NID Entrance Exam

The National Institute of Design (NID) hasn’t released any syllabus for the DAT Prelims exam. In fact, NID doesn’t release any syllabus either for the DAT Prelims or DAT Mains exam.

Instead, the institute released sample question papers for the B.Des and M.Des programs.

The candidate can solve questions given in the sample papers to get an idea about the types of questions asked, topics covered, and weightage. Previous years’ NID DAT question papers can also be used for the purpose.

Diploma candidates need to meet the following conditions for admission:

• Done full-time Diploma of 4-year duration after 10+2

• Diploma in the following subjects is accepted - Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture.

• The Diploma must be done from a university or institute recognised by law in India.

Additionally, the candidate must have appeared in all the subjects and backlogs (if any) by June 30, 2024. 

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducted the DAT Prelims exam on December 24, 2023. 

The exam was conducted as per schedule.

Note that only under unforeseen circumstances, the NID officials may change the schedule of the exam.

Also, note that the National Institute of Design has the authority to may any changes to the structure of the exam if it deems fit. 

For instance, the institute in unavoidable situations may conduct all the tests entirely online or offline, or as a combination of online or offline exams.

The NIDs offer a full-time B.Des programme of 4-year duration, and a full-time M.Des programme of two-and-half years duration. 

The institute, in addition, also offers a PhD program. The programme can be pursed full-time or part-time. 

Admission to the design courses at the NID is conducted through a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The exam comprise DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

The final result or merit list is prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.

The NID DAT translates to the National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test. The Design Aptitude Test has two parts - DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The candidate has to first appear in DAT Prelims. If shortlisted, the candidate has to appear in DAT Mains.

Note that NID DAT scores are accepted for admission to the B.Des and M.Des programs offered by participating colleges. This means, the NIDs will not accept scores of no other entrance exams for admission purposes.

The DAT Prelims exam is typically conducted in January.

NID DAT Prelims is the 1st step of the two-step NID admissions process. DAT Prelims comprises a written exam that candidates need to clear in order to be eligible for DAT Mains. The National Institute of Design will conduct DAT Prelims exam around the 2nd week of January 2024. The DAT Mains for the B. Des programme will include a Studio Test, whereas the DAT Mains for the M.Des programme will comprise a Studio Test and Interview. The Studio Test and Interiew for the M.Des programme will be conducted in March 2024. The DAT Mains for the B.Des programme will be conducted in April 2024.