NIFT Exam Pattern 2027: GAT & CAT Marking Scheme, Weightage & Questions (UG & PG)

The NIFT 2027 (NIFTEE) exam pattern has up to three stages. GAT (General Ability Test) is objective, computer‑based, taken by all programs, with +1 for a correct answer and -0.25 for a wrong answer.

CAT (Creative Ability Test) is a 3‑hour paper‑based drawing test for B.Des and M.Des only (no negative marking).

Stage 2 is the Situation Test for B.Des (hands‑on 3D model, 100 marks) or a Personal Interview for M.Des/M.F.M/M.F.Tech. Final merit is weighted by program - e.g., B.Des = GAT 30% + CAT 50% + Situation Test 20%.

The Stage-1 exam is on 10 January 2027.

Download Free Study Material for NIFT Exam 2027 by Creative Edge

The prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts the NIFT entrance examination annually for admissions to various graduate and under-graduate programs at all the Top NIFT  across the country. Understanding the NIFT 2027 exam pattern can helps you deduce how the exam is conducted and the weightage for each section.

This article walks you through the NIFT 2027 Exam Pattern, the weightage for each section, and the different stages of the exam. 

NIFT Exam 2027 - Overview 

NIFT offers admission for UG and PG courses that include Bachelors in Design (B.Des), Bachelors in Fashion Technology (B.FTech), Masters in Design (M.Des), and Masters in Fashion Technology (M.FTech) and Masters in Fashion Management (MFM).

You'll have to crack the NIFT entrance exam for it. Wondering how many exams or phases are there in NIFT? Here's program-wise stages for NIFT exam:

NIFT program-wise paper matrix:

Program	GAT	CAT	Stage 2
B.Des	✅	✅	Situation Test
M.Des	✅	✅	PI
B.FTech	✅ (Sec A + B)	❌	-
M.FTech	✅	❌	PI
MFM	✅	❌	PI

On exam day (10 Jan 2027), GAT runs in the morning session (2 hours for B.Des/M.Des; 3 hours for B.F.Tech/M.F.M/M.F.Tech), and B.Des/M.Des candidates sit the CAT in a separate session the same day. Exact shift timings are printed on the NIFT admit card.

Based on your combined written performance, shortlisted B.Des candidates are called for the Situation Test, while M.Des/M.FTech/MFM candidates attend PI. Only after qualifying in all stages, you will be called in for the final admission/counselling round.

Download Complete NIFT 2027 Syllabus & Preparation Planner PDF

What Changed Under NTA (NIFTEE)?

Is the NIFT exam pattern different now? From the 2025-26 cycle, NIFT is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as NIFTEE.

The core structure - GAT + CAT + Situation Test or PI - is largely unchanged, but the process moved to NTA.  Registration, admit cards, the GAT answer key and results now run through exams.nta.nic.in/niftee.

NIFT 2026 was held on 8 February 2026, with the GAT answer key on 17 February and the result on 20 March 2026. GAT is now a fully computer-based test for all programs, with −0.25 negative marking.

NIFT (NIFTEE) Marking Scheme

Paper	Correct	Wrong	Un-attempted	Mode
GAT (objective, all programs)	+1	-0.25	0	Computer-based
CAT (drawing, B.Des & M.Des)	Merit-based	No negative marking	-	Pen & paper
Situation Test / GD-PI	Merit-based	No negative marking	-	Hands-on / in-person

Negative marking applies only in GAT (-0.25 per wrong answer), for all programs including B.Des.

Once you're familiar with the exam structure, explore the complete NIFT syllabus to understand the subjects and topics covered in the entrance exam.

What is NIFT Exam Pattern for B.Des?

Conducted in 2 stages- Creative  Ability Test (CAT) & General Ability Test (GAT), followed by Situation Test for shortlisted candidates.

Paper	NIFT Exam Duration for B.Des	Mode of Exam	Number of Questions	NIFT Total Marks (B.Des)
GAT	2 hours	Computer-based, objective	100	100 marks (−0.25 per wrong answer)
CAT	3 hours	Pen & paper, subjective (drawing)	3	100 marks (no negative marking)
Situation Test	2 hours	Hands-on (3D model + write-up)	1 task	Merit-evaluated (no negative marking)

Final merit weightage: GAT 30% + CAT 50% + Situation Test 20%.

Download Real NIFT Previous Year Papers with Solutions

Simulate the real paper, including negative marking, with the NIFT mock test series.

Download 100 GK Sample Questions for NIFT 2027 by CreativeEdge

NIFT 2027 Exam Pattern for M.Des

M.Des also takes place in 2 phases- CAT and GAT, followed by GD/PI for shortlisted candidates. 

Paper	NIFT Exam Duration for M.Des	Mode of Exam	Number of Questions	NIFT Total Marks (M.Des)
GAT	2 hours	Computer-based, objective	120	120 marks (−0.25 per wrong answer)
CAT	3 hours	Pen & paper, subjective (drawing)	3	100 marks (no negative marking)
PI	As scheduled	In-person	—	Merit-evaluated (no negative marking)

Final merit weightage: GAT 30% + CAT 40% + PI 30%.

Know what to carry and expect via the NIFT exam day instructions.

Download NIFT CAT PYQs (PDF) for 2027 Exam Practice

NIFT Exam Pattern for BF.Tech 2027

As per the B.FTech exam pattern, the only written exam (computer based) candidates need to appear for is GAT and the duration of the exam is 180 minutes. Following is the section-wise breakdown of the number of questions asked in B.FTech GAT exam.

B.FTech selection: GAT only

Paper	NIFT B.FTech Exam Duration	Mode of Exam	Number of Questions	NIFT Total Marks (B.FTech)
GAT (Section A)	Part of 3 hours	Computer-based, objective	100	100 marks (−0.25 per wrong answer)
GAT (Section B – Case Study)	Part of 3 hours	Computer-based, objective	50	50 marks (−0.25 per wrong answer)
Total	3 hours (180 min)	CBT	150	150 marks

Final merit weightage: GAT Section A 30% + Section B 70%.

Following is the breakdown of the number of questions asked in each section of GAT:

Sections	GAT - Section A (CBT)	GAT - Section B (CBT)
Communication Ability and English Comprehension	40	NIL
Quantitative Ability	20	15
Analytical & Logical Ability	15	15
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	25	NIL
Case Study	NIL	20
TOTAL	100	50

Ready to apply? Here's how to fill the NIFT application form.

NIFT 2027 M.FTech Exam Pattern

M.FTech candidates also have to give only one written examination- GAT and a Personal Interview.

Paper	NIFT M.FTech Exam Duration	Mode of Exam	Number of Questions	NIFT Total Marks (M.FTech)
GAT	3 hours	Computer-based, objective	150	150 marks (−0.25 per wrong answer)
PI	As scheduled	In-person	—	Merit-evaluated (no negative marking)

Final merit weightage: GAT 70% + PI 30%.

Following is the breakdown of the number of questions asked in each section of GAT:

Sections of GAT (MFM)	Section‑A	Section‑B
Communication Ability & English Comprehension	50	-
Quantitative Ability	20	-
Analytical & Logical Ability	25	-
General Knowledge & Current Affairs	25	-
Case Study	-	30
Total	120	30

Duration -180 minutes (3 hours); Section‑B (Case Study) is marked as a distinct section for MFM. Grand total 150 questions.

Section A vs Section B - what's the difference?

• Section‑A tests core aptitude (communication, quant, analytical, GK).
• Section‑B is a Case Study section (for MFM and M.FTech)
• Design programs (B.Des, M.Des) sit Section‑A + CAT instead of Section‑B.

Download NIFT GAT Practice Qs - Verbal Ability (FREE PDF)

NIFT MFM Exam Pattern 2027

M.F.M candidates also are required to give only one written examination- GAT.

MFM selection: GAT → PI

Paper	MFM Exam Duration	Mode of Exam	Number of Questions	NIFT Total Marks (MFM)
GAT	3 hours	Computer-based, objective	150	150 marks (−0.25 per wrong answer)
GD / PI	As scheduled	In-person	—	Merit-evaluated (no negative marking)

Final merit weightage: GAT 70% + PI 30%.

Following is the official NIFT MFM exam pattern and marking scheme breakdown:

Sections	No. of Questions (MFM)
Communication Ability & English Comprehension	50
Case Study	40
Quantitative Ability	10
Analytical & Logical Ability	25
General Knowledge And Current Affairs	25
Total	150

Important Note: The number of questions may vary in each section of GAT and for each course year to year. The level of difficulty in questions for different courses may also vary.

NIFT Exam Pattern 2027: Weightage of Each Section 

The weightage assigned to each test in the final merit list of the entrance examination will be as follows:

NIFT Exam Sectional Weightage - UG

B.Des		B.F.Tech		B. F.Tech candidates opting for B.Des
Exam	Weightage	Exam	Weightage	Exam	Weightage
GAT	30 %	GAT (Sec –A)	30 %	GAT (Sec –A)	30 %
CAT	50 %	GAT (Sec –B)	70 %	CAT	50 %
Situation Test	20 %	--	--	Situation Test	20 %
TOTAL	100 %	TOTAL	100 %	TOTAL	100 %

For a month‑by‑month structure that follows this weightage, use our guide on how to prepare for NIFT in 6 months.

