Ques: Is it mandatory to appear for both MICAT exam 2026 phase 1 and 2 for admission to MICA?

Ans: No, it is not mandatory to appear for both MICAT 1 and MICAT 2. You can appear for either or both the exams. However, many candidates appear for both the exams as MICA considers both the scores as the best for shortlisting. Also, a valid CAT, XAT, or GMAT score along with MICAT is required for admission. 

Ques: Which score is considered if I appear for both MICAT 2026 1 and 2?

Ans: If you appear for both MICAT 2026 phases 1 and 2, follow a simple and fair process to shortlist candidates. The institute ensures that you get the best chance for selection.

• MICA compares your scores in both MICAT 1 and MICAT 2.
• The higher score from the two attempts is considered for selection.
• This gives you an opportunity to improve your performance if you are not satisfied with your first attempt.

Ques: Can I apply for MICAT 2026 without a valid CAT, XAT, or GMAT score?

Ans: No, you cannot apply for MICAT exam 2026 without a valid CAT, XAT, or GMAT score, as it is mandatory for eligibility.

• Filtering Step: Only candidates who meet the national exam cutoff are further evaluated after the MICAT psychometric test.
• Overall Score: CAT/XAT/GMAT score is an important part of the final merit list.
• Application: You must provide your national exam details while applying for MICAT.

Ques: Is there any difference in difficulty between MICAT exam 2026 phase 1 and 2?

Ans: There is no major difference in difficulty between MICAT 2026 Phase 1 and Phase 2, as the exam pattern and syllabus remain the same.

• Minor differences: Some candidates may find the stage a little difficult due to certain questions.
• Difficulty by section: Some sections like verbal or quantitative aptitude may seem difficult in a stage.
• Time management: Psychometric and descriptive sections may seem long in a stage, which affects the perceived difficulty.
• Second chance: It is beneficial to appear for both the exams, as MICA considers better scores for admission.
• Learning from the first stage: Experience from the first attempt can help in refining the strategies for the second attempt.

Ques: Does MICA accept the GMAT online (at-home) score for MICAT 2026?

Ans: MICA does not accept GMAT online (at-home) scores for MICAT 2026. You must submit a valid GMAT score from a testing center or a valid CAT or XAT score to be eligible for admission. 

Ques: Is the MICAT 2026 application fee the same for both MICAT 2026 phase 1 and 2?

ans: No, the MICAT 2026 application fee is not the same for both Phase I and Phase II. Candidates will have to pay the fee separately for each phase.

• Single Course Fee: INR 2,500 for PGDM or PGDM-C.
• Multiple Courses: Additional INR 500 for each additional course.
• Both Phases: The applicable fees for MICAT 1 and MICAT 2 will have to be paid separately.

Ques: Does MICA consider sectional cutoffs in CAT/XAT/GMAT for MICAT 2026 shortlisting?

Ans: No, MICA does not consider the sectional cutoffs in CAT, XAT, or GMAT for MICAT 2026 selection.

• Eligibility: A valid aggregate score from at least one of these tests is required.
• Overall Percentile Focus: MICA evaluates your overall score, not individual sections.
• Composite Score: National exam scores contribute to your final merit list, but other factors are also considered.

Ques: What is the weightage of the psychometric test in MICAT 2026 selection?

Ans: The Psychometric Test (Section A) of MICAT 2026 does not carry any weightage in the overall selection process. It is a mandatory aptitude test that you must clear so that you're remaining MICAT score can be evaluated.

• Objective: The candidates’ personality and mental attributes are tested for suitability for the syllabus of MICA.
• Aptitude Filter: Descriptive and Aptitude sections are considered only after passing this test.
• No Correct Answer: It assesses thought process and personality, not factual knowledge.
• All questions are required: Skipping questions may lead to disqualification.
• Evaluation Stage: After qualifying, CAT/XAT/GMAT scores and MICAT scores are evaluated, followed by shortlisting for group exercises and personal interviews.

Ques: If I skip the psychometric test, will my MICAT exam 2026 paper still be evaluated?

Ans: No, if you skip the psychometric test, your MICAT 2026 paper will not be evaluated. This is a mandatory qualifying round where personality and psychological traits are assessed. You must answer all questions honestly and consistently for your descriptive and aptitude sections to be considered. 

Ques: How many descriptive questions appear in MICAT 2026, and are all compulsory?

Ans: In MICAT 2026, there are four questions in the descriptive section and all are mandatory for candidates who have cleared the psychometric test.

• Argumentative Writing: Present arguments for and against a statement and provide a concluding position.
• Creative Writing: Write a story based on a sequence of four pictures, mentioning the order you followed.

Ques: Can I move back to the psychometric section once I start aptitude sections in MICAT 2026?

Ans: No, you cannot go back to the psychometric section after starting the aptitude section in MICAT 2026.

• Sequential access: The test must be completed in sequence-psychometric test (Section A), descriptive test (Section B), then aptitude test (Section C).
• Forward navigation only: Once you move to the next section, you are not allowed to go back to the previous section.
• In-section navigation: You can move freely between subsections of the aptitude test, but not between the main sections.

