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Exam Pattern and Syllabus

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NIFT Exam Pattern NIFT Syllabus: GAT and CAT NIFT Preparation Tips

NIFT Exam Pattern

The NIFT entrance exam has different papers for different programmes. In 2026, the General Ability Test (GAT) was computer-based and the Creative Ability Test (CAT) was pen-and-paper. GAT has negative marking: +1 for a correct answer, −0.25 for a wrong answer and 0 for an unattempted question. The pattern below is from the NIFT 2026 Information Bulletin and Admission Guidelines.

Paper by Programme

Programme	Stage 1 test(s)	Stage 2
B.Des	GAT (CBT): 100 questions, 120 min + CAT (PBT): 3 questions, 180 min	Situation Test
B.FTech	GAT: 150 questions, 180 min (Section A 100 + Section B 50)	—
B.FTech + B.Des	GAT: 150 questions + CAT: 3 questions	Situation Test (for B.Des)
M.Des	GAT: 120 questions, 120 min + CAT: 3 questions, 3 hours	Personal Interview
MFM	GAT: 150 questions, 180 min (including 30 case-study questions in Section B)	Personal Interview
MFTech	GAT: 150 questions, 180 min	Personal Interview

B.Des GAT: Section-wise Questions

Section	Questions
Communication Ability and English Comprehension	40
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	25
Quantitative Ability	20
Analytical and Logical Ability	15
Total	100 (120 minutes)

B.FTech GAT Section B

Section B area	Questions
Quantitative Ability	15
Analytical and Logical Ability	15
Case Study	20
Total	50 (60 minutes)

Section A of the B.FTech GAT is the same as the B.Des GAT (100 questions in 120 minutes), making a total of 150 questions in 180 minutes.

Exam Day Timings (2026)

Programme	Timing
B.Des	GAT 10:00 am – 12:00 noon · CAT 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
B.FTech, MFM, MFTech	GAT 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Key Takeaways
B.Des: GAT (100 Qs) + CAT (3 Qs), then Situation Test.
B.FTech: GAT only — 150 questions in two sections.
PG programmes: GAT (plus CAT for M.Des), then interview.
GAT marking: +1 correct, −0.25 wrong.

Pro Tip: In GAT, skip questions you cannot narrow down — each wrong answer costs a quarter mark.

Source: NIFT Admissions 2026 Information Bulletin and Admission Guidelines; NTA public notice (08.12.2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NIFT exam online or offline?

In 2026, GAT was computer-based (CBT) and CAT was pen-and-paper (PBT).

Is there negative marking in NIFT?

Yes, in GAT: +1 for a correct answer and −0.25 for a wrong answer.

How many questions are there in NIFT B.Des GAT?

100 questions in 120 minutes across four sections.

NIFT exam patternNIFT GAT pattern

NIFT Syllabus: GAT and CAT

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NIFT does not publish a chapter-wise syllabus like board exams. Instead, the bulletin describes the areas tested in each paper. Here is what to expect in GAT and CAT.

NIFT B.Des GAT sections and number of questions

General Ability Test (GAT)

Area	What it covers
Communication Ability and English Comprehension	Vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, idioms and phrases, spelling, sentence correction, reading comprehension and everyday English usage
Quantitative Ability	Arithmetic — percentages, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, speed and distance, averages, basic algebra and geometry
Analytical and Logical Ability	Logical reasoning, inference from information, puzzles, series, coding-decoding, data interpretation and problem solving
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	Current events, general awareness, and awareness of fashion, design, art, culture and business
Case Study (B.FTech, MFM)	Situations from the apparel and fashion industry to test managerial and analytical thinking

Creative Ability Test (CAT)

CAT is taken by B.Des and M.Des candidates. It tests intuitive ability, power of observation, concept development and design ability through drawing and illustration. In 2026, the B.Des CAT had 3 questions in 180 minutes and was a pen-and-paper test.

Sketching and illustration — people, objects and scenes
Use of colour and composition
Creative interpretation of a theme or situation
Originality of ideas and clarity of presentation

How Much Each Paper Counts (B.Des)

CAT carries 50% of B.Des final merit, GAT 30% and the Situation Test 20% — so creative ability matters most.

Key Takeaways
GAT: English, quantitative, reasoning and general knowledge (plus case study for B.FTech and MFM).
CAT: drawing, observation, colour and concept development.
CAT carries 50% weight in B.Des final merit.

Pro Tip: For GAT General Knowledge, follow fashion and design news along with general current affairs — questions often touch on brands, designers and textile heritage.

Source: NIFT Admissions 2026 Information Bulletin and Admission Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

Does NIFT have an official syllabus?

NIFT describes the areas tested in GAT and CAT rather than a chapter-wise syllabus.

What is asked in NIFT CAT?

Drawing and creative tasks that test observation, concept development, colour sense and design ability.

Is GAT the same for B.Des and B.FTech?

Section A is the same; B.FTech candidates also take Section B with quantitative, reasoning and case-study questions.

NIFT syllabusNIFT CAT syllabus

NIFT Preparation Tips

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Cracking NIFT needs two kinds of preparation at once: aptitude for GAT and creativity for CAT and the Situation Test. With the 2027 exam tentatively on 10 January 2027, here is a practical plan.

1. Build Your Drawing and Creative Skills (CAT)

Sketch every day — people, objects, streets and nature from observation.
Practise perspective, proportion, light and shade.
Work with colour: colour wheels, harmony and mood.
Take a theme (for example “monsoon” or “sustainability”) and turn it into a visual idea in 30–40 minutes.
Explain your idea in a few lines — clarity of concept matters.

2. Prepare for GAT

Section	How to prepare
English (40 Qs in B.Des)	Read newspapers daily, build vocabulary, practise comprehension passages
General Knowledge (25 Qs)	Follow current affairs and fashion/design news; revise Indian textiles and crafts
Quantitative (20 Qs)	Revise Class 8–10 arithmetic: percentages, ratios, interest, time-speed-distance
Reasoning (15 Qs)	Solve puzzles, series and logical reasoning sets regularly

3. A 10-Week Plan to January

Weeks	Focus
1–3	Daily sketching + GAT basics in all four sections
4–6	Theme-based CAT practice; GAT sectional tests
7–8	Full mock tests (GAT + CAT) in exam timing
9–10	Revision, current affairs and light practice; rest before the exam

4. Prepare for Stage 2 Early

The B.Des Situation Test checks how you handle materials and build a design idea. PG candidates face an interview on their background and motivation. Start hands-on model-making practice and interview preparation right after Stage 1.

Key Takeaways
CAT carries 50% of B.Des merit — practise drawing daily.
GAT has negative marking; accuracy beats guessing.
Start Stage 2 preparation right after the written exam.

Pro Tip: Keep a sketchbook journal. Revisiting your own work shows how you have improved and gives you ideas to reuse under exam pressure.

Need Help with NIFT Admissions?

Not sure which programme or campus suits you, or how to prepare for CAT and the Situation Test? Eduspray’s counsellors can help you plan your design career and NIFT preparation. Reach out to the Eduspray team for personalised guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I prepare for NIFT CAT?

Sketch daily, practise colour and composition, and turn themes into clear visual ideas within a time limit.

Is coaching necessary for NIFT?

Not necessarily. Regular sketching, GAT practice and timed mock tests can be done on your own; coaching can help with structured feedback.

How many months are needed to prepare for NIFT?

It depends on your drawing base, but a focused plan of a few months with daily practice works for many students.

NIFT preparationNIFT CAT preparation

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