What is NID Studio Test: Format, Marking, Components and Previous Year Questions
National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2026 ( NID Entrance Exam )
Exam On - 21 Dec '25
After clearing the NID DAT Prelims Exam, comes the time to showcase your creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills. Clearing the NID DAT prelims was just the beginning of the journey. The time has come to roll up your sleeves and show your creativity in the NID Studio Test. Get the complete information on NID Studio Test, Previous Year Questions, Tips, Format, etc.
NID Studio Test
- What is NID Studio Test?
- Why NID Studio Tests 2026?
- Highlights of NID DAT Studio Test 2026
- Weightage of NID Studio test 2026
- NID Studio Tests are conducted on
- Components of NID Studio Test 2026
- Tips for NID Studio Tests 2026
What is NID Studio Test?
Studio Test is the on-the-spot test to check whether you have a solution-providing mindset or not. The ability to ideate, innovate, and execute design solutions within a given timeframe is called Studio Test. It is one of the integral parts of the NID admission process. It has the maximum weightage in NID UG and PG programmes.
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Studio Tests may include activities such as model-making, material manipulation, observational drawing and problem-solving exercises. The main objective is to evaluate technical skills and critical thinking skills. It checks whether the student can work under pressure and communicate their design.
Yes, under unforeseen circumstances, the National Institute of Design reserves the right to change the nature and structure of the NID exam. This means all tests can be conducted online or offline, or a combination of online and offline, depending on how the National Institute of Design deems it fit.
So, the candidate is urged to keep looking up this space for all the latest on the NID 2026 exam.
Why NID Studio Tests 2026?
These tests are conducted to eliminate students who are not fit for the final round. It is to check the student’s capability to solve the questions and provide a solution to uncertain situations. Students should have the confidence and skills to provide a solution with design.
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This test, conducted by NID are completely surprise test as there is no defined syllabus, no predictability, and very little scope for future preparation. So this exam is able to tackle the real-time ability and reflexes of students. This test is not restricted to pen-pencil and paper. Here, you will have to create models.
Highlights of NID DAT Studio Test 2026
NID Entrance Exam is conducted in two parts: Prelims and Mains. The highlights of NID DAT Studio Tests are:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Who Appears | Shortlisted candidates from DAT Prelims |
| Mode | Offline (at NID campuses or designated centers) |
| Duration | 3 hours (can vary) |
| Purpose | To assess practical and creative skills |
| Weightage | Combined with the Prelims score for NID final merit |
Weightage of NID Studio test 2026
The weightage of NID Studio Tests for B.Des and M.Des are:
- B.Des: 60%
- M.Des: 40% + 30% for NID Personal Interview
NID Studio Tests are conducted on
- Clay Modeling
- Wire Folding
- Random Material Handling
- Visual Sensory Tests
- Audio Sensory Tests
Components of NID Studio Test 2026
The NID Studio Test includes the following:
For admission to the BDes course, students need to fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria in the first place. Candidates must sit and appear for DAT entrance exam to get admission for BDes course at National Institute of Design, Jorhat . Apart from this, the total tuition fee for the BDes course is INR 4.7 lakh.
To secure admission to question Bangalore MDes, candidates need to appear for Design Aptitude Test (DAT). NID DAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design.
The NID DAT is conducted in two stages, DAT Prelims and DAT Mains, propective candidates need qualify DAT Prelims to appear for DAT Mains. The final admission offers are made on the basis of candidate's performance in both stages.
DAT Prelims 2024 will be conducted on Dec 24, interested candidates can apply by visiting the official website of NID.
Follow the steps mentioned below to prepare for DAT:
- Get familiar with the DAT exam syllabus
- Check out the DAT exam pattern
- Assemble the best books for DAT 2024 preparation
- Make a monthly timetable
- Solve past years’ question papers, sample papers, and mock tests.
- Get proper rest and stay positive
There is no negative marking in NID DAT Prelims.
So, the candidate may attempt all the questions. If the wrong answer is selected, the candidate won't be penalized. However, if the correct answer option is selected, the candidate may get some free marks.
Note that the DAT Prelims exam will be conducted in an OMR-based mode. The candidate will need a blue/black ball-point pen for filling the OMR sheet.
