All you should know about PID DAT exam

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Director and Professor Prabhas Chandra Pandey at Parul Institute of Design talks at length about the PID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) and its structure in detail. He also elaborates on the detailed admission process, selection criteria, teaching methodology and entrepreneurial initiatives among students. When asked about industry readiness, Professor Pandey graciously responded by outlining the steps taken thus far to assist students in becoming industry-ready.

Previous to his association with PID, Prof. Pandey served Mody University as a Dean- School of Design,  Chandigarh University as Principal for University Institute of Film and Visual Arts and Gujarat University as Head of Department for Animation. He has over 20 years of rich industry and academic experience.

He has been awarded Gold Award at Delhi CG Animation-2013 for the Animation film ‘VAMA’ made at Gujarat University followed by 2015 Gold Award again at Delhi CG Animation for the film ‘Soch Le Bhai’ made at Chandigarh University.

Read the complete interview below.

Q: Is there an entrance exam for students aspiring admission to the Parul Institute of Design?

A: Parul Institute of Design is a modern Design Institution at Parul University, Vadodara-Gujarat. This is a creative space that most of the design aspirants wish to be part of and where they can explore, experiment and experience their creative ideas.

As a part of the admission process, the institution conducts a Design Aptitude Test which all eligible students can apply for online. This test acts as a qualifying exam basis on which the final selections are made.

Q: What makes it different from other such entrance exams?

A: This test is unique in a way as it tries to evaluate the students’ area of interest basis their current knowledge and understanding. The DAT is conducted in three rounds – Written Test, Portfolio and Personal Interview.

The written test is further divided into four sections namely, Design section, Logical & Analytical Reasoning, Critical Thinking and General Knowledge

Q: Could you please talk about the exam structure in detail?

A: The exam consists of 100 objective type multiple choice questions which are to be answered within a maximum duration of 180 minutes. The test is primarily about determining the design bent of mind and interest, thus any aspirant with an interest in design and a genuine desire to learn it can easily pass it.

Q: What does the final selection process look like?

A: All three rounds in DAT have 33% weightage each. The candidates undergo all three rounds and basis their comprehensive marks, the final selections are made

Q: What should be a student’s approach to taking such a test?

A: We follow a complete student-centric approach throughout our selection process. Our aim is to understand the students’ area of interest and what they aspire for and hence, all candidates must project themselves honestly and confidently to the jury members.

Q: Could you please talk about the teaching methodology at the institute?

A: The teaching-learning process at PID is completely experiential and not conventional informational learning. So, during the four-year curriculum, the students practice what they learn in class.

• Most of the faculty members have got relevant industry experience which helps them to introduce students to current industry trends and expectations
• We also have a number of visiting faculty members from the leading institutions of the country
• We regularly invite prominent industry experts and practitioners to deliver specific modules for a quality learning experience
• Live industry projects
• About 8-12 week mandatory internship programme
• The facility of earning credits in a foreign university is also an important part of PID
• Mandatory capstone project at end of the programme for every student that depicts their knowledge gained during the complete four-year curriculum

Q: With so many unique and niche design category specialisations offered by PID, how do you guide/encourage a student to select the right one for him/her?

A: PID offers a wide range of design programs in practically every field. From a diploma for Class 10 graduates to a bachelor's degree after Class 12, there is something for everyone. Interestingly, both of these programs provide a foundation period in the first semester for Diploma students and the first full year for Degree students, during which they are exposed to a variety of topics such as Design Thinking, Design Process, Design Methods, Material Exploration, Cultural Studies, History of Design, Elements of Design, and so on, where the experience allows them to make informed decisions about their specialization. Mentors also advise them on their areas of strength, where they will be putting in greater effort.

Q: How do you help students become industry-ready?

A: Industry readiness is a crucial skill that defines the success of any institute. At PID, we have a dedicated placements cell that works round the year to strengthen our corporate relationships. These corporate partners bring various live projects to students that make them work in a simulated environment, hence understanding how the industry in real life works.

Apart from this, we facilitate various city projects to students to give them practical exposure. One such project was ‘Cycles for Change’ Project under Vadodara Smart City Development, initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, wherein Students identified prime leisure locations of Vadodara city and painted a cycle track.

Besides this, we are very much open to new entrepreneurial ideas and timely, we also motivate students to take part in various entrepreneurship events. After all, young budding entrepreneurs are the future of tomorrow.

Q: As a design institute, how does PID grooms a student’s creativity? Apart from academics, what extra exposure a student gets?

A: As our tag line suggests, ‘Be Vibrant-Be Here’. This is literal vibrancy and required too for the young minds to grow in all the direction. There are many clubs and cells in the university where one can join apart from regular curriculum or academics. Sport, Film Club, Dance, Drama, NCC, NSS and Literary among others for students of all departments. Apart from celebrating the annual gala festival ‘Dhoom’, PU celebrates all the regional and cultural festivals for its students.