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

To crack the NIFTEE 2026 exam, follow the tips mentioned below:

1. Get familiar with the NIFT 2026 syllabus and exam pattern - It is key to have a clear idea about the types of questions asked, weightage, test duration, and difficulty level. For example, the GAT test for the B.Des program carries only 30% weightage. You can easily prepare for the paper by following books like NIFT Preparation by Arihant. Some students, in their over-enthusiasm, go overboard and try reading up on everything they find on the topic and end up buying one book after another. But this is unwarranted, as all this time can be used by the candidate to brush up on their drawing skills. 
2. Planning - Once you know what is in the syllabus or exam pattern, you can make your study plan. One reason why you should always make a study plan is that it will keep you on your toes. For example, you will not want to idle away a day, for you have assignments and topics lined up for that day; if you skip it, it will add to your next day’s agenda!
3. Take notes - At the beginning, your notes may not be up to the mark, like you won’t know what point to note down and what to ignore, but the good thing is that it will come with practice. The notes you take will be a ready reckoner that you can go for quick revision. This will come in handy, especially in the last few weeks of the exam.
4. Solve previous years’ question papers - This exercise is necessary to check one’s progress and develop problem-solving skills. Also, while the same question isn't usually repeated in the NIFT exam, some word meanings might get repeated. So, solving sample papers is important. 
5. Take mock tests - You must also take NIFT mock tests to be well-versed with the idea of the NIFT Examination. These tests can be used to prepare oneself mentally for the tough day ahead. Mock tests typically have the same types of questions as the ones asked in the actual exam. By taking the mock test, you will also get to know the layout of the question paper, the navigation process, etc.  
6. Take sufficient rest - In all the hullabaloo about exam excitement, it is easy to ignore one’s health. For example, in some cases, students forgo sleep or don’t rest on time. This creates unwanted stress levels in the body, and the response time of the mind will also slow down. Too much stress and the candidate might even start hallucinating. So, take proper rest in between your preparations. Also, stay hydrated. 

Also Read:

• Timings for GAT & CAT
• General Knowledge (GK) Questions for NIFT Exam

NIFT CAT is a paper-pencil-based test for three hours. In NIFT CAT, aspirants are given three to four subjective questions wherein they need to draw/ make sketches and answer the questions put forth to them.

The CAT test for the B.Des program carries 50% weightage and is the most important component of the entrance test. 

Step-wise preparation tips for NIFT CAT:  

• Inspiration and creativity - The candidate must develop the skill of minutely observing things and situations and must take a mental image of them. This kind of exercise will help with memory drawings. Keen observation will also help the candidate to understand the dynamics of various elements in a setting and the interplay between them. This, in turn, will not only inspire the candidate but also open the floodgates of creativity!
• Geometrical Shapes - The world we live in is filled with items of various geometrical shapes. Learn to draw various geometrical shapes one at a time till you master all of them.
• Concept Development - Before starting to craft a drawing, the conceptualization process must be dealt with first. Identify what you are going to draw, what components and elements you are going to use, and why. The candidate is urged to work on their observation and visualization skills. Visualization skill in the sense that you must be able to foretell how the drawing would look, the story it is going to tell, etc.
• Principles of Composition - In this type of drawing, the student can practice combining or arranging different elements and create different compositions. Note that the NIFT exam may ask the candidate to draw a particular sequence, and the practice of composition drawing will come in handy in such cases.
• Product Drawing - Product drawing is the 2D representation of 3-dimensional objects. Products can be anything, be it your tiffin box, shoes, spectacles, t-shirt, or washing machine. Draw sketches of as many products as you can, as it will help you tackle any product-drawing-related question asked in the exam.
• Poster Drawing - Make a list of all the trending topics and make poster drawings for each one of these topics. 
• Shading - Learn the various elements of shading, including reflected light, full light, case shadow, halftone, and shadow edge. If you master the art of shading, you can add the illusion of form, shape, and light to your drawings.
• Coloring - Once the student has learned the A, B, and C of coloring, he or she can start playing around with different colors. 
• Human figures - The subject of your human figures could be a relative, a friend, a rickshaw puller, an ice cream seller, a school security person, an old and wrinkly-looking old woman, etc.

The program-wise exam components and weightage are shown in the table below. The candidate needs to refer to this table to have a clear idea of how they need to prepare for the NIFT entrance exam.

Also Read:

• NIFT Entrance Exam: Tips to prepare for Creative Ability Test
• How to Crack CAT Paper in NIFT Written Entrance?

NIFT 2026 - Programs, Test Duration, Number of Questions

Candidates need to appear for NIFT GAT for admission in all courses – BDes, MDes, BFTech, MFTech and MFM. NIFT GAT exam pattern is as mentioned in the table below:

The best way to formulate a NIFT exam preparation plan is to go through tips and advice offered by students who have cleared the design exam. 

Keep the following things in mind during the NIFT 2026 Preparation:

1. Focus on revision
2. Don't start any new topic at this stage, as the exercise will be mostly futile and you will lose out on valuable time.
3. Solve sample papers and take mocks
4. Analyze your mistakes, and see if you can find a quick remedy.
5. Focus on the important topics, and see if you can 
6. Instead of going through large blocks of text in the textbooks, use your notes for quick revision.
7. Stay positive and healthy.
8. On exam day, ensure that you reach the NIFT exam center on time and are not late. Carry all essential items like documents, stationery items, etc.

Read More:

• NIFT Entrance Test: Tips for General Ability Test
• 20 Sample Questions for NIFT Entrance Exam GAT
• 6 Preparation Tips for NIFT Situation Test
• NIFT Situation Test: Sample questions to practice for the exam
• NIFT Situation Test: Previous years' questions

Mentioned below are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to NIFT 2026 exam preparation: