August 12, 2024
Overview: Learn how to attempt CAT in NIFT 2025 with our guide on the new online format, preparation tips, and strategic insights for mastering the exam.
Candidates aspiring to join the B.Des or M.Des programs at NIFT must take the Creative Ability Test (CAT). The CAT is a written examination with a weightage of 50% for the B.Des program and 40% for the M.Des program.
Discover effective ways to attempt the CAT in the NIFT exam and time management, preparation tips, and other important details.
To understand the NIFT exam pattern well, you must know the syllabus thoroughly. And you might be wondering where you will get that information from.
The Creative Ability Test or CAT is designed to test the following:
To perform well in the test, the candidate must be able to use colour and illustration techniques creatively and innovatively.
To resolve that issue, here we have the complete list of Syllabus and topics which you need to cover folly to ace your examination:
Design Theory | Colour Terminology | Inspiration & Design Development |
Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions | Elements & Principles Of Design | Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship |
Natural & Geometrical Form | Innovation in Design | Principles of Composition |
Creative thinking & writing | Optical Illusion | Understanding Light & Shade |
Visual Logic | Form & Function | Colour, Pattern & Texture |
Theme Development | Drawing Fundamentals | Picture Analysis |
Memory Drawing | Inspiration & Creativity | Ornaments & motifs |
Use of Measurements, Scale & proportions | Optical Illusion | Foreshortening & Perspective |
Developing Themes & Colour Associations | Usage of Colour in Compositions | Imagination & Doodling |
3D Visualisation | Presentation Techniques | Expression & Emotion |
Exercises on imagination | Lateral Thinking | Story Pictures |
Graphics & Pictograms | Innovation & Creation | Design Awareness |
Program | Test | Weightage |
Bachelor of Design (BDes) | CAT | 50% |
GAT | 30% | |
Situation Test | 20% | |
Master of Design (MDes) | CAT | 40% |
GAT | 30% | |
GDPI | 30% |
Let us understand some of the aspects on which you will be evaluated in the NIFT Entrance Exam 2025:
Creativity | Use of Colors |
Observation Power | Illustration Skills |
Innovative | Concept Design |
Transitions based questions:
For Example:
Check Out: NIFT CAT Question Papers with Solutions
How do you attempt the CAT in the NIFT exam? The key to showing transitions is the use of the correct colour. Each of you has your approach to depicting such transitional scenes. However, our experts recommend a thoughtful approach here.
Example: Draw Dawn to dusk.
Let us look at the image given below:
Many of you begin colouring from the first to the last box, considering the first box to be Morning and the last box to be night.
But do you know, you could get confused with your colour choice in the middle!
Instead, if you draw the precursor and post cursor simultaneously, you won't lose track, as shown below in the image:
Continue filling in from the outer box and meet in the middle so that you will have proper colour palette for the transition.
Also Read: NIFT Drawing Questions
Check Out: NIFT Exam Syllabus 2025
When attempting the CAT section, note that students are given 3 hours to complete it. Time management can be tricky and subjective, differing from student to student.
Most students will split the given 3 hours into 1 hour per question, but this can lead to a student spending more than an hour on the same question, trying to perfect it without an idea or thumbnail plan for the next.
To alleviate this, students can divide their time as given below -
Total time given | 180 minutes |
Thumbnail and sketch plans for all questions | 45 minutes (15 per question) |
Final sketches and annotation + concept writing | 135 minutes (45 minutes per question) |
The shift to a remote proctored format for NIFT 2025 represents a significant change, prioritizing candidate safety while maintaining rigorous standards.
By understanding the exam's structure, preparing with the right materials, and employing strategic approaches to the Creative Ability Test (CAT), candidates can effectively understand how to attempt CAT in NIFT.
Embrace these NIFT preparation tips and strategies to optimize your performance and adapt seamlessly to the nuances of online testing for NIFT 2025.
Check Out: CAT and GAT for NIFT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAT exam in NIFT?
What is a good score in CAT NIFT?
Is CAT a very tough exam?
If I am unable to score well in General Ability Test, then will I be able to get admission in NIFT?
Is there any negative marking for NIFT Exam?
Which are the sections included in NIFT GAT 2025 for Design Course?
What is the basic academic qualification required to fill for NIFT 2025 application form?