How to Prepare for NID DAT 2026 in 3 months (B.Des/M.Des Prelims & Mains)

If you are starting your NID DAT 2026 preparation now, you have come to the right place. Here we explain how you can start your preparation for DAT Prelims exam in three months. Read on.

National Institute of Design released exam schedule for NID DAT 2026 on its website. NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) exam is to be conducted on December 21, 2026.

Preparing for the NID DAT in just three months may seem challenging, but with the right strategy and consistency, it can be achieved. This design entrance exam tests not only your creativity but also your observation, visualization and problem solving skills. Whether you're aiming for B.Des or M.Des, a well structured three month plan can help you build a strong portfolio of ideas and sharpen your skills for the NID entrance exam.

How to prepare for NID DAT 2026 Entrance Exam in three months?

To prepare for the DAT Prelims exam in 3 months

• Follow the NID syllabus - The National Institute of Design doesn’t release any syllabus. You can refer to the NID DAT syllabus here, which has been made by considering previous years’ question papers. Questions in the NID DAT exam are likely to be similar to those given in the syllabus. Also, check the important topics and the weightage they carry. Note that some topics will carry more marks than others. You need to pay more attention to topics that carry maximum weight. If you can complete the entire syllabus, you will be in a good position to ace the NID DAT 2026 exam.
• Consult the NID Exam Pattern - Exam pattern for NID DAT 2026 will be given in the NID DAT 2026 admission handbooks. DAT Prelims exam for the B.Des program will be of 3 hours duration and include textual and visual questions. There is no negative marking in NID DAT. By consulting the exam pattern, candidate will be able to know about types of questions asked, difficulty level, weightage of questions, number of questions asked in every section, mode of the exam, etc. 
• Choose the best Study Material - Manage to get a reliable collection of NID DAT books that covers the entire syllabus. If the study material is of poor variety, your efforts won’t bear the desired results. Examples of poor quality NID DAT study material could be books with lots of errors, that use complex language to explain a concept when a simple one would suffice, etc.
• Make a timetable - Once you are clear about syllabus and exam pattern, you need to draw a plan. The plan should be such that it takes into account entire syllabus, difficulty level, approximate time it will take to complete the syllabus, etc. Considering you have around three months to prepare for DAT Prelims, you will have to prepare in double quick time. You must be on your toes and be focused when you are studying. When you are not studying, you need to stay relaxed so that you don’t get stressed out. In your downtime, you must not think too much about the exam or think too far ahead.
• Solve Sample Papers - You need to download the NID DAT sample papers and start solving them as soon as you can. Maybe you can complete a few topics and start working on sample papers. By solving the NID sample papers, you will get a clear idea of where your progress stands. Sample papers will also help the candidate improve their problem solving and time management skills. These skills cannot be learned only through rigorous practice. So, download sample papers or buy them from the market and practice as much as you can.
• Practice Mock Tests - You need to practice the mock tests. The purpose of mock tests is to get your mind and body used to the exam environment. Also, mocks will help you with your preparation and fix silly errors. It will have the same types of questions as those asked in the NID DAT exam. So, you will have much to gain by taking the mock tests.

Best Books for NID DAT 2026 Preparation

 List of books for NID DAT 2026 that you can use for exam preparation.

• Design Drawing  Francis D. K. Ching
• Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art - Robert J. Lang for NID Preparation
• NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board
• Arihant's Ultimate Guide for NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam
• NIFT/NID (Admission Test) Previous Years' Papers (Solved) by R Gupta
• NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by D Mittal

Last-minute Tips to Prepare for NID DAT 2026

In the days of DAT Prelims exam, you need to remember the following points.

• Don’t begin any new topic: This is because the last few days should be reserved for revision and solving sample papers. If you start a new topic now, it is only likely to bog you down.
• Keep healthy: The last thing you want is to fall sick on exam day. So, pay close attention to your health - sleep the full quota of hours, stay hydrated, and eat light, especially at night.
• Stay happy and avoid stress: If you stay in exam mode 24/7, you will only get burned out. So, when you are not studying for the exam, let your hair down, have some fun, have some light moments, or even watch a quick movie. It will make your life so much easier, and fun, and will also replenish you with energy.

Read more about NID DAT 2026 last-minute preparation tips here.