Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026
No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings
NID DAT Admit Card Date:11 Dec' 25 - 21 Dec' 25
Hello students, two of the major design entrance exams conducted in India include NID DAT and UCEED entrance exams for aspiring students looking for a promising career in various domains of design offered by both the institute. This article is curated by the experts to help the students strategically prepare for NID and UCEED exams. In this article, we will help you identify the overlaps in core skills required for each of the exams like different topics, exam patterns, and language, and type of the questions asked making it a plan for dual preparation in an efficient manner, maximising your chances of selection.
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Students are advised to understand the NID DAT Exam Pattern and UCEED 2026 Exam Pattern to understand the common patterns in both exams. Let’s start with the comparison of both NID and UCEED exam patterns and structures:
To Compare | NID-DAT | UCEED |
Duration | 3 Hours (combined) | Part A (2 hours) + Part B (1 hour) = 3 Hours |
Structure | GAT (Objective) + DAT (Subjective) | Part A (NAT+MSQ+MCQ), Part B (Drawing) |
Question Type | MCQ + Creative Problems | NAT/MSQ/MCQ + Drawing Aptitude |
Negative Marking | GAT: No | Part A: Yes |
Selection Process | Studio Test + Interview | Direct admission based on score, without interview or Portfolio Evaluation Round |
Students are advised to go through and understand the most common topics to be studied for both the exams, according to the NID 2026 DAT Exam Syllabus and UCEED 2026 Exam Syllabus. Experts have curated a list of highly overlapping topics for students based on analysis of the question papers from 2023-25 for both NID and UCEED.
Students can go through and prepare for these common topics to increase their chances in cracking the NID and UCEED exams:
Paper folding and cutting-based
3D visualization and Object Orientation
Shape sequences and pattern completion
Image flipping, Rotation, and Transformation
Counting geometric figures from different views/surfaces.
Abstract Reasoning-Based Puzzles
Data interpretation through visual formats
Venn diagrams and logical deductions
Sequence completion and pattern recognition
Area and volume (Mensuration NBased Question)
Probability and based counting problems
Distance, Time, Work, and Problems
Sequence & Series patterns
Scenario-based sketching (railway station, garage cleaning, etc.)
Perspective drawing from given viewpoints
Object composition and arrangement
Technical drawing elements
Students are also advised to go through these Articles:
Students can refer to the table given below to see what are the most commonly recurring type of questions which is asked between the years 2023-2025 in both NID and UCEED entrance exams:
Commonly Asked Topics | Type of Questions Asked |
Geometric Transformation | Cube Folding, Paper Cutting, and Shape Rotation |
Mechanical Reasoning | Questions Based on Gears, Pulley Mechanism, and Structural Stability |
Visual Puzzles | Missing Figures, Patterns Completion, and Odd One Out |
Scenario/Situation-Based Drawing Puzzles | Questions related to Public Spaces, Everyday Situations, and Problem-solving Contexts |
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Students can also find the specific (NID or UCEED) exam study plan and key focus areas to prepare for better chances at scoring high and cracking the exam:
Students can go through these important focus areas for NID DAT 2026 preparation:
Subject Domains | Time-Allocation | Key Focus Areas |
General Awareness | 15% | Current affairs, design history, Cultural Awareness, Design Principles, Design Trends |
Creative Writing | 10% | Storytelling, Narrative construction, Scenario development |
Studio-Test Preparation | 15% | Material handling, Model making, 3D construction, Orientation and Surface Counting |
Interview Skills | 5% | Communication, Portfolio Presentation,Personality Assessment, Personal Development, Novelty of ideas |
Students are also advised to go through these Articles:
Students can go through these important focus areas for UCEED 2026 preparation:
Subject Domains | Time Allocation | Key Focus Areas |
Quantitative Aptitude | 20% | Algebra Fundamentals, Fundamental Mensuration, Surface Orientation and Counting, Data analysis |
Technical Design | 15% | Working Principles, Technical Drawings, Product Functionality, Different Type of views |
Creative Problem Solutions | 10% | Finding Differences, Dice and Paper |
Also check:
Let’s go through these tips and tricks for better preparation and time management to help you score better and crack the NID and UCEED exam:
Category | Strategic Tips |
Common for Both Exams |
|
UCEED Specific |
|
NID Specific |
|
Students can also understand what institute they favor for starting their design careers by the nature of the entrance exams as it reflects the philosophy and the strengths of the institutions. Students are also advised to go on the institution’s website and thoroughly study how it works before jumping onto the exam preparation.
NID (National institute of Design): Creativity Centric Design Institutions
The NID DAT focuses more on the open-ended questions which are based on subjective evaluation, storytelling, conceptual-sketching and Problem-Solving through design thinking.
The Studio-Test and the interview further assess the hands-on-creativity, communication, visual communication and problem-solution approach of the individual.
NID is an institution nurturing the empathetic, versatile designers suited for the versatile offerings from the NID like Communication Design, Product Design Lifestyle Accessories design etc.
UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)
UCEED looks for objective formats (NAT, MSQ, MCQ) testing the visual reasoning, logical deduction and analytical precision. This is the basic nature of the IIT’s with a technical rigor preparing students for structured thinking and data-driven insights. If you are someone with a passion for puzzles, systematic thinking and visual logic, aligning the UCEED with your strengths.
Also check:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The key to success lies in understanding common design skills and types of questions asked with daily practice. Students can also prepare for key focus areas for each exam to increase their chances of scoring high.
Design Aptitude Tests like NID and UCEED have a lot of common areas and topics which makes it possible for students to prepare parallely for both the exams.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Yes, if you are in Class 12, you are eligible to sit for the NID DAT 2026 (BDes) exam. The National Institute of Design allows students who are in their final year of Class 12 or have already passed to apply.
To know more access below mentioned link:
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-admission-2026
Hope it helps.
You can get the NIT DAT SYLLABUS, updated version from careers 360 in detail from careers 360 article. Follow the link given from The link of the syllabus article is given below from careers 360
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-syllabus-2026
Yes you are eligible to appear for NID DAT for the M.Des programme. Since you are in final make sure you will have completed your BA by the required deadline. Also go through the specific specializations you want to apply for, some may require certain specific backgrounds to be eligible to apply for them. You can find more details here design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-eligibility-criteria
Hello,
To prepare for M.des exams like CEED or NID DAT, here are some points which you can follow:
Understand the pattern – focus on creativity, design aptitude, and problem-solving.
Practice sketching daily and improve visualization.
Study basics of color, form, and design concepts.
Solve previous papers and build a strong portfolio.
Stay consistent and observe everyday designs for new ideas.
THANKU.
Hi daksh
As 563 rank in nid dat exam cannot guarantee admission in designing college but it could be a good chance to explore some campus as if you are not from general category as category role plays an important role . But now you can do one thing focus on your strengthening your protofile or preparing for the studio test (bdes) or interview (mdes).
Thanks.
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