How to Prepare for NIFT GAT 2026, Important Topics, Best Books

How to Prepare for NIFT GAT 2026, Important Topics, Best Books

Edited By Ritika Jonwal | Updated on Jun 26, 2025 12:48 PM IST | #NIFT Entrance Exam

The General Ability Test (GAT), a crucial component of the NIFT entrance exam, evaluates a candidate's aptitude for design and fashion-technology programs. The GAT and CAT are the two components of the NIFT entrance exam. Everyone who applies must take the NIFT GAT, which assesses important skills such as analytical ability, logical thinking, verbal fluency, and general knowledge. NIFT 2026 exam will tentatively be conducted in February, 2026. In this article, we'll look at what to expect from the NIFT GAT and offer advice for successful exam preparation.

This Story also Contains
  1. NIFT 2026 - GAT Exam Pattern
  2. Importance of NIFT GAT 2026
  3. NIFT GAT Syllabus 2026
  4. How to Prepare for NIFT GAT 2026
  5. Time Management in NIFT GAT 2026
  6. NIFT Study Guides Free PDF Download
  7. NIFT Books 2026
How to Prepare for NIFT GAT 2026, Important Topics, Best Books
How to Prepare for NIFT GAT 2026, Important Topics, Best Books

NIFT 2026 - GAT Exam Pattern

The NIFT GAT Exam Pattern varies for applicants pursuing B.Des or B.FTech programs. For candidates applying to the B.Des program, the NIFT-GAT component has a 30% weighting; however, for applicants applying to the BFTech program, this section splits into two halves, A and B. Thirty percent goes toward Part A, while seventy percent goes toward Part B.

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Importance of NIFT GAT 2026

The comprehensive NIFT GAT focuses on an applicant's educational competencies. A 30% weightage is assigned to this test for BDes program applicants. That being said, it is even more important for aspirants applying to BFTech because it has a 100% weightage. Thus, students applying for BFTech need to be more precise in order to gear up for the NIFT GAT in 2026. Because there is only one exam administered for BFTech, students preparing for the NIFT-GAT for this degree must expend a little more effort than those preparing for the NIFT-GAT for BDEs programs. In addition to using practical study techniques for NIFT 2026 preparation, students must adequately prepare for the corresponding NIFT GAT exam.

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NIFT GAT Syllabus 2026

Here is a brief overview of the NIFT GAT Syllabus:

  1. Quantitative ability: Mathematical abilities and academic skills in problem-solving

  2. Analytical Ability: Logical reasoning, verbal and Non-verbal reasoning, spontaneous problem-solving skills

  3. NIFT Communication Ability & English Comprehension: Grammar and syntax, Unseen passages, etc

  4. General knowledge for NIFT exam: GK and current affairs, fashion trends, business, etc

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How to Prepare for NIFT GAT 2026

It is highly recommended to start NIFT preparation in advance, with a single strategy that covers all aspects of the NIFT GAT Syllabus 2026 effectively. Here are some best practices and section-wise strategies to prepare for the NIFT GAT 2026:

Name of the Subject

Time per Subject

Focus Areas

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

45 mins-60 mins everyday

  • GK requires a student to be in constant touch with the ever-changing news and trends. Begin preparation at the earliest by watching news channels, reading magazines, yearbooks, etc.

  • Students can use quiz cards to aid memory.

Quantitative Ability

1-3 hours every day



  • Mathematics is broken down into three processes, Theory, Understanding, and Application.

  • The best method of preparation would be to use some time to compile the necessary formulae and begin solving.

  • Mathematics happens to be more a practical subject, and hence solving multiple questions and sample papers would be instrumental in understanding the type of questions asked.

  • While attempting the questions, students can time themselves. Once the concept and method of solving are clearly understood, and the student begins to solve question papers, they can also begin to practice some shortcuts and tricks to solve this type of questions.

  • It is best advised to start with topics that need great understanding like Percentages, Geometry, Profit and Loss, Ratio Proportion, etc.

  • Since it is an objective exam and involves little to no writing of steps for a solution, students may go past this protocol and learn to solve questions with logic and tricks.

Analytical Ability

1-2 hours alternate days

  • This section is a very logic-related subject with different methods to solve each problem.

  • Always solve these with a fresh mind and do not try to memorize any one step to solve it.

  • This section can often be spiraling and might consume more than the required time if a student is not keeping track. It is hence best to solve these questions with time constraints.

  • Solving multiple question papers is ample and students must learn methodologies of solving these questions, although analytical ability is meant to test spontaneous logical abilities. It is best to be prepared.

  • Solving these questions might be tricky, and so often the best way to get the fastest inference from a question to help students solve easily would be to repeatedly read the last line of a question, which specifies the requirement and is straight to the point.

Communication Ability and English Comprehension

45 minutes to 1 hour, once in three days

  • Pay the most attention to grammar.

