NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023 - Total Questions, Marking Scheme, Exam Mode
NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023: The National Institute of Design prescribed the NID DAT 2023 exam pattern which contains the parameters of the entrance exam. NID DAT exam pattern 2023 will give a clear idea to the candidates about the question pattern, marking scheme, maximum marks, and many more related to the NID entrance exam. NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) comprises two exams - Prelims and Mains exams. Read the article to know more about the NID exam pattern 2023.
Latest Updates for NID DAT
- 20 Mar 2023:
NID DAT result 2023 rechecking window for B.Des closes today.
- 17 Mar 2023:
NID DAT 2023 BDes prelims result rechecking begins; Register by March 20.
- 16 Mar 2023:
NID DAT 2023 prelims result declared for BDes programmes.
Stay up-to date with NID DAT News

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NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023
Candidates are required to qualify for each phase of the exam to gain admission into NIDs. Aspirants must go through the NID DAT 2023 exam pattern so that they can prepare for the exam accordingly. NID DAT 2023 mains will be conducted from March 20 to April 20 (MDes) and April 29-30, 2023 (BDes). NID DAT exam pattern 2023 is a guide map for the candidate to make a feasible preparation strategy for the design entrance test.
NID DAT exam pattern specified the exam mode, duration of the exam, question format, maximum mark, marking scheme, and many more. The exam patterns of the NID DAT 2023 are different for the prelims exam and the mains exam. Go through the following table to know more about the NID DAT 2023 exam pattern.
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NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023 - Prelims (Overview)
According to the NID DAT 2023 exam pattern, DAT prelims exam questions consist of two sections - subjective type questions and objective type questions. The following table mentioned the details of the two sections.
Particulars | Details |
Duration of the exam | 3 hours |
Mode of the exam | Pen and Paper mode |
Medium of the question | English |
Maximum marks | 100 |
Type of the question | Subjective and Objective type |
Total number of questions | 26 |
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NID Exam Pattern 2023 - Prelims exam (Details)
Section | Type of question | Number of Questions in each section | Mark allotted per question | Maximum marks per section |
Section 1 | MCQ | 1 to 22 |
| 30 marks |
Section 2 | Subjective type | 23 to 26 |
| 70 marks |
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Section 1 of Prelims NID DAT 2023
- In the first section of the NID DAT prelims exam, objective-type questions are asked
- OMR sheets are provided to the candidates to mark the answer to the MCQ.
- Section 1 together contains 22 questions carrying a maximum of 30 marks.
- The response mark in the OMR sheet will be checked digitally
Section 2 of Prelims NID DAT 2023
- The second section comprises a total of four subjective questions.
- It is mandatory to attempt all the questions in this section According to the exam pattern of NID DAT 2023.
- There are no negative marks for incorrect answers.
In the NID DAT prelims exam, aspirants will be scrutinized as per the below-mentioned factors
- Analysis
- Creativity
- Knowledge
- Visualization
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Marking Scheme for NID DAT Prelims 2023
The weightage of Part I of the NID DAT Prelims is 30 marks and Part II of the exam is 70 marks. The marking scheme for NID DAT Prelims varies slightly, every year. However, by analyzing last year's question paper for NID admissions, we have listed the marking scheme to expect in the exam in the table below.
Type of Question | No. of Questions | Marks for Each Question |
Objective type questions | Questions 1 to 14 | 1 mark |
Questions 15 to 22 | 2 marks | |
Subjective type questions | Question No. 23 | 15 marks |
Question No. 24 | 20 marks | |
Question No. 25 | 15 marks | |
Question No. 26 | 20 marks | |
Total Marks | 100 marks |
Guidelines for filling the NID DAT 2023 OMR sheets
Aspirants must fill out the OMR sheets carefully as they will be evaluated digitally. The following is the instruction to fill out the OMR sheet.
There will be four options for every MCQ question. Aspirants will have to mark the correct option by darkening the corresponding oval on the OMR sheet using a blue or black ballpoint pen only.
Aspirants must darken only one oval for each question. Candidates must note that marking more than one oval is treated as an incorrect answer.
Aspirants can check the right method to darken the oval on side 1 of the OMR answer sheet. Candidates will have to follow the specified method strictly while filling the oval.
Candidates are restricted to tearing, mutilating, or bending the OMR answer sheet.
NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023 - Mains (Overview)
Particulars | Details |
Medium of the Question language | English |
Exam Duration | 3 hours |
Maximum Marks | 100 |
NID DAT 2023 Exam Pattern - Mains (Details)
Aspirants are required to clear the NID DAT prelims exam to appear in the mains exam. The NID DAT mains exam is usually conducted on an offline basis. However, for the last two years, the DAT mains exam has been conducted in online mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Depending on the prevailing situation, last year NID announced the DAT mains exam is conducted in HYBRID mode. The different formats of the NID DAT mains exam before and after the COVID-19 pandemic are as mentioned below.
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NID DAT Mains Exam
Earlier, before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the institute conducted a studio test and personal interview round as a part of the NID DAT mains exam. The DAT mains exam is usually conducted in any of the NID campuses - Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. Candidates have to appear for a studio test followed by a personal interview round at the assigned campus.
- NID Studio Test: NID studio test for B.Des admissions consists of drawing/ sketching, hands-on model making, group discussions, presentations, and many more. Candidates shortlisted after the studio round have to appear for the personal interview round.
- NID Personal Interview: The personal interview round will be held separately according to the course right after the studio test in the same test centres.
NOTE: The examination authority will not provide accommodation, so candidates must arrange their own accommodation.
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NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023 for MDes Course
Aspirants applying for admission in NID M.Des courses are required to clear the NID Design Aptitude Test. Candidates have to qualify for the NID prelims exam to appear for the mains exam. Go through the NID DAT MDes exam pattern to know the complete parameters of the entrance test.
NID DAT MDes Exam Pattern - Prelims Exam
NID DAT MDes prelims exam consists of Common Design Aptitude Test (CDAT) and a discipline-specific test. Candidates will be given admissions based on their performance in both exams. Look through the NID DAT MDes exam 2023 which is given in the table below.
NID DAT M.Des Exam Pattern 2023 - Prelims Exam
Particulars | Details |
Exam Mode | Pen and Paper mode |
Exam duration | 2 hours and 30 minutes (for one discipline)
4 hours 30 minutes (for two disciplines)
|
Maximum Marks | 100 |
Language of question paper | English |
Type of questions | Objective & subjective |
NID DAT M.Des Prelims exams are divided into two parts – Part I and Part II. Part 1 consists of objective-type questions whereas Part II comprises subjective questions.
Important notes: Candidates applying for only one discipline need to appear for NID DAT Prelims consisting of CDAT and discipline-specific tests. The total duration of the exam is 2.5 hours. However, candidates applying for two disciplines need to appear for the DAT prelims exam consisting of CDAT and two discipline-specific tests. The duration of the exam is 4.5 hours (30 minutes for CDAT and 2 hours for each discipline-specific test)
NID DAT M.Des Exam Pattern - Prelims Marking Scheme
Aspirants can go through the marking scheme for NID DAT Prelims for MDes admission which is given below.
Particulars | Details |
Objective type questions | 30 marks |
Subjective type questions | 70 marks |
Total Marks | 100 marks |
NID DAT MDes Exam Pattern - Mains Exam
The NID Mains exam is usually conducted in offline mode, however, in 2021, the NID mains exam for MDes admission was held in online mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the institute going to conduct the DAT mains exam for MDes in HYBRID mode. The students who applied for MDes, have to participate in the DAT Mains and which will comprise a Studio Test and an Interview.
The Statement of Purpose (SoP) should contain a maximum of 100 words (each question) and the same will have to be uploaded as a single PDF file, not exceeding 2MB file size.
NID DAT MDes Mains Exam - Highlight
Particulars | Details |
Mode of exam |
|
Duration of exam |
|
Total marks | 100 |
Language of question paper | English |
Type of questions |
|
NID DAT Syllabus 2023
The National Institute of Design does not prescribe the NID DAT 2023 syllabus officially. However, after analyzing the previous years' question papers, Careers360 brings some of the important topics for the NID Design Aptitude Test preparation. Some of the important topics for the DAT prelims exam are as follows.
NID Syllabus - Prelims
Theme development | Innovation in design | Exercises on imagination |
Principles of composition | Optical illusion | Design Theory |
Inspiration & design development | Natural & geometrical form | Colour, pattern & texture |
Lateral thinking | Graphics & pictograms | Ornaments & motifs |
Form & function | Understanding light & shade | Design Awareness |
Imagination & doodling | Creative thinking & writing | Drawing fundamentals |
Mood, theme & colour inter-relationship | Elements & principles of design | Developing observation |
Colour psychology & optical illusions | Usage of colour in compositions | Lettering |
Presentation techniques | Optical illusion | Visual logic |
Memory drawing | Good design vs. bad design | Picture analysis |
Natural & geometrical form | Innovation & Creation | Foreshortening & perspective |
Inspiration & Creativity | Developing themes & colour associations | Use of measurements, scale & proportions |
Expression & emotion | Story |
NID DAT Syllabus 2023 Mains exam
NID DAT mains exam consists of a studio test and a personal interview round. NID DAT syllabus of mains 2023 includes the following theme.
- Model making
- Questions generally asked in an interview
- Material manipulation
- Mock interview
- Audio-visual exercises
- Evolving ideas
- Importance of body language
- Doodling
- Past studio test & interview questions
- Interview tips
- Creative thinking
- Guidance on portfolio making
NID DAT 2023 prelims exam was conducted in 23 cities in India. Aspirants have to choose the test centres at the time of filling out the NID DAT application form 2023. It is advisable to go through the NID DAT 2023 eligibility criteria before applying for the NID Design Aptitude Test.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - NID DAT Exam Pattern 2023 - Total Questions, Marking Scheme, Exam Mode
Question: What is the mode of the NID DAT mains exam?
Answer:
The NID DAT 2023 mains for M.Des will be conducted in HYBRID mode and it is scheduled to be held from March 20 to April 20, 2023. For B.Des, the studio test will be held from April 29 to 30, 2023.
Question: How will I be evaluated in the NID Design Aptitude Test?
Answer:
Candidates are evaluated based on their knowledge, comprehension, analysis, creativity and visualisation skills.
Question: Is NID DAT tough?
Answer:
NID DAT exam is not as difficult as you think. With proper exam strategy and consistent preparation, one can crack the NID DAT exam easily with flying colors.
Question: What is asked in the NID Design Aptitude Test?
Answer:
NID DAT is a two-tier design entrance exam consisting of NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains. NID DAT Prelims is a written test and contains two sections - Objective type questions and subjective-type questions. NID DAT Mains comprises studio tests and personal interviews in which candidates are evaluated on the basis of their material handling skills and creativity.
Question: How many times can I appear for the NID DAT exam?
Answer:
Candidates can appear in the NID Design Aptitude Test many times provided they meet the prescribed eligibility criteria for the design entrance exam by NID.
Question: How can I prepare for the NID Design Aptitude Test?
Answer:
The preparation tips for NID DAT 2023 are as follows.
Solve sample papers
Practice NID DAT previous years’ question paper
Read magazines, newspapers, and current affairs
Practice sketching
Question: Is there a negative marking in the NID DAT prelims and mains?
Answer:
There is no negative marking to the incorrect answer in the entrance exam of NID DAT 2023.
Question: What is the duration of the NID DAT entrance exam?
Answer:
The exam duration of NID DAT 2023 is three hours for both prelims and the mains exam.
Question: What is the mode of the NID DAT prelims exam?
Answer:
NID DAT 2023 prelims exam was conducted based on the pen and paper mode on January 8, 2023.
Question: Who prescribes the exam pattern of NID DAT 2023?
Answer:
The National Institute of Design stipulated the NID DAT 2023 exam pattern.
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Questions related to NID DAT
When will the NID DAT prelims result 2023 to be out?
The prelims result of NID DAT 2023 for M.Des admission has been declared on February 28, 2023, and for B.Des admission, the prelims result has been announced on March 16, 2023.
How will the NID DAT 2023 studio test be conducted and what will be the test pattern?
The studio test will be conducted in offline mode. As far as the test pattern is concerned, there is no official test pattern published by the National Institute of Design. Instead, the institute may ask questions covering a wide range of topics aimed at testing the candidate's creative abilities.
Who can appear in NID DAT Mains 2023 Studio Test?
Candidates who qualify for DAT Prelims are eligible to appear in DAT Mains. Note, DAT Mains for B.Des includes a studio test, whereas DAT Mains for M.Des courses includes a studio test and an online interview.
When will NID DAT 2023 studio test for the M.Des program be conducted?
The NID Studio Test for the M.Des Programme will be conducted from March 20 to April 20, 2023 program wise.
When will NID DAT 2023 studio test for B.Des program be conducted?
The NID Studio Test for B.Des Programme will be conducted from April 29 to 30, 2023. Admit cards for the studio exam will be available from April 14, 2023, onwards.