NIFT Exam Analysis 2026 for M.Des (OUT): Question Paper Difficulty Level, Student Reviews

The NIFT CAT exam will be administered in an offline mode and will be a drawing-based exam. During the course of the exam, the candidate is not allowed to write any personal details and place identification marks. The CAT exam will evaluate the candidate on parameters like intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability. To prepare for the CAT the candidate needs to work on geometrical shapes, product drawing, line quality, shading, human figures, principles of composition, etc. To improve ones figure drawing skills, one may stick drawing, before moving on to block drawing, and then evolving to add clothes and other items.

The NIFTs are ranked among the top design colleges in India. As per India Today rankings for top fashion design colleges in India, the top 8 positions were occupied by NIFTs. 

Mock tests are not meant to be alternative to holistic exam preparation for NIFT. This means the candidate must first go through the text books, learn the concepts, solve the problem Sets given at the end of each chapter or from problem booklets, and take notes. Also, solve sample papers to develop ones problem-solving and time-management skills. The prime purpose of mock tests is to help the candidate get an exam-like experience and fix last minute gaps. So, mock tests are tools to improve ones chances of getting a few extra marks and thus improving ones chances of admission.

To prepare for NIFT GAT

• Collect the best books available.
• Solve related problems to better understand concepts and develop problem-solving skills.
• Revise after completing a topic.
• Solve sample and previous years question papers.

Joining a coaching for NIFT preparation is not really needed. Coaching is for those who want to learn how to draw things. But, if someone has this talent, which most students passionate about sketching and painting do possess, there is no need for coaching. One can prepare through self-study. For your understanding, I would like to give an example. In coaching, students are made to learn how to draw the 3D image by various techniques using measuring instruments but one who is natural at art can imagine what 3D image would look like if it has to be drawn on a paper and would draw the same. In both cases, the outcome is the same. Regarding theory, that is, GAT, if you are confident to solve Maths, History, Geography, General science up till class 10th level, then there is definitely no need for coaching. Though the level of English is a bit high you can improve it yourself.

As per a number of students, NIFT 2023 exam was easier compared to previous years. CAT paper in particular was pretty easy but it was lengthy. The GAT paper had a few tricky questions in the Maths section, otherwise the paper was easy. The English section was also easier than the last edition. The GAT paper included a number of paragraph-based questions. Also, the exam included comic strip-based questions that were also easy.

Good score for B.F.Tech is 95+ for General, 80 for OBC, 60 for SC/ST.

Yes, 40 is a good marks for NIFT B.Des 2027 this year (expected). For NIFT B.Des, General Category, 40 - 50 is the goodscore for the general category, for OBC, it will be around 30, for SC/ST, it will be around 30.

NIFT and NID are equally tough. NIFT has two stages: NIFT Written exam and NIFT Situation Test and Personal Interview, whereas NID DAT also has two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID Mains, which include Studio test and Personal Interview. 

Candidate who is preparing for NIFT can give NID DAT entrance exam with the same preparation. Practice and consistency in required for both exams.

NIFT Creative Ability Test or NIFT CAT will evaluate the intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability of the candidate. To prepare for CAT the candidate must develop their observation skills, learn the basics of geometrical shapes, understand conceptualization, learn product drawing and shading. Additionally, the candidate must also work on their line quality. For instance, the candidate needs to ensure there are no jittery or multiple lines. To improve one's drawing skills, one may start with simple drawings and then move on to complex shapes. Also, while shading is not so important for the exam, shading skills can definitely help the candidate get a positive nod from the evaluator.

For NIFT Preparation, candidates need to solve 30-40 sample papers in 6 months. When the exams are very near, one sample paper should be solved daily.

NIFT entrance exam for the B. Des programme will include CAT and GAT written tests in stage 1. Candidates who qualify stage 1 have to next appear in a Situation Test. To prepare for the GAT written exam, the candidate needs to work on improving their analytical and logical abilities, and also keep track of GK and Current Affairs.