NIFT Entrance Exam Pattern

The NIFT entrance exam is considered moderately difficult. The level of difficulty of the exam depends on a student's strengths and preparation. Since seats are limited and competition is high, even average questions feel tougher due to the pressure.

• B.Des exam tests creativity, design aptitude, observation, logical reasoning, and general awareness, which can be challenging and requires practice and skills like creativity, good observation, design thinking, etc.

• B.F.Tech exam has more focus on quantitative ability, reasoning, and English, making it closer to an aptitude test. Mathematics is compulsory for B.F.Tech.

• M.Des, M.F.Tech and M.FM, demand a basic understanding of the fundamentals of design.

For students who regularly practice sketching, mock tests, GK, and reasoning questions, the exam is quite manageable. NIFT is not about rote learning but about creative thinking and time management.

The weights given to the various assessment components on the NIFT 2025 entrance exam vary depending on the program. The evaluation process for applicants to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program consists of three main components: the Situation Test, which has a 20% weight and evaluates practical skills in handling materials to create a three-dimensional model based on a given situation; the General Ability Test (GAT), which has a 30% weight and focusses on quantitative, analytical, and general knowledge; and the Creative Ability Test (CAT), which has a 50% weight and evaluates design skills and creativity. On the other hand, the GAT accounts for 100% of the weight when evaluating applicants for the Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech) program.

The GAT paper for the M.Des programme will be of 120 minutes and will include 120 multiple-choice questions. The questions will be set in English and Hindi, and the candidate will be able to select their language at the time of filling out the NIFT application form. Questions will be asked from the following topics: Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Analytical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The Communication Ability, English Comprehension, and Quantitative Ability sections will each include 30 questions, whereas Analytical Ability will have 20 questions, and GK and Current Affairs will have 15 questions. The candidate must strictly follow the official exam pattern only, as questions will be asked from the given syllabus.

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).

NIFT is not only one of the most competitive entrance exams in the country, with a large number of applicants, but it is also among the toughest. The syllabus for the NIFT exam is quite vast, and most of the questions can range from medium to difficult.

So, to prepare for an exam like NIFT, you need to have enough time in your hands.

If you are only beginning your NIFT 2025 now, you will have enough time to go through the entire syllabus. 

However, if 4 months is all you have, you need to pace your preparation accordingly. For instance, it will be foolhardy to try to complete the entire syllabus from the get go, because that you will put unnecessary pressure on yourself and things can only get complicated.

Instead, what you can do is make a list of high-scoring, easy-to-prepare topics. First master these topics as fast as you can. Make a study plan if you need to. Once you are done with these topics, you can move to the next category of topics, and continue this strategy until you complete the entire topic.

Also, if you are not able to complete a topic because you are finding it too difficult, don’t panic and waste time jostling with it for long. Leave it for the time being, and come back to tackle it later if you have time in your hands.

Do solve sample papers and previous years NIFT papers as much you can.