after you are shortlisted for the interview stage, while FPM is a flat ₹2,500. If you apply for both MICAT I and MICAT II, you pay separately for each. Confirm the fee on the official page before you pay.

Eligibility Criteria

MICA's official 2026-28 criteria, the latest published document we found, say:

• A bachelor's degree (10+2+3 or equivalent) in any discipline from a university recognised by the Association of Indian Universities.
• At least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Final-year students can apply, but must submit proof that they have completed their degree requirements by the date MICA specifies.
• No upper age limit is reported.

Which Exam Score Do You Need?

MICAT is not enough on its own. You also need a score from one of these:

• CAT 2026
• XAT 2027
• GMAT

If you have more than one, MICA uses your best score, based on last year's process. Registering for CAT or XAT and filling the MICA form are separate steps.

MICAT Exam Pattern

The pattern below is what is expected, based on MICAT 2026.

Section C covers divergent and convergent thinking, verbal ability, quantitative ability with data interpretation, and general awareness. It carries negative marking of 0.25 for each wrong answer, while Sections A and B have none. The test is computer-based and in English.

How MICA Selects Candidates

Last year's official process was:

1. Section A is a qualifier.
2. Your CAT, XAT or GMAT score is checked against a minimum cutoff.
3. Sections C and B are assessed, with sectional cutoffs. PGDM may have higher quantitative cutoffs than PGDM-C.
4. Shortlisted candidates attend a group exercise and personal interview in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai.
5. The final merit list comes out after the interviews.

The 2026-28 weightage was:

How to Apply

1. Register on the MICA admissions portal at mica.ac.in.
2. Fill in your personal and academic details.
3. Choose your programme and your exam score (CAT, XAT or GMAT).
4. Choose the MICAT attempt and rank your exam centres in order of preference.
5. Pay the application fee online.
6. Review everything, submit, and save the confirmation.

Which Attempt Should You Choose?

Go through this to decide which attempts suits you better:

• MICAT I falls six days after CAT. CAT is on 29 November and MICAT I is on 5 December, so preparing for both at once is tight. If CAT is your priority, February may suit you better.
• MICAT I gives you feedback early. You get your result on 18 December, and you can still take MICAT II in February to improve.
• MICAT II gives you more time. The cost is that your result arrives on 28 February, closer to the interview stage.
• If you are applying to several colleges, plan your calendar early. Our posts on IMT Ghaziabad, the MDI Gurgaon application form and FMS vs MDI vs SPJIMR can help you build a balanced list.

Tips to Prepare

• Do not neglect the psychometric and descriptive sections. The psychometric test is a qualifier, so a careless attempt can end your application.
• Practise writing. Section B is descriptive, so practise writing short, structured answers under time pressure.
• Build general awareness. Section C includes general awareness, so read current affairs regularly.
• Prepare for the interview early. Our guide to the mistakes to avoid in the last six weeks before CAT 2026 covers how to prepare your stories and avoid common slips.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is MICAT 2027? MICAT I is on 5 December 2026, and MICAT II is on 12 February 2027.

What is the last date to apply for MICAT I? 21 November 2026, as reported. MICAT II registration runs from 25 November 2026 to 30 January 2027.

Can I take both attempts? Yes. MICA uses your better score, and each attempt needs its own application fee.

Is a CAT, XAT or GMAT score compulsory? Yes. You need at least one valid score along with MICAT.

What is the MICAT application fee? ₹2,500 per programme. Extra programme choices are reported at ₹500 each, payable after interview shortlisting.

Is there negative marking? In Section C, yes, at 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. Sections A and B have none.

Can final-year students apply? Yes, with proof of completing degree requirements by the deadline MICA sets.

Final Word

MICAT gives you more than one chance, but the 5 December attempt is only a few weeks away and its form closes on 21 November. Decide early which attempt suits you, fill the form before CAT, and prepare for all three sections, not just the aptitude test. Dates, fees and criteria can change, so confirm everything on mica.ac.in before you apply.