NID DAT Study Material 2025: Best Books, Preparation Tips and Syllabus

NID DAT Study Material 2025: Best Books, Preparation Tips and Syllabus

Edited By Ritika Jonwal | Updated on Nov 19, 2024 03:22 PM IST | #NID DAT

One of the most prominent design-focused universities in the nation, the National Institute of Design (NID) is a consortium that offers Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) degrees. The Design Aptitude Test (DAT), often known as the NID Entrance Exam, is extremely demanding and demands a great deal of preparation in advance. With the release of the NID DAT 2025 notification on September, 3, 2024 at admissions.nid.edu, students have to buckle up with their preparation and strategies. To assist you stick to a plan and be ready for the entrance exam, it is crucial that you use trustworthy and thorough NID DAT study resources. In addition, students need to thoroughly comprehend the exam format by consulting the sample papers from the previous year. Lastly, in order to prepare for the NID DAT, aspirants must practice NID mock test series.

Students must predominantly have a keen understanding of the requirements of NID exam Syllabus. They must also review and judge the NID question paper thoroughly. The NID Study Material 2025 is hence given in the following sections.

Books for NID 2025

Preparing students often end up choosing multiple unreliable books that contribute to much waste of time. Students must choose books apt for the NID entrance exam syllabus. Hence aspiring students must smartly pick out the best NID study material 2025 for preparation. Applicants can also download the free NID preparation books in PDF format, which will contribute to the list of the NID preparation books listed in the table below:

Section

Name of the Book

Authors Name

  1. Quantitative Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

R.S. Aggarwal


Objective Quantitative Aptitude

OSWAL Books


Mathematics for class X

NCERT


Fast Track Objective Arithmetic

Rajesh Verma

  1. Logical and Analytical Reasoning

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal


Analytical Reasoning by Magical Book Series

Arihant Publications ,

M.K Pandey


Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal

  1. Design Aptitude

Design of Everyday things

Don Norman


Design Drawing

Francis D. K. Ching


Basic Rendering

Robert W.Gill


NIFT/ NID/ IIFT entrance exam guide

Surendra

  1. General Knowledge

General Knowledge Digest

OSWAL books


Manorama Yearbook


General Knowledge

Manohar Pandey

  1. Sketching and modelling

The Fundamentals of Figure Drawing (Dover Art Instruction)


Charles Oliver


Profit From The Psychology of Color: Discover the Meaning and Effects of Color: 2


Richard G. Lewi


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NID Sample Papers 2025

Aspiring students are required to solve previous years' sample papers to apply topics from NID study material better. This will help them identify and understand the question paper syllabus and NID exam pattern. Practicing a lot of NID question paper is advisable to understand the DAT and Sketching ability required for the examination. Solving sample papers will also boost aspiring students confidence for the actual exam. Candidates can check the sample papers here:

NID Question Papers 2025

It is important for students to practice question papers and understand their weak and strong points. Students should practice NID question papers every week to get a hang of time constraints and pick up the pace while solving. This will also help students in creating a better study plan tailored to them. Since NID does not release its official question papers every year, here are some previous years’ question papers tabulated below.

NID DAT BDes 2025 Complete Guide
NID DAT BDes eBook gives in-depth information about the entrance test including the list of courses offered by NID, exam pattern, seat matrix, section-wise analysis, preparation strategy and more.
Download EBook

NID Mock Tests - Free PDF Download

Why is it important to take Mock Tests for NID? The exam pattern is altered yearly, but the overall standing concepts being tested remain the same. Timed NID mock test series will give a student a true analysis of the question paper and how to solve it on time. Study guides and NID study material 2025 also serve as a great help in terms of solving the question paper section-wise and with speed. Here are links to NID entrance exam study material, guide, and mock tests:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I prepare for NID exam 2025?

Students can begin by picking out important and productive NID Study material 2025. Solve many NID DAT sample question papers to get a clear idea of the exam’s requirements.

2. How to pick the best study material for NID DAT?
  • Study material must be comprehensive.

  • It must teach, make you understand, and apply concepts.

  • Pick study material with question banks if possible

  • Solve mock tests and sample papers up-to-date with the current NID Entrance exam syllabus and Exam pattern.

3. What are the best books for NID preparation?
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S.Aggarwal

  • Analytical Reasoning by Magical Book Series by Arihant Publications and MK Pandey

  • Design Drawing by Francis D.K.Ching

  • General Knowledge Digest by Oswal Books

4. What are the best books for NID sketching?
  • The Fundamentals of Figure Drawing (Dover Art Instruction) by Charles Oliver

  • Basic Rendering by Robert W. Gill

5. What is the NID exam syllabus 2025?

Students will be tested based on these categories in the Prelims : 

  • Quantitative Aptitude

  • Logical and Analytical Reasoning

  • Design Aptitude

  • General Knowledge

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Questions related to NID DAT

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

Hello,

Yes, it's possible to prepare for the NID DAT 2025 exam on your own, even with limited time, by following these steps:

  1. Understand the Syllabus : Focus on key areas like design principles, creativity, visualization, and observation skills.
  2. Solve Previous Papers : Practice with past NID DAT papers to understand question types and patterns.
  3. Time Management : Dedicate daily hours to sketching, problem-solving, and revision.
  4. Strengthen Drawing Skills : Practice daily to improve speed and accuracy.
  5. Use Online Resources : Utilize free tutorials, sample papers, and design blogs.
  6. 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 !

No, diploma or polytechnic students are generally not eligible to apply for the NID DAT exam.
The eligibility criteria for NID DAT typically requires a 10+2 qualification or its equivalent. This means you must have completed your higher secondary education to be eligible for the exam.

I hope this information helps.


Stages of the Exam:

The PG NID entrance exam typically consists of two stages:

  • Prelims: This written test might include objective and subjective questions to assess your design aptitude, creativity, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of design principles.

  • Mains: Candidates who qualify in the prelims are called for the mains stage, which usually involves a studio test, design exercises, and sometimes a personal interview. The specific format might vