NID Studio Test Questions with Solutions [Download Free PDF]

Author : Vineeta Agrawal

December 4, 2025

Summary: Master the NID Studio Test 2026 with this complete guide on question types, past trends, and expert tips. Learn about material handling, time management, and creative problem-solving to ace model-making, sketching, and storytelling tasks. Perfect for both B.Des and M.Des aspirants aiming to stand out in the final phase of NID selection.

Once you clear the NID Prelims 2026, the next and most important round of the selection process will be the NID Studio Test. It carries even higher weightage than NID Prelims for admissions into both B.Des & M.Des design programs at the National Institute of Design.

This round is purely about hands-on tasks and problem-solving exercises to assess a candidate's design thinking, creativity, material handling, time management, and ideation communication skills.

It's about whether you are able to think like a designer under time, resource, and material constraints, when presented with an impromptu practical design challenge.

Unlike the written GAT & CAT exams of NID Prelims, the studio test is rather unpredictable. In one year, you may be asked to build models/prototypes on themes, while in another, you may be given random materials and asked to solve real-world design problems.

That's why practicing NID Studio Test questions is very critical. Just being creative is not enough to score high in Studio Test.

This blog goes beyond the basics and tells you things you won't find anywhere else:

The exact types of NID Studio Test questions you can expect in 2026.
Insights from NID previous year questions and what they reveal about exam trends.
The key differences in B.Des and M.Des studio test question papers.
Practical hacks for handling materials and finishing tasks on time.
How NID evaluators actually judge your work (what matters more: neatness or originality?)

By the end, you won’t just know what to practice, you’ll know how to think in the NID Studio Test. Let’s get started.

Note: The video is of 2025, but is still relevant for 2026 NID exam as well. Any changes will be updated here.

NID Studio Test Questions: Overview of the Exam Format

The Studio Test is the second stage of the NID entrance exam, held after DAT Prelims. Before you start your NID studio test preparation for 2026, it's crucial to understand the pattern, format and requirements of the test first.

General Format of the NID Studio Test 2026 (As per Latest Exam Pattern):

NID Studio Test Questions

Marks

Duration

No. of Tasks

Materials

Evaluation Criteria

100

3 hours

2–3 major exercises (model making, doodling, storyboards, problem-solving, audio/visual exercises)

Provided by NID (paper, straws, wires, clay, cardboards, thermocol, pins, etc.)

Based on creativity, originality, problem-solving, neatness, and presentation

Weightage of NID Prelims vs NID Studio Test 2026 (For B.Des):

NID Exam Pattern

NID 2026 Exam Pattern - Weightage

NID DAT Prelims

NID DAT Mains

Studio Test - 60%

In-person Sensitivity Test - 40%

Practice: Design Thinking Awareness Questions and Answers PDF

Weightage of NID Prelims vs NID Studio Test 2026 (For M.Des):

Exam	Weightage
NID DAT Prelims	0%
NID DAT Mains	Studio Test- 40% and Interview- 60%

Skills that NID Studio Test Questions Evaluates:

Visualization & Creativity - Can you think differently?
Material Handling - Can you use everyday items smartly?
Problem-Solving Ability - Can you design a practical yet creative solution?
Observation and conceptualization - Are you able to observe the nuances of objects, how they work, their purpose, etc. and translate it all into design solutions?
Storytelling & Communication - Can you narrate your ideas clearly through sketches/models?

Simply put, the Studio Test simulates real-world design challenges where there is no single correct answer, only better and more innovative ones.

Know: Top 5 Skills Required to Crack NID 2026 Exam

Types of NID Studio Test Questions Asked

Although NID doesn’t officially publish the NID Studio test question papers every year, based on past trends and insights from students who’ve already attempted the test, here are the broad categories of tasks you might face in 2026 NID exam:

1. Model Making Questions: Tests 3D visualization, stability, and functionality.

Example: Create a chair for a child using paper and straws.

2. Material Handling Questions: Evaluates how creatively you use limited materials.

Example: Build a structure that can hold a bottle using cardboard and rubber bands.

