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.

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023

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.

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NID B.Des Exam Pattern 2023

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:

NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern for B.Des 2023

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.

• The question paper includes 2 types of questions, i.e., objective and subjective.
• The total time duration of the exam is 3 hours. 
• The NID Paper Pattern for the GDPD course is the same as B.Des. 

NID Exam Pattern: Prelims Marking Scheme 2023

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.

NID Exam Pattern 2023 for B. Des Mains (During Pandemic)

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: 

• Shortlisted aspirants need to upload a theme poster on the assigned topic in a single pdf.
• The file size should not exceed more than 10 MB.
• The topics for the theme poster are intimated separately on your registered mail ID.
• You can do the theme posted either manually in any media or scanned to be uploaded digitally on an A3 size sheet.

Portfolio Submission:

• Along with the theme poster, you have to upload your portfolio or samples of work.
• The portfolio has to be uploaded as a single-size pdf file.
• The file size should not exceed more than 10 MB.

NID Mains Exam Pattern 2023 for B. Des (Before Pandemic)

• This is an offline mode of exam conducted for 100 marks.
• The total time duration for the mains exam is 3 hours. 
• There are different types of questions included in the studio test. 

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.

NID Exam Weightage for B.Des 2023

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

NID Exam Pattern 2023 for M.Des

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:

NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern 2023 for M.Des

• The preliminary examination for M.Des includes Common Design Aptitude Test and Discipline-Specific Test. 
• The NID DAT Question Paper includes 2 types of questions, i.e., objective and subjective.

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)

NID Prelims Marking Scheme 2023 for M.Des

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.

NID Exam Pattern 2023 for Mains (During Pandemic)

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):

• All aspirants had to write and thereafter upload an SoP with a maximum word limit of 300 words.
• The SoP should have been uploaded as a single PDF file.
• The file size should not exceed more than 2 MB.
• The questions for SoP were intimated separately on your registered mail ID.

Portfolio Submission:

• Along with the SoP, you have to upload your portfolio.
• The portfolio has to be uploaded as a single-size pdf file.
• The file size should not exceed more than 10 MB.

NID Mains Exam Pattern 2023 (Before Pandemic)

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.

• The total time duration for the mains exam is 3 hours. 
• There are different types of questions included in the studio test. 

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: 

• The studio test is conducted separately for each specialization that you have applied for.
• 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, only then you are allowed to appear for the personal interview round. 

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.

NID Exam Pattern 2023: Weightage for M.Des

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: