Registration for MICAT 2026 Phase 1 closed yesterday — Check out what’s next

The registration for MICAT 2026 Phase 1 has concluded. Aspirants must now prepare for the upcoming exam on December 6, 2025, with the admit card releasing on December 3. Crucially, the Phase 2 registration window opens on November 25, 2025. Candidates who missed the first phase or wish to improve their score must register for MICAT-2 immediately. The exam is mandatory for MICA Ahmedabad's flagship PGDM-C and PGDM programs, known for their unique focus on creative thinking and communication.

The path to admission at the prestigious Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA Ahmedabad), which offers the highly sought-after PGDM-C (Post Graduate Diploma in Management - Communications) and PGDM programs, has entered a crucial two-phase execution period. The registration window for MICAT 2026 Phase 1 officially closed on November 20, 2025, marking the final eligibility cut-off for the first round of assessments.

​With Phase 1 applications now locked, the focus shifts entirely to the exam day schedule. The Phase 1 Admit Card is scheduled for release on December 3, 2025, followed by the computer-based test (CBT) on December 6, 2025. However, for aspirants who missed this initial deadline or those who choose to hedge their bets, MICA offers a second, invaluable opportunity: MICAT Phase 2 registration begins just two days from now, on November 25, 2025. MICA is unique in that it considers the best of the two MICAT scores (Phase 1 or Phase 2) for the final shortlisting process, making Phase 2 a critical lifeline for many candidates.

​The Phase 1 Countdown: Admit Card and Exam Day Essentials

​The next two weeks are vital for candidates who have successfully registered for the first phase of the MICA Admission Test (MICAT). Immediate attention must be paid to downloading the admit card and understanding the unique, multi-sectional exam structure.

• ​Admit Card Download: The MICAT 2026 Phase 1 Admit Card will be available for download on the official MICA website starting December 3, 2025. This document is mandatory for entry and will contain crucial information such as the candidate's roll number, test venue address, and specific reporting time. Candidates must download it promptly and check all personal details for accuracy.
• ​The December 6th Exam: The MICAT Phase 1 examination will be held on December 6, 2025. The test has a total duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes (135 minutes) and is divided into three distinct sections, each testing a different aptitude: 
  • ​Section A: Psychometric Test (Qualifier): This mandatory section assesses the candidate's personality and fit for MICA's core values. It is qualifying in nature (no marks/negative marking) and candidates must pass this section for the subsequent two sections to be evaluated.
  • ​Section B: Descriptive Test (Subjective): This section, which has no negative marking, evaluates the candidate's written communication skills, creativity, and analytical thinking through tasks like essay writing or story writing.
  • ​Section C: Aptitude Test (Objective): This section includes Verbal Ability (VA), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA-DI), General Awareness (GA) (especially media, marketing, and business), and Divergent & Convergent Reasoning (DCR). Negative marking of 0.25 applies here.
• ​Mandatory Pre-requisite: It is mandatory for all MICAT applicants to have appeared in or registered for at least one of the three major national-level management exams: CAT 2025, XAT 2026, or GMAT (2022 onwards). Without a valid score in one of these, the MICAT attempt will not be considered valid for shortlisting.

​MICAT Phase 2: A Second Chance Opens November 25

​For many MBA aspirants, the MICAT Phase 2 provides a crucial opportunity to either make up for the missed Phase 1 registration or attempt to achieve a higher score, which is strategically important since MICA considers the best of the two scores.

• ​Phase 2 Registration Window: Registration for MICAT 2026 Phase 2 officially opens on November 25, 2025. The registration window is expected to remain open until the end of January 2026. Aspirants must utilize this period to apply, especially if they are awaiting results from other exams like XAT 2026.
• ​Key Phase 2 Dates (Tentative):
  • ​Registration Begins: November 25, 2025
  • ​Registration Closes: Late January 2026 (Expected)
  • ​Admit Card Release: Early February 2026 (Expected)
  • ​Exam Date: Mid-February 2026 (Expected, typically the second Saturday/Sunday of February).
• ​The Score Advantage: MICA's policy of accepting the better of the two MICAT scores (Phase 1 or Phase 2) significantly de-risks the admission process. Candidates who attempt both phases have a distinct advantage in the initial shortlisting process for the Group Exercise (GE) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
• ​Holistic Selection Criteria: The final selection at MICA is based on a composite score that weights multiple factors: CAT/XAT/GMAT (35%), MICAT score (25%), GE (10%), PI (20%), and Academic Performance/Extra-curriculars (10%). A strong MICAT score, particularly in the unique Psychometric and Descriptive sections, is essential for clearing the 25% MICAT weightage hurdle.

​Preparation Focus: Mastering Creativity and Divergent Thinking

​With the exam less than two weeks away, registered candidates must focus their preparation on the sections that are unique to MICAT and differ from CAT or XAT.

• ​Psychometric Test (Section A): Since this is a pass/fail section, candidates must practice responding authentically and consistently to questions that test their behavioral and psychological traits. Practice tests are crucial to understand the expected response patterns.
• ​Descriptive Test (Section B): This section requires practicing time-bound, creative writing, and coherent argumentative essays. Aspirants should regularly practice framing arguments for and against media-related or socio-economic topics.
• ​Divergent & Convergent Reasoning (DCR): This subsection of Section C specifically tests creative thinking and lateral problem-solving skills, distinct from typical Logical Reasoning. Topics include odd-one-out and creative puzzles. This demands specialized preparation tailored to MICAT’s style.
• ​General Awareness (GA): Unlike other exams, MICA's GA section heavily focuses on current affairs, brands, media, advertising, and the business environment. Aspirants should prioritize knowledge about global and national communication trends over general static GK.

​Conclusion

​The closure of MICAT 2026 Phase 1 registration initiates a rapid sequence of events leading up to the December 6th exam. Aspirants must prioritize their preparation for the unique Psychometric and Descriptive sections while strictly adhering to the December 3rd Admit Card release. Crucially, those who seek a second, potentially higher, score must ensure they utilize the November 25th opening of the Phase 2 registration window. Success in securing a seat at MICA hinges on performing strongly in the MICAT, which evaluates creativity and communications aptitude alongside standard managerial skills.

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