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How to Score Well in NID DAT 2026 Drawing Section - Tips & Tricks
Ongoing Event
NID DAT Application Date:11 Sep' 25 - 01 Dec' 25
The most interesting and scoring component of the NID DAT exam is the sketching component, which assesses creativity, observational abilities, and concept communication capabilities. The Drawing Section in NID DAT could have a big effect on your score. But under the pressure of the NID DAT Entrance Exam, this calls for practice in time management, mental clarity, and the capacity to finish an idea in its original form. To learn how to perform well on the drawing section of the NID DAT Entrance Exam, read the entire article. The National Institute of Design has announced the NID DAT exam date to be conducted on 21st December, 2025.
This Story also Contains
- What are Examiners Looking for in the NID DAT 2026 Drawing Section?
- Different types of Questions Asked in Part -B in the NID DAT 2026 Exam
- Important Tips to Score Well in NID DAT 2026 Drawing Aptitude Section
As per the revised selection process , the NID DAT 2026 prelims result will not have any weightage in the final selection of candidates for B.Des and M.Des programmes. The NID 2026 prelims exam will be a qualifying exam to shortlist candidates for the mains exam. NID Mains exam will have 60% weightage for studio test and 40% weightage for in person interview for NID B.Des selection.
What are Examiners Looking for in the NID DAT 2026 Drawing Section?
To prepare for the drawing section for NID DAT 2026, students need to prepare for the following skills:
- Visual Communication: It is a skillset where the candidate is expected to convey the idea effectively without lengthy explanation, or better to quote, the ideas should be self-communicating.
- Creativity and Originality: To what extent can the approach be considered innovative and utterly different
- Technical Understanding: Are elements such as depth, perspective, people’s size, object proportions, etc., placed correctly?
- Detailing and Observation: Is the concept produced taken care of for the close attention to features that may relate to the picture setting or the product
- Composition and Balance: Carefully considered compositions with components placed in a harmonious manner within the allotted area are sought after by examiners. A well-balanced layout that pays appropriate attention to the foreground, middle ground, and backdrop improves the drawing's clarity and impact while also making it aesthetically pleasing and simple to comprehend.
Different types of Questions Asked in Part -B in the NID DAT 2026 Exam
According to the NID DAT Syllabus 2026 ,we will try to understand the different types of questions asked in the NID DAT Examination with examples for better clarity :
Pictogram:
NID DAT 2026 Full Study Material
Students preparing for NID 2026 can access this study material for both prelims and mains. Download now to strengthen your preparation and boost your chances of success.
Download EBookIn this type of question, you are asked to make a logo, symbol or icon part of the visual information we come across in everyday life. This could be picture-based or a combination of a picture and a short title.
E.g. Sketch a sign for a zoo to inform visitors that “Feeding Animals is Prohibited”.
Completing the picture:
In this type of question in the Drawing aptitude, you are given a “Visual Hint” or in a box, and you have to complete and bring out something meaningful as per your understanding or for a given theme.
For example, create something meaningful from the hint in the provided box that only depicts the festive theme.
Creative Thinking:
In this type of question, you are given a problem statement. An aspirant must fulfil the challenge by explaining the solution only with a short description or descriptive labels.
For Example, Considering yourself to be a “Product Designer”, you are tasked to design a “toothbrush for elderly” people considering the user's needs. Justify your design with a short description in the given space.
Perspective Drawing:
This is a test of an aspirant's technical understanding, training, and the efforts one has put into developing knowledge of proportions, perspectives, and other critical understandings over time to do things better and right.
For example, imagine you are standing outside your living room. Draw the view of “Inside the room” from outside the window of the same room, clearly depicting the objects and furniture.
A Sample Sketch from the NID-qualified student
Students can also check:
| NID DAT Prelims 2026 (Part-B) Drawing and Sketching based Questions with Solutions pdf | Download Here |
Important Tips to Score Well in NID DAT 2026 Drawing Aptitude Section
More than tips and tricks, it is the topics that an aspirant aiming for the NID DAT Part-B should focus on, as discussed below according to the NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern along with examples are :
Perspective Drawing: Mastering the one-point, two-point, and three-point perspectives to build depth and spatial understanding is an essential skill required for creating realistic and visually correct environments, objects and humans.
Human Anatomy and Poses: Understanding human anatomy has become one of the crucial subject areas for making “Interactive sketches,” such as interaction with products, environments, and situations, as asked in the NID DAT exam for more than 10 years.
Object and Product Sketching: Product Sketching, both freehand and perspective, is essential for attempting the questions that demand the “functional understanding” and “Technical Understanding” of the things around us in everyday life. In previous years, one or the other time, the questions were asked in this context for a given theme.
Scenes and Situational Drawings: It is advised to anyone looking to make a career in Design to think through sketches and be observant to absorb all the macro & micro events happening around us every time. A good exercise for capturing such events is to practise 30-second sketches for essence, emotions and interactions within the surroundings. This is very helpful in developing the passive repository of human interactions with environments for sketching the scenes and scenarios.
Creative Problem Solving: Developing a questioning mindset is the last but not the least skill that every mind with a progressive mindset should possess. If you must improve, it is only possible to pump a positive and meaningful change through continuous assessment of yourself and your surroundings.
