NIFT Exam Pattern 2025: Course-wise Questions, Marking Scheme & Weightage, Important Topics

The written examination for NIFT 2025 has two components:

1. Creative Ability Test (CAT)
2. General Ability Test (GAT).

Those seeking admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses need to appear in both CAT and GAT. However, those seeking admission to the B.F.Tech, M.F.Tech, and M.F.M courses only need to take the GAT.  

The exam patterns for GAT and CAT are explained in detail below. Make sure that you consult the NIFT syllabus in tandem with the exam pattern for effective exam preparation.

NIFT GAT 2025 Exam Pattern - M.Des and B.Des

The exam pattern has been changed for the B.Des program, while no changes have been made to the M.Des exam pattern.

NIFT GAT 2025 Exam Pattern - B.F.Tech

NIFT GAT 2025 Exam Pattern - M.F.M & M.F.Tech

Note that no changes have been made to the exam pattern for the M.F.M and M.F.Tech courses.

Test Pattern for NIFT GAT (Old Pattern) - B.Des and M.Des

The test pattern of GAT for the B.Des and M.Des programs is given in the table below. 

NIFT (Old) exam pattern for GAT - B.F.Tech 

Negative Marking 

In the GAT paper, for every wrong attempt, the candidate will be deducted 25% of the total marks.

So, when attempting the GAT paper, the candidate needs to be judicious before attempting a question if they are unsure about the answer.

Note that there is no negative marking for the CAT paper, which is a drawing-based exam.

Test Pattern for NIFT 2025 - CAT

The test pattern for the Creative Ability Test is given below.

• Test type: The CAT is a pencil-and-paper-based exam.
• Duration: 3 hours
• Skills evaluated: Intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept as well as design ability of the candidate. It will also test the creative as well as innovative use of color and illustration skills of aspirants.

Also Read:

• General Knowledge (GK) Questions for NIFT Exam
• How to prepare for NIFT Creative Ability Test (CAT)

The Situation Test is the 2nd stage of the NIFT entrance exam for the B.Des program.

Candidates who qualify in the written exams (CAT and GAT) have to appear in the Situation Test. Note that candidates seeking admission to Master's courses aren't required to take the Situation Test; instead, they have to appear in a Personal Interview. 

The Situation Test will evaluate the “material handling and the innovative ability” of the candidate.

Here, candidates will be examined in areas like “Space Visualization, Innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model and overall presentation, etc.

At the time of the Situation Test, the candidate is required to submit a write-up explaining the concept/idea behind the model constructed. Also, since the medium of teaching in NIFT is English, the write-up should be in the English language. No marks will be given for write-up in any other language.

Candidates are informed that NIFT offers admission to Artisans/ Children of Artisans based on their performance in the Studio Test, Interview round, and verification of documents/ eligibility criteria.

NIFT admissions for Artisans will be conducted offline at the NIFT campus selected by candidates. The details of NIFT admission criteria for Artisans in BDes courses offered at the design college are mentioned in the table below:

The Studio Test that is conducted to shortlist candidates for NIFT Admissions under the Artisans category is a creative ability test wherein candidates need to create a 3D model using modeling clay or other material provided at the test center.

NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA) is the process through which candidates can secure admission directly to the 3rd semester of UG courses offered by NIFT participating colleges.

Candidates can go through the admission tests that they would need to appear for when seeking admission through NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA) in the table below.

The candidate appearing in the NIFT 2025 exam needs to prepare for both the written exams and the Situation Test/ Interview.

Here are some tips to prepare for the written exams.

• Ensure that you follow the updated and current syllabus
• Also, refer to the exam pattern
• The GAT paper will be conducted in an online-based mode and include around 100-150 questions. To attempt all these questions, you must not only be able to solve the questions but must be able to complete them on time.
• So, work on both speed and accuracy.
• Solve sample papers and take mock tests closer to the exam.   
• Work on your observation and drawing skills.
• You must practice all types of drawing, at least the basics. For instance, you can work on shading once you are done with the basic drawing stuff. 

To learn more about NIFT 2025 exam preparation - Click Here

The weightage carried by the two written test components - CAT and GAT - is given in the table below.

Read More:

• NIFT Situation Test 2023: Past 10 Years Questions
  
• How to Prepare For NIFT Situation Test 2023?

The written exam for NIFT 2025 will be held tentatively in the 1st week of February 2025.

Go through the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the NIFT 2025 exam pattern here.