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NID Exam Analysis 2027 (Expected) + NID 2026 DAT Paper Analysis, Difficulty & Cut Off

Author : Vineeta Agrawal

October 7, 2026

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The NID DAT 2027 Prelims is on Sunday, 20 December 2026 (offline, 3 hours, 100 marks, no negative marking) - one subjective paper for B.Des and M.Des. The defining change- Prelims now carries 0% weightage and is only a shortlisting filter and the final merit list is decided 100% by DAT Mains.

The last cycle (NID 2026) was fully subjective with no aptitude section. Expect a similar ideation- and sketching-heavy paper. Our live question-by-question analysis publishes here right after the exam. Last verified: 6 October 2026.

Key Highlights - NID 2027 Exam Analysis 

Particular Details
Exam NID DAT 2027 Prelims (B.Des/Integrated & M.Des)
Date Sunday, 20 December 2026 (offline)
Duration & Marks 3 hours, 100 marks
Prelims weightage in merit 0% - shortlisting filter only (official)
Final merit 100% DAT Mains (Studio/Sensitivity Test + interview)
Negative marking None
Expected nature Subjective - ideation, visual storytelling, problem-solving, sketching
Aptitude/GAT Minimal/absent in the last cycle (not guaranteed for 2027)
Expected Difficulty Level Moderate (but lengthy if the paper is all drawing)
Prelims result 16 March 2027 (B.Des) / 16 February 2027 (M.Des)

Source: NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28. Last verified: 6 October 2026.

Table of Contents

  1. NID DAT 2027 Exam Analysis (Expected)
  2. NID 2027 Expected Cut Off
  3. NID 2026 Exam Analysis
  4. NID 2025 Exam Analysis
  5. Previous Years NID Exam Analysis

NID DAT 2027 Exam Analysis: What to Expect on 20 December 2026

The NID DAT 2027 Prelims is confirmed for Sunday, 20 December 2026 (offline, pen-and-paper), the same single paper for B.Des and M.Des applicants across all NID campuses.

NOTE: This section sets out what to expect, based on the official NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28. Our live, memory-based analysis - actual questions, difficulty and good attempts - will be published here right after the exam.

What the 2027 Prelims Paper Is Likely to Look Like?

NID does not publish a fixed exam pattern, and it is known for surprising candidates. Based on the last cycle, expect:

Aspect What to expect in NID 2027 Prelims (indicative)
Mode Offline, pen and paper, 3 hours
Questions asked in subjective section Expect questions on ideation, visual storytelling, product design/redesign, storyboarding, sequential drawing, problem-solving
Questions asked in objective section Likely minimal or absent; if asked expect - Design Awareness, Visual Reasoning and Analytical / Logical Reasoning
Total marks 100 (qualifying only)
Negative marking None

Treat "no aptitude" as a strong recent trend, not a guarantee - prepare visual reasoning and design awareness lightly so a surprise section can't rattle you. Map the full structure in our NID DAT exam pattern guide.

What to Expect in NID 2027 With the Latest Changes in Exam Pattern?

As you prepare for the upcoming NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2027, it’s crucial to understand not only what has changed in the exam structure but also how these changes will impact strategy, competition, and question-type focus.

Here's what changed from 2026, side by side for B.Des and M.Des, based on the official NID Admissions Handbooks 2027-28:

Factor B.Des / Integrated M.Des
New in 2027 5.5-Year Integrated pathway for Class 12 pass-outs - more seats No major change
Shortlist for Mains 2.5 × NID seats (up from 1.5×) 4.5× seats (same)
Prelims weightage 0% 0%
Mains format Studio + In-Person Sensitivity Test Studio Test + Interview
Mains weightage 100% of merit 100% of merit (split now TBA)
Prelims mode Offline, English, 3 hrs Offline, English, 3 hrs
Qualifying bar Expected to ease Broadly stable

NID 2027 Changes: Impact on Competition

Here's how these changes play out for aspirants, by program.

Change Impact on B.Des / Integrated Impact on M.Des
New Integrated pathway More seats for 12th pass-outs; eases the seat squeeze No direct effect
Wider shortlist (2.5×) Easier to clear Prelims; qualifying bar drops Unchanged (stays 4.5×)
Prelims = 0% Clearing Prelims isn't enough - Mains decides all Same - Mains decides all
Mains = 100% Studio + portfolio skills are the real differentiator Studio + interview depth is decisive
Subjective paper Rewards ideation & clarity, not rote prep Rewards concept depth & articulation

Source: NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28 (admissions.nid.edu). DAT Prelims: Sunday, 20 December 2026. Mains dates, weightage break-up and tie-break policy to be announced by NID. Last verified: October 2026.

NID DAT 2027 Key Dates

Event Date (NID Handbook 2027-28)
Registration window 10 September - 30 November 2026
Form correction 1-3 December 2026
Prelims admit card 10 December 2026
DAT Prelims exam Sunday, 20 December 2026
Prelims result (B.Des) 16 March 2027
Prelims result (M.Des) 16 February 2027
DAT Mains Announced after the Prelims result

With the Prelims on 20 December 2026 and registration closing 30 November 2026, the next step is to apply - see our NID DAT 2027 application form guide for the step-by-step registration process, fees and documents.

How to Use This Analysis for 2027 Prep

  • Clear the Prelims comfortably, then shift all energy to Mains - that is where your seat is decided.
  • Practice full, timed subjective papers - the last cycle rewarded ideation and clean presentation over drawing polish.
  • Keep a light touch on aptitude/design-awareness so a pattern surprise doesn't cost you.
  • Study the most recent completed paper (NID 2026, below) closely - it is the clearest signal of where NID is heading.

Set your target score with the expected NID cut-off. Our full NID 2027 question-by-question analysis, difficulty verdict, good attempts and expected cut-off go live on this page on 20 December 2026, straight from the exam centres.

NID, NIFT & UCEED exam preparation books

Best NID, NIFT & UCEED exam preparation books

NID 2027 Expected Cut Off 

For B.Des (Category-Wise):

Category Expected Score of Last Candidate Admitted - NID Ahmedabad / top campuses (out of 100) Expected Score of Last Candidate Admitted - other NID campuses
Open (General) 55-62 35-50
GEN-EWS 50-56 35-46
OBC-NCL 48-55 38-48
SC 45-53 32-45
ST 42-52 34-44
PwD 42-52 38-50

Source: NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28 + NID 2026–27 last-candidate score sheets. Last verified: 6 October 2026.

Note:  These ranges are indicative estimates, anchored to NID's officially published 2026-27 "Rank & Score of the Last Candidate Allotted a Seat" and adjusted for the 2027 changes (wider 2.5× B.Des shortlisting and additional Integrated-pathway seats) - both of which push the qualifying bar lower.

Scores vary widely by campus and discipline. Top campuses like NID Ahmedabad run highest, while newer NID colleges admit at noticeably lower scores.

For M.Des (Category-Wise):

Unlike B.Des, the M.Des structure is essentially unchanged for 2027- shortlisting stays at 4.5× seats, Prelims remains a 0%-weightage qualifier, and Mains is still Studio Test + NID Interview. So M.Des closing scores are expected to stay close to 2026-27 levels. Below are NID's officially published final-merit scores of the last candidate admitted in 2026-27, with a realistic 2027 outlook by category.

Category 2026-27 Last-Admitted Final Score (NID Ahmedabad, actual range across disciplines) 2027 Expected Outlook
Open ~45-76 (varies sharply by discipline) Broadly similar to 2026
GEN-EWS ~49-61 (many disciplines: No Eligible Candidate) Similar; stays thin/variable
OBC-NCL ~40-63 Broadly similar to 2026
SC ~36-71 Similar; discipline-dependent
ST ~38-73 (several disciplines: No Eligible Candidate) Similar; stays variable
PwD ~51-58 (most disciplines- NE / NA) Similar; very few applicants

Source: NID M.Des Admissions Handbooks 2026-27 & 2027-28; NID M.Des 2026-27 last-candidate score sheet. Last verified: 6 October 2026.

Note: These are NID's officially published final-merit scores (Studio Test + Interview; Prelims carries 0% weightage) of the last candidate allotted a seat for M.Des 2026-27 at NID Ahmedabad.

"NE" (No Eligible Candidate) and "NA" (No Applicant) appear across many reserved-category disciplines, so a single category cutoff doesn't exist - closing scores swing widely by discipline (e.g. Universal Design Open 45.25 vs Design for Retail Open 76.30).

