Candidates seeking admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses at the NIFTs must appear in a Creative Ability Test (CAT). The Creative Ability Test will evaluate the creative and drawing skills of the candidate. Importantly, CAT carries a hefty 50% weightage for B.Des. So, here we bring you a list of questions asked in the NIFT CAT exam in the previous editions for practice and to provide key insights.
The NTA is to conduct the written exams for NIFT on February 08, 2026. NIFT 2026 written exams will comprise the CAT and NIFT GAT. While GAT is common for all courses, only B.Des and M.Des candidates must take the CAT. NIFT 2025 scores will be considered for admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate design programs offered at NIFT campuses. UG programs offered at NIFT include Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech), whereas PG courses on offer at NIFT include Master of Design (MDes), Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech), and Master of Fashion Management (MFM).
Latest Updates:
- NIFT 2026 LIVE Updates: Shift Timing, Exam Day Guidelines, Question Paper Analysis, Difficulty, Student Review
- NIFT Answer Key 2026 (SOON) LIVE Updates
- NIFT Exam 2026: Common Mistakes Students Make During the Paper
- NIFT 2026 Exam Anxiety and Preparation Pressure: Tips to Stay Calm Before Test Day
For the B.Des program, the NIFT CAT carries 50% weightage, whereas for the M.Des program, the CAT is worth 40% weightage. Given the importance of the CAT, the candidate must pay special attention to the written exam, including solving sample papers for the NIFT 2026 CAT.
Candidates who clear the written tests for the BDes course need to next appear in a NIFT Situation Test. PG applicants have to instead appear in a GD/PI round. The weightage allotted to each test conducted for NIFT admissions is as per the table mentioned below:
- Exam Weightage for NIFT UG Programs
- Exam Weightage for NIFT PG Programs.
- NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for BDes
- NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for MDes
- NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for BDes
- NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for MDes
- NIFT CAT 2017 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2016 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2015 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2014 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2013 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2012 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2011 Question Paper
- NIFT CAT 2010 Question Paper
Exam Weightage for NIFT UG Programs
Check out the weightage of NIFT UG.
| Program |
Exam |
Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| B. Des. |
GAT |
30% |
| CAT |
50% |
|
| Situation Test |
20% |
|
| B.F. Tech. |
GAT (Sec-A) |
30% |
| GAT (Sec-B) |
70% |
|
| B.F. Tech. Opting for B. Des. |
GAT (Sec-A) |
30% |
| CAT |
50% |
|
| Situation Test |
20% |
Commonly asked questions
The table below depicts the NIFT Bangalore the highest package for reference:
| Particulars | Placement Statistics |
|---|---|
| the highest package | INR 12 LPA |
NOTE: The above salary details are fetched from the Shiksha students' review.
Joining NIFT Chennai's BDes programme without entrance exam doesn't seem like a possibility. As per the Institution's admission guidelines, candidates must appear for the qualify The National Institute of Technology (NIFT) exam. The exam is conducted once every year and has TWO parts:
- Written Exams - It comprise the GAT and CAT. The GAT paper is mandatory for all programs, while only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT.
- Situation Test/ Personal Interview - B.Des candidates who get shortlisted have to appear in the Situation Test.
Hi.B.F.Tech. in Apparel Production at NIFT Patna is a 4 years course at the UG level. The course offers admission to 44 students. The total tuition fee for NIFT Patna B.F.Tech. in Apparel Production is INR 12.34 Lakh. Apart from the tuition fee, there is a one-time admission fee of amount INR 27,200, and a hostel fee of amount INR 63,400 that students are required to pay in addition to the tuition fee.
Thanks
To get admission in NIFT Shillong, follow the below steps:
- Candidates must take the NIFT Entrance Exam in order to be admitted to NIFT Shillong.
- Candidates must clear the cutoff for the course they have applied to
- Candidates are invited for the interview rounds based on their entrance performance.
- After that, candidates must sign up for NIFT Shillong counseling.
Exam Weightage for NIFT PG Programs.
Check out the weightage of NIFT UG.
| Program |
Exam |
Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| M.F.M. |
GAT (Section A and B) |
70% |
| Personal Interview |
30% |
|
| M. Des. |
GAT (Section A) |
30% |
| CAT |
40% |
|
| Personal Interview |
30% |
|
| M.F.M. opting for M. Des. |
GAT (Section A) |
30% |
| CAT |
40% |
|
| Personal Interview |
30% |
|
| M.F. Tech. |
GAT |
70% |
| Personal Interview |
30% |
Also Read:
- UCEED vs NID - Which is Better?
