The NID DAT 2025 (prelims) exam will be conducted on Janurary 5. If you are engrossed in DAT prelims exam preparation, here are some useful tips to avoid silly mistakes and increase your chances of success.
The NID entrance exam has two parts - DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The National Institute of Design (NID) will conduct the NID DAT 2025 Prelims on January 5, 2025. Candidates who have registered for the exam can download the NID DAT 2025 admit card from December 24, 2024. The candidate needs to bring the admit card and an ID proof on exam-day. Also, they must follow NID DAT 2025 exam-day guidelines. The scores of NID DAT (prelims) will be used to shortlist candidates for DAT Mains. The M.Des DAT Mains 2025 exam will be conducted from March 3 - April 6, 2025. B.Des DAT Mains will be conducted from April 26 to May 4, 2025. If you are seeking admission to one of the NIDs, especially one of the top-ranked ones, it goes without saying that your preparation for NID DAT 2024 needs to be Spot On. For instance, you need to cut down on any mistakes during NID exam preparation.
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It is because silly mistakes while preparing for NID have the potential to rock an otherwise steady boat.
Mistakes to avoid during NID DAT exam preparation
- Skipping sample papers - Unless you solve sample papers and previous years' NID DAT question papers, you can’t fine-tune your problem-solving and time-management skills. Also, how do you check your progress by skipping this key exercise? So, start solving sample papers today, if you haven’t already.
- Not taking mock tests - Like sample papers, mock tests are also key tools for NID DAT 2024 exam preparation. However, they are taken closer to the exam and can help the candidate get into the exam groove. Mock tests will provide insights into the structure of the question paper, the navigation process, and much more.
- Skipping notes - If you make it a habit of taking notes, you will be able to jot down all important, tricky, and easy-to-forget but crucial points. Also, they can come in handy closer to the exam when you need to do a quick revision.
- Being inconsistent - Many students start their exam preparation with much fanfare only to go out of steam within a few days. Don’t do that. To succeed, you need to be relentless.
- Not taking enough rest - But relentless doesn’t mean that you forget to sleep and rest. In fact, it is the exact opposite. You need to be fully rested before the start of the day; this way you would be raring to go. Also, during the day, ensure that you take 10-15 minutes breaks after every 2-3 hours.
- Falling sick - This again is a fallout of not taking rest, and also not staying hydrated. So stay hydrated, do some mild exercise, and stay in a positive frame of mind.
- Procrastinating - If you fall into this trap of procrastination, there will be no light at the end of the tunnel. So, come out of it before you fall too deep inside the tunnel (i.e the habit of procrastination).
- Getting ahead of oneself (or thinking too far ahead) - Finally, don’t start daydreaming about what will happen if you score this or that. Be in the present, because that is how you can win this battle!
Mistakes to avoid during NID DAT exam
- Arriving late at the exam center - The reporting time would be mentioned on the NID DAT 2024 admit card. Unless you want to increase your blood pressure on such an important day, don’t be late.
- Not carrying the necessary documents and stationery - There is no excuse for not carrying the NID DAT admit card and a valid photo ID proof. Also, carry all the stationery you may need.
- Wearing uncomfortable clothes - While you needn’t be fancy, there is no reason not to wear a comfortable dress. So, take note.
- Is guesswork worth it? - There is no negative marking in NID DAT (Prelims). So, if you don't know the answer, there is no harm in answering questions based on guesswork. This way you only gain to gain a few free marks, without fear of being penalized.
- Losing one’s composure - If the paper is easy, no need to get overexcited and commit a few silly errors. Rather, take a deep breath, thank your lucky stars, and get back to business, that of attending to the NID DAT question paper. Likewise, if the paper is hard, no need to lose your marbles. Again, take a deep breath, and channel your warrior instincts. Remember, if you are finding the paper hard, like you many others may also be finding it hard. So, what you need to do at that moment is eke out every extra mark you can!
Q: Is the NID exam difficult?
NID evaluates aspirants based on their knowledge, creativity and aptitude for design. Experts share that NID is one of the most challenging design entrance exams conducted in the country. However, if prepared well, the difficulty level of NID Entrance Exam is medium. On of the main reasons why NID is such a competitive exam is there are very limited number of seats. For instance, there are only 425 seats available for the BDes programme through NID. In contrast, the NIFTs offer 2748 seats.
Q: Is the NID DAT exam very difficult to crack?
Q: What is the difficulty level of NID DAT?
The NID Entrance Exam is considered to be one of the toughest design entrance exam conducted in the country. In NID DAT, more weightage is given to subjective, drawing related questions. Thus, candidates need to be extremely creative and have a clear understanding of their concepts when appearing for the NID exam.
For preparing the final results for the B. Des program, the DAT Prelims will be allocated 40% weightage, while DAT Mains will be given 60%.
During the DAT Mains, which comprises a Studio Test, the candidate is tested hands-on and have to show their drawing abilities, creativity, innovativeness, and material-handling ability.
10 Dos and Don’t for NID DAT 2025
Here are a few dos and dont’s candidates need to follow for the NID DAT 2025 exam.
| Dos for NID DAT 2025 |
Don’ts for NID DAT 2025 |
|---|---|
| Follow the NID DAT 2025 syllabus to prepare for the exam. Check out the topics, the types of questions asked, weightage, etc. |
Don’t start your preparation late. The NID DAT syllabus is quite vast, and unless you start early, you may not be able to complete it on time. |
| Align your preparation with the NID DAT exam pattern. The exam pattern will tell you the types of questions asked, section-wise questions, duration, marking scheme, etc. This inputs will help you prepare in accordance with the requirements of the exam. |
Don’t forget to work on your drawing skills. It is because these skill comes with lots of practice and patience. If you suddenly try drawing a fortnight before the exam, it is not going to come naturally to you. |
| Build observation skills - If you are not a keen observer, you won’t be able to do very well in the DAT Mains exam, which includes a Studio Test. During the Studio Test, you will be asked to make a story illustration, clay model, etc. |
Don’t overlook the fundamentals of drawing - Many students in their eagerness to master the craft of drawing skip the basics. This is not at all recommended. If you skip the basics, there will come a point where you will feel handicapped and stuck. |
| Master perspective drawing and understand proportions - These skills will enable to do well in the Desing Aptitude Test and also showcase your abilities. You can practice drawing still drawing and then gradually move on to more complex ones. |
Don’t overrely in digital equiments - Learning drawing and related skills using digital is not a very practical idea. Instead, go for the traditional approach. Yes, you can throw in a digital touch here and there, but that is it. |
| Be consistent with your exam preparation. Randomness is not the answer. Instead, you need to keep on hammering consistently. For this to happen, you need to follow a strict routine. Jot down what are the tasks for the day, what you accomplished, the target for the next day, etc. |
Don’t forget to pay close attention to proportion and perspective. For instance, drawing something without giving proper thought to the size, height, volume, extent, etc. will lead to a unconvincing sketch. So, you need to keep these aspects in ming whenever you draw a painting. |
| Solve sample papers and previous years’ NID DAT 2025 question papers. If you solve enough sample papers, it will help you build your confidence and improve your problem-solving and time-management skills. You can start solving sample papers pretty early on your exam preparation days. |
Don’t use digital tools as an alternative for traditional drawing methods. These traditional methods have been finetuned over centuries of years and is going to benefit you as well. |
| Read newspapers and magazines to keep track of important events. It is not just textbook knowledge that you must follow. Instead, you need to know what is happening in the actual world at the moment. |
Don’t look too far ahead. Instead stay in the present moment. If you start daydreaming, it will take your focus from the work at hand. |
| Work on your time-management skills - You will have to complete the NID DAT question paper in a limited amount of time. Now, unless you are good at time-managment, you might not be able to complete the paper on time. |
Don’t disregard the timetable. You made the timetable in the first place after considering all that you have to do to get a good score in the NID DAT 2025 exam. But if you keep disregarding the time table again and again, you will fall back in your preparation. |
| Work on your colorring skills as it will come handy in the test. Note design skills will also help become a better designer. |
Avoid drawing items just for the sake of it. Drawing something that is useful or helps you develop a skill. |
| Do timely revision. This exrerice will ensure that what you have read is internalized and |
Don’t skip any topics in the syllabus - If you finding a topic difficult, take help. But there is no justification in skipping the topic altogether. |
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Q: Is it possible to crack NID DAT 2025 without coaching?
It is not mandatory to take coaching to get a good rank in NID DAT 2025. It is because, the entrance exam will test the creative, drawing, and innovative skills of the candidate. Now, a coaching institute cannot exactly teach you to be creative or become innovative. Instead, with a little effort these skills can yourself learn these skills yourself. Also, a major thrust of the design aptitide test is to evaluate the drawing skills of the candidate. So, make it a point to work on your design skills, including learning how to draw line, shadow, figure, gesture, cartoon drawing, etc. When practicing drawing, also keep a tab on the drawing speed, as it will help you complete the paper in the allotted time.
Q: Do we need to join coaching to prepare for NIFT entrance exam?
Q: Can I prepare for NID DAT 2025 without solving sample papers?
NID DAT is one of the toughest entrance exams in the land. Also, given the large number of applicants, it is highely competitive.
So, to have a chance of scoring a good score in the exam and be in the contetion for a seat in one of the top NIDs, one needs to ensure their preparation is full proof.
Now unless you solve sample papers, there is no way to evaluate your preparedness for the exam. For instance, you may have completed the textual books and are confident about your ability to solve a proble. But what will you do if on exam do you find out that theoritical knowledge can take you only so far.
However, if instead you solve enough sample papers you will get battle ready.
Q: What is the difficulty level of NID DAT?
Q: How can I improve my sketching skills for NID DAT?
If you intend to get a good rank in NID DAT, you must be able to sketch quickly without compromising on the sketch quality. This means you must be able to able to conceive the idea as you sketch. Remember, when you are in the exam hall, time seems to just fly. So, it is vital that you are able to sketch uninhibited and fast, and with confidence. To improve your drawing skills, you can start by drawing tiny thumbnails first, then switching to the light hand and finishing with dry colours. You can use pencils, crayons, or even a pen to make the sketches.
The application form for NID DAT 2025 is now closed. The application form was open from September 3 to December 6, 2024.
The edit window for the exam was open from December 6-11, 2024.
Scores of NID DAT 2025 will be considered for admission to B.Des and M.Des courses offered by participating colleges.
Read More:
Design Industry Salary In India: Pay Scale, Skills, Job Details
NID DAT Mains Studio Test - Purpose, Preparation Tips, Test Pattern, Recommended Books
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
The reporting time for the DAT Prelims exam will be mentioned on the NID DAT 2025 admit card. Reach the exam center as per the reporting time. Note that latecomers will not be allowed inside the NID DAT 2025 exam center.
The gates at the exam center will close half an hour before the exam.
NID DAT 20
P
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 weeks ago
The National Institute of Design (NID) released the NID DAT 2025 admit card for DAT Prelims on December 24. The direct link to download the admit card is given on this page.
Note that admit cards will be issued only to successfully registered candidates.
To download the admit card, you need to log-in
M
Contributor-Level 10
At what time do I need to report for NID DAT 2025 exam?