What to expect in NID Studio Test 2026: Tips and Format

Pranav Prasun, who was pursuing an MDes in Apparel Design from NID Gandhinagar, shares practical and useful tips to ace the NID DAT Studio Test. Read and learn these tips to ace the DAT Mains Studio Test.

NID Studio Test Prep Tips - Candidates who clear NID DAT (Prelims) have to next appear in NID DAT (Mains), which includes a Studio Test. PG candidates also need to appear in a Personal Interview Round after the Studio Test. Candidates must appear in all the stages of the NID Entrance Exam.

The FINAL merit list of NID DAT 2026 will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. 

Updates on the NID DAT 2026 Exam

The National Institute of Design is expected to conduct the NID DAT 2026 exam in the first week of January, 2026. The exam will be conducted in an offline mode in around 22 cities across India. The name and address of the NID DAT 2026 exam center allocated to the candidate will be mentioned in the admit card.

On exam day, bring your NID DAT 2025 admit card and photo ID proof. Also, make sure that you follow the NID DAT 2026 exam-day guidelines. 

NID Studio Test Prep Tips - Interview

Shiksha spoke to Pranav Prasun, who is pursuing an MDes course in Apparel Design from NID Gandhinagar, to develop a better understanding of how the Studio Test round is conducted for NID admissions. Talking about the NID Studio Test, Pranav shared, “For PG admissions, studio tests can be specific to the discipline, but this is not the case in UG admissions”. Read below the full interview to find out how you should prepare and what you should expect in the NID Studio Test.

Studio Test is conducted within 1 and half months after results for the written test are declared. There is also a schedule mentioned on the NID website/prospectus every year.

1. How did you prepare for the NID studio test?

I got an idea about the second phase, which includes a studio test and interview, from my brother, who had done Graphic Design from NID. He suggested talking to some of the senior students from the same discipline that I applied for. Talking to them gave me an overview of what a studio test of Apparel Design would be like. Then I practiced the same and tried to devise my time management strategy by practicing studio test exercises based on the studio test questions that I could find online. And with each practice session, I tried to figure out how I could improve and tried to incorporate the same in the next test. I took these tests every weekend after the first phase result was out. 

2.  Did you undergo any coaching for the NID studio test?

No, I did not go for any coaching for the studio test.

3. Roughly how many students are shortlisted for the NID Studio Test?

It’s approximately 3 times the number of seats for every discipline.

4. When you reached the exam center for NID studio test, what did you do?

We all sat as per our candidate ID. And we were given papers for the doodling exercise. Then material test was conducted after a short break.

5. Did you carry any stationery/other equipment for NID studio test? What material were you provided with?

I carried stationery like pencil, eraser, sharpener, pen, scale, etc. as mentioned in the call letter for the studio test.  We need pencils during the doodling exercise and pencil/pen for a brief description of what we do in the next test. Besides, any additional material like wire or equipment like pliers, that we might need based on the given task is provided during the test.

6. How many students are there in one room during the Studio Test?

During my studio test, everyone was there in one big room for the studio test.

7. Are students asked to work simultaneously during the Studio Test?

Yes, everyone attempts the questions asked at the same time.

8. What all was asked in your NID Studio Test?

The studio test was conducted in two sessions. The first session included a doodling exercise where we needed to complete each given frame with doodles. Then there was a short break of around 10-15 minutes. Thereafter, in the next phase, we were given two tasks that we needed to perform using the materials provided. First, was to make something that carries 6 eggs safely under mentioned conditions. Secondly, one was to make a product using straps, wires, threads, etc.

9. Are all the students given the same set of questions in NID studio test?

Yes, there was same set of questions for all the candidates.

10. On what basis are students evaluated in NID Studio Test?

Frankly, I won’t be able to give a clear idea about the basis of selection, as it would depend on the faculty. However, as I know it’s on how best you can approach the given test within the specified time frame.

11. What is the next step in the NID admission process after the studio test round?

The next step is the interview round, which happens for 3 days after the studio test is conducted, as per the time mentioned for each student. Students are informed about the interview date and time just after the studio test.

Interviews begin on the next day of the studio test. It concludes in 3 days usually. If due to some reason a student wants to advance the interview then that is also done.

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