3. Problem-Solving & Innovation Tasks: Checks practical design thinking and empathy.

Example: Design a low-cost packaging for eggs that can withstand a fall from 2 feet.

4. Storyboard & Sequential Sketching: Tests narrative ability and visualization.

Example: Draw 4 frames showing the journey of rainwater from clouds to rivers.

5. Doodling & Expression Tasks: Judges imagination and ability to see beyond the obvious.

Example: Use given doodles/shapes and create a meaningful design.

6. Product Redesign Questions: Checks empathy-driven design.

Example: Redesign a pen for children with disabilities.

These categories cover 90% of what appears in NID Studio Test Question Papers.

Must Read: NID tips to improve drawing Skills for NID Exam 2026: Tricks & Strategies

NID Studio Test Previous Year Questions

NID Studio Test Previous Year Questions provide valuable insights into the types of creative and problem-solving tasks asked in the exam. They help candidates understand the structure, expectations, and difficulty level of the studio test.

Regular practice with these questions enhances time management, material handling, and visual communication skills. Overall, NID Studio Test Previous Year Questions are essential for effective preparation and improved performance. Below are some of the Previous NID Studio Test Questions

NID studio test questions asked in 2025:

As reported by CreativEdge students who attempted the test, the difficulty level of questions was easy to moderate.

Section 1: AV Round (60 mins)

Part 1: A video was displayed about some workers in a quarry, depicting their slow walk and hardwork along with background music and some elements of nature which can be related to these workers such as a volcano symbolising their struggle.

There were no sketching questions. Students were instead required to write on the theme of the video, a suitable title for it, and about the soundscape of the video.

Part 2: A task where lines of a poem were broken ans shuffled into two columns. The candidates were asked to match the jumbled lines and sketch their interpreted meaning.

Section 2: Situational Analysis (45 mins)

Question: A handicapped person has to get down the stairs and candidates were required to draw 2 set of sequences (10 frames). One from the point of view of the person and his struggles and other from the student's own point of view about what they would do to help if they see the situation happening.

Section 3: Material Handling or Model Making

Question: Candidates have to make a working windmill model which should be standing without any external support and blades rotating. The model should be made by using atleast 2 of the given materials.

Materials provided:

Bamboo sticks, cloth, paper strips, jute rope/thread.

Toprankers Tips: Time Management Tips for NID 2026

NID Studio Test Questions from Past 4 Years:

Q: Real-world Awareness question on Uttarakhand Rescue Operation & Thailand Earthquake of march 28,2025.

Write in 100 words how would you handle the situation when you reach there as an officer or member of the rescue team?

Also make a story board on the same in 6 boxes.

Q: Students are provided with pictures (having numbers) of some objects/creatures. Then they'll be made to hear some sounds. They are required to write the correct picture's number corresponding to the sound they hear in the empty space provided to them.

Pictures provided with numbers: Zip, Clock, Train, Drill Machine, Hair Dryer, Radio, Mixer, Mobile, Flush

Q: You are provide with a PVC pipe, aluminium wire, thread, newspaper, and rubber bands. Design a bird feeding nest.
Q: Students are supposed to do some doodle drawings. 12 frames are provided with some random lines and students are supposed to complete the frames and provide captions.
Q: Describe and sketch 5 interesting things you noticed in the campus foyer.
Q: You will have to make a holder which can hold 3 cups at a time in a manner that it starts from point A to B to C. No adhesive to be used. Also explain your creation in 4 lines. Materials provided: 3 Plastic Cups, 10 straws that can bend, Transparent Nylon Thread.

These questions make it clear that NID studio test questions are more than random craft activities. NID design studio test questions by blending creativity, functionality, and sustainability.

Also Check: NID Cut Off 2026

NID M.Des Studio Test Questions for 2026 Prep

The M.Des Studio Test is slightly different from B.Des. While B.Des tasks focus more on hands-on creativity, M.Des is specialization based and emphasizes on concept depth and problem-solving.

How is M.Des Studio Test different from B.Des Studio Test?

