NIFT Preparation Tips 2026: CAT/GAT Study Material, Toppers Tips, Best Books & Strategy

Along with doing through the textbooks and solving problem Sets the candidate must also solve previous years question papers to prepare for NIFT 2025. One of the main benefits of solving sample papers is the candidate will get to know the difficulty level, types of questions asked, and marking scheme. Also, previous years papers are great tools to improve ones time-management and problem-solving skills. By analyzing the previous years question papers, the candidate may also figure out trends that are followed in drafting question. Further, note that there are some questions that may be repeated, with a slight change in the wording or concept. If the candidate solves previous years question papers, the candidate will be able to easily solve them.

The Creative Ability Test or 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 imporve ones 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.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) may or may not conduct mock tests. So, the candidate can take mock tests conducted by elswhere. Typically, the more mock tests a candidate takes, you can prepare better. That being said, mock tests are usually taken closer to the exam. For instance, by taking mock tests, you learn management skills, along with improving problem-solving skills. Note that the candidate must solve sample papers and previous years NIFT question papers, along with taking mock tests, to effectively prepare for the exam.

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 General Ability Test GAT along with the CAT is the 1st stage of the NIFT exam. The test is conducted in a computer-based mode and includes objective-type questions. To prepare for the GAT exam, the candidate must carefully go through the exam syllabus and make a study time table. Next, the candidate has to gather the best books available for the test. When studying for the exam, the candidate must ensure that they not only clear the concepts, but solves all the related problems to better understand the concepts and develop problem-solving skills. Also, after completing a chapter, it is mandatory to do frequent revisions. Another important tool for NIFT GAT exam preparation is sample and previous years question papers.

Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des course also need to take the Creative Ability Test CAT written exam, in addition to the GAT. The CAT exam will be conducted in an offline, pen-pencil mode. CAT will be a drawing-based exam of 3 hours duration. The CAT will evaluate various skills of the candidate including Intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept as well as design ability. Further, it will examine the creative as well as innovative use of color and illustration skills of aspirants. It is mandatory for B. Des and M.Des candidates to appear in the CAT paper, or else they will not be invited for the Situation Test.

On the day of the NIFT written exam, the candidate must bring the following items with them:

• NIFT admit card
• A valid photo id proof
• HB Pencils, Eraser, Sharpener, Dry Colours

Note that if the candidate arrives at the exam centre without the admit card and photo id proof, he or she will not be allowed to take the NIFT exam. However, the following items are not allowed inside the exam venue: Water bottle, Papers, Notes, Books, Calculator, Electronic gadgets, Mobile phone, Bag, Handbag, Correction marker/ white fluid.

The admit card for NIFT will contain the important guidelines that candidates need to follow at the NIFT 2026 exam centre. Additionally, also check out the NIFT admission portal before the exam.

It may contain important updates on the exam; for instance if an exam centre has been changed, it may contain an update. Or, it may contain additional guidelines.

Here are some key points related to exam-day instructions to be followed at the exam center: The candidate needs to report at the NIFT exam centre one hour before the commencement of the exam. The candidate can't leave the exam hall until the exam ends. Entry to the exam centre will only be allowed when the candidate produces their id card and a valid photo id proof. The candidate must refrain from adopting unfair means inside the exam hall, including cheating, etc. For the CAT the candidate will have to bring along stationery items like blue or black ballpoint pen, HB pencils, eraser, sharpener and dry colours.

To prepare for the NIFT 2025 Situation Test, the candidate needs to practice material handling. The candidate must be using different types of material like clay, aluminum foil, aluminum sheet, sun pack, foam, straw pipe, mouldable aluminium wire, etc. Practice cutting and attaching the material to make different types of models. When making a model, use a timer, because this way you will lean time-management and you brain will also start processing information accordingly. If you are getting stuck in your preparation, don't hesitate to take the help of peer, mentor, or your teacher.

The NIFT GAT exam is conducted from 9 am onwards for all the courses.  As per the official notification, candidates need to report at the exam centre at least 60 minutes before the commencement of the exam.

Note that the gates of the NIFT exam center will be closed 30 minutes before exam commences. This means, if the candidate arrives at the exam center after 8.30 am, he or she will not be allowed to entry inside the exam venue.