Examining NID DAT Previous Year Question Papers: Aspirants can improve their drawing skills, learn about reoccurring themes and questions, and comprehend the kind of drawing tasks required by studying NID DAT previous year question papers. In addition to increasing confidence, this practice helps pupils better organize and manage their time throughout the test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How can students prepare to draw quality sketches for the NID-DAT Exam?
A:
Students can start practicing with the basic shapes like (squares, rectangles, and circles) in different proportions and in different combinations to develop the ability and muscle memory for good quality sketching.
Q: What are the primary focus areas for the questions that requires scene-based drawing for the Part-B in NID DAT exam?
A:
For the situation or scene based drawing question in part-B of the NID DAT exam, students should emphasize on people’s activities with proper proportions and scale to incorporate items for a stimulating narrative.
Q: How important is shading for the drawing section in the NID DAT exam?
A:
It is not compulsory for students but shading gives depth to ideas making the solutions more accessible to grasp and therefore gives an edge to the students in the NID DAT exam.
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Questions related to NID DAT
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NID DAT ?
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.
No, IPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) does not accept NID DAT Prelims score for admission to the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) program.
Instead, IPU conducts its own entrance test or may consider CUET (UG) scores for B.Des admissions, depending on the latest admission guidelines. Always refer to the university's official prospectus for the year you're applying to for the final admission criteria.
NIT DAT (https://www.shiksha.com/design/articles/nid-admissions-2025-colleges-accepting-nid-entrance-exam-scores-for-bdes-mdes-courses-blogId-13097)
Hello,
Yes, it's possible to prepare for the NID DAT 2025 exam on your own, even with limited time, by following these steps:
- Understand the Syllabus : Focus on key areas like design principles, creativity, visualization, and observation skills.
- Solve Previous Papers : Practice with past NID DAT papers to understand question types and patterns.
- Time Management : Dedicate daily hours to sketching, problem-solving, and revision.
- Strengthen Drawing Skills : Practice daily to improve speed and accuracy.
- Use Online Resources : Utilize free tutorials, sample papers, and design blogs.
- Mock Tests : Take regular mock exams to assess progress and manage time efficiently.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
There are numerous websites which give free study material and classes to prepare for entrance exams NID DAT, UCEED, or NIFT. Here are a few popular ones:
YouTube: YouTube has many educators as well as institutes, which have been uploading free video lectures on important topics, on aptitude for design, and how to give these exams. Useful content can be found in the channels "Design Coach" and "NID Preparation".
You can download free courses offered on websites like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy on the topics of design principles, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Official Websites: Both NID and UCEED and also NIFT would usually release sample papers and previous question papers for self-preparation.
Study Groups: One can join online forums or social media groups which are dedicated to NID, UCEED, and NIFT preparation for peer-to-peer learning assistance.
The resource utilization would bring in good preparation for the exams and, therefore, increase in confidence.
Hello,
Preparing for the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam involves focusing on several key areas. Here’s a structured approach to get you started:
1. Understand the Exam Structure
Familiarize yourself with the NIFT entrance exam format:
- General Ability Test (GAT): Tests general knowledge, current affairs, and quantitative ability.
- Creative Ability Test (CAT): Assesses your creative and visual ability through sketching and design-based questions.
- Situation Test (for B.Des): Evaluates your ability to create a design from given materials.
- Group Discussion and Personal Interview (for M.Des/MFM): Tests your communication skills, understanding of the fashion industry, and design knowledge.
2. Gather Study Materials
- For GAT: Use general knowledge books, current affairs magazines, and quantitative aptitude guides.
- For CAT: Practice sketching and drawing regularly. Books on design and creativity can be useful.
- For Situation Test: Practice creating models from various materials and understanding design principles.
- For GD/PI: Prepare by staying updated on fashion trends, industry news, and developing a strong portfolio.
3. Create a Study Plan
- Daily Study: Allocate time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Weekly Goals: Set goals for completing practice papers and revising key concepts.
- Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to simulate the exam environment and improve time management.
4. Enroll in Coaching Classes (if needed)
Consider joining a coaching institute that specializes in NIFT preparation. They can provide structured guidance, practice tests, and expert feedback.
5. Work on Your Portfolio
If you’re applying for design courses, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your creative work. Include sketches, designs, and any relevant projects.
6. Refer to Previous Years’ Papers
Solving past years' question papers helps you understand the exam pattern and types of questions. It also aids in identifying important topics.
7. Stay Updated
- Follow fashion industry news to stay informed about trends and innovations.
- Read relevant books and articles about design and fashion.
8. Practice Creativity
Engage in activities that boost your creativity, such as drawing, painting, or crafting. Keep experimenting with new ideas and techniques.
By focusing on these areas, you'll build a solid foundation for the NIFT entrance exam. Good luck with your preparation!
You can also refer to the following articles to better understand the NIFT examination and its preperation strategy :-
1. https://design.careers360.com/articles/how-prepare-for-nift-entrance-exam
2. https://design.careers360.com/exams/nift-entrance-exam
Hope it helps !
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