The M.Des admission structure is unchanged for 2027 (4.5× shortlisting, same Mains format), so 2027 closing scores are expected to track 2026 closely.

NID Exam Analysis 2026 (Last Completed Cycle)

NID DAT B.Des Prelims Exam - Overall Students' Reaction 

Students outside the NID Exam Centres said - “It didn’t feel like a typical NID paper at all.”

  • Paper was very unexpected
  • No aptitude questions at all
  • Entirely subjective, there was no GAT or aptitude section. 
  • Many students felt unsure about performance
  • Time pressure due to writing + drawing balance. The CAT section required strong time management, as creative questions demanded ideation, planning, and clean execution within limited time.
  • Many students felt the paper was slightly lengthy, especially because it was all subjective (CAT), making it important to balance idea development and presentation speed.
  • Candidates who focused on design thinking during preparation, practiced with previous year papers and timed NID mock tests found the paper more approachable.

Detailed NID 2026 Paper Analysis - Questions at a Glance

NID DAT 2026 Prelims had 6 drawing-based questions, each testing a different design skill. Below is a quick snapshot of what was asked and what each question evaluated.

# What was asked (in brief) Skill NID tested Marks
1 Illustrate key scenes from a given story, showing transformation over time Visual storytelling, sequential narration, character consistency Multi-part
2 Show three alternative functional uses of a given rigid product Functional creativity, reimagining form, usability 15
3 Write an opinion on solar energy + design three awareness social-media posts Balanced thinking, opinion-to-visual translation, social awareness Multi-part
4 Design three child-safety solutions (other than seat belts) for bus seats Empathy-driven design, safety logic, age-appropriate thinking 15
5 Redesign a water bottle for three different users (hospital, restaurant, family) User-centric design, adapting one product across contexts 15
6 Draw a hand holding an object (hammer / plant / rope) as a visual metaphor + caption Symbolic thinking, metaphor, concept clarity 20

For the full questions with expert model solutions, scoring tips and a downloadable PDF, use our dedicated paper page - NID 2026 Question Paper. This analysis focuses on difficulty, attempts and cut-off trends.

NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) Exam Analysis - Topic-wise Analysis of NID B.Des 2026 Paper

Section Difficulty Level Key Remarks
Problem-solving Moderate Dominant section; Require creative design-oriented thinking based on user needs
Scene Creation  Moderate Required speed and clean execution
Storyboarding Moderate Time-heavy but manageable if you know the right tricks
Ideal Attempts - Required better time-management

To see how these question types have appeared before, work through the NID previous year question papers.

Despite being a 100-mark drawing paper, this cannot be called a traditional drawing-based exam. The paper heavily tested:

  • Creative thinking
  • Conceptual clarity
  • Interpretation of abstract ideas
  • Writing + visual balance
  • Design reasoning

Before you dive into the deeper analysis, make sure you qualify to apply - our NID DAT 2027 eligibility guide covers the age limits, qualifying exam and category rules for B.Des and M.Des.

NID Top Results by Creative Edge

 NID Top Results by Creative Edge

NID 2026 Question Paper Review & Overall Difficulty Level (B.Des vs M.Des)

Parameter B.Des Remarks M.Des Remarks
Difficulty Level Moderate  Moderate 
Paper Length Slightly Lengthy Lengthy
Major Weightage Areas GAT: No aptitude questions
CAT: Problem-solving + Creativity + Innovation
GAT: No aptitude questions
CAT: Discipline related questions
Questions in CAT - Drawing Moderate level questions on problem solving and sketching. Moderate number of concept heavy questions (Fewer, explanation-based).
Questions in GAT - Aptitude/Reasoning/GK Removed Removed
Common Student Feedback Manageable but time pressure in CAT Conceptually demanding & time-intensive.

