What is NID Studio Test: Format, Marking, Components and Previous Year Questions
National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2026 ( NID Entrance Exam )
Registration - 11 Sep '25 - 1 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.
There is no negative marking in NID DAT 2025 exam. The candidate is recommended to go through the detailed exam pattern to get insights into the question paper structure, including types of questions asked, sections, etc. The DAT Prelims exam for the B. Des programme has two parts. Part I will include 22 objective-type questions, whereas Part II will include 4 subjective-type questions. Objective-type questions carry 1-2 marks, while subjective-type questions carry 15-20 marks. The total marks for the NID DAT Prelims will be 100 marks.
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:
The exam analysis for NID DAT 2025 exam will be released soon after the exam is over.
Note that the NID DAT Prelims 2025 exam will be conducted tentatively in December 2024.
The exam analysis will be available immediately after the exam. Shiksha. Com sends their own representatives to cover the exam, who interacts with exam takers and gather inputs. The exam analysis will cover all the details of the exam, including the types of questions asked, sectional and overall difficulty level, topics covered, what questions were asked, etc. The analysis will also check whether there were any technical issues during the exam. The candidate will also be asked whether there were any questions asked that was outside the official syllabus.
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.
NID Gandhinagar MDes course admission is a multi-step process. The admission procedure begins with the exam online registration and ends with the final seat allotment and fee payment along with physical document verification. The admission stages are also explained below for the candidates reference:
STEP 1: In the first step, candidates need to complete the NID exam application form. The applications are accepted by the institute in online mode.
STEP 2: Candidates who applied successfully need to appear for the NID DAT entrance test. The national-level examination is conducted across 22 cities in India.
STEP 3: The results are declared after the exam is conducted successfully. NID may list cutoff list as well with the minimum score required for MDes admission.
STEP 4: Candidates with a score equal to or more than the cutoff are allotted provisional offer letters. These candidates can then take part in counselling/seat allotment procedure.
STEP 5: In the last step of the admission procedure, subsequent allotment rounds are carried out by the institute. After the seats are allotted, candidates are asked to pay the full course fees. Then the selected candidates will have to report at the respective NID campus for the physical verification of documents.
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
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
Candidates will be able to apply online by registering on the official portal, filling out the form, uploading documents, and paying the application fee. The registration process will start after the release of the NID DAT 2026 official notification. National Institute of Design is expected to relea
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The NID DAT 2026 notification will provide information about eligibility, application process, fees, exam dates, exam pattern, and selection process. The notification provides details of seat capacity at each NID campus for both B.Des and M.Des.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID DAT 2026 notifications will be available on the official website of NID at admissions.nid.edu. Official notification of the NID entrance exam is all set to be out by the first week of September 2025. The notifications will be out for UG and PG programmes.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
National Institute of Design is expected to release the NID DAT 2026 Applications by the first week of September 2025 for B.Des and M.Des programmes. The registration for NID DAT 2026 will be on the official website of NID. Candidates can fill out the application form by registering, filling in info
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID notification for 2026 is expected to be out by the first week of September 2025. The official notification will be out on the official website of the NID and will contain details about the NID entrance examination.
The NID notifications will include:
General Information
Important Dates
Intake Capa
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
One can follow these tips for NID 2026 preparations:
- Know your NID Syllabus.
- Understand the exam pattern of NID DAT.
- Make the NID DAT 2026 preparation plan.
- Books to refer.
- Practice till you are perfect using mock tests and previous year's papers.
- NID DAT Exam Day Strategy.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
In general, the average salary after passing from NID is between 8-12 lakhs. It can also range between 17 and 50 lakhs, depending on the recruiter and the performance of the student.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, there are placements in NID campuses. NID has separate Placement cells for the placement process. Placement in NID completely depends on the performance of the student during the selection interview. Some of the top recruiters of NID are:
- Malabar Gold & Diamonds
- J.P.Morgan
- Tcs
- The Asian Heritage F
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID students can get job opportunities in graphic designing, UX designing, animation, fashion communication, furniture designer, fashion consultant, Textile designer, web designer, product designer, film and video communication and much more.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NID Ahmedabad has a good record of placements. NID Ahmedabad consistently leads in placement outcomes among NID campuses. In 2025, the average package was around ?21.3 LPA and the highest package was around ?30 LPA. The Total offers made were 620.
S
Contributor-Level 10
The NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) exam will be conducted on January 5, 2024.
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.