NIFT Topper for 2016 Neha Mishra Shares her Prep Strategy

NIFT entrance exam final result was declared on May 26, 2016. Lucknow’s Neha Mishra topped NIFT entrance exam 2016 with an overall score of 82.10.

The eldest child of a doctor couple, Neha has secured category rank 1 and an overall rank one in NIFT Entrance Exam 2016.

A student of Study Hall, Lucknow, Neha was excited to be the topper of NIFT exam. On achieving this feat, Neha shared, “I did actually expect a decent rank but the top rank managed to totally throw me off guard in all the good ways”.

Shiksha spoke to Neha on how she prepared for NIFT entrance exam and what tips she has for aspirants. Read the detailed interview we had with NIFT Entrance Exam topper – Neha Mishra below:

Q. How was your NIFT written exam?

Ans: My NIFT written exam went pretty well. Maths did pose a bit of a problem as it is not my strongest point but the rest was great.

Q. Which course are you applying for at NIFT?

Ans: At NIFT, I am applying for the programme – Bachelor in Fashion Design.

Q. How did you prepare for your written exam?

Ans: Preparing for the written exam was not much of a problem as I had started coaching for the entrance exam, when my 12^th class started, at PAHAL School of Design in Halwasiya, Hazratganj, Lucknow.

In preparing for the written exam that has the GAT (general ability test) and CAT (creative ability test), one needs to focus not just on the aesthetic portion but also on English, Maths, Reasoning, and General Knowledge. Reading newspapers and keeping up to date with the current happenings is very essential and social media comes in handy here, which is what happened in my case.

Q. What as per you are the mistakes one should avoid while preparing for the exam?

Ans: Thinking that the exam for NIFT constitutes only the art and design aspect is a mistake one should avoid and also if one thinks that they are good at a particular subject and hence can do without a thorough revision and preparation, they would be highly mistaken as you dare not leave it to luck in such a case.

Preparation for the situation was tricky, as I had only about a month to do it because of my board exams. Situation test needs you to put in an extra 200% of labour as the rankings depend highly on the situation test results. I had practiced with as many conventional and non-conventional materials as I could get my hands on. Knowing how to handle the stuff beforehand is a very big advantage as it gives you swiftness and precision. Practice, practice, and a lot more of it is the only key to crack NIFT.

One thing that the aspirants should really keep in mind is keeping track of time. You might have a great idea in mind but if you are not able to complete it on time, the idea turns to trash. Try hard to get your point across. With one look at your model the evaluator should get your basic idea. Be unique and think of innovative ways to use the provided materials. 

Q. How did you prepare for your Situation Test?

Ans: The situation test this year was held at all the NIFT centres across India. I gave mine at NIFT, Rae Bareli. I reached the centre an hour before the set time and first of all searched for my room according to my Roll number. Then, once in the class, I read the topics very nicely and prepared positive and negative points of making all of them. I chose the one of which I had the best idea in mind and divided my time accordingly to complete it in 1.5 hours as half hour is needed for the write-up and the final things in the model. Once done, I cleared the table to leave just my model and the write-up on the table and then we were told to leave.

There were a lot of other students, 63 sat in my class.

Rooms were allotted according to roll numbers and there were three topics from which we had to choose and make a model on it.

There was a senior supervisor and one invigilator in each class.

No feedbacks were given there. We just needed to complete the object mentioned in the question paper in the assigned time and leave.

Q. Did you give any other entrance exam?

Ans: I did give the entrance exam of Pearl Academy. I qualified that exam also. I gave it because it is a very good college and though private, it is also one of the best college for fashion studies.

Q. What are your hobbies?

Ans: My hobbies are reading, collecting good music and the like.

Q. What are your future plans?

Ans: I want to join NIFT Delhi. After completing my course here, I want to pursue a post graduate degree in some interesting discipline in the same field.