Mathematics Topics for Design Entrance Exams
Almost all the entrance exams have mathematics questions. In some of the exams, the weightage is more and in some, the weightage is less. In the design entrance exam, mathematical ability is tested. Questions up to class 10th are asked. Let’s see this in detail.
The Design Entrance exam includes Mathematics in General Ability Test. Students preparing for Design entrance exam should not only focus on drawing, creativity, sketching, and types of questions. They should also pay attention to Mathematics as it plays an important role in exams like NIFT, NID, UCEED, CEED, etc. The level of questions in these entrance exams is of an easy to moderate level. A candidate who has prepared Mathematics up to class 10th can easily clear this section. In the design entrance exam, questions are based on basic calculations, based on applying formulas and concepts. There will be around 25-30 questions of basic mathematics in any Design Entrance test.
- Important topics for Design Entrance Exam
- Tips to Prepare for the Mathematics for Design Entrance Exam
- Books for Mathematics in the Design Aptitude Test
- Questions on Mathematics (PYQs) in Design Entrance Exam
Important topics for Design Entrance Exam
Some of the most asked topics in the Design Entrance exam in the Mathematics or Numerical Ability Section are given below.
| Chapters |
Topics |
|---|---|
| Percentage |
Percent change, increase and decrease of percentage, discounts, profit and loss, convert percentage into practice. |
| Ratio and Proportion |
Simplifying ratios Direct and inverse proportion Partnership problems Comparison of quantities |
| Average |
Weighted average, simple average questions |
| Speed, Time and Distance |
Upstream and downstream, Speed-distance-time relation Relative speed Train problems |
| Time and Work |
Work efficiency Combined work Pipes and cisterns basics Unitary method |
| Number System |
LCM and HCF Prime factors, Divisibility rules Odd even numbers Factors and multiples |
| Basic Algebra |
BODMAS Linear equations Simple algebraic expressions Squares and cubes Surds and indices basics |
| Basic Geometry |
Angles and triangles Circles, Cone, Cuboid, etc. |
| Mensuration |
Area and perimeter Volume and surface area Basic coordinate geometry |
| Probability |
Basic probability |
| Permutation and combination |
Arrangements and combinations |
| Data interpretation |
Pie charts |
| Simple Interest and Compound Interests |
Basic formula based questions |
| Coordinate Geometry |
Basic concepts of coordinate |
| Trigonometry Basics |
Basic concepts of Trigonometry |
| Coding Decoding |
Basic level questions |
| Venn Diagram |
Basic Venn diagram questions |
| Mixture and Allegation |
Basics |
| Age-based problems |
Age based questions |
| Set |
Basic questions |
Commonly asked questions
As per exam pattern released by NIFT, question paper for GAT M.FTech will be of 180 minutes. Exam will be conducted in a LAN-based, CBT mode. The GAT paper will have 150 multiple-choice questions. These questions will be asked from - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. Also, the GAT paper will be bilingual, meaning the candidate can appear in the GAT paper either in English or Hindi language. The choice of language has to be made when filling out the NIFT online application form.
There is no fixed number of mock tests one should take before the NIFT Entrance Exam. A candidate should take at least one mock test daily for the NIFT Entrance Preparation. 10-15 mock tests will really help in preparing for the exam.
Candidates can download the official sample papers from the official NIFT website. The sample papers are available in the form of PDFs.
The exam pattern for NIFT GAT varies from one course to another. The total number of questions asked in NIFT GAT is mentioned below: BDes: 100 questions, BFTech: 150 questions, MDes: 120 questions, MFTech: 150 questions, MFM: 150 questions. Note that the GAT or the General Ability Test will be conducted in a computer-based mode. Questions will be objective-type. The GAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des programs will be of 120 minutes. However, the GAT paper for the B.FTech, M.FTech, and MFM courses will be for 180 minutes.
Tips to Prepare for the Mathematics for Design Entrance Exam
- Practice Daily: Solve maths questions daily. Give at least 40 to 45 minutes for these sections. The more you practice, the more efficient you will become. Start with the basic chapters and then proceed to the hard ones.
