NID DAT Preparation 2026: Subject-wise Books, Tips to learn Drawing & Improve Creativity and Aptitude

Admit Card - 24 Feb '26

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

Updated on Feb 20, 2026 15:47 IST

By Sayeba Naushad, Assistant Manager

NID DAT Preparation 2026 - Given that it is one of the toughest design entrance exams, if you want to ace the NID DAT Exam with flying colors, you must pull out all the stops. An effective exam-preparation strategy will include elements like following the updated NID DAT syllabus and pattern, preparing a study plan and sticking to it, solving sample papers, and practicing mock tests.

While many of these exam-preparation components are known to the candidate, the order and frequency can be unclear. Also, what to do if you get stuck or are not able to keep up with the exam-preparation plan? How do we do course correction? So, there are a lot of things that need proper attention to get the most out of your NID DAT 2026 preparation. Read on!

NID Studio Test for M.Des will be conducted on March 08, 2026 and Interview will be conducted from March 21, 2026 to April 01, 2026.

NID DAT Entrance Exam 2026 was conducted on December 21, 2025 for B.Des and M.Des programmes.

Table of contents

Prep Tips for NID DAT (Mains) 2026
Step-wise NID Entrance Exam 2026 Preparation Plan: Studio Test and Interview
Tips for NID Exam Day
Prep Tips for NID DAT (Prelims) 2026
NID DAT Topper Interviews and Preparation Strategy
NID DAT Preparation - FAQs

Prep Tips for NID DAT (Mains) 2026

NID Mains exam will include Studio Test and In-Person Sensitivity Test for B.Des candidates. Test pattern for NID DAT Mains is such that candidates are asked to make a sketch or model in THREE hours. After the studio test, the candidate will also have to appear in a personal interview.

Tips to prepare for NID DAT 2026 (Mains) are given below.

Develop Observation & Visualization Skills - Remember that DAT Mains will not evaluate how much information you carry in your brain, but rather how effectively and creatively you can use that information to create something beautiful and awe-inspiring.
One way to develop your creative side is to be conscious of your existence and observe objects with a keen eye.
Solve Sample Papers - This is one of the best tools to prepare for the design entrance exam. To begin with, sample papers will help you improve your problem-solving ability and help you get a better understanding of the concepts. The candidate can start solving sample papers from the very early stages of their exam preparation. Further, using a timer, the candidate may also be able to work on their time management skills through the sample papers.
Work on your speed - While sample papers are a great tool to work on one’s speed, the candidate may also take mock tests to hone this skill. Mocks are usually taken closer to the entrance exam. When solving a problem, the candidate must try to solve it as quickly as possible. An in depth understanding of the concepts and their relation to other concepts will aid in faster problem-solving. So, you must also make it a point to ensure that you properly master all the key concepts of the various topics.
Work on your general awareness - You need to know what is happening nationally and internationally, especially regarding events of importance. So, make it a habit to read leading daily newspapers, for instance, the Hindu, Indian Express, TOI, etc. Focus on the editorial and opinion pieces.

Topics for NID Studio Test 2026

Check out some of the topics for NID Studio Test. The Studio Test will be for three hours and there will be around 3-4 Questions.

Doodling exercise
3D Model Making
Clay Modelling
Wire Moulding
Story Illustration
Psychometric Test
Thematic Apperception

Portfolio and Interview for NID Mains 2026

Portfolio must include your best works - The portfolio is intended to make a quick and lasting impression, and so must include your best work across diverse fields.
Presentation must be effective and to the point - If you can make a lively presentation and aesthetically showcase your skills, you can impress the jury.
Models/Prototypes - If you are good at building models, you may showcase your creations by picking your best models during the NID interview process.

Also Read:

How to prepare for NID Studio Test?	What to expect in NID Studio Test?
NID Studio Test: Previous years' questions for PG admissions	5 Tips to prepare your portfolio for NID Entrance Exam

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is the NID Studio Exam tough?

Yes, NID Studio Exam is a bit tough because it will check your creativity and imagination. You can learn some formulas here and apply them to get the answer. The main objective is to evaluate technical skills and critical thinking skills. So, it is said to be a bit tough.

Q: Is there negative marking in NID Studio Test?

No, there is no negative marking in the NID Studio Test. Candidates will be evaluated based on their thinking and creative skills. Studio Test will carry 40% of the total Marks for the NID Mains Exam.

Q: What is the weightage of the NID 2026 Interview?