- NID vs NIFT - Differences, Participating colleges, Admission Process, Placement
- How to Crack UCEED in 6 Months
- NIFT 2025 Quantitative Ability Syllabus, Questions & Preparation Tips
Previous years' NIFT CAT Questions 2010-2019
The Creative Ability Test (CAT) is conducted by NIFT to test “intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept and design ability of the candidate”, informs the official website of NIFT admissions.
NIFT College Predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to predict the college in which they can get admission on the basis of their expected exam score.
NIFT Exam College PredictorNIFT CAT also evaluates candidates on the basis of innovative use of colours as well as illustration skills. Shiksha has compiled the list of questions asked in NIFT CAT exam over the last nine years. Candidates are advised to go through these questions for NIFT entrance exam preparation and ace this part of the admission process.
NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for BDes
Q1. Visualise and draw any one of the following, as they would be in the year 2050. Colour the product using dry colours.
(i) Umbrella
(ii) Door Lock
(iii) Lunch box
Q2. Using the following shapes, that is, Circle, rectangle, Hexagon, Tear drop & Triangle, compose any one of the following: (a) Personal Computer (b) Wind Chime (c) Letter Box”. Accompany it with a write up of 100 words.
Q3. Depict the process on any one of the following in four frames.
(i) Budding & blooming of the Rose flower
(ii) A Shirt on a clothing line from wet to dry
(iii) A bird taking flight from ground to sky
Commonly asked questions
NIFT Hyderabad offers admission to candidates based on their scores in NIFT Entrance Exam. Aspirants need to appear for Creative Ability Test and General Ability Test for BDes and MFM courses. Candidates have to only appear for GAT for admission to BFTech. Selected candidates are called for Situation Test/ PI for final admission. Aspirants have to come for document verification and fee payment to confirm their seat.
NIFT Hyderabad reserves seats for SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL, Gen-EWS and PwD category candidates. Check below category-wise reservation criteria:
| Category | Reservation % |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| Gen-EWS | 10% |
Person with Disability (PwD) | 5% |
Admission to NIFT Shillong is determined by the performance of the candidates in the NIFT exam. Recently, the NIFT Shillong cutoff 2025 is published for the first round. Considering the NIFT Round 1 seat allotment results, the General AI category cutoff rank is ranged between 17525 and 46678. Similarly, the OBC AI category candidates saw a cutoff range, with the first-round ranged between 884 and 5109. The minimum rank among both the categories released for Master of Fashion Management (MFM). Detailed insights into cutoff across all rounds and years (2025, 2024, and 2023) are available in the table below for General AI quota:
The NIFT Shilong cutoff 2025 has been released up to multiple rounds, wherein the closing rank for B.Des. in Textile Design during Round 3 admission was 2781 for the students belonging to the General AI quota. For other categories, check out the table provided below:
| Category | NIFT Round 3 Cutoff 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 2781 |
| OBC | 5720 |
| SC | 8514 |
| ST | 6464 |
| EWS | 7464 |
Explore colleges based on NIFT Entrance Exam
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
NIFT CAT 2019 Question Paper for MDes
Q1. Write an essay on the process of writing with pen and paper as compared to typing on laptop in context of which one do you prefer.
Q2. Share your experience of being blind folded for a day and listing five difficulties you faced with greater details about the most uncomfortable difficulty.
Q3. Design spectacles for:
- Traffic police
- School kids
- Sports person and
- Public transport passenger
NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for BDes
Q1. Show one of the following procedures in four steps:
(a) Placing a bulb on a holder.
(b) A paper folding into a boat.
Q2. Design and illustrate in colour with details, a bag for yourself for any one of the given topics:
(a) Wedding
(b) Picnic
(c) Shopping
Q3. Depict your personality through a geometric shape, in colour.
NIFT CAT 2018 Question Paper for MDes
Q1. Write in 10 steps (any one):
(a) Preparation of tea
(b) Playing in rain
Q2. Design a chair reflecting their personality, supporting it with a write up of 250 words explaining their concept.
Q3. Draw a scene of any one:
(a) A teal stall
(b) The Chef at work
(c) The gardener at work
NIFT CAT 2017 Question Paper
Q1. Draw any one of the following scenes:
- The view of the traffic signal from inside the car.
