NID DAT Mains Studio Test 2025 - Purpose, Preparation Tips, Test Pattern, Recommended Books

National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2025 ( NID Entrance Exam )

6 mins read4.1K Views526 Comments

Result: 17 Feb '25

Manashjyoti
Manashjyoti Hazarika
Manager Content
Updated on Dec 24, 2024 11:21 IST

B.Des candidates who get shortlisted based on their written exam scores must appear in a Studio Test. The test provides candidates an opportunity to showcase their creative potential and impress the jury. Here we discuss the Studio Test threadbare and also share prep tips.

The National Institute of Design (NID) conducts the NID DAT exam in TWO stages. The 1st stage includes the DAT Prelims exam. Candidates who qualify in the exam are shortlisted for DAT Mains. DAT Mains for the B.Des program includes a Studio Test. M.Des candidates also need to appear in a Personal Interview, in addition to the Studio Test. Typically, the Studio tests are conducted on different dates separately for the B.Des and M.Des courses. The NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) exam will be conducted on January 5, 2025. The application form for NID DAT 2025 is now closed. The results of B.Des DAT Prelims 2025 will be declared on April 1, 2025. Meanwhile, the M.Des DAT Prelims results will be released on February 17, 2025. The M.Des DAT Mains 2024 exam will commence on March 3, 2025. Meanwhile, the DAT Mains exam for the B. Des program will be conducted from April 26 to May 4, 2025.  The FINAL merit rank of NID DAT 2025 will be prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Here we discuss the Studio Test threadbare and explain how to best prepare for the exam. So, keep reading!

Latest News:

Explore colleges based on NID Entrance Exam

Sonepat
₹11 L - 16.42 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.Des Colleges
Mumbai
₹16.8 L
Also preferred by students
Ahmedabad
₹16.84 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.Des Colleges
Pune
₹35.85 L
Also preferred by students

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Jalandhar
₹6.4 L - 9.6 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.Des Colleges
Dehradun
₹21.58 L - 43.74 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.Des Colleges
Pune
₹17 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.Des Colleges
Delhi
₹2.8 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of B.Des Colleges
Pune
₹8 L
Also preferred by students
Bangalore
₹17.4 L
Also preferred by students
View allCollections

NID DAT Mains 2025 Schedule

The schedule for the DAT Studio Test is given below.

Q:   Which are the best books for NID Entrance Exam?

A:
To give oneself a higher chance of securing a good rank in NID DAT, it is important to use good quality books a reference material. Here are some of the best books recommended by experts and previous rank holders to prepare for the NID that exam: NID (B. Des. ). Entrance Books and Test Series by AFAINDIA Basic Rendering by Robert W. Gill Design drawing by Francis D. K. Ching NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board In addition to these books, the candidate must also make it a habit to solve sample papers and take mock tests. Mock tests can be taken closer to the exam.

Event

B.Des

M.Des

Issue of admit cards for DAT Mains

April 14, 2025

February 24, 2025

Conduct of DAT Mains Exam 2024 

April 26 - May 4, 2025

March 3 - April 6, 2025

Declaration of Results

May 16, 2025

May 6, 2005

NID DAT Mains 2025 Studio Tests and Online Interviews

Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates

NIFT 2025 application form OPE...

22 Nov '24 - 6 Jan '25

SEED 2025 Mock Test

9 Jan '25 - 10 Jan '25

AIEED 2025 Exam Date

10 Jan '25

SMEAT 2025 Application Form ST...

10 Jan '25

WWI 2025 Exam Date

10 Jan '25

Pearl Academy Application Form...

13 Jan '25

ADEPT 2025 Exam Date - Round 1

15 Jan '25

PU DAT Application 2025 - LAST Date

15 Jan '25

NIIFT 2025 application form

15 Jan '25 - 16 Jan '25

GLS DAT 2025 Application Last Date

16 Jan '25

Candidates applying for admission through the NID 2025 entrance exam have to first appear in the DAT Prelims exam. If shortlisted, the candidate has to next appear in DAT Mains.

Note that the number of candidates shortlisted for DAT Mains will be no less than three times the number of seats available in each category.

Sub-components of DAT Mains:

Course

Sub-component

B.Des

Studio Test

M.Des

Studio Test

Personal Interview

Clear your misconceptions and know the career prospects after a Bachelor of Design here.

Click Here

NID DAT 2025 Final Results 

The final results for NID DAT 2025 will be prepared by considering the performance of the candidate in the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains exams.

Weightages for final results of NID DAT 2025 

B.Des

DAT Prelims

DAT Mains

40%

60%

M.Des

DAT Prelims

DAT Mains

40%

Studio Test - 40%

Interviews - 40%

Tasks included in the DAT Mains Studio Test

  • Doodling exercises
  • Clay modeling
  • 3-D model making
  • Wire molding
  • Psychometric test
  • Story illustration
  • Personal interview
  • Thematic Appreciation

The Studio Test will ask two types of questions:

  • Type 1 - Questions in this category will test the candidate's Observation Skills
  • Type 2 - These questions will test Conceptualisation.

Also Read:

Why is the Studio Test conducted?

The main purpose of the Studio Test is to evaluate the creativity of the candidate. Considering that written exams have limitations and constraints, the studio test is expected to fill this gap.

The Studio Test is typically conducted in offline mode, meaning there is greater scope for the candidate and examiner to interact. This makes the task of the examiner easier to evaluate the candidate’s creative prowess.

The candidate in turn has the opportunity to express themselves more freely. 

During the Studio Test, the candidate will have to make a model with material provided in the examination hall. 

There is no fixed pattern for the Studio Test

Students who have appeared in the NID DAT studio test vouch that there is no fixed exam pattern, as the National Institute of Design may just about ask any type of question to test your creative ability.

So the Studio Test will examine how spontaneously you can deal with an unfamiliar or new situation. The test will also examine the specific design intelligence of the candidate. 

Studio Test question templates:

The studio test may include any or all of these question types.

  • Questions designed to test the material handling ability of the candidate
  • Clay handling
  • Storytelling questions - In these types of questions, the candidate has to narrate a story. 
  • Audio-visual questions
  • Group activities

Tips to prepare for NID DAT 2025 Studio Test

Confidence in your creative ability is a big part of how you would perform in the Studio Test. Here is how you can build your confidence:

Read books:

  • That will develop thinking patterns 
  • Become more creative
  • Get insights into the design as a profession and its various layers

NID DAT 2025 Studio Test Recommended books:

Name of the book

Author/ Publisher

Don’t make me think

Steve Krug

The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman

Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things

Don Norman

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Voices That Matter)

Weinschenk Susan

Universal Principles of Design

William Lidwell

Creative Confidence

Tom Kelley and David Kelley

Do the following exercises:

  • Work on your sketching and doodling skills. Also, ensure that you can sketch and doodle quickly enough. 
  • Get at least a basic understanding of color theory.
  • Get hold of current affairs, for example, given Save Soil is now such a global trend, you may read up about the subject. The jury may like to test your environmental and social awareness and like to know how you can react to these subjects creatively. 
  • To improve material-related practice, the candidate may follow problem sets given on coaching websites and their social media handles.
  • Follow the KISS strategy.

Read More:

NID DAT 2025 Mains Studio Test - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. When will the NID DAT 2025 Studio Test be conducted for the B.Des program?

A. The Studio Test for the B.Des course will be conducted from April 26, 2025. Admit cards for the Studio Test will be avilable from April 14, 2025.

Q. When will the NID DAT 2025 Studio Test be conducted for the M.Des program?

A. The Studio Test for the M.Des course will be conducted program-wise starting on March 3, 2025.

Q. Who can participate in the NID DAT Mains 2025 Studio Test?

A. Candidates who have qualified in DAT Prelims are eligible for participation in DAT Mains. Note, DAT Mains for B.Des includes a Studio Test, whereas the DAT Mains for M.Des courses comprises a Studio Test and an Online Interview.

Q. How can I prepare for NID DAT 2025 Studio Test?

A. The candidate must first of all have confidence over their creative abilities and refer to good quality books; check out the list mentioned in this article. Also, follow the tips mentioned in it.

Q. In what mode will be the NID DAT 2025 Studio Test conducted and what will be the test pattern?

A. The Studio Test will be conducted in offline mode. As per as test pattern is concerned, there is no official exam pattern that is released by the National Institute of Design. Instead, the institute might ask questions covering a broad range of themese directed at testing the creative abilities of the candidate.

About the Author
author-image
Manashjyoti Hazarika
Manager Content

Creating student-centric content for the higher education sector is my forte. Be it news, well-researched articles, or simple write-ups that update you on an exam date or help you fill out a form, I serve it in the ... Read Full Bio

Download Important Dates for Design Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

19 Jan '25

UCEED 2025 Exam DATE

21 Jan '25

UCEED 2025 Release of Draft An...

22 Nov '24 -

6 Jan '25

NIFT 2025 application form OPE...

7 Jan '25 -

9 Jan '25

NIFT 2025 application form OPE...

Jan '25

UID DAT 2025 exam date

12 Sep '24

UID DAT 2025 Registration STAR...

Jan '25

AIEED 2025 Exam Date

Oct '25

AIEED 2025 Application START D...

17 Jan '24

ISDI Challenge 2024 - Result (...

14 Dec '23

ISDI Challenge 2024 - Result (...

2 Jan '25 -

12 Jan '25

SEED 2025 Admit Card

9 Jan '25 -

10 Jan '25

SEED 2025 Mock Test

Jan '25

PESSAT DAT 2025 Exam START Dat...

Oct '24

PESSAT DAT 2025 Application ST...

13 Jan '25

Pearl Academy Application Form...

15 Jan '25

Pearl Academy Admit Card 2025 ...

Jan '25

DEED 2025 Exam Dates (Phase 1)

Oct '24

DEED 2025 application START Da...

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

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

...more

P

Parul Kumari

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

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10