NID Studio Test for M.Des carries 40% of wieghtage and Interview carries 60% wieghtage. More emphasis is given on the interview by NID.

Step-wise NID Entrance Exam 2026 Preparation Plan: Studio Test and Interview

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.
Bending Property: What is the bending property of the material given?
Is it adhesive-friendly?
How good is the finishing?

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.

Preparation for NID DAT 2026 will include the steps given below.

Know the exam syllabus.
Check out the NID exam pattern.
Collect best books for NID preparation.
Make a monthly timetable.
Solve NID past years’ question papers, sample papers and mock tests.
Get proper rest and stay positive.

Commonly asked questions

Q: In which cities NID will conduct Mains 2026 Studio Test and Interview?

NID will conduct the 2026 Studio test and Interview for NID DAT Mains exam in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar. Details of the centre will be mentioned in the NID Admit card.

Q: Will NID 2026 studio test and personal interview be conducted on the same day?

NID Studio Test and Interview will be conducted on different days. NID will conduct Studio Test on March 08, 2026 for M.Des and Interview from March 21, 2026 to April 01, 2026 for M.Des. The Admit card will be the same for both.

Q: Is it possible to crack NID Entrance Exam without coaching?

It is not at all necessary to take coaching to get a good rank in NID Entrance Exam. It is because the entrance exam will test creative, drawing, and innovative skills of the candidate. Now, a coaching institute can't teach you to be creative or become innovative. But you can take coaching classes for regular practice and guidance.

Tips for NID Exam Day

Being one of the toughest and most competitive entrance exams in the country, it is not easy to predict the nature of the NID DAT 2026 Question paper in advance. The questions in the exam will be framed in such a way as to test a candidate’s creativity level as well as how quickly they can put their ideas on paper.

Here we bring some tips for NID 2026 exam day so that the student can avoid common and silly mistakes when taking the exam.

Read questions carefully and thoroughly.
Read the solutions/ options in sequential order.
Make sure that you go through the answer options provided to you very carefully.
Try to attempt questions according to your strengths and weaknesses. Attempt those sections of the exam first in which you are good.
Do not be in a hurry to attempt the drawing questions.
Be careful with the media you use for your drawing questions.

Commonly asked questions

Q: Will there be a baggage counter at NID DAT 2026 center?

No, National Institute of Design may not make any arrangements for a baggage counter. So, candidates must bear this in mind when packing for NID DAT Prelims exam.

It is recommended that candidate only pack bare essentials and not bring unnecessary stuff to exam centre. Also, expensive items like smartphones, jewellery, gadgets, etc., should be better left at home.

Q: What is the reporting time at NID DAT Exam centre?

The reporting time for NID DAT will be mentioned in the Admit card, along with gate closing time, and exam timings and date.

The candidate needs to report for the DAT Prelims exam at 8 am. The gates of the exam center will close at 9:30 AM (or 30 minutes before the commencement of the exam). After that no candidate will be allowed inside the exam hall.

NID DAT Exam timings:

B.Des - 10 am - 1 pm
M.Des - 10 am - 12.30 pm

Q: At what time do I need to report for NID DAT 2026 exam?

The B.Des DAT Mains Studio Test will be conducted in the last week of April 2026.

The details pertaining to the exam center reporting time, registration time, and exam timings, etc. will be mentioned on the admit card.

M.Des DAT Mains 2026 exam will be conducted on March 08, 2026.

DAT Prelims comprises a Studio Test for the B.Des program. However, PG candidates are also required to take a Personal Interview.

On the day of the exam, the candidate has to reach the exam center as per the reporting time mentioned in their admit cards. Note that once you reach the exam center, you also need to get registered.

Prep Tips for NID DAT (Prelims) 2026

NID DAT and NIFT are likely two of the most popular and difficult design entrance exams in the country. So, one needs to be very particular about one's exam preparation strategy, so that hiccups and errors don't derail the set goal.

Read below the tips to prepare for the NID DAT exam.

1. Get familiar with the NID Exam 2026 Syllabus

NID entrance exam pattern is such that candidates are evaluated based on their knowledge, comprehension, analysis, creativity, and visualization. NID DAT (Prelims) tentative exam pattern is as mentioned below.

Part	Type of Questions	Marks
I	Objective	25
II	Subjective	75
Total		100

There is no negative marking in NID DAT Prelims. However, if MSQ questions are asked in the exam, then the weightage allotted to them may vary from 0.5 marks to 4 marks for each question.