Also, at the time of reporting at the exam center, the candidate must bring their admit card and a valid photo ID proof. 

The NIFT 2025 Situation Test will evaluate the candidate on the following parameters: Concept development, which evaluates how one has answered the main subject of the question while remaining creative at its core. Whether the candidate is able to beautifully and intelligently convert the concept into a design/ product? How real-life is the 3D model? How much innovation is required to create the model. The amount of material exploration, experimentation and treatment given to otherwise simple craft raw material. Is the student able to explain the concept in the write up. If the student able to combine different types of materials considering their texture and weight. If the materials usage appropriate. Whether the student is able to utilise the resources not only in variety but also in quantity, that is, managing the limited supply.

To do well in an entrance exam like NIFT, the candidate is expected to have good drawing skills. Note that the NIFT paper will have two sub-exams - CAT and GAT.

The CAT or the Creative Ability Test will evauate the drawing skills of the candidate. 

So, unless you have above average drawing skills, you might struggle. 

To do well in the exam, work on your drawing and visualization skills.

NID DAT and NIFT are two of the most important design entrance exams in the country. Both exams have a design aptitude test and many topics that overlap.

So, you can safely solve NID DAT sample papers as well. That being said you first job will be to complete the NIFT sample papers.

Candidates will be shortlisted for the Situation Test on the basis of their performance in the CAT and GAT written exams. The Situation Test will evaluate the - material handling and the innovative ability - of the candidate. Some of the key parameters that will be evaluated include Space Visualization, Innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model and overall presentation, etc. After making the model, the candidate will also have to draft a write-up explaining the model. The write-up should clearly explain the concept/idea behind the model constructed. Also, the write-up should be in English only. Write-ups in any other language will not be accepted. The candidate has to make the model using material provided inside the exam hall. No other material will be allowed.

The exam pattern for NIFT GAT varies from one course to another. The total number of questions asked in NIFT GAT is mentioned below: BDes: 100 questions, BFTech: 150 questions, MDes: 120 questions, MFTech: 150 questions, MFM: 150 questions. Note that the GAT or the General Ability Test will be conducted in a computer-based mode. Questions will be objective-type. The GAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des programs will be of 120 minutes. However, the GAT paper for the B.FTech, M.FTech, and MFM courses will be for 180 minutes.

To prepare for NIFT Entrance Exam 2024, you can follow the steps below: Understand the NIFT pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Make a monthly, weekly and daily time-table and stick to it. Collect high qualify and reliable study material to use as reference material for each subject. Attempt as many previous years' NIFT question papers as possible. Use a notebook when you are studying something, and jot down all the important or difficult points you come across. In the last few weeks leading up to the exam, take mock tests to mentally prepare for the exam and get a taste of the exam experience.

The NIFT 2025 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. Some of the best books to prepare for the NIFT exam are: NIFT/NID/IIFT entrance exam guide by Surendra Kavimandan, Arihant NIFT Entrance Exam Self-Study, NIFT Entrance Examination (Guide) by D Mittal, and Bright Careers Guide NIFT Entrance Exam. To practice for the CAT paper, the candidate needs to work on their drawing, observation, and creative skills. The candidate must lean various types of drawing, including line, silhouette, cartoon, sketch, figure, photorealism, etc.

NIFT is not only one of the most competitive entrance exams in the country, with a large number of applicants, but it is also among the toughest. The syllabus for the NIFT 2024 exam is quite vast, and most of the questions can range from medium to difficult.

So, to prepare for an exam like NIFT 2024, you need to have enough time in your hands.

If you are only beginning your NIFT 2024 now, i.e., with only a few months left for the exam, you need to pace your preparation accordingly. For instance, it will be foolhardy to try to complete the entire syllabus from the get go, because that you will put unnecessary pressure on yourself and things can only get complicated.

Instead, what you can do is make a list of high-scoring, easy-to-prepare topics. First master these topics as fast as you can. Make a study plan if you need to. Once you are done with these topics, you can move to the next category of topics, and continue this strategy until you complete the entire topic.

If you are not able to complete a topic because you are finding it too difficult, don’t panic and waste time jostling with it for long. Leave it for the time being, and come back to tackle it later if you have time in your hands.

Do solve sample papers and previous years NIFT papers as much you can.