Check: NID Question Papers

Comparison with Previous Years (Till 2025)

Year Drawing Marks Aptitude Marks
Till 2025 70 30
NID 2026 100 0

NID Exam Analysis - Year 2025

The NID DAT Prelims 2025 maintained its traditional two-part format:

  • GAT (Objective + Short Answer)
  • CAT (Drawing + Creativity + Observation)

NID Exam Analysis 2025 - B.Des

Section Subject / Part Total Questions Difficulty Level
Part I – Objective General Knowledge & Design Awareness 11 questions Easy
Part I – Objective Logical Reasoning / Visual & Spatial Ability 8 questions Easy to Moderate
Part II – Subjective Design Aptitude / Drawing / Creative Tasks 5 questions Moderate but lengthy
Overall - 26 questions (100 marks total)

Overall Exam Difficulty and Structure

  • Overall, the NID exam analysis 2025 suggests that students found it moderately difficult.
  • The objective section was considered straightforward, with questions on topics like sustainable development and the G20 Summit.
  • However, the drawing section posed challenges, requiring tasks like designing creative posters, which tested candidates' ability to interpret prompts uniquely and within time constraints, as reflected in the practice exercises found in NID sample papers
  • Time management emerged as a critical factor, as some students found the paper lengthy, though a few managed to complete it early.

What was Exactly Asked in NID 2025 Paper?

Below is a detailed, precise, paper-based analysis table:

Section Approx. Weightage Difficulty Level Types of Questions Asked (Based on Actual Paper) Key Remarks
GAT (General Ability Test) 25% (Approx.) Easy to Moderate 1. Logical Reasoning:
Pattern completion, series, coding/decoding, figure identification, clocks
GAT in 2025 was scoring, with few tricky logic questions.
2. General Knowledge + Current Affairs:
Design awareness, Indian art/craft, brands/logos, government schemes, environment/sustainability initiatives related questions.
No high-level math.
3. Visual Reasoning (Mild):
Counting shapes, folding/unfolding cube, identifying top/side views
11 out of 19 GAT questions were based on GK. These focused more on design awareness, not static facts. Overall, students finished early and gained marks easily here.
CAT (Creative Ability Test) 75% (Approx.) Difficult 1. Bird’s Eye View Drawing: visualize a scene from top view CAT dominated the exam, with time pressure being the biggest challenge.
2. Scenario Visualization: depict a real-world situation with storytelling details Questions demanded clarity, neatness, proportion sense, and creativity, not just drawing ability.
3. Object Transformation & Redesign: redesign or modify an object with purpose Texture-based tasks and scene-creation were high-weight tasks. Students who pre-planned the composition scored well.
4. Conceptual Sketching: express an idea visually with clarity
5. Creative Thinking Questions: unusual design problem-solving type prompts requiring imagination and functional thinking
Overall 100% Lengthy but easy Overall, the exam needed design awareness, problem-solving skills and time management skills the most. -

Sharpen the skills this section rewards with our NID drawing tips and tricks.

NID Exam Analysis 2025 - M.Des

The question papers were different depending on the specializations chosen by candidates at the time of application. They were divided into CDAT (Common DAT) & DDAT (Discipline Specific DAT). The CDAT includes questions on GK, English Comprehension, 3D visualization, Logical Reasoning, Visual Reasoning, etc. While, the DDAT section includes design-based questions specific to each discipline. There are a total of 19 disciplines at NID.

For example: For a student who applied for Product Design at NID, faced questions like sketching perspective view of everyday objects, new concept-based design, sequential drawing of a product's design and so on.

Section Subject / Part Total Questions Difficulty Level
Part I – Objective General Knowledge & Design Awareness 11 questions Easy
Part I – Objective Logical Reasoning / Visual & Spatial Ability 8 questions Easy to Moderate
Part II – Subjective Design Aptitude / Drawing / Creative Tasks 5 questions Moderate but lengthy
Overall - 26 questions (100 marks total)

NID Previous Year Exam Analysis [2017-2024]

Following is a direct comparison of question types and overall difficulty level of the NID DAT exam in comparatively recent years 2024, 2023 & 2022.

Year Difficulty Level Section-wise Highlights
2024 Moderate GAT: Very easy in quantitative, moderate in GK/awareness.
CAT/Drawing: Moderate, more creative prompts (e.g., sustainable fashion, conscious buying)
2023 Moderate GAT: Moderate, with non-verbal reasoning and visual puzzles.
CAT: Tricky drawing and scenario-based questions. Time pressure high.
2022 Easy to Moderate GAT: Easier numerical and reasoning
CAT: moderate, fewer full-scale scenario questions. More straightforward than later years.