  • Only a little here is memory-based, so this is one of the more relaxed sections of the paper.

  • For unseen passages, it is advisable to read the questions and then look at the passage for answers, it is important to actively read the passage, however, to avoid making common errors due to twisted sentences.

  • Enhance vocabulary by reading not simple novels but rather complicated subject books. The best help for this would be English newspapers as they use quite some technical words. Solving the daily crossword is also very helpful.

Time Management in NIFT GAT 2026

Students are given a total of 120 minutes to solve these questions in the exam. Here is a section-wise time management chart to help students attempt questions better, even while they are practicing sample papers or NIFT Mock Tests.

Section

(Go order-wise)

Time Allotment

(To Solve and Review)

Quantitative analysis

40 minutes

Analytical ability

30 minutes

Communication Ability and English Comprehension

30 minutes

GK and Current affairs

20 minutes

Total time allotted

120 minutes

NIFT Study Guides Free PDF Download

There is nothing more beneficial than utilizing NIFT Previous Year’s Question and practice papers. In order to become familiar with the exam environment, candidates should attempt as many mock examinations as they can during the last few weeks of the test. Students should be required to read newspapers, magazines, and articles on a regular basis to stay updated. Students can refer to some of the best compiled NIFT Study materials for NIFT 2026 below.

NIFT Books 2026

Students can refer to NIFT Preparation Books to begin preparation effectively. The NIFT GAT exam is the objective section of the examination. It requires a lot of practice and hence students must pick out the best books to help them follow a study strategy. Some of the recommended books by professionals and students that are helpful in how to prepare for NIFT GAT:

Section-wise

Books Recommended

Quantitative Ability


  1. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams: R.S.Aggarwal

  2. Objective Quantitative Aptitude: OSWAL Books

Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning


  1. Analytical Reasoning by Magical Book Series: Arihant NIFT entrance exam self-study guide

  2. Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning by R.S

English Comprehension and Communication Ability


  1. English for Competitive exams by Wren and Martin

  2. Word Power Made Easy by Normal Lewis

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

  1. General Knowledge Digest, By OSWAL books

  2. Manorama Yearbook

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which section has highest weightage in NIFT GAT?

The Communication Ability and English Comprehension section has the highest weightage in NIFT GAT (General Ability Test).

2. Does GAT NIFT 2026 have a negative marking?

Yes, GAT NIFT 2026 has a -0.25 for every wrong answer. 

3. What is the syllabus for GAT NIFT 2026?

General Knowledge, Quantitative ability, Analytical and logical reasoning, and English comprehension and communication ability.

4. How to prepare for NIFT GAT 2026?
  • Students must not waste time in choosing the best study material. Select books from reliable sources that have compiled a list of the best books for NIFT GAT.

  • Practice as many question papers as possible 

  • Begin with what requires memorization 

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Questions related to NIFT Entrance Exam

Have a question related to NIFT Entrance Exam ?

Hello

The syllabus of NIFT 2026 will be released on October 2025 by Nift officials on their official website nift.ac.in . The syllabus comprises of topics General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT). The syllabus is different for UG and PG programmes. The GAT syllabus consists of :

  • Communication ability and English comprehension
  • Quantitative ability
  • Analytical and Reasoning
  • Case study
  • General knowledge and current affairs

The CAT syllabus consists important topics like

  • Creative ability
  • Observation power
  • Discernment ability
  • Design ability
  • Colour combination ability

To download the complete syllabus kindly refer this

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-syllabus

Good luck !

Hello,

The Chennai NIFT entrance exam results for 2025 are usually declared a few weeks after the exam date. You can check the official NIFT website or trusted education portals like Careers360 for the latest updates and result announcements.

Make sure to keep your application details handy to access your result easily.

Hope this helps!

Hii,

NIFTEE 2025 Result has been released by NTA on 24th April 2025. UG and PG aspirants can now check and download their scorecards through direct links given in this news. The NTA has declared the NIFT 2025 Result on its official website, exams.nta.ac.in/NIFT.

Hello aspirant,

Solving previous year question paper can immensely help in preparing for any entrance exam as it gives you the fair idea of exam pattern, difficulty level and marking scheme.

So to get the previous year question paper of NIFT, you can visit our site through following link:

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-last-10-years-question-papers-with-solution-pdf-download-free

Thank you

Hello aspirant,

The nationwide Institute of Fashion Technology offers a nationwide entrance exam called NIFT for admission to its fashion design programmes.

Every course has specific requirements that must be met in order to apply. For NIFT, there is no minimum age requirement, however it is evident that passing the 10+2 exam is a requirement in order to be admitted to any undergraduate programme in fashion design.


You cannot be admitted because you are in class eleven. However, you can apply to NIFT for experience and practice, and if your application is accepted, you can take the entrance exam. If you pass, however, be aware that you will not be able to retain your results for admission.

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

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