Mathematics Topics for Design Entrance Exams

Mathematics Topics for Design Entrance Exams

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Sayeba Naushad
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Updated on May 22, 2026 12:08 IST
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 ent

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.

Mathematics Topics for Design Exams

Mathematics Topics for Design Exams

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.

Table of contents
  • 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
Simple logical counting

Data interpretation

Pie charts
Bar graphs
Tables
Line graphs
Data comparison

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

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the NIFT 2026 exam pattern for the GAT paper (M.F.M)?
A: 

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.

Q:   How many mock tests do I need to take for the NIFT exam?
A: 

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.

Q:   Where can I download NIFT sample papers?
A: 

Candidates can download the official sample papers from the official NIFT website. The sample papers are available in the form of PDFs.

Q:   How many questions are asked in NIFT GAT?
A: 

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:

NIFT PYQs

NID PYQs

UCEED PYQs

CEED PYQs

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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
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the NIFT syllabus for GAT paper for the design courses?
A: 

Topics for NIFTEE GAT paper are given below.

Quantitative AbilityAddition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. 
Communication Ability and EnglishComprehension, 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 AbilityConcepts and practices of creative and lateral thinking 
GKGeneral knowledge and Current Affairs

 

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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:

How to prepare for Design Aptitude Test (DAT)?

GK Questions for NIFT Entrance Exams Static GK Topics for Design Entrance Exams: Topics and Questions

 

 

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About the Author
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Sayeba Naushad
Assistant Manager

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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