NID DAT Topper shares prep tips for Written Test & Studio Test

Result - 2 Apr '26 - 4 Apr '26

Updated on Nov 24, 2021 14:56 IST

NID DAT Rank 5 holder, Manasvini shares tips on how candidates should formulate prep strategy for NID admissions 2018. Read more on Shiksha.

After completing her Bachelors in Architecture from Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Architecture, Manasvini Sankara Narayanan cracked both CEED and NID Entrance Exam 2017. Already having two years of work experience as an Architect, Manasvini had applied for both Graphic Design as well as Toy and Game Design course at NID. But finally she secured admission in the Graphic Design discipline at NID Paldi campus, Ahmedabad. Belonging to Bengaluru, Manasvini shares that, “I was reasonably sure to get shortlisted, because I had performed pretty well in both Part A and Part B”.

Manasvini shared her prep strategy for both NID Entrance Exam as well as Studio Test with Shiksha. Read the complete interview for details on how to formulate prep strategy for NID admissions 2018.

Q. What is your score and rank?

In NID DAT Prelims my score was 74.1/100. My rank was 15 overall and 14 in the Open Category in Graphic Design. In Toy and Game Design I secured Rank 2 overall and Rank 1 in the Open Category.

In NID DAT Mains my score was 70.57/100 in Graphic Design and 71.27/100 in Toy and Game Design. The weighted total (30% from Prelims, 70% from Mains score) was 71.63 in Graphic Design and 72.12 in Toy and Game Design. My rank was 5 in the Open Category in Graphic Design, and Rank 1 in the Open Category in Toy and Game Design.

Q. How did you prepare for the exam?

For NID DAT Prelims, I tried working out previous years’ papers and brushed up the areas in which I was weak. It helped to work them out as timed mock tests, to be able to balance time between Part A and Part B.

Q. Which coaching institute did you join?

I worked with DQ Labs in Bangalore.

Q. When should one start preparing for the exam?

It helps to start preparing around 5-6 months before the exam, especially when it comes to sketching practice, as it will take some time to see progress. However, it might help to prepare the portfolio over a longer period of time.

Q. How long did you prepare for the exam and how many hours did you study in a day?

I started preparing around 5 months before the exam, and I spent some time sketching and reading every day.

Q. Did you refer to any important books or study material?

The most helpful study materials were the previous years’ question papers for NID admissions.

Q. Are there any important topics to score well?

It is necessary to score well in both Part A and Part B, so it is important to prepare both for theory and sketching to score well. All topics are equally important, everything from Visual Spatial Ability, General Knowledge, Science, Arts, Mathematics and Mensuration and Mental Ability.

Q. How did you prepare for different sections of the exam?

For Part A, I prepared by practicing previous years’ question papers and brushing up on the topics that I felt uncertain about. For Part B, I practiced sketching - basic perspective drawings, human figure drawing, creative thinking, etc.

Q. When did you start revising the syllabus?

As the syllabus is very vast and loosely defined, it is not possible to revise, exactly. A general awareness of the topics covered helps.

Q. How did you manage time while giving the exam?

During the exam, I quickly marked answers for all the questions that I was sure of, and then finished the drawing part before coming back to solve the remaining answers. In the entire exam and in the drawing part, I spent a proportional amount of time to the number of marks allowed to that part/question.

Q. What mistakes should one avoid while giving the exam in order to score well?

Allocate time wisely, do not leave any answers blank if there is no negative marking, read the questions carefully.

Q. Which as per you was the most difficult part of the NID DAT exam?

Part B of NID Entrance Exam can be tricky because answering the questions will require skill in both creative thinking and sketching, and time management becomes very important.

Q. Is there any section that plays the “deciding factor” for getting shortlisted in the exam?

I think it is important to perform well in all sections to get shortlisted.

Q. Why did you think of pursuing your studies in design stream?

Doing my bachelors in architecture gave me a taste of studying in a design stream, and I wanted to pursue my masters in the discipline of Graphic Design because of my aptitude and interest in illustration and visual storytelling.

Q. How did you prepare for the Studio Test and Interview round?

For the Studio Test, I practiced timed mock tests with previously asked questions and exercises in creative thinking.

For the interview, I prepare a portfolio showcasing me and my skills, including illustrations made and a few projects from my experience in the field of architecture.

Q. How was the experience of appearing for the studio test?

The seating arrangement was a regular classroom arrangement in a large classroom space.

Graphic Design Studio Test- The questions asked were to:

Write and illustrate a story of about five characters (coconut, watermelon, peas, ginger and fountain pen)
Reproduce a given still life and draw a given sharpener in detail
Reproduce a given image in a specified scale using tools and materials provided

Toy and Game Design Studio Test - The questions asked were to:

Create a toy/object with the element of surprise using materials and tools provided
Write and illustrate two stories - one where five random scenes given had to be included, and another where the beginning and end were given and the middle of the story had to be filled in.

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