December 8, 2022
The National Institute of Design conducts the NID DAT exam annually for providing admissions to UG and PG programs in the Design category.
According to experts, knowing the exam pattern will give you a fair idea about exam mode, duration of the exam, marking scheme, type of questions asked, and more.
The paper pattern differs for B. Des and M. Des programs. Hence, it is essential to go through the detailed exam pattern of the particular course you are applying for.
Read through the post that will give you a complete insight into NID Exam Pattern 2023 for both B. Des and M. Des courses.
The National Institute of Design Entrance Exam is conducted in two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.
The prelims examination is a pen and paper-based written test, whereas the mains exam comprises a studio test and personal interview.
Only those who will score above the NID Cut Off 2023 in the prelims exam will get shortlisted for the mains exam. Scroll down the post to know the detailed paper pattern for both B. Des and M. Des programs.
Download Study Material for NID Exam by CreativeEdge
The entrance examination for the undergraduate program at NID includes both prelims and mains. Upon qualifying prelims, you are shortlisted for the mains exam.
Let us understand the pattern of the NID Exam in detail below:
In the prelims exam, you will be evaluated mainly on your general knowledge, creativity, visualization, and comprehension.
However, the NID Entrance Exam Syllabus varies for prelims and mains exams.
Exam Part | Type of Questions | No. of Questions |
Part I | Objective type questions | 22 |
Part II | Subjective type questions | 4 |
Total No. of Questions | 26 |
The exam is conducted for 100 marks, out of which the marks for objective and subjective are divided.
Check out the table below to know the prelims marking scheme.
Type of Question | No. of Questions | Marks for Each Question |
---|---|---|
Objective type questions | Questions 1 to 14 | 1 mark |
Questions 15 to 22 | 2 marks | |
Subjective type questions | Question No. 23 | 15 marks |
Question No. 24 | 20 marks | |
Question No. 25 | 15 marks | |
Question No. 26 | 20 marks | |
Total Marks | 100 marks |
Last year, the National Institute of Design had made a few changes in the NID mains exam pattern. As per the revised pattern, those who will get shortlisted in the prelims exam have to upload a theme poster, portfolio, and undergo online interaction.
Theme poster:
Portfolio Submission:
After clearing the preliminary stage in the NID Entrance Examination, you need to appear for the studio test and a personal interview.
NID Studio Test for BDes Admissions:
The studio test for NID admissions comprises questions from topics like drawing/sketching, hands-on model making, group discussions, presentations, etc.
If you are shortlisted in the Studio Test round, you are allowed to appear for the personal interview round.
Personal Interview for BDes Admissions:
The interview round for BDes/GDPD admissions shall be held separately for each specialization (right after the studio test is held) at the same exam center.
The final marks are calculated based on the marks secured in the prelims and mains exam. Previously, the weightage allocated to NID DAT Prelims for BDes/ GDPD admissions was 30%, and NID DAT Mains was allocated a weightage of 70%.
But since last year, the weightage has been changed, and the new structure is tabulated below:
Read more: Best preparation books for NID exam
Exam | Weightage |
NID DAT Prelims | 70% |
NID DAT Mains | 30% (online interaction) |
The entrance examination for the postgraduate program also includes both prelims and mains.
You shall be shortlisted for the mains exam after clearing the prelims exam. Let us understand the pattern of the NID M.Des Exam in detail below:
For only one discipline, you need to appear for NID DAT Prelims comprising CDAT and discipline-specific tests. The total duration of DAT Prelims is 2.5 hours.
For two disciplines - If you have applied for 2 disciplines, you need to appear for NID DAT Prelims comprising of CDAT and two discipline-specific tests. The total duration of DAT Prelims will be 4.5 hours (30 minutes for CDAT and 2 hours for each discipline-specific test)
The marking scheme for prelims may vary from one year to the other.
Have a look at the table below to know the tentative prelims marking scheme for the M. Des program.
Exam Part | Type of Questions | Marks |
Part I | Objective type questions | 30 |
Part II | Subjective type questions | 70 |
Total No. of Questions | 100 marks |
Last year, the mains paper pattern for the M. Des program has also been changed by the National Institute of Design. As per the new NID Exam Pattern 2023, the exam was conducted in online mode for a total of 100 marks.
Those who got shortlisted in the prelims exam, have to submit a Statement of Purpose (SoP) and portfolio.
Statement of Purpose (SoP):
Portfolio Submission:
To score good marks in the mains exam, you are advised to follow the NID Preparation Tips provided by experts.
Before the pandemic, the exam was conducted in an online mode for 100 marks.
After clearing the preliminary examination you need to appear for the studio test followed by a personal interview.
NID Studio Test for M.Des Admissions:
Read more: Important Questions for NID CAT
Personal Interview for M.Des Admissions:
The interview round for M.Des admissions shall be held separately for each specialization (right after the studio test is held) at the same exam center.
The final marks are calculated based on the marks secured in the prelims and mains exam.
Previously, the weightage allocated to NID DAT Prelims for admission in all MDes specializations was 30% and NID DAT Mains weightage was 70%.
But since last year, the weightage has been changed and the new structure is tabulated below:
Exam | Weightage |
NID DAT Prelims | 60% (Common Design Aptitude Test - 15%; Design Specific Test - 45%) |
NID DAT Mains | 40% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents not to carry on the day of the NID DAT Exam 2023?
What documents to carry on the day of the of NID DAT Exam 2023?
What is the NID Entrance Exam Pattern 2023?
What is the duration of NID Exam?
How many questions are asked in NID DAT Prelims exam for B.Des course?
Is there any negative marking in NID Exam?
What is the mode of NID Prelims Exam?
Who prescribes the exam pattern for NID Entrance Exam?
What is the NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern?
Is the NID DAT Prelims Exam Date 2023 announced?
What is the difficulty level of NID exam?
Where can I find previous year NID Exam Analysis?
Updated On : December 8, 2022
The National Institute of Design conducts the NID DAT exam annually for providing admissions to UG and PG programs in the Design category.
According to experts, knowing the exam pattern will give you a fair idea about exam mode, duration of the exam, marking scheme, type of questions asked, and more.
The paper pattern differs for B. Des and M. Des programs. Hence, it is essential to go through the detailed exam pattern of the particular course you are applying for.
Read through the post that will give you a complete insight into NID Exam Pattern 2023 for both B. Des and M. Des courses.
The National Institute of Design Entrance Exam is conducted in two stages: NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains.
The prelims examination is a pen and paper-based written test, whereas the mains exam comprises a studio test and personal interview.
Only those who will score above the NID Cut Off 2023 in the prelims exam will get shortlisted for the mains exam. Scroll down the post to know the detailed paper pattern for both B. Des and M. Des programs.
Download Study Material for NID Exam by CreativeEdge
The entrance examination for the undergraduate program at NID includes both prelims and mains. Upon qualifying prelims, you are shortlisted for the mains exam.
Let us understand the pattern of the NID Exam in detail below:
In the prelims exam, you will be evaluated mainly on your general knowledge, creativity, visualization, and comprehension.
However, the NID Entrance Exam Syllabus varies for prelims and mains exams.
Exam Part | Type of Questions | No. of Questions |
Part I | Objective type questions | 22 |
Part II | Subjective type questions | 4 |
Total No. of Questions | 26 |
The exam is conducted for 100 marks, out of which the marks for objective and subjective are divided.
Check out the table below to know the prelims marking scheme.
Type of Question | No. of Questions | Marks for Each Question |
---|---|---|
Objective type questions | Questions 1 to 14 | 1 mark |
Questions 15 to 22 | 2 marks | |
Subjective type questions | Question No. 23 | 15 marks |
Question No. 24 | 20 marks | |
Question No. 25 | 15 marks | |
Question No. 26 | 20 marks | |
Total Marks | 100 marks |
Last year, the National Institute of Design had made a few changes in the NID mains exam pattern. As per the revised pattern, those who will get shortlisted in the prelims exam have to upload a theme poster, portfolio, and undergo online interaction.
Theme poster:
Portfolio Submission:
After clearing the preliminary stage in the NID Entrance Examination, you need to appear for the studio test and a personal interview.
NID Studio Test for BDes Admissions:
The studio test for NID admissions comprises questions from topics like drawing/sketching, hands-on model making, group discussions, presentations, etc.
If you are shortlisted in the Studio Test round, you are allowed to appear for the personal interview round.
Personal Interview for BDes Admissions:
The interview round for BDes/GDPD admissions shall be held separately for each specialization (right after the studio test is held) at the same exam center.
The final marks are calculated based on the marks secured in the prelims and mains exam. Previously, the weightage allocated to NID DAT Prelims for BDes/ GDPD admissions was 30%, and NID DAT Mains was allocated a weightage of 70%.
But since last year, the weightage has been changed, and the new structure is tabulated below:
Read more: Best preparation books for NID exam
Exam | Weightage |
NID DAT Prelims | 70% |
NID DAT Mains | 30% (online interaction) |
The entrance examination for the postgraduate program also includes both prelims and mains.
You shall be shortlisted for the mains exam after clearing the prelims exam. Let us understand the pattern of the NID M.Des Exam in detail below:
For only one discipline, you need to appear for NID DAT Prelims comprising CDAT and discipline-specific tests. The total duration of DAT Prelims is 2.5 hours.
For two disciplines - If you have applied for 2 disciplines, you need to appear for NID DAT Prelims comprising of CDAT and two discipline-specific tests. The total duration of DAT Prelims will be 4.5 hours (30 minutes for CDAT and 2 hours for each discipline-specific test)
The marking scheme for prelims may vary from one year to the other.
Have a look at the table below to know the tentative prelims marking scheme for the M. Des program.
Exam Part | Type of Questions | Marks |
Part I | Objective type questions | 30 |
Part II | Subjective type questions | 70 |
Total No. of Questions | 100 marks |
Last year, the mains paper pattern for the M. Des program has also been changed by the National Institute of Design. As per the new NID Exam Pattern 2023, the exam was conducted in online mode for a total of 100 marks.
Those who got shortlisted in the prelims exam, have to submit a Statement of Purpose (SoP) and portfolio.
Statement of Purpose (SoP):
Portfolio Submission:
To score good marks in the mains exam, you are advised to follow the NID Preparation Tips provided by experts.
Before the pandemic, the exam was conducted in an online mode for 100 marks.
After clearing the preliminary examination you need to appear for the studio test followed by a personal interview.
NID Studio Test for M.Des Admissions:
Read more: Important Questions for NID CAT
Personal Interview for M.Des Admissions:
The interview round for M.Des admissions shall be held separately for each specialization (right after the studio test is held) at the same exam center.
The final marks are calculated based on the marks secured in the prelims and mains exam.
Previously, the weightage allocated to NID DAT Prelims for admission in all MDes specializations was 30% and NID DAT Mains weightage was 70%.
But since last year, the weightage has been changed and the new structure is tabulated below:
Exam | Weightage |
NID DAT Prelims | 60% (Common Design Aptitude Test - 15%; Design Specific Test - 45%) |
NID DAT Mains | 40% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents not to carry on the day of the NID DAT Exam 2023?
What documents to carry on the day of the of NID DAT Exam 2023?
What is the NID Entrance Exam Pattern 2023?
What is the duration of NID Exam?
How many questions are asked in NID DAT Prelims exam for B.Des course?
Is there any negative marking in NID Exam?
What is the mode of NID Prelims Exam?
Who prescribes the exam pattern for NID Entrance Exam?
What is the NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern?
Is the NID DAT Prelims Exam Date 2023 announced?
What is the difficulty level of NID exam?
Where can I find previous year NID Exam Analysis?