NIFT Entrance Exam MFTech Preparation 2026: Tips, Strategy & Guide

Along with going through the textbooks and solving problem sets, candidates must also solve previous years question papers to prepare for NIFT 2026. One of the main benefits of solving sample papers is that candidate will get to know the difficulty level, types of questions asked, and marking scheme. By analyzing the previous years question papers, candidate may also figure out trends that are followed in drafting question. 

NIFT Creative Ability Test or NIFT 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 improve one's 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 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.

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.

To prepare for NIFT GAT, candidates must carefully go through the exam syllabus and make a study time table.

• Next, he should gather the best books available for the test.
• When studying for the exam, he 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.

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

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

Items which are not allowed inside the exam venue are 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.

NIFT GAT exam is expected to be conducted from 9 am onwards for all the courses.  Candidates need to report to the exam centre at least 60 minutes before the commencement of the exam.

Note that gates of 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.

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 NIFT Situation Test on the basis of their performance in the CAT and GAT written exams. The Situation Test will check material handling and innovative ability of 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 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.

NIFT 2026 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.