NIFT 2026 CAT vs GAT: Which Section Was Tougher Today?
NIFT Entrance Exam 2026 was conducted today for the UG and PG programmes. The NIFT 2026 exam finished today, and students stepped out with one shared doubt: was CAT harder, or did GAT take more effort? Early reactions show a paper that looked simple at first, but somewhere it asked for more focus than many expected.
NIFT 2026 Exam Analysis
The NIFT 2026 entrance exam took place all over the country today, bringing many design students into exam halls. You could almost feel both calm and nervous air around. The paper had two main parts: the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). Each one tested something different, so right after finishing, students started talking which one felt harder. CAT focused more on imagination, how you think with pictures, and how ideas come alive on paper. GAT was about logic, awareness, language, and simple maths. Now everyone keeps wondering which part was tougher in NIFT 2026. Let’s go through it step by step.
Latest News:
Overall Difficulty Level
Here is a quick look at how candidates described both sections right after walking out.
| Exam Section | Difficulty Level | Key Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| CAT | Moderate to Difficult | Creative ideas took time |
| GAT | Moderate but Lengthy | Needed faster solving |
| Overall | Moderately Difficult | Managing time properly |
Many students felt that GAT was tougher, not exactly because it was complicated, but since it kept demanding attention till the last minute.
CAT vs GAT Difficulty Comparison
The table below gives a simple comparison so it’s easier to see the difference clearly.
| Parameter | CAT | GAT |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Test | Subjective | Objective |
| Time Pressure | Manageable for some | Felt higher |
| Predictability | A bit unexpected | Mostly familiar |
| Student Sentiment | Challenging yet interesting | Slightly tiring |
| Scoring Potential | Strong for creative minds | Accuracy mattered more |
Looking at this, CAT stretched creativity, whereas GAT quietly tested patience. That difference mattered more than students first assumed.
CAT 2026 Exam Analysis
The NIFT 2026 Creative Ability Test was more about ideas than neat drawing. Some of the questions made you stop and think a bit longer. But once the thought came, everything felt easier and went more smooth. It tested how you imagine, not just how perfect your sketch looks.
Key Highlights:
- In the NIFT 2026 Creative Ability Test, questions made you notice real things around you.
- Building ideas counted more than keeping lines tidy.
- Drawing skills helped, but it wasn’t all about that.
Some tasks looked a bit odd, still they felt fair enough. Students who sketch often looked calmer through this part.
Expected CAT Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Experts feel CAT did a decent job separating highly imaginative candidates from those who rely mostly on practice alone.
GAT 2026 Exam Analysis
The General Ability Test felt like a silent race with time. Most students didn’t even realize how quick the minutes passed. It needed steady focus and calm thinking till the very end.
Key Highlights:
- Quantitative Aptitude needed careful calculation
- Reading passages were longer, so focus had to stay steady
- General Knowledge mixed current topics with familiar ones
- Logical questions looked simple but wanted attention
Quite a few aspirants couldn’t attempt everything, which made this section feel heavier overall.
Expected GAT Difficulty: Moderate but Time-Consuming
Students comfortable with mock tests probably handled it better, though even they had to keep moving quickly.
Section-Wise GAT Breakdown
Here is how each part of GAT performed according to early reactions.
| GAT Section | Difficulty | Student Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Moderate to Difficult | Took extra time |
| Communication Ability | Moderate | Readable but slightly long |
| English Comprehension | Moderate | Needed concentration |
| Analytical Ability | Moderate | Mistakes possible if rushed |
| General Knowledge | Easy to Moderate | Many recognized questions |
Nothing felt extremely hard alone, yet together they created pressure that students could not really ignore.
Student Reactions
- “CAT made me think, but I liked it.”
- “GAT just wouldn’t finish.”
- “Time went faster than expected.”
- “GK was better than I feared.”
Repeat candidates appeared calmer, maybe experience does help more than people think.
Expert Take: Which Section Was Tougher?
Based on first impressions and expert views, GAT seems slightly tougher than CAT in NIFT 2026.
Not because it was dramatically difficult, rather it kept asking for speed while staying accurate : and doing both together is never very simple.
CAT rewarded fresh thinking. GAT rewarded discipline.
Expected Cut-Off Impact
- Some normalization advantage for students affected by GAT
- CAT cut-offs may stay fairly stable
- Accuracy could influence ranks more this year
Clear numbers will only arrive once results are officially declared.
Final Verdict
The NIFT 2026 entrance exam was again a mix of creativity and logic, but this time it felt a bit more quiet in how it tested you.
- CAT made you think in ways you maybe didn’t expect.
- GAT, on the other hand, tested how long you could keep your focus going.
For most students today, GAT seemed harder than CAT, though it’s not the only thing that counts. What really matters is how you did overall in both papers together. Keep watching for more NIFT 2026 exam analysis, expected cut offs, and full insights coming soon.
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com
Anshul Jindal completed her Masters in Computer Applications from JIMS, Delhi, and has over 4 years of experience in content writing. Currently at Shiksa, creating content for exams like IGNOU BEd Entrance Exam, RIE
Read Full Bio