Must Read: NID DAT Counselling Process

NID 2026 Exam Analysis

NID DAT 2024 Exam Analysis

The National Institute of Design (NID) Design Aptitude Test (DAT) 2024 was an essential milestone for candidates aspiring to pursue design courses at NID. The exam consisted of two main sections: Aptitude and Drawing.

The total marks allocated for Aptitude were 25, and for Drawing, it was 75. Here's a detailed analysis of the NID DAT 2024.

Overall Exam Difficulty and Structure

  • Difficulty Level: Overall, the difficulty was easy to moderate. However, some candidates found the paper lengthy.
  • Sectional NID DAT Exam Analysis:
    • Maths: Very easy
    • Drawing: Moderate'

Specific Insights

  • Some surprises in the question paper, a norm for NID exams.
  • Questions ranged from General Knowledge to Reasoning, with topics like Sustainable Development and the G20 summit.
  • Subjective questions included posture drawing on slow fashion and conscious buying.

Section-wise Exam Analysis Table for NID DAT 2024

Section Total Marks Difficulty Level Key Points
Aptitude 30 Varies (Easy to Above Average) General Knowledge, Reasoning, Sustainable Development, G20 Summit
Drawing 70 Moderate Posture Drawing, Slow Fashion, Conscious Buying

Check: Total no. of NID Seats in India

NID Exam Analysis 2023 

The NID exam analysis 2023 suggests that it had a moderate level of difficulty. Here are the key highlights of the exam: 

  • The NID DAT prelims test took place in different cities across the country. 
  • Candidates found the creative-based questions to be challenging, while the general aptitude questions were of moderate difficulty. 
  • The general aptitude questions primarily covered topics related to general knowledge, textiles, and reasoning. 
  • The subjective section, which carried 70 marks, consumed the most time as it is the crucial section of the exam. 
  • The diagram and pictorial section included some tricky questions. 

NID DAT 2023 Exam Analysis – Overview 

Particulars Details
Number of questions 32
Maximum marks allotted 100
Types of questions MCQ + Subjective Type Drawing Questions
Number of questions in each section
  • 1-28 (MCQ)
  • 29-32 (Subjective Type)
Marks allotted in each section
  • Questions 1 - 28 (1 and 2 marks)
  • Question 29 (15 marks)
  • Question 30 (15 marks)
  • Question 31 (15 marks)
  • Questions 32 (15 marks each)

Know more: Mastering the NID Marking Scheme

NID Exam Analysis 2022

As per the NID 2022 paper analysis, the overall difficulty level of the NID entrance exam was moderate.

The question paper had a total of 31 questions, out of which 27 were MCQs and 4 were NID CAT questions.

  • The logical reasoning and aptitude section was easy, while the general knowledge section was easy to moderate level of difficulty.
  • The drawing section had lengthy and tricky questions compared to the previous year.
  • Students had to manage their time wisely to answer the drawing questions, as the questions were a little tricky.
  • In the drawing section, one question was based on perspective. Further, students were asked to draw a kingfisher through 3 slides. 
  • In the GK section, the questions were related to Padma Shree Awards and vaccines.

NID Exam Analysis 2021

The NID exam was successfully concluded on 14 March 2021 at various centres across India. 

GAT had 22 general aptitude questions of 40 marks in total, while CAT part had 5 NID sketching & problem-solving questions of 60 marks total.

  • As per the paper analysis, the over-difficulty level of the entrance exam was moderate.
  • Most of the NID general aptitude questions were related to vaccines and Padma Shree Awards.
  • The aptitude test was based on the half-triangle, half-square, half-hexagon, and Tongue Twister sections.
  • Also, many students reported that the drawing questions were quite lengthy. However, the general knowledge section was moderate

NID Exam Analysis 2021: Question Asked in Drawing Section

In the drawing section, there were five questions based on perspective drawing, comic strips, poster making, story writing, and compositions.

The following were some of the NID Drawing Questions asked in last year's exam.

  • Create three images/frames to depict a story
  • Draw a poster showcasing steps on how to make tea
  • Depict a scenario where your younger sibling is disturbing/distracting you while you are studying online
  • Draw a poster on school bullying
  • Make comic characters for TikTok in six parts

NID 2020 Paper Analysis

NID 2020 Exam was a complete creativity-based paper. There were 21 questions based on Aptitude, with the highest number of Logical Reasoning questions. And as per NID exam analysis 2020, there were 6 questions in CAT section (for a total of 70 marks).

Here is a basic overview of the exam:

  • At a few centres, invigilators simultaneously gave aptitude question paper and drawing paper. However, it was delayed at a few centres.
  • A few students reported that the drawing paper was delayed by 50 minutes, so they couldn't attempt a few questions.
  • There were no questions on static GK and 6 questions in drawing section, as per the NID exam analysis 2020.

Questions asked in the Logical Reasoning/Aptitude section

  • There were question-based on the half-triangle, half-square, and half-hexagon.
  • There was a question on Cake
  • There was a question based on Tongue Twister.
  • There were 2 questions based on Blood Relations. 

Questions Asked in Drawing Paper

  • There was a question based on Unfolded Cube. The squares were numbered so that it was easy to make a cube.
  • One point perspective question was asked. The question was that "There is a boy standing on X-mark and one had to draw the kitchen."
  • The question paper had a tree-based question to depict the Save Environment message.
  • There was a question based on creativity, imagination, and Story Boarding.

There was no question about Color Theory mentioned. One had to judge the colour theory accordingly.

Know more: Short tricks to crack the NID interview on the first attempt

FREE NID Demo Classes by Creative Edge

 FREE NID Demo Classes by Creative Edge

NID Exam Analysis 2019

As per the analysis, the overall difficulty level of the exam was easy to moderate. The NID exam was conducted in two stages: Prelims and Mains.

The NID Prelims had objective and subjective questions, and the Mains exam had Studio Test and Personal Interview.

The creative aptitude section had a good mix of questions designed to test students' creativity skills.

NID Question Paper Analysis 2019 (Prelims)

The table below presents a pattern of questions asked in the B. Des Entrance Exam 2019.

The question paper had 22 objective questions and 6 subjective questions. The objective-type questions focused more on General Knowledge, and subjective-type questions focused more on Creativity Skills.

Parameters Objective Questions Subjective Questions
Difficulty level Easy to moderate  Moderate to Difficult
Focus General Knowledge Creativity Skills
Length of paper Short Paper Lengthy Paper

NID Question Pattern 2019 (Prelims)

Have a look at the table below to learn the detailed NID Exam Analysis 2019 for the B. Des program.

Question Number of Questions Marks per questions Total Marks Total Time
Objective Type 1-22 Question 1-14= 1 Mark Question, 15-22=2 marks 30 Marks  3hours
Subjective Type 23-26 Question 23= 15 marks ;Question 24=20 marks ;Question 25=15 marks; Question 26=20 marks 70 marks

Read more: Important points to remember before appearing for the NID exam

NID Questions Asked in Objective Type Paper (B.Des 2019) 

The NID Questions were asked in the objective-type section for the B. Des program.

1 A textile pattern was to be identified
2 Question regarding Transgender Symbol
3 The candidates needed to choose the odd one out from Cotton, Coir, Jute, and Wool
4 Choose the non-classical dance form between the options
5 Images of strokes like Caligraphy strokes and flat brush strokes were given, and the candidates were required to distinguish between them
6 The candidates were given to name the instrument that Annapurna plays
7 What was the navigation aid in ancient times?
8 Which animal is the design inspiration for the Japanese Bullet Train
9 Which is the highest Sports Award in India?
10 There were given names of a few Indian personalities, one of whom was not an artist
11 There was a graph-based question
12 Determine relationships based on patterns between siblings, sisters, boys, and girls
13 There was a shape-based question- Rotate the vase and identify the core of the shape
14 The mother and child together were 70kg, the father and child together were 90 kg, the father and mother were 120 kg and the combined weight of the family

NID Questions Asked in Subjective Type Paper 2019

The questions asked in the NID DAT 2019 B. Des exam are given below in the table below for your reference.

