NID Topper Arkita shares her NID DAT Prelims Prep Strategy

Find out how NID Topper, Arkita, cracked the NID entrance exam for Strategic Design Management as well as Universal Design course.

Arkita cleared NID DAT Prelims and Mains to be shortlisted for admission in two design specialisations – Universal Design as well as Strategic Design Management. A very confident Arkita shared that she secured Rank 8 in NID Entrance Exam 2017 for Strategic Design Management and Rank 11 in Universal Design.

Talking about her hobbies, Arkita said, “I love to sketch and paint. I have dabbled in all the mediums, I could get my hands on. I also love cooking when I am stressed - good food is like achieving zen”.

A BArch graduate from School of Planning and Architecture, Arkita shared that she is a “first generation dream chaser. My parents couldn't pursue their dream courses as they had to fulfill financial obligations. I have no such burden”. She further shared that after completing her Architecture course she realised that she enjoyed the designing aspect of her course and so though of pursuing further studies in Design stream.

Shiksha spoke to Arkita in detail to find out how she prepared for NID entrance exam and managed to crack NID DAT (Prelims) 2017. Read the complete interview below:

Q. Did you expect to get shortlisted in NID DAT?

A: I did my best and expected positive results.

Q. Which design specialisation did you apply for and why?

A: At NID, I applied for Strategic Design Management and Universal Design. I had Strategic Design as an Elective in my final year and I was interested in finding out what the subject had to offer. Universal Design was chosen as I believe that the world can be made a little better by making it accessible to one and all.

Q. What is your score and rank in NID Entrance Exam?

A: I secured Rank 19 in Universal design and Rank 24 in Strategic Design Management in NID DAT (Prelims) whereas in NID DAT (Mains), I secured Rank 11 in Universal Design and Rank 8 in Strategic Design Management. I secured both these ranks in Open Category.

Q. How did you prepare for the exam?

A: I just worked on my general awareness. My design instinct from Architecture (course) helped me a lot and I paid special attention to the world of innovation and latest business strategies adopted.

I was trying to grasp information all through my waking hours. Even on social media, I used to look for new aspects in the field of design, business and human behaviour. I feel that there are no hard lines or rules to follow in the Design field, we just have to understand the whys and the hows.

To prepare for Part A of NID DAT (Prelims), I read a lot of newspapers, like The Hindu, Mint, etc, and kept brushing my knowledge in spheres such as History and Design. For Part B of the exam, I used to sketch anything and everything.

I want to tell aspirants that when they practice sketching, everything they sketch may not be pretty but they need to ensure that it is proportionate – After all practice makes perfect!

Q. Did you join any coaching classes?

A: I did not join any coaching institute.

Q. When should one start preparing for the exam?

A: As soon as possible; but again it depends on the background of the student and the stream he is selecting to study further.

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

A: I did not go through any books as such. But while preparing for NID DAT (Prelims), I skimmed through the old papers to understand what type or questions are asked in the exam. I also tried to understand if there were any important topics to score well.

Q. Any preparation tips from your experience?

A: During prep time, I read a lot of novels and kept a sketchbook handy at all times. While reading any novel, I used to try to sketch the scene or the new machines/hi-tech gadgets mentioned in the story. This exercise helped me in visualising and also provided me with an opportunity to understand how to manage time in NID DAT (Prelims).

Q. What as per you are the mistakes one should avoid while preparing for the exam?

A: I suggest that aspirants should always time themselves while making sketches and also revisit new information acquired by them.

Q. When did you start revising the syllabus?

A: I started revising a week before the Prelims. At that time, I timed myself while solving the sample question papers.

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

A: While taking NID DAT (Prelims), I completed Part A of the exam in 45 minutes and then moved to Part B. After completing Part B of the exam, I came back to Part A to attempt questions that I had left mid-way.

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

A: Aspirants should keep track of time at all times and should not try to make the sketches too flowery and also not do the smaller sketching exercises first.

In NID DAT Prelims, the shorter sketching exercises require you to spend a lot of time in thinking how you should solve them and you do not expect this as these are the shorter questions. So, they eat away your precious time.

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

A: I feel that Part A of NID DAT exam plays an important role as you can score very easily in it.

Q. Any advice for NID aspirants?

A: My advice would be that – Be honest, be curious and strive to up yourself!

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