- More Analytical: Questions demand reasoning along with models/sketches.

- Domain-Specific: Some questions relate to the specialization you’ve applied for (e.g., product design, textile design, animation).

- Documentation Required: You may need to explain your process or thought steps.

Example Tasks from Past Year NID M.Des Studio Test Question Paper:

Redesign a workspace to improve productivity for remote workers.
Create a product that helps farmers reduce water wastage.
Visualize a future classroom and model it using paper and clay.

Also Check: Meet CreativeEdge’s NID Toppers List

How Practicing NID Studio Test Question Papers will Help in NID 2026 Prep

Practicing NID Studio Test Question Papers gives you several advantages:

1. Reduces Test Anxiety & Surprise Factor: Practicing all the possible types of activities under timed conditions can help you familiarize yourself with the test format. You get used to the unpredictable.

2. Improves Time Management: You’ll learn how long to spend on ideation vs. execution.

3. Refines Material Skills:

- You’ll get comfortable using different materials for different tasks quickly.

- The Studio Test uses a wide variety of materials like paper, cardboard, clay, thermocol, straws, wire, fabric, etc.

- Practice helps save precious minutes figuring out how a material behaves.

- With practice students already know material manipulation tricks. Like for example, wetting paper before folding weakens it, or that thermocol needs careful cutting to avoid uneven edges.

- Practice teaches students shortcuts, how to fold, cut, glue, or join quickly without compromising neatness.

- You know how to use leftover scraps effectively

- You understand how to combine materials for better stability or function

- Practice helps to learn how to adapt when a planned method doesn’t work

4. Boosts Confidence:

That familiarity with material from practice sessions allows students to focus on creativity and problem-solving, instead of panicking over how to join two straws or shape clay.

- Practice can also help identity strengths and weaknesses and refine exam strategies accordingly.

Check: Last Minute Preparation Tips for NID 2026

Expert Tips to Solve NID Studio Test Questions 2026 Effectively

Here are insights from our CreativEdge experts and past year NID Toppers:

1. Ideation First, Execution Later:

- Start with understanding the problem first and Identifying the requirements. List those out.

- Spend the first 10 minutes brainstorming original innovative ideas that best showcase your creative thinking

- Make quick thumbnails of the concept before jumping into model-making.

2. Material Mindfulness

- Don’t waste materials experimenting. Test small, then go big.

- Use every scrap intelligently.

3. Neatness > Complexity

- A simple, clean, well-finished model scores higher than a messy “big idea.”

- Focus on structure stability and presentation.

4. Tell a Story: Add labels or a short explanation card. It helps evaluators understand your thought process.

5. Practice Under Pressure: Give mock tests in exam conditions: 3 hours, limited materials, no extra help. Train yourself to finish on time.

6. Focus on Functionality: Ask yourself- would this design work in real life? Will it serve it's purpose? Is the design ideal for it's target audience?

7. Don't Over Complicate the Task: Clean finished models always outrank incomplete complex ones.

Also Check: Common Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for NID

Effect of New 2026 Exam Pattern on NID Studio Test Questions

The NID 2026 admission process has introduced one of the most significant changes in recent years - the DAT Prelims score will no longer carry any weightage in the final result. This directly impacts the NID Studio Test (DAT Mains), making it the decisive stage for both B.Des and M.Des aspirants.

1. 100% Weightage Shift to Studio Test (and Interview for M.Des)

According to the official 2026 NID exam pattern, the final merit list will now be prepared solely based on DAT Mains performance -

For B.Des, the Studio Sensitivity Test and In-person Sensitivity Test together carry 100% weightage (60% + 40%).
For M.Des, the Studio Test and Interview carry 100% weightage (40% + 60%).

This means your creativity, thinking process, model-making, problem-solving, and communication in NID studio test questions will now determine your final rank, not your Prelims marks.