1 The candidates were asked to draw a stamp and colour it to commemorate the 160th birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
2 A picture of a section of a room and a window was given. Assuming that the person was on a ladder and trying to look inside the room. The candidates were required to describe what they saw in the room.
3 The exam-appearing candidates were asked to draw a woman/man sitting on the table with a spoon, folk, and a plate in front of them
4 Candidates were asked to draw something that would represent that all glitters are not gold in a realistic manner
5 The candidates were asked to draw the front view of a picture of the side view Pictures of a dead old man and a dog barking towards a thief were given to the candidates 
6 They were required to draw a fork, a spoon that was put together at the handle

Know more: NID Study Plan 2024

NID Question Paper Analysis 2019 (Mains)

Here is the NID Exam Analysis for B.Des 2019. 

Question Weightage No. of Questions Total  Total Time
Objective Type 25 % 12 30 Marks  3hours
Subjective Type 75 % - 70 marks

Check: NID Exam Preparation Books

NID Questions Asked for Subjective Type (M.Des 2019) 

Look at the table below to know the type of questions asked in the subjective paper for the M. Des program.

1 The candidates were asked to imagine that they were going on a trek. Keeping that in the mind, they were asked to design a product that could be used to keep the bottle, shoe, phone, sandwich, and book. They were asked to explain the usage of the product (Product Design Question)
2 The candidates were told that the future Indians would vote through mobile phones. They were asked to identify three problems regarding this and suggest solutions through illustrations
3 They were also asked to draw five icons from the "UN Sustainable Goals for 2018"

Check: NID Exam Day Instructions

NID Exam Analysis 2018

The NID Prelims and Mains were conducted in English and consisted of both Objective and subjective questions.

The exam was conducted for 3 hours, and both the Prelims and Mains Paper consisted of 100 marks questions.

Given below is the Exam Analysis for NID 2018.

Question Type Weightage Difficulty Level Total Marks Total Time
Objective  25 % Easy to Moderate 30  3hours
Subjective  75 % Moderate to Difficult 70

Refer: NID Interview Questions with Answers

Topics covered in NID Question Paper 2018

Following are some of the topics from which the NID Questions were asked in the 2018 exam.

  • Design Theory
  • Visual Logic
  • Colour Terminology
  • Elements and Principles of Design
  • Innovation in Design
  • Optical Illusion
  • Usage of Colors in Composition
  • 3D Visualization etc.

Read more: NID DAT Counselling 2024

NID Entrance Exam Analysis 2017

The NID Exam 2017 took place in 22 centres. There was a slight change in the Question pattern in previous years. Aspirants were tested and selected based on the following parameters:

  • Visual Sense Skills
  • Observation & Selection Skills
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Mental Ability & Communication Ability
  • Problem-Solving Design Skills

The below table represents the Exam Analysis of NID 2017.

Question Type No. of Questions Difficulty Level Total Marks Total Time
Objective  88 Moderate 30  3hours
Subjective  3 Moderate to Difficult 70

Check: NID Cut off Marks

Conclusion

The NID 2026 Exam (B.Des & M.Des) has redefined what it means to prepare for one of the most prestigious design entrance exams - NID DAT. This was not a memory based or formula-driven test, it was a true design thinking evaluation.

If you are preparing for future NID attempts, the NID 2026 question paper sends one clear message:

'Design is not about drawing well. It's about thinking clearly and communicating creatively.'

The NID Exam Analysis in this article includes a detailed overview of the exam structure, NID exam syllabus, topics covered, question types, time allotted, marking scheme and recommended NID preparation strategies. It also provides insights into the exam pattern and the types of questions asked in the exam, helping you prioritize the type of questions and NID important topics. 

Preparing for NID 2027? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.

Join CreativEdge, India’s leading NID online coaching and get expert guidance on all NID 2027 subjects. 

You can enroll in offline NID batches at your nearest centres also!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should candidates not carry on the day of the NID DAT Exam 2027?

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Does the NID DAT Prelims score count in the final merit list for 2027?

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Will there be a GAT/aptitude section in NID 2027?

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How hard was the last NID exam?

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How is this NID exam analysis prepared?

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About the Author

Faculty
Vineeta Agrawal

Communications Executive

Vineeta Agrawal is an education content writer with three years of professional writing experience, covering design and architecture entrance examinations. She covers NID DAT, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA, and JEE Main Paper 2. She writes exam guides, admission updates, and preparation articles that explain eligibility requirements, application procedures, syllabi, and assessment formats. Her writing helps aspiring designers and architects navigate entrance examinations and make informed decisions about their education.... more