NIFT Topper (AIR 1) Kalyani Pareek shares tips to prepare for NIFT 2023 Personal Interview
National Institute of Fashion Technology Entrance Exam 2026 ( NIFT Entrance Exam )
Admit Card - To be notified
The personal interview for the PG courses is currently being conducted online via zoom link from March 20. Kalyani Pareek, who bagged the AIR 1 in NIFT 2021, shares inputs to crack the interview code. Read here.
The National Institute of Technology is conducting the NIFT 2023 personal interview from March 20, 2023 (onward). Considering the personal interview is an important part of the selection process for admission to the PG courses, we wanted to bring an insider perspective to prepare for the test. And who best to provide tips to prepare for NIFT 2023 Personal Test than someone who has been there, and done that? Kalyani Pareek, who is the NIFT 2021 - AIR 1 in the M.Des program, in an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com shared some important tips to prepare for the NIFT 2023 personal interview.
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While throwing insights on the NIFT 2023 personal interview, Kalyani Pareek said that the interview can last anywhere from 10-20 minutes and is conversational in nature. Also, while no dress code is prescribed for the exam, it is recommended that candidates wear decent clothes.
Commonly asked questions
The NIFTs are ranked among the top design colleges in India. As per India Today 2023 rankings for top fashion design colleges in India, the top 8 positions were occupied by NIFTs. In India Today 2022 rankings as well, the top eight positions were occupied by the NIFTs. NIFT Delhi was the number one ranked college, followed by NIFT Mumbai and NIFT Bangalore, in 2nd and 3rd positions. Speaking of placements at NIFT, candidates passing out of NIFT Delhi on average earns INR 5.5 LPA. Meanwhile, candidates passing out of NIFT Kolkata earns about INR 5.7 LPA. In comparison, NIFT Bengaluru pass outs can expect an average salary of INR 3 Lacs LPA.
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.
The NIFT 2023 written exam was conducted on February 5, 2023. The results of the exam were declared on March 13, 2023. Candidates are shortlisted for the Personal Interview based on their performance in the written exams. Note that the FINAL merit rank of NIFT 2023 will be prepared by giving weightage to both the written exams and the personal interview.
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NIFT Entrance Exam 2023 - Exam components, Weightage
The NIFT 2023 entrance exam comprises test components like CAT, GAT, Situation Test, and Personal Interviews. Check the program-wise weightage for each component below.
| Program |
Test |
Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Design |
CAT |
40% |
| GAT |
30% |
|
| GD/PI |
30% |
|
| Master of Fashion Technology |
GAT |
70% |
| GD/PI |
30% |
|
| Master of Fashion Management |
GAT |
70% |
| GD/PI |
30% |
NIFT 2021 Topper (AIR 1) Kalyani Pareek shares tips to prepare for NIFT 2023 Personal Interview
Go through the key points shared by Kalyani Pareek to improve your chances of acing the NIFT 2023 personal interview.
Q. How to prepare for the Personal Interview?
Kalyani Pareek: There's not much that you can prepare for. The interview will be mostly conversational and nothing technical or knowledge specific. Try to prepare a basic structure for some common questions revolving around your introduction, your background, what got you interested in the course, etc.
Commonly asked questions
Q. Any specific books I can refer to?
Kalyani Pareek: None
Q. What kind of questions are asked in the personal interview?
Kalyani Pareek: The questions are very you-specific. They only try to get to know you, that's all. There are no questions to test you, your knowledge or your creativity. They have already done that. Just be super sure about yourself
Q. What are the various stages of the personal interview?
Kalyani Pareek: The interview lasts 10-20 minutes and there's no structure to it. They'll ask you to introduce yourself and then go a little deeper into what you have already told them. It would be nothing that you wouldn't know already. And if you don't, or if you're unsure, it's okay to admit it.
Q. Items I need to carry for the interview?
Kalyani Pareek: Nothing really. Not even your portfolio. It's not required and they don't look at it even if you have one.
Q. Is there any fixed time allocated for the personal interview and on the number of questions being asked?
Kalyani Pareek: No, you'll only have a time slot but nothing too stringent.
Q. Do I need to dress in any particular way?
Kalyani Pareek: There are no guidelines regarding your outfit, just don't wear anything that you might deem as inappropriate for an interview but I am sure that you will not.
Q. The Personal Interview for NIFT 2023 will be conducted online via Zoom Link? How different it is from an offline interaction?
Kalyani Pareek: The interviews have been online for the last couple of years. There's not much of a difference except that it's more convenient. Try to make sure you have a stable internet connection and proper lighting in the room. Clear your camera and set it at eye level and not too below or above.
Q. Any other important points you want to suggest for the interview?
Kalyani Pareek: Additional:
1) If you don't know something, admit it.
2) Try to show more of you during the interview. Do not pretend.
3) Be honest about everything including why NIFT, why this course etc. even if you don't know anything about the course.
4) The interview will be smooth but if there's any conflict, do not argue.
Rest, all the best!
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
Taking mock tests of other exams can help you improve your test taking skills. But it is recommended to focus on mock tests designed for NIFT exam.
NIFT has its own exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme. By practicing with NIFT mock tests, you can get familiar with the exam format, time questio
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
There is no fixed number of mock tests one should take before the NIFT Entrance Exam. A candidate should take at least one mock test daily for the NIFT Entrance Preparation. 10-15 mock tests will really help in preparing for the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
There are 20 participating institutes of NIFT that offer the B. Des and B.F.Tech programmes. B. Des programme offers specializations in the following programs: Fashion Design (FD), Leather Design (LD), Accessory Design (AD), Textile Design (TD), Knitwear Design (KD), Fashion Communication (FC).
For B
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
NIFT cutoff for a participating NIFT is the last rank for which admission is offered in for a particular programme and category. This means, if a candidate fails to score a rank equal to or higher than the cutoff rank, they don't get admission. Typically, a higher ranked institute will invite: More
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
NIFT Delhi is frequently ranked among the top design colleges in the country. So, the admission cut-off for the institute is pretty high, especially when compared to the lower-ranked colleges. This is because being a higher-ranked college, NIFT Delhi receives a higher number of applicants. Another f
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, Pearl Academy, Mumbai BBA students who wish to avail the NIFT Rank scholarship are required to appear for the NIFT entrance exam separately. This can be done either before or after securing the BBA admission at Pearl Academy, Mumbai.
There are also other BBA scholarships that do not require cand
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The material kit of NIFT Situation Test 2026 can include the following:
- Corrugated sheets: 2
- Cardboard: 1
- OHP Sheets: 1
- Translucents Sheet: 1
- Coloured sheets: 4
- Ice cream sticks: 8-10
- Toothpicks: 6-7
- All pinks
- Jute Thread: 2m
- Needle
- Balloon
- Clay: 2 colors
- Chopsticks: 2
- Quilling strips
- Paper plate: 2
- Bubble wrap: 1
- M
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Some of the important topics for NIFT Situation Test are:
- Momentoes
- Badges
- product Design
- Set Design
- Book Cover/Diaries
- Window Display: For Shoes, Clothes, etc.
- Accessories
- Character Design
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NIFT Situation Test is a hands on test. It evaluates a candidate skills for material handling and innovative ability with a given set of materials. Candidates are required to make a 3D model.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, there is no negative marking in NIFT Situation Test. Negative marking is only there in NIFT GAT part in stage 1.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Can I take mock tests of other exams to prepare for NIFT 2026 exam?