2. Higher Competition in the Studio Test Round

Since the Prelims now act only as a shortlisting filter, more emphasis is placed on hands-on design ability and real-time creativity during the Studio Test. Candidates shortlisted (1.5× the number of available seats per category) will need to focus on:

Visual and spatial thinking
Material handling
Design interpretation
Observation and problem-solving tasks

3. Expected Changes in Studio Test Evaluation

The 2026 pattern indicates a more comprehensive and skill-focused evaluation. The Studio Test is expected to include:

Model making and material-based tasks
Thematic composition and observation-based sketching
Audio-visual or storytelling components
Logical and design-thinking problems under time constraints

4. Greater Importance of Personal Interaction (Sensitivity/Interview)

For both B.Des and M.Des aspirants, the In-person Sensitivity Test / Interview will hold major weightage. This interaction will test:

Design awareness and reasoning
Communication and clarity of thought in NID Studio Test questions
Portfolio presentation (where applicable)
Originality of ideas and process understanding

5. Preparation Strategy Shift

With this new structure, students must now:

Focus more on practicing NID studio test questions for 2026
Build hands-on creative stamina. Practice material-based problem-solving regularly.
Prepare for interview-style discussions, design justification, and conceptual articulation.

Must Read: NID Interview Questions with Answers 2026

Summary: What This Means for 2026 Aspirants

Aspect	NID 2025 Pattern	NID 2026 Pattern (Revised)
Prelims Weightage	30% (carried to final merit)	0% (used only for shortlisting)
Mains Components	Studio Test + Interview	Studio Sensitivity + In-person Sensitivity (B.Des) / Studio Test + Interview (M.Des)
Focus Area	Aptitude + Creativity	Practical Creativity + Design Thinking + Communication

Resources for Practicing NID Studio Test Questions for 2026

NID 2026 Studio Test Kit by CreativEdge:

Designed by top mentors and past NID rankers, this all-in-one resource gives you everything you need to walk into NID Studio Test 2026 fully prepared and confident. It not only includes all the necessary insights on the test but also give you a step-by-step process to create your own practice prompts which can help you ace the exam effortlessly. Tap the button below to access it.

YouTube Channels for NID Sketching Questions Prep 2026:

For tutorials on perspective and object sketching and other drawing lessons, follow CreativEdge by Toprankers Youtube Channel.

Checklist of Materials Required to Carry for NID Studio Test 2026

Here’s a list of commonly recommended materials to carry for the NID Studio Test (based on past trends and toppers’ advice).

While NID provides basic materials for tasks, bringing your own toolkit helps you work faster and neater.

1. Cutting & Shaping Tools

Pair of scissors
Craft knife/cutter (with extra blades)
A3 size cutting mat (for safety & precision)
Paper cutter

2. Joining & Fixing Materials

Transparent tape (small roll)
Masking tape/paper tape
Glue stick (quick drying)
Liquid glue/Fevicol (small bottle)

3. Drawing & Marking Tools

Lead pencils of varying grades, like HB, 2B (for sketching & labeling)
Kneadable Eraser (soft, dust-free)
Sharpener
Scale/ruler (30 cm)
Blue/Black Ball Point Pen

4. Coloring Tools (Optional)

Basic set of dry color pencils (12–24 shades)
Oil/Pastel colors/sketchpens

5. Other Useful Items

Paper clips/rubber bands
Small container or pouch to organize tools

Check: NID Exam Day Instructions 2026

Conclusion:

The NID Studio Test 2026 isn’t about being the best artist, it’s about being the best problem solver. Practicing with NID Studio Test Questions, previous year tasks, and mock papers gives you the clarity and confidence to think unique ideas, translate them in a physical form, and present them aesthetically under pressure.

Whether it’s building a model, sketching a storyboard, or redesigning an everyday product, remember the golden rule to keep it simple, creative, and functional.

And never underestimate the power of practice-feedback loop. It will help you develop the ability to think out of the box and come up with unique innovative design solutions.

Preparing for NID 2026? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace both Prelims and NID Mains (studio test + in-person sensitivity test).

Join CreativEdge, India’s leading NID online coaching and get expert guidance on all NID 2026 subjects. Reach us at 6363286363.