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The MICAT 2026 exam pattern is designed to assess candidates across multiple competencies, including personality, creativity, analytical ability, and aptitude. MICAT 2026 exam pattern consists of three main sections designed to evaluate various skills relevant to management in communications and marketing.
The first section of MICAT is the Psychometric Test, which is a mandatory qualifier assessing candidates' personality traits, motivations, and behavioral style. It contains around 150 objective questions to be completed in approximately 30 minutes. There is no scoring or negative marking in MICAT; candidates must qualify this section to have their subsequent answers evaluated.
The second section is the Descriptive Test, focused on testing written communication, creativity, and opinion expression. It typically requires candidates to write four subjective answers such as essays or stories on relevant social, business, or ethical topics. Candidates are given about 25 minutes to complete this section, and like the psychometric section, no negative marking applies.
The third and final section is the Aptitude Test, comprising about 70 objective questions divided into four sub-sections: Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Awareness, and Divergent & Convergent Reasoning. Candidates have approximately 80 minutes for this section. This part evaluates analytical and creative reasoning, current affairs, communication skills, and quantitative aptitude. Negative marking of 0.25 marks is applicable for each wrong answer here. The total exam duration of MICAT is 2 hours 15 minutes, with the overall pattern blending personality, creative writing, and traditional aptitude testing to select candidates suited for MICA’s specialized programs.
Here are the detailed features of the MICAT exam pattern based on the most recent and reliable sources
Section
Sub-Sections/ Parts
No of Questions
Duration
Type
Negative Marking
Section A
Psychometric Test
35-150
25-30 minutes
Objective
No
Section B
Descriptive Test
4
descriptive
Section C
Aptitude Test
80-90 minutes
Yes (-0.25)
Verbal Ability (VA)
20-25
Quantitative Ability (QA)
General Awareness (GA)
Divergent-Convergent Reasoning
20-39
Features
Details
Mode
Computer-Based Test (CBT), online
Total Duration
2 Hours 45 Minutes
Total Questions
Approximately 144- 161 (varies by year)
Sections
3 main sections (with sub-sections)
Language
English
Marking Scheme
+1 for correct answer; -0.25 for wrong answers in Aptitude section only.
Ques.1 What is the exam mode and duration?
Ans. The exam duration of MICAT is conducted online as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Total duration is 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes), with sectional time limits typically around 30 minutes for Psychometric, 25 minutes for Descriptive, and 80 minutes for Aptitude sections.
Ques.2 What are the main sections in MICAT 2026?
Ans. MICAT 2026 is divided into three sections
Ques.3 What is the marking scheme and negative marking in MICAT?
Ans. The marking scheme and negative marking in MICAT 2026
Psychometric Test: Qualifying only, no marks or negative marking.
Descriptive Test: Subjective, no negative marking.
Aptitude Test: Objective; 1 mark per correct answer, with -0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Ques.4 Is sectional qualification required in MICAT 2026?
Ans. Yes, candidates must qualify the Psychometric Test to have other sections evaluated. Section B (Descriptive) and Section C (Aptitude) also have cutoffs. Only candidates clearing these are considered for admission rounds.
Ques.5 Can candidates navigate between subsections in Section C ?
Ans. Yes, the Aptitude Test allows candidates to navigate freely between the four subsections during the allotted time.