Ques: Is the MICAT 2026 phase 1 and 2 question papers completely different or repeated partly?

Ans: No, the MICAT Phase I and Phase II question papers are not the same, and questions are not repeated. While the format and syllabus remain the same, each phase has a distinct set of questions.

Key Differences:

• Unique Question Set: Each phase has new questions to maintain fairness, as MICA considers the better score of two attempts.
• Difficulty Variation: The overall difficulty level and question distribution may differ slightly between the two phases.
• Different Subject Focus: Although the syllabus is similar, some topics or sections may carry more importance in one phase than in the other.

Ques: Is there a sectional cutoff in MICAT 2026 or only overall cutoff?

Ans: Yes, MICAT 2026 has not only an overall cutoff but also sectional cutoffs. You will have to perform well in each section to move on to the next stage of selection.

Section-wise details:

• Psychometric Test (Section A): Qualifying without any numerical cutoff. If you don’t pass it, the rest of your paper will not be evaluated.
• Aptitude Test (Section C): Sectional cutoffs are applicable for all the sub-sections - Divergent and Convergent Thinking, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and General Awareness.
• Descriptive Test (Section B): The test is conducted only after clearing the previous sections. It also has a minimum qualifying score based on normalized marks.
• Group Exercise (GE) and Personal Interview (PI): You need to score at least 3.5 out of 5 in GE and 4 out of 5 in PI to be in the final merit list.

Ques: What is the logic behind MICAT’s 2026 divergent and convergent thinking section?

Ans: The Divergent and Convergent Thinking section of MICAT 2026 is designed to assess a candidate's creative and analytical problem-solving skills, which are essential for careers in marketing, advertising, and communications.

• Divergent Thinking: Tests creativity by generating multiple possibilities or solutions. Assessed through word association and visual reasoning questions.
• Convergent Thinking: Tests analytical ability to select the best solution from the ideas generated. Assessed through logical reasoning, information sufficiency, and statement-inference/conclusion questions.

Ques: Do all MICAT 2026 sections have equal marks or weightage varies?

Ans: No, MICAT 2026 sections have varying weightage. The psychometric test is only for qualifying and does not add to your score. The descriptive test carries moderate weightage (~20-25 marks) and assesses creativity and analytical skills without negative marking.

The Aptitude Test carries maximum weightage with 70 questions on Divergent-Convergent Thinking, Verbal, Quantitative and General Awareness, with negative marking applied. Overall, MICAT contributes 25% to the admissions, while CAT/XAT/GMAT, GE, PI, Academic and Extra-Curricular subjects make up the rest. 

Ques: How important is creative writing practice for the MICAT 2026 descriptive test?

Ans: Creative writing practice is crucial for the MICAT 2026 narrative test, especially for the story-based writing task. Unlike the argumentative essay, this section tests your imagination, narrative skills, and ability to connect random elements into a coherent story.

Why it’s important:

• Focus on creative thinking: The narrative section assesses divergent thinking.
• Enhance storytelling: Helps create logical and engaging narratives from given prompts.
• Improves time management: Practice ensures that tasks are completed effectively within the time limit.
• Boosts language skills: Builds vocabulary, fluency, and sentence structure.

Ques: Can I fill in the MICAT 2026 form without entering my CAT or XAT registration number?

Ans: Yes, you can fill in the MICAT 2026 application without your CAT or XAT registration number and update it later. However, you must have appeared or be scheduled to appear for one of these exams to be eligible.

• Register on the MICA website: Provide basic personal details.
• Complete the form: Fill in academic, personal, and professional information.
• Skip exam details for now: Enter CAT/XAT registration later when available.
• Finish and submit: Pay the fee and upload documents.

Ques: Can I switch my preferred MICAT 2026 test city after does it include the registration fee?

Ans: No, once you have submitted your MICAT 2026 application and paid the registration fee, you cannot change your preferred exam city.

Reason:

• System Allocation: The exam centers are assigned based on your preference and the number of registrations in that area and the system locks this choice after submission.
• No Edit Window: Unlike other application details, changing the exam city is not allowed to avoid administrative hassles and ensure fairness.
• Admit Card: Your final exam center is printed on the admit card and you must appear at that assigned location.

Ques: Can I update my CAT or XAT score in the MICAT form after submission?

Ans: Yes, you can update your CAT or XAT score in the MICAT 2026 application after submitting and making payment. MICA provides a schedule for this as registrations often close before the results are declared.

• Initial Application: Mention which exam (CAT, XAT, or GMAT) you have taken or will take.
• Submit and Make Payment: Fill the form without your final score or registration number.
• Update Window: After the results, log in to update your score before shortlisting for GE and PI rounds.

Ques: If my MICAT admit card 2026 shows the wrong test city, can I request a correction?

Ans: There is very little possibility of changing the exam city in your MICAT 2026 admit card. Once issued, the centre allocation is considered final.

• Final Selection: Centres are given based on your preference and availability.
• No changes allowed: Administrative constraints prevent changing the exam centre after issuance.
• Correction window: Usually allows editing only minor personal details, does not allow city changes.
• Helpdesk: You can report the issue, but MICA will most likely verify the city against your original choice.

Ques: Can I appear for MICAT 2026 with my college ID instead of government ID proof?

Ans: College ID is not sufficient as a primary ID for MICAT 2026 exam. You must carry a valid government issued photo ID along with your admit card. College ID may be accepted as supplemental identification only in rare cases but should not be relied upon.

Acceptable Government IDs: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License.

Ques: Are biometric details verified during MICAT 2026 entry at the test centre?

Ans: No, biometric verification is not usually done at MICAT 2026 test centers. A manual verification of your admit card and a valid government-issued photo ID will be required for entry.

• Admit Card Verification: Show a printed copy of your MICAT 2026 admit card.
• Photo ID Verification: Present a valid government-issued photo ID to confirm your identity.
• Test Centre Formalities: Complete the search, seating and other procedural requirements upon arrival.

Ques: Does the MICAT 2026 system auto-submit the paper if time runs out?

Ans: Yes, MICAT 2026 exam automatically submits your answers once the allotted time for each section is over. You cannot go back to the previous section once the time is up.

• Psychometric Test: 30 minutes; The system automatically takes you to the Descriptive Test when the time is up.
• Descriptive Test: 25 minutes; The answers are locked, and the system proceeds to the Aptitude Test.
• Aptitude Test: 80 minutes; You can navigate between sub-sections, but the section is automatically submitted when the timer runs out.

Ques:If I appear for both MICAT phase1 and 2, how does MICA decide which score to use?

Ans: If you appear for both MICAT Phase 1 and Phase 2, MICA will consider your good score for shortlisting candidates for the Group Exercise (GE) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.

• Two separate results: Each phase is conducted as a separate test with its own results.
• Normalized score: Scores are statistically normalized to account for any difference in difficulty between the two phases.
• Highest score used: MICA compares your scores from both attempts and uses the higher score for the final composite score.
• Balanced evaluation: While MICAT score is important, shortlisting also considers your CAT/XAT/GMAT performance and GE and PI results are important for the final merit list.

Ques: Can a high MICAT 2026 score compensate for a low CAT/XAT/GMAT score?

Ans: A high MICAT 2026 score can increase your chances and compensate for a low CAT/XAT/GMAT score, but it cannot compensate for it completely. You must first meet the minimum cutoff of your CAT/XAT/GMAT score to be considered for MICAT assessment.

• Shortlisting for GE and PI: You must clear the psychometric test and meet the CAT/XAT/GMAT cutoff before your MICAT descriptive and aptitude test scores are evaluated. At this stage, MICAT carries more weight (up to 30%) than CAT/XAT/GMAT (up to 20%).
• Final Composite Score: CAT/XAT/GMAT (35%), MICAT (25%), GE (10%), PI (20%), Academic (5%) and Extracurricular (5%) are considered for admission.

Ques: Does MICA 2026 shortlist separately for GE–PI based on each exam?

Ans: No, MICA does not select candidates for GE-PI based on each test separately. It follows a single, integrated process that considers your best score from the test and MICAT stages.

• Entrance Test: You must have a valid CAT, XAT, or GMAT score. If you have appeared for multiple tests, the highest score will be considered.
• MICAT: You must first clear the psychometric test. If you appear for both the first and second stage tests, your better score will be used.
• Shortlisting: A composite score combining CAT/XAT/GMAT and MICAT performance is used to shortlist candidates for the GE-PI round.

Ques: What exactly is evaluated in MICAT’s GE (Group Exercise) round?

Ans: MICAT’s Group Exercise (GE) is designed to test how effectively candidates can work in a team, communicate ideas, and creatively solve problems. Unlike traditional group discussions, it emphasizes collaboration and collective problem-solving rather than debate or competition.

During the GE, evaluators assess candidates on key attributes such as teamwork, clarity of communication, creativity, logical thinking, leadership, and persuasion. MICA values participants who can think innovatively, take initiative, and lead a team toward a thoughtful and creative solution while maintaining a collaborative and respectful attitude. 

Ques: Is the MICAT 2026 final merit list purely merit-based or includes profile weightage?

Ans: The final merit list for MICAT 2026 is not based on the exam score alone but on a combined assessment that includes your academic record, entrance exam score and performance in the Group Exercise and Personal Interview rounds. MICA's process ensures a fair balance between creativity, analytical ability and overall personality.

• CAT/XAT/GMAT Score: 35%
• MICAT Exam Score: 25%
• Group Exercise (GE): 10%
• Personal Interview (PI): 20%
• Academic Performance (10th, 12th, Graduation): 5%
• Extracurricular Activities: 5%

Ques: Can I defer my MICA admission after getting selected through MICAT 2026?

Ans: Generally, MICA does not allow deferral of admission. Admission is for a specific academic year, and acceptance of the offer is valid only for the upcoming batch.

• Reason: Seats are fixed for each batch, the process is highly competitive, and the assessment (MICAT + GE-PI) is specific to the applicant pool of that year.
• If you are unable to join: You will have to decline the offer and reapply in the future, which includes retaking the MICAT and CAT/XAT/GMAT and participating in the GE-PI round.

Advice: Contact MICA Admissions for guidance or possible exceptions in extreme cases.