_1761400754707-BuJNKvs6.png)
Marketing Communications Series (MCS) DECA Practice
Participants demonstrate integrated marketing communications knowledge and skills. Practice MCS roleplays in the official DECA format and get scored the way a judge scores you — on the performance indicators that actually decide the event.
MCS competition format
Prep time
10 minutes
Presentation
Up to 10 minutes
PIs scored
5 per case
PI pool
610 indicators
You are to assume the role of a marketing consultant for Marketing Communications
Business owner/Marketing director seeking recommendations
Sample MCS roleplay scenarios
Real examples of the case prompts Case Ace generates for Marketing Communications Series. Every session produces a new one, so you never rehearse the same case twice.
Develop an integrated marketing campaign for a new product launch
Create a public relations strategy for crisis management
Design a content marketing strategy across multiple platforms
Implement influencer marketing for brand awareness
Develop a brand repositioning communications plan
What MCS tests you on
The instructional areas Marketing Communications Series draws from most heavily, by number of official performance indicators.
Example MCS performance indicators
PR:001Explain the role of promotion as a marketing functionPromotionPR:002Explain the types of promotion (i.e., institutional, product)PromotionEI:001Describe the nature of emotional intelligenceEmotional IntelligenceEI:016Explain the concept of self-esteemEmotional IntelligenceNF:077Assess information needsInformation ManagementNF:078Obtain needed information efficientlyInformation ManagementOP:189Explain the nature of operationsOperationsOP:190Discuss the role of ethics in operationsOperationsCO:054Identify sources that provide relevant, valid written materialCommunication SkillsCO:055Extract relevant information from written materialsCommunication SkillsFI:058Explain forms of financial exchange (cash, credit, debit, electronic funds transfer, etc.)Financial AnalysisFI:059Identify types of currency (paper money, coins, banknotes, government bonds, treasury notes, etc.)Financial AnalysisHow to place in MCS
Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of marketing principles
Use industry-specific terminology and concepts
Provide data-driven recommendations with metrics
Consider both short-term tactics and long-term strategy
Address ethical and legal considerations in marketing
Show creativity while maintaining business feasibility
MCS frequently asked questions
What is the Marketing Communications Series (MCS) event in DECA?
Participants demonstrate integrated marketing communications knowledge and skills. It sits in the Marketing career cluster and is scored on 5 performance indicators drawn from a pool of 610 official PIs.
How long is the MCS roleplay?
Competitors get 10 minutes to prepare and up to 10 minutes to present to the judge. You are to assume the role of a marketing consultant for Marketing Communications
What performance indicators are on the MCS exam and roleplay?
MCS draws most heavily from Promotion, Emotional Intelligence, Information Management, Operations. Case Ace includes every one of the 610 performance indicators tied to this event as free flashcards with AI explanations.
How do I practice MCS roleplays before competition?
Generate an unlimited number of MCS practice cases in the official DECA format, present them out loud, and get judge-style AI feedback scored against the same performance indicators a real judge uses. It is free to start.
Other Marketing events
Start practicing MCS today
Free account, unlimited MCS performance indicator flashcards, and your first roleplay scored by an AI judge in the official DECA format.
Start practicing free