- A street play being organised
- A community festival celebration
Q2. Illustrate in colour a print on a T-shirt based on any one of the following themes:
- Music is the soul of life
- Save future wild life
- Dignity to aged
Q3. Express the contrast between the given pair of words through two separate visuals in given boxes. Out of the given three, one was to be attempted:
- Balanced/ Unbalanced
- Crispy/ Soggy
- Cluttered/ Uncluttered
NIFT CAT 2016 Question Paper
Q1. Show progression from one to another only through colours which are to be filled in a series of 10 blocks. Attempt any two.
(a) Cocoon to butterfly
(b) Dawn to Night
(c) Spring to Autumn
(d) Shiny metallic to Rust
Q2. Express the below mentioned emotions through colours:
(a) Sorrow
(b) Happiness
(c) Rebellious
(d) Astonishment
Q3. Design the below mentioned products:
(a) A textile print
(b) A footwear product
(c) A table utility product
(d) A clothing utility product
NIFT CAT 2015 Question Paper
Q1. Draw a poster on any one:
- Where there is a will there is a way
- Better late than never
- On every cloud there is a silver lining
Q2. Draw a mascot in a poster on any one topic:
- Swach Bharat Abhiyaan
- Make in India
- Food Security
Q3. Draw a Hindi/English alphabet and then add or delete some lines to make a product or a picture in four steps.
NIFT CAT 2014 Question Paper
Q1. Illustrate the dress of a tourist guide of the state you belong to. Label the accessories and fabric details.
Q2. Illustrate an expedition/trip in four steps from start to end, depicting feelings and emotions.
Q3. Draw a poster for voting/creating awareness about voting. Briefly explain your concepts in a few lines.
NIFT CAT 2013 Question Paper
Q1. If you are a lizard on a wall. With your reference, draw the whole room in which you are.
Q2. Illustrate and explain briefly the given words:
- Tsunami
- Summer
- Speed
- Love
- Tornado
Q3. Draw a pattern in the given grid using any 3 of the following motifs, and also explain the concept.
NIFT CAT 2012 Question Paper
Q1. Design a mascot for any one of the following topics:
- Keep city clean
- Pulse polio
- India against Corruption
Q2. Attempt any one of the options:
a) Within the frames show “Landing of an aircraft”
Or
b) Draw landscape of Spring, summer, autumn and winter. Colour suitably.
Q3. Design a creative poster on any one and write a suitable tagline
- Bookshop
- Cyber shop
- Fruit shop
NIFT CAT 2011 Question Paper
Q1. Depict the following words into the grid
- Trust
- Joy
- Fear
Q2. Draw the following scene, use only 3 colours
- Railway station
- Temple festival
- Republic day parade
Q3. Using a lead pencil, draw any one of the following scenes:
- Educating voters
- Corruption
- Right to education
Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates
12 Jul '26
9 Jul '26 - 13 Jul '26
8 Sep '25 - 31 Jul '26
3 Dec '25 - 31 Jul '26
25 Mar '26 - 14 Aug '26
22 Aug '26
1 Nov '25 - 31 Jul '26
NIFT CAT 2010 Question Paper
Q1. A grid of 10 by 10 inches is provided. Depict any one word in the grid.
- Enthusiasm
- Harmony
- Shock
Fill one colour in one box. You can even leave a few boxes vacant.
Q2. Design postal stamp for any one:
- Mother’s Day
- Commonwealth Games 2010
- Earth Hour
- World Health Day
Q3. Draw any one topic from the options given below (use only lead pencil)
- Magic show
- Obey traffic rules
- Go green
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
16 Jun '26 - 18 Jun '26 | NID B.Des Provisional Offer Le... |
9 Jun '26 - 11 Jun '26 | NID B.Des Seat Allotment Round... |
9 Jul '26 - 13 Jul '26 | UCEED Seat Allotment Round V |
10 Mar '26 - 31 Jul '26 | UCEED 2026 Score Card |
Jul '26 | UID General Category Window Ad... |
Nov '25 | UID DAT 2026 Application: UID ... |
Sep '25 | Pearl Academy Application Form... |
23 Jun '26 | Pearl Academy Personal Intervi... |
15 Jun '26 | AIEED 2026 Batch Starts |
6 Apr '26 - 18 Apr '26 | AIEED Examination (Situation T... |
27 Jan '26 | ISDI Challenge 2026: Result |
15 Dec '25 | ISDI Challenge 2026: Last date... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 months ago
NIFT 2026 Final Result for UG and PG programmes was released on June 03, 2026.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Sayeba Naushad is a commerce postgraduate from Banaras Hindu University. She has over five years of experience in content writing and editing. She has a nose for current events in design field. At Shiksha.com, she s
Read Full Bio