NIFT Syllabus 2026 (GAT, CAT, Situation Test and PI): Written Exams Syllabus, Important Topics, No. of Questions

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.

The written exam of NIFT has two papers - the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). B. Des and M. Des candidates need to appear in both CAT and GAT, while candidates applying for other courses only need to take the GAT. NIFT CAT Syllabus Creativity Design Theory Visual Logic Innovative Use of Colours Illustration Skills NIFT GAT Syllabus Quantitative Ability: Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, etc. Communication Ability and English Comprehension: Synonyms, Antonyms, Words with corresponding meanings, Singular, Plural, etc. Analytical Ability and Logical Ability General Knowledge and Current Affairs

There is no fixed number of sample papers that the candidate needs to solve for the NIFT exam. That being said, the candidate must solve as many sample papers as possible to improve their problem-solving and time-management skills. To get the most out of the sample papers, it is recommended that the candidate start solving sample papers as early as possible. For instance, the candidate may solve sample questions after completing a chapter. Along with solving the sample papers, it is also important for the candidate to analyze their performance. This exercise will help the candidate identify weak areas or pain points and fix them.

During the Situation Test, the candidate will be provided with a set of materials. Using these materials the candidate will be required to make specific models. In this test, candidates are required to create a 3D model based on the question asked for which they are given 2 hours, within which, they need to conceptualize and complete the model. After completing the mode, the candidate will also have to draft a write-up, which is evaluated by the jury later. Note that besides material exploration & management skills, NIFT also lays great emphasis on time management skills and students are closely monitored on the fact that whether they have managed to complete the task at hand in two hours or not.

The NIFT situation test will evaluate the candidate on the following parameters - Colour scheme, Space visualization, Construction skill, Finesse of the model, Composition of elements, Overall presentation, Innovative and creative use of given material, etc. The Situation Test will be evaluated on the spot. Also, the model made by the candidate will not be preserved for future reference. The candidate must make sure that their model is unique and stands out from the crowd. After making the model, the candidate must make a write-up explaining the model.

The CAT test will evaluate the intuitive ability, power of observation concept development and design ability of the candidate. The CAT syllabus will include topics like Design Theory, Colour Terminology, Inspiration & Design Development, Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions, Elements & Principles Of Design, Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship, Natural & Geometrical Form, etc. An important aspect of CAT paper is its thrust on the creative and innovative use of color and illustration. Note that during the course of the exam, the candidate cannot reveal their identity.

The topics for the GAT paper are given below: Quantitative Ability - This sub-test is designed to test the quantitative ability of the candidates. The subtest consists of questions on Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. Communication Ability and English . Comprehension - This sub-test is aimed at testing the language ability of the candidates in day-to-day communication in English . It includes questions on synonyms, antonyms, words with corresponding meanings, singular, plural, one-word substitutes, idioms and phrases, correct spellings, comprehend a situation from a given passage, etc. Analytical Ability and Logical Ability - This sub-test is designed to test the candidates capacity for inference and logic from the given information and to evaluate the candidates ability to identify the given problem and apply reasoning in solving the core issues of the problem. Concepts and practices of creative and lateral thinking are likely to be useful. General Knowledge and Current Affairs This sub-test is designed to test the candidates general knowledge and Current Affairs. Candidates must keep themselves updated with the latest happenings.

During the Situation Test, the candidate will be provided with a set of materials. Using these materials the candidate will be required to make specific models. In this test, candidates are required to create a 3D model based on the question asked for which they are given 2 hours, within which, they need to conceptualize and complete the model. After completing the mode, the candidate will also have to draft a write-up, which is evaluated by the jury later. Note that besides material exploration & management skills, NIFT also lays great emphasis on time management skills and students are closely monitored on the fact that whether they have managed to complete the task at hand in two hours or not.

The NIFT Situation Test is a hands-on test that B. Des candidates need to appear in after qualifying the written exam. During the Situation Test the candidate has to make a model. Note that the material for making the model will be provided to the candidate inside the exam hall; no other material expect that provided to the candidate is allowed. So, candidates appearing in the Situation Test must not bring any additional materials for the Situation Test. The Situation Test will be evaluated on the spot. It is mandatory for the candidate to draft a write-up explaining the model.

Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des programme need to appear in a Situation Test after qualifying the written exam. The Situation Test carries 20 percent weightage. The situation test will be a hands-on test and will evaluate the candidate s material handling and innovative ability. The candidate will be asked to make a model or design using a given set of materials. The expert panel with evaluate the model on parameters like 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. The candidate will also have to submit a write-up explaining the model. The situation test will be evaluated on the spot.

Candidates seeking admission to the Masters courses at NIFT participating need to appear in a Personal Interview after qualifying in the written exam. The Personal Interview is conducted in an offline mode. The interview will evaluate the candidate on the following parameters: Career orientation Aptness for the course Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities Communication General awareness and aptitude, creative and lateral thinking Note that the Personal Interview carries 30% weightage.

The participating institutes of NIFTs offer a 4-year B.FTech programme. Admission to the programme is based on GAT scores. The NIFT 2025 GAT question paper for the programme will be of 180 minutes and will be bilingual. Candidates will have the option to take the exam either in English or Hindi. The question type will be multiple-choice. The question paper will have a total of 150 questions. Questions will be asked from the following FIVE sections - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The mode of NIFT 2025 exam for the GAT paper will be computer-based-test (or CBT).

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.