2. Know the syllabus for NID DAT Prelims

To perform well in the exam, aspirants need to know the NID entrance exam syllabus. Candidates can prepare better for the exam by knowing which topics to study in-depth and which require only superficial knowledge. Thus, to score well in the exam, aspirants need to go through the NID entrance exam syllabus and then formulate a strategy.

Also Read:

NID DAT Previous Year Question Papers (2025-2016); Download Free PYQ PDFs

3. Books to prepare for NID DAT Prelims (Aptitude Test)

The NID Aptitude Test carries 30% weightage

Quantitative Aptitude - Physics and Maths syllabus up to Class 10.
Logical Reasoning - Step-by-Step Verbal Reasoning by Philip Kay, How to Pass Diagrammatic Reasoning Test by Mike Bryon.
GK and Current Affairs - Read newspapers daily for current affairs. For static GK, read any good GK book for NID.
English - The Ultimate Guide for NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam by Arihant

4. Prepare a timetable

Like any exam, to prepare well for the NID 2026 entrance exam, aspirants need to prepare a timetable. Not only this, candidates are advised to prepare a daily, weekly, as well as a monthly prep plan for NID DAT Prelims. Further, candidates should attempt to complete their syllabus as soon as possible and keep the last month before the exam for revision and solving as many past years’ question papers, sample papers, and mock tests as they can.

5. Solve NID Sample and Previous years' Question papers

Candidates should attempt to solve as many NID entrance exam question papers as they can get their hands on. Solving actual question papers for the NID entrance exam would help candidates know the format of questions asked in the exam, along with understanding the exam pattern. Past years’ question papers for the NID entrance exam also help candidates in identifying important topics, resulting in aspirants securing higher marks in this design entrance test.

6. Solve NID Sample Papers and Mock tests

Candidates can test their knowledge of topics asked in the NID entrance exam by solving as many sample papers and mock tests as possible. Attempting mock tests as well as sample papers also helps candidates in making a strategy for time management when solving the question paper for the exam.

7. Practice drawing for the NID DAT Entrance Test

Practice drawing whatever catches your imagination, or anything around you, be it your mom’s kitchen, the street you visit to buy daily groceries, the mall, or the security guard performing his duty.

There are various forms of drawing, like caricature, photorealism, figure, cartoon, animation, doodling, gestural, and technical, etc. Practice each form of drawing. Live sketching and still drawings also open up one's hands.
During the exam, it is always a good idea to make a light outline, rather than putting rigid lines or curves. This way, there will be little need to erase and redraw. This, in turn, will keep the copy clean and tidy.
Another tip is to learn the art of using dry color, as they are easier to handle and take less time. Do some research about color rendering, theory, emotions, etc. Be original in your creations, because it is what will impress the jury. Conversely, copying designs from others can sink your boat pretty fast.

Read More:

Tips to Improve Drawing Skills for NID Exam 2026: Pattern, Important Topics and Practice Questions

Commonly asked questions

Q: How much time is needed to prepare for the NID DAT exam?

A candidate would ideally need around 6 months or so to prepare for the NID DAT exam. He can take up to 3 months if his fundamentals are strong.

Q: Where can I download the syllabus for NID DAT 2026?

There is no official syllabus for NID DAT 2026 exam. Details regarding the pattern and types of question asked are available in the handbook available on the website. You can solve sample paper to get the idea of the question paper.

Q: Which are the best books for NID Entrance Exam?

To give oneself a higher chance of securing a good rank in NID DAT, it is important to use good-quality books a reference material.

Here are some of the best books recommended by experts and previous rank holders to prepare for the NID DAT exam.

NID (B. Des. ). Entrance Books and Test Series by AFAINDIA
Basic Rendering by Robert W. Gill
Design drawing by Francis D. K. Ching
NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board

NID DAT Topper Interviews and Preparation Strategy

The toppers have been there and done that. So, they are among the best placed to guide the candidate in their NID DAT 2026 exam preparation journey. Check here NID DAT Topper Interview and get useful insights.

NID DAT 2020 Topper Interview: Rank 5, Pramod Ranjan shares his prep strategy

NID DAT Topper Amit Kumar shares prep tips for NID DAT Prelims

NID Topper Arkita shares her NID DAT Prelims Prep Strategy

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is the NID DAT exam very difficult to crack?

NID DAT, along with NIFT and UCEED are among the most competitive national-level entrance exams in the country. The fact that there are only 425 seats for the B. Des and 347 seats for the M.Des programme makes it very competitive. But that being said, if the candidate prepares well and with the correct strategy, then the NID DAT exam can be cracked. Among the first things the candidate needs to do is prepare a efficient study timetable get familiar with the syllabus and pattern, and use good books as reference material.

Q: What tasks I need to do to effectively prepare for NID DAT exam?

Along with following the official NID DAT exam pattern and syllabus, do these tasks to prepare for NID DAT exam:

Solve sample papers - You can starting solving sample papers very early on in your preparation, for instnce after completing a chapter.
Solve previous years’ papers - This exercise will help you get an idea about the nature and structure of the exam, including difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, and much more.
Take mock tests - Mocks are usually taken closer to the exam date. It will help you fine tune your preparation and fix the mental aspect of taking an entrance exam.
Take notes during study - This exericise will not only help you stay focused, but also help you jot down important and difficult points. This in turn will make revision easier and quicker.

Q: Is there negative marking in NID DAT?

There is no negative marking in NID DAT 2026 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.

NID DAT Preparation - FAQs

Go through some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on NID DAT 2026 exam preparation below:

Commonly asked questions

Q: How can I improve my sketching skills for NID DAT?

If you want to get a good rank in NID DAT, sketching is very important. Practice live sketching daily. Sketch daily objects. Sketch from the previous year question paper.

Q: How to prepare for the NID DAT Prelims?

As per NID DAT exam pattern, the design entrance test is conducted in two stages: NID Prelims and NID Mains.

To prepare for the B. Des and M.Des programme, candidates need to follow these tips.

Follow NID syllabus
Get familiar with the exam pattern, including the types of questions asked, section-wise and topic-wise weightage, mode of exam, marking scheme, etc.
Prepare a study plan taking into account time left for the exam.
Practice mock tests and solve previous year's papers.

Q: How can I prepare for the NID DAT Interview?

The Personal Interview is an component of the NID admission process as it carries around 30 percentage weightage. Candidates who are shortlisted for that Mains has to appear in the Personal Interview along with the Studio Test. Here are some of the important tips to prepare for the interview. Read up on the Fashion Industry don't given one liner answers. You can elaborate a bit without being verbose. The first impression does make a difference, so take note. Don't try to mislead and waste time of the interviewer. This way you have more to lose than gain. If you have made a list of commonly asked questions and prepared for them, you might be at an advantage. Improve your communication skills. Get creative Measure your words carefully. Carry a positive body language.

Q: What is the NID Interview and what aspects are tested during the interview?

Candidates who get shortlisted based on their DAT Prelims scores for the M.Des programme has to next appear in DAT Mains, which comprises a Studio Test and Interview. The Personal Interview is conducted after the Studio Test and carries a weightage of 30%. The interview will be conducted by a panel, which may include experts from industries/academics. The purpose of the interview is to assess the general awareness, extracurricular activities, academics, and the field of interest of the candidate. It is mandatory for candidates to appear in the Personal Interview or else the candidate will not be included in the final merit list.

The National Institute of Design (NID) has released the schedule for NID DAT 2024 (Mains).

Q: What topics will be covered in NID DAT Mains?

If you qualify for the NID DAT 2026 exam you can appear in the DAT Mains which is the 2nd stage of the two-stage NID admission process.

The DAT Mains exam will include tasks like Model Making, Audio-Visual Exercises, Evolving ideas, Material Manipulation, Importance of body language, Creative thinking, and Doodling. The Studio Test is hands-on test that will be conducted in offline mode.

To prepare for the Studio Test, develop their sketching skills, including line drawing, shadow drawing etc. Practice other stuff mentioned in the syllabus, including doodling, and try to improve their creativity.

Q: What is the syllabus for NID Entrance Exam?

The NID syllabus for that Prelims will include questions from topics like Drawing fundamentals, Innovation in design, Theme development, Exercises on imagination, Graphics & pictograms, Principles of composition, Design theory, etc. The syllabus for NID that Mains will include topics like Model making, Material manipulation, Audio-visual exercises, Importance of body language, Doodling, Creative thinking and the likes. Candidates may note that the National Institute of Design doesn't release any official syllabus. The important topics for the exam are identified by consulting previous years' question papers. The candidate is advised to visit the NID admission portal for the latest updates on NID Syllabus; alternately they may visit this page.