- Pay attention to speed: Most of the design entrance exams are time-bound. Try to solve easy questions first, then go for lengthy questions. Practice daily to gain speed. Learn formulas, cheat codes, and tricks to solve the questions in sections.
- Prepare a cheat sheet for formulas: Make notes for all formulas and tricks. Keep all the formulas at one place. Revise all the formulas and tricks a day before the exam.
- Solve PYQs: Solving the PYQs is the most important step in the preparation. It will help in knowing the question pattern and types. It also gives an idea of what kind of questions are asked and which questions are most repeated.
- Take Mock Tests: Practice questions and take mock tests. This will help in facing the fear of exams and understanding the pattern. It also helps with time management.
- Avoid fear of mathematics: For most of the candidates, maths is the most difficult subject. But this fear should not be during the preparation for the exam. This fear can be overcome by regular practice and firm determination.
- Group Study: This can be really useful when you are solving questions in mathematics. Take a chapter, and solve it with your friends. This will clear the doubts instantly, and you will be able to complete the chapter in a fun way.
Also Read:
Books for Mathematics in the Design Aptitude Test
Some of the best books to prepare for Maths for Design Entrance Tests are:
| Mathematics Books for Design Aptitude Test | |
|---|---|
| NCERT Mathematics (Class 9 and 10) |
NCERT Exemplar for Mathematics |
| Complete Mathematics by Lucent's Publication |
RDB Sharma Mathematics |
| Handbook of Mathematics by Arihant Experts |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal |
Commonly asked questions
Topics for NIFTEE GAT paper are given below.
| Quantitative Ability | Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. |
| Communication Ability and English | Comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, words with corresponding meanings, singular, plural, one-word substitutes, idioms and phrases, correct spellings, comprehend a situation from a given passage, etc. |
| Analytical Ability and Logical Ability | Concepts and practices of creative and lateral thinking |
| GK | General knowledge and Current Affairs |
Explore colleges based on NIFT Entrance Exam
Questions on Mathematics (PYQs) in Design Entrance Exam
Check out some of the questions asked in NIFT Entrance Exam.
1. Find the greatest number that will divide 2934 and 3250 and will leave a remainder 11 in each case.
(1) 47 (2) 53 (3) 67 (4) 79
2. Find the L.C.M. of 2, 3, 5, 6, 12, 60.
(1) 60 (2) 15 (3) 36 (4) 24
3. If 12 1/2% of a certain number is 32, what is 40% of that number?
(1) 92 (2) 98.2 (3) 102.4 (4) 109.6
4. The salary of a school teacher was increased by 25% and later it was decreased by 25%. If he now draws ₹937.50, what was the original salary?
(1) 980 (2) 985 (3) ₹990 (4) 1000
5. A train of length x metres passes a man standing on the platform in 7 seconds. If the speed of the train is 72 km. an hour, find x.
(1) 140 m (2) 127 m (3) 133 m (4) 137 m
6. The difference between the highest and lowest two-digit numbers is _________.
(1) 88 (2) 89 (3) 22 (4) 99
7. In what proportion must sugar at 16.60 a kg. be mixed with sugar at 16.45 a kg so that the mixture may be worth 16.54 a kg.?
(1) 2:5 (2) 2:3 (3) 3:2 (4) 3:4
8. 617 + 6-017 + 0-617 + 6-0017 = ?
(1) 629-6357 (2) 6296-357 (3) 62-965 (4) 6-2963
9. A reduction of 20% in the price of oranges enables a purchaser to obtain 8 oranges more for 4. What is the original price per dozen?
(1) ₹ 1.50 (2) ₹ 2 (3) ₹ 5 (4) ₹3
10. A sum of money placed at compound interest becomes four times itself in 2 years. In how many years will it amount to eight times itself?
(1) 2 years (2) 3 years (3) 4 years (4) 8 years
Also Read:
| GK Questions for NIFT Entrance Exams | Static GK Topics for Design Entrance Exams: Topics and Questions |


Sayeba Naushad is a commerce postgraduate from Banaras Hindu University. She has over five years of experience in content writing and editing. She has a nose for current events in design field. At Shiksha.com, she s
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