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NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 - The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has released the exam pattern for NIFT 2025. The exam pattern is outlined in the NIFT 2025 Admission Prospectus.
The exam pattern was revised for the B.Des and B.F.Tech courses in the previous edition. However, no changes were made to the PG courses.
The NIFT 2024 exam is conducted in TWO stages.
Stage 1 includes the written exams - GAT and CAT. The GAT is common for all the courses, while B.Des and M.Des candidates also need to take the CAT.
The GAT paper will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode, while the CAT paper will be held offline.
The scores of the written exams are used to shortlist candidates for a Situation Test/ Personal Interview (Stage 2).
The NIFT 2025 written exam will be held on February 9, 2025.
Read the detailed NIFT 2025 exam pattern for the GAT, CAT, Situation Test, and Personal Interview below.
Latest Updates:
Q: How many questions are asked in NIFT GAT?
The exam pattern for NIFT GAT varies from one course to the other. The total number of questions asked in NIFT GAT are mentioned below: BDes: 100 questions BFTech: 150 questions MDes: 120 questions MFTech: 150 questions MFM: 150 questions Note that the GAT or the General Ability Test will be conducted in a computer-based mode. Questions will be objective-type. The GAT paper for the B. Des and M.Des programs will be of 120 minutes. However, the GAT paper for the B.FTech M.FTech and MFM courses will be for 180 minutes.
Q: What is the exam pattern for the NIFT CAT paper?
Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des course also need to take the Creative Ability Test CAT written exam, in addition to the GAT. The CAT exam will be conducted in an offline, pen-pencil mode. CAT will be a drawing-based exam of 3 hours duration. The CAT will evaluate various skills of the candidate including Intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept as well as design ability. Further, it will examine the creative as well as innovative use of color and illustration skills of aspirants. It is mandatory for B. Des and M.Des candidates to appear in the CAT paper, or else they will not be invited for the Situation Test.
Q: Can I complete the NIFT syllabus in 4 months?
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.
Q: When will the NIFT 2025 entrance exam be conducted?
The written tests for the NIFT 2025 exam will be held on February 9, 2025. The detailed schedule has also been released.
The written tests will comprise a General Ability Test (GAT) and a Creative Ability Test (CAT). GAT is mandatory for all candidates, but CAT is only required for B. Des and M. Des candidates.
The GAT test will be considered in a computer-based mode, whereas the CAT will be offline based. Note that scores of the written exams will be used to shortlist candidates for a Situation Test/ Personal Interview.
- NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern - Written Exams
- NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern for Situation Test
- NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern for Artisans Category
- NIFT Exam Pattern for Lateral Entry Admission 2025
- Tips to prepare for NIFT 2025
- NIFT Admission 2025: Weightage of CAT & GAT
- NIFT Written Exams - Test Timings
- NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 - FAQs
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern - Written Exams
The written examination for NIFT 2025 has two components:
- Creative Ability Test (CAT)
- 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.
Program | B.Des | M.Des |
---|---|---|
Paper | GAT | GAT |
Mode of exam | Computer-based exam | Computer-based exam |
Language | English/ Hindi | English/ Hindi |
Test Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
Sections | Number of Questions | Number of Questions |
Communication Ability |
40
|
30 |
English Comprehension | 30 | |
Quantitative Ability | 20 | 20 |
Analytical Ability | 15 | 25 |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 | 15 |
TOTAL | 100 | 120 |
NIFT GAT 2025 Exam Pattern - B.F.Tech
Program | B.F.Tech | |
---|---|---|
Paper Name | GAT - Section A (CBT) | GAT - Section B (CBT) |
Language of written test | English/Hindi | English/Hindi |
Test Duration | 180 minutes | |
Sections | Number of questions | Number of questions |
Communication Ability and English Comprehension |
40 | NIL |
Quantitative Ability | 20 | 15 |
Analytical & Logical Ability | 15 | 15 |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs |
25 | NIL |
Case Study | NIL | 20 |
Total | 100 | 50 |
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.