1. Material Handling: One of the most important segments. Material will be given and students will be asked to make something out of it.
- On-Spot Material- The material will be provided on the spot along with the questions. All materials will be provided. The duration varies for different disciplines for NID Studio Test. Guidelines will be provided. There is no fixed pattern for the studio Test like the NIFT situation Test. Here, candidates are expected to create tangible solutions with the help of the material provided.
2. Wire Folding: Use of wire, how to use it, questions may come to use it without cutting the wire, etc.
3. Clay Molding: Material will be provided, and you will be given a question to make something.
4. Audio Visuals: Visuals will check observational skills. You will be shown a short clip for 3-5 minutes, and questions will be based on it.
5. Doodling: It checks how you are going to put up your thoughts quickly in the given time frame. You can be asked to complete the image by doodling. This comes under the Psychometric tests.
6. Psychometric Test: Checks your observational skills. E.g., they can ask you what you notice while coming from your home to the centre, and sketch it.
7. Model making: You can be asked to make a trophy, 3D interior/Exterior/ Toolbox or accessories, etc.
Tips for NID Studio Tests 2026
Candidates should work on the following to score good marks in 2026 NID Studio Tests:
1. Material Handling Skills
- Tensile Strength: One should understand the tensile strength of the material. At how much pressure will the material break?
- Bending Property: What is the bending property of the material given? When will it break?
- Is it adhesive-friendly?
- How good is the finishing?
For instance, a balloon will burst if a pin is inserted in the surface of the balloon, but if cello tape is applied on the surface, the balloon will not burst; it will release the air slowly when a pin is inserted. Try to observe such things with different materials.
NID Studio Test Tips 2026
2. Proportion and Stability of the Craft
In the NID Studio test, the durability of your craft/model is also checked, so always design keeping this in mind. Ensure your model is stable. Avoid fragile models.
3. Craft/Model should be self-explanatory
The model created by you should be communicative. The examiner should be able to understand it.
4. Creative Differentiator
In your model, what is unique? How is your model different from the others in the examination hall?
5. Be aware of what is going on in the world
Read fashion magazines and watch the news for at least half an hour every day to be updated on the things going on in the world. Questions can come up from anywhere related to any current event, and a candidate can be asked to sketch it, make a model, provide a solution, etc.
Previous Year Question 2024 for NID Studio Test
Some of the questions asked in the previous year's NID Studio Tests are:
1. Audio Visual Question:
Questions like identifying the predominant sound played in the audio. Identify the three different sounds played before and after the dialogue.
Some Audio Visual Questions for NID B.Des and M.Des
Other Questions that can be possibly asked from the Audio Video Clip are:
- What are the colors of the present logo? (Pay attention to the minute details)
- Suggest an appropriate tagline.
- Redesign the logo.
- Suggest the apt design change in the print of the can/box/advertisement.
- What are the moral values?
- What problems did you notice in the video?
- A few paper strips were given and students were supposed to make a pattern by folding these strips.
- Material Handling can be done using paper, bamboo sticks, wool, wire, jute, wood, etc.
Questions for M.Des Studio Test 2024
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
NID 2026 Application correction Window for B.Des and M.Des will open on December 02, 2025 till December 04, 2025.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The result for NID DAT Prelims 2026 will be announced on April 07, 2026 around 4 PM.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The details that cannot be modified in NID DAT 2026 Application window are programs applied, name of the candidate, date of birth, registered mobile number and registered email address.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID DAT 2026 Application edit window will open from December 02, 2025 to December 04, 2025.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The last date to fill the application form for NID DAT 2026 for B.Des and M.Des programme is December 01, 2025.
S
Contributor-Level 10
The NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) exam will be conducted on December 21, 2025.
As per the official pattern, the DAT Prelims exam wil be conducted offline and will be of 3 hours duration. The test will be conducted in English language and include a maximum of 26 questions. The question paper will include both subjective and objective-type questions. The paper will be for 100 marks. Candidate who qualify in DAT Prelims have to next appear in DAT Mains.
The candidate needs to consult the exam pattern along with the syllabus to prepare for the NID that exam. Note that the National Institute of Design also has the authority to make changes to the exam pattern.