NIFT Exam Sectional Weightage - PG

M.F.M		M.Des		M.F.M candidates opting for M.Des		M.F.Tech.
Exam	Weightage	Exam	Weightage	Exam	Weightage	Exam	Weightage
GAT (Section-A & Section-B)	70 %	GAT (Section-A)	30 %	GAT (Section-A)	30 %	GAT	70 %
--	--	CAT	40 %	CAT	40 %	--	--
Personal Interview	30 %	Personal Interview	30 %	Personal Interview	30 %	Personal Interview	30 %
TOTAL	100 %	TOTAL	100 %	TOTAL	100 %	TOTAL	100%

Quant carries real weight across every program - sharpen it with our NIFT maths questions set before you build your section‑wise plan.

Attempt FREE NIFT Mock Tests As Per Latest Exam Pattern

How to Use the NIFT 2027 Exam pattern to Plan Your Preparation

Knowing the exam pattern helps to prepare with a clear direction and strategy. You can study with a focused approach, allocating time to different sections based on their weightage and difficulty level in the exam. Plus, that way you are able to manage your time more efficiently. Familiarity with NIFT exam pattern means knowing what to expect in the real exam which in turn means more confidence and improved performance.

Time Allocation Tips:

Create a structured study plan by allocating time to all the sections of the exam in rotation. Don't forget to incorporate revisions and daily practice into it. This ensures you cover everything in the syllabus without guesswork or burning out. Prioritize the areas that you think need more time based on your strengths and weaknesses.

Toprankers Tip: Break each section down to all important topics in it and tackle each separately by practicing as many questions as possible.

For example: If you have 6-7 months for NIFT exam preparation, you can allot up to 2 hours for each CAT (Idea generation, sketching, storytelling), GAT (Quant, english, GK, Reasoning) and 2-3 hours/week for Situation Test practice (Craft skills, Material handling and 3D Design).

We suggest that you follow the same time format as the main exam during your practice for all the sections. It will help train your brain with working within the real time-limit.

Section-wise Preparation Strategy:

1. CAT:

• Practice visual storytelling, poster design, and product redesign regularly.
• Use exam-like daily sketch prompts for CAT practice. It will help you get more and more used to NIFT drawing.
• Practice sketching objects/scenarios around you and time them to assess speed.
• Revisit design principles like perspectives, shading, etc., color theory, and other drawing fundamentals regularly.
• Prepare a checklist and run it on every drawing/sketch you make as part of practice or the exam itself. For example you may include points like clarity, layout, details, shading, lights/shadows etc.
• Give mocks to track the status of your preparation
• Attempt sample papers in exam-like conditions to practice time management.

2. GAT:

• Keep updated with design world news and current affairs
• Make short notes with important formulas, shortcuts, dates, names, important movements etc. It’ll facilitate quick revision.
• Solve GAT Mocks, previous year papers to analyze your strengths & weaknesses.
• Practice questions on verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Specifically, questions involving mirror images, folding and unfolding of structures, top view/side view, and counting the shapes

3. Studio Test:

• Experimenting with different materials like clay, cardboard, foam etc. to make models & prototypes in line with 3D design principles & construction methods.
• Build model-making speed with timers.
• Work on thinking of unconventional solutions for everyday design problems.
• Practice ideation and visualization
• Master various drawing techniques and experiment with different pencils/markers.
• Gradually keep working on your presentation skills, body language and speaking skills.

Importance of mock-tests and previous year papers:

Mock tests train you for:

• Thinking and solving under time pressure
• Building familiarity with NIFT exam pattern, real-exam like questions and difficulty level
• Strategic selection of questions to solve first
• Measuring and tracking your progress with each test

While, past year papers help you:

• Understand question trends over the years
• Spot frequently repeating type/theme of questions
• Identify which topics are your strengths and which ones are your weak areas

Toprankers tip: After every mock, spend 30-45 minutes analyzing what went wrong? which section took more time? and can you improve idea clarity or sketching speed?

Importance of Right Guidance and Feedback:

Consider joining an online/offline/hybrid NIFT coaching group or mentor community for structured guidance from mentors who understand the NIFT exam pattern inside/out, feedback on preparation/performance and access to expert-curated study resources that can eventually increase your chances of success significantly.

Access FREE Demo Class for NIFT 2027 Prep by Creative Edge

Conclusion

NIFT (now NIFTEE, conducted by NTA) selects through GAT (objective, with -0.25 negative marking) and, for design courses, CAT (drawing, no negative marking), followed by a Situation Test (B.Des) or GD/PI (PG). Your program decides which papers you sit and how they're weighted - B.Des leans on CAT (50%), while BFTech/MFM ride entirely on GAT.

Best way prepare for the NIFT exam pattern is to understand the weightage, practice GAT under negative-marking pressure, and build hands-on skills for the Situation Test.

Preparing for NIFT 2027 or 2028? Creative Edge trains the GAT and CAT as the two separate skills they are - timed objective practice for the GAT, and mentor-reviewed idea-and-composition work for the CAT. Explore NIFT coaching by Creative Edge.