Program | M.F.Tech | MFM |
---|---|---|
Paper | GAT | GAT |
Language of written test | English/Hindi | English/Hindi |
Duration | 180 minutes | 180 minutes |
Sections | Number of questions |
Number of questions
|
Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 45 | 50 |
Case Study | 25 | 30 |
Quantitative Ability | 30 | 20 |
Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 | 25 |
General Knowledge And Current Affairs | 25 | 25 |
TOTAL | 150 | 150 |
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.
Program | B.Des | M.Des |
---|---|---|
Paper | GAT | GAT |
Mode of exam | LAN-based CBT examination will be conducted |
LAN-based CBT examination will be conducted |
Language | English/ Hindi | English/ Hindi |
Test Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
Sections | Number of Questions | Number of Questions |
Communication Ability | 25 | 30` |
English Comprehension | 25 | 30 |
Quantitative Ability | 20 | 20 |
Analytical Ability | 15 | 25 |
General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 15 | 15 |
TOTAL | 100 | 120 |
NIFT (Old) exam pattern for GAT - B.F.Tech
Program | B.F.Tech |
---|---|
Paper | GAT |
Language of written test | English/Hindi |
Duration | 180 minutes |
Sections | Number of questions |
Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 45 |
Case Study | 25 |
Quantitative Ability | 30 |
Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 |
General Knowledge And Current Affairs | 25 |
TOTAL | 150 |
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:
Q: What are some quick tips to prepare for the NIFT 2025 exam?
While there is no shortcut to success, it is always possible to achieve more by being smart and making judicious use of ones time.
Here are some useful tips that will help you prepare for NIFT 2025 exam.
- At the outset, quickly go through the NIFT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus. Make sure that you follow the official syllabus and pattern when preparing for the exam.
- You need to take note if there are any new topics that are being added. Also, check if any old topics are dropped.
- Ensure you follow only the updated syllabus.
- Next, get hold of best books that cover the entire syllabus.
- Make a time table taking into account the difficulty level of each topic and also weightage carried by them.
- Take notes during study; these notes will come in very handy closer to the exam when you need to do quick revisions.
- Solve sample papers and previous years question papers.
- Take mock tests.
Q: What is NIFT 2025 exam pattern for the B.FTech program?
The participating institutes of NIFTs offer a 4-year B.FTech programme. Admission to the programme is based on GAT scores. The NIFT 2024 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 2024 exam for the GAT paper will be computer-based-test (or CBT).. .
Q: When do I need to start my preparation for NIFT 2025 exam?
The NIFT exam is among the competitive and is also considered among the toughest. So, it is recommended that the candidate starts their exam preparation well in advance, say with around 1 years time in hand. Note that the NIFT exam has various components like written exam and Situation Test /Personal Interview. Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des courses need to prepare for both the CAT and GAT. The CAT is a drawing-based exam, meaning the candidate will be evaluated on parameters like intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability. Now unless the candidate is already well-versed, developing these skills will take time. So, it is prudent to start early. The same goes for the GAT.
Q: What is the NIFT GAT exam pattern for the M.Des 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 the candidate will be able to select their language at the time of filling out the NIFT 2025 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, 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 as the given syllabus.
Q: What is the NIFT 2024 exam pattern for the GAT written exam for the B.Des programme?
The NIFT 2024 General Ability Test (GAT) for the B. Des is conducted as a LAN-based, CBT exam. The exam is conducted in a centre-based mode and is bi-lingual. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes. The candidates will have to attempt 100 multiple-choice questions, which will be asked from sections like Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Analytical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The GAT paper will be conducted first, followed by the Creative Ability Test (CAT). Candidates will be shortlisted for a Personal Interview (2nd stage) based on their performance in the written exams (CAT and GAT).
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern for Situation Test
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.
Q: What is the exam pattern for NIFT 2025 Situation Test?
Candidates will be shortlisted for the Situation Test on the basis of their performance in the CAT and GAT written exams. The Situation Test will evaluate the - material handling and the innovative ability - of the candidate. Some of the key parameters that will be evaluated include 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. After making the model, the candidate will also have to draft a write-up explaining the model. The write-up should clearly explain the concept/idea behind the model constructed. Also, the write-up should be in English only. Write-ups in any other language will not be accepted. The candidate has to make the model using material provided inside the exam hall. No other material will be allowed.
Q: What is weightage carried by GAT, CAT and Situation Test/ Interview for NIFT 2025?
The NIFT will be a multi-stage exam. For instance, for admission to the B. Des programme, the candidate has to first appear in the written exams GAT and CAT; if shortlisted, the candidate has to next appear in a Situation Test.
M.Des candidates, on the other hand, who get shortlisted (based on GAT and CAT scores) have to appear in a Personal Interview (instead of the Situation Test).
Note that the final result of NIFT 2025 will be prepared by giving weightage to each test component.
In case of the B. Des programme, the final result will be prepared by giving 50% weightage to CAT 30% weightage to GAT and 20% weightage to the Situation Test. In case of the M.Des programme, the CAT carries 40% weightage, while the Personal Interview and GAT carries 30% weightage each.
Q: Has the National Institute of Fashion Technology made any changes to the NIFT 2024 exam syllabus?
The National Institute of Fashion Technology revised the syllabus for the NIFT 2024 exam.
The revised syllabus was outlined in the NIFT 2024 admission prospectus.
The exam conducting body had revised the syllabus and pattern for the B.Des and B.F.Tech programs. However, no changes in the syllabus and pattern was made to the PG courses.c
Under the revised format, the Communication and English comprehension for the B.Des program will include a total of 40 questions. Previously, 50 questions were asked, 25 each from each section.
So, candidates appearing in the B.Des and B.F.Tech courses need to follow the updated pattern.
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern for Artisans Category
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:
NIFT Admission Test |
Weightage |
Timing |
---|---|---|
Studio Test |
40 |
To be notified |
Interview |
20 |
To be notified |
Verification of Documents/ Eligibility |
- |
To be notified |
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.
Q: When will the syllabus for NIFT 2024 exam be released?
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has released the sylabus for the NIFT 2024 exam at the time of the release of the admission brochure (or prospectus).
It contains the detailed topics to be covered in the written exam and Situation Test/ GDPI.
Note that NIFT written exam comprise the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT).
The prospectus has been updated online at the admission portal of NIFT - niftadmissions.
The candidate can download the prospectus and go through the exam syllabus.
With the written exam now over, the candidate may focus their attention to the Situation Test/ Personal Interview.
Q: What is the NIFT 2024 exam pattern for the Artisan category?
Admission to the design courses at NIFTs is based on performance of the candidate in the Studio Test, Interview round, and verification of documents/ eligibility criteria. The Studio Test carries a weightage of 40%, while the Interview carries 20% weightage. During the Studio Test, the candidate will be asked to make a 3D-model. The material to make the model will be provided to the candidate inside the exam hall; note that no other material is allowed. Candidates who get shortlisted for admission need to get their documents verified and also meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.
NIFT Exam Pattern for Lateral Entry Admission 2025
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.
Name of Course |
Test |
Weightage |
---|---|---|
Bachelor of Design (B.Des) |
GAT |
40% |
Studio Test |
40% |
|
Personal Interview |
20% |
|
Verification of documents/eligibility |
Q: Where can I download NIFT sample papers?
Q: What is NIFT 2024 exam pattern for the lateral entry scheme?
Under the NIFT lateral entry admission (NLEA) scheme, the candidate can get admission directly to the 3rd semester of the B. Des programme. Candidates opting for the NLEA scheme need to first appear in the General Ability Test (GAT). Candidates who get shortlisted has to next appear in a Studio Test, and finally in a Personal Interview. The GAT test will carry 40% weightage, Studio Test carries 40% weightage, while the Interview carries 20% weightage. It is mandatory for the candidate to appear in all the stages of the exam. If not, he or she will not be included in the admission merit list.
Q: How many sample papers do I need to prepare for NIFT?
There are no fixed number of sample papers that the candidate needs to solve for the NIFT exam. That being said the candidate must solve as many sample papers as possible to improve ones problem-solving and time-management skills. To get the most out of the sample papers, it is recommended that the candidate starts solving sample papers as early as possible. For instance, the candidate may solve sample questions after completing a chapter. Along with solving the sample papers, it is also important for the candidate to analyze their performance. This exercise will help the candidate identify weak areas or pain points and fix them at infancy.
Tips to prepare for NIFT 2025
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
NIFT Admission 2025: Weightage of CAT & GAT
The weightage carried by the two written test components - CAT and GAT - is given in the table below.
NIFT Entrance Exam 2025: Weightage for Each Test |
||
---|---|---|
Programme |
Test |
Weightage |
NIFT Bachelor of Design (B.Des) Exam Pattern |
CAT |
50% |
GAT |
30% |
|
Situation Test |
20% |
|
GAT |
100% |
|
CAT |
40% |
|
GAT |
30% |
|
PI |
30% |
|
GAT |
70% |
|
PI |
30% |
|
NIFT Master of Fashion Management (MFM) Exam Pattern |
GAT |
70% |
PI |
30% |
Read More:
NIFT Written Exams - Test Timings
The written exam for NIFT 2025 will be held tentatively in the 1st week of February 2025.
Program |
Written Test |
Reporting Time |
Test Timing |
---|---|---|---|
BDes |
GAT |
8.30 am |
9.30 am - 11.30 am |
CAT |
12.30 pm |
1.30 pm - 4.30 pm |
|
MDes |
GAT |
8.30 am |
9.30 am - 11.30 am |
CAT |
11.30 am |
1.30 pm - 4.30 pm |
|
BFTech |
GAT |
8.30 am |
9.30 am - 11.30 am |
MFTech |
GAT |
8.30 am |
9.30 am - 4.30 pm |
MFM |
GAT |
8.30 am |
9.30 am - 11.30 am |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 - FAQs
Go through the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the NIFT 2025 exam pattern here.
Q: Can I complete the NIFT 2025 syllabus in 4 months?
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 2024 exam is quite vast, and most of the questions can range from medium to difficult.
So, to prepare for an exam like NIFT 2024, you need to have enough time in your hands.
If you are only beginning your NIFT 2024 now, i.e., with only a few months left for the exam, 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.
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.
Q: What is the NIFT 2024 exam pattern for the GAT paper (M. F. M)?
As per the official exam pattern released by NIFT, the question paper for GAT M.FTech will be of 180 minutes. The exam will be conducted in a LAN-based, CBT mode. The GAT paper will have 150 multiple-choice questions. These questions will be asked from - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. Also, the GAT paper will be bilingual, meaning the candidate can appear in the GAT paper either in English or Hindi language. The choice of language has to be made when filling out the NIFT 2024 online application form.
Q: What is the NIFT 2025 exam pattern for the GAT paper (M.F.M)?
As per the official exam pattern released by NIFT, the question paper for GAT M.FTech will be of 180 minutes. The exam will be conducted in a LAN-based, CBT mode. The GAT paper will have 150 multiple-choice questions. These questions will be asked from - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. Also, the GAT paper will be bilingual, meaning the candidate can appear in the GAT paper either in English or Hindi language. The choice of language has to be made when filling out the NIFT 2025 online application form.
Q: What is the NIFT 2025 GAT exam pattern for M. F. Tech program?
The NIFT 2025 question paper for the GAT paper M.FTech programme) will be of 180 minutes and conducted in an online mode. The question paper will include 150 multiple-choice questions. These questions will be asked from the following sections - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The candidate has the option to appear in the GAT paper either in English or Hindi language. The choice of language can be selected at the time of filling out the online application form.
News & Updates
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NIFT Entrance Exam Exam
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
Hello greetings!
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 B.It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions based on Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, and General Knowledge and Current Affairs. The exam is conducted offline.
Exam Details
GAT: 2 hours for B.Desand M.Des,
Answered a month ago
To do well in an entrance exam like NIFT, the candidate is expected to have good drawing skills. Note that the NIFT paper will have two sub-exams - CAT and GAT.
The CAT or the Creative Ability Test will evauate the drawing skills of the candidate.
So, unless you have above average drawing skills, you
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The role of the NTA is confined to registration of candidates and conduct of the NIFT 2025 exam. The finalization of NIFT 2025 answer keys after inviting challenges, processing and declaration of results and preparation of the list of qualified candidates will be done by NTA in collaboration with th
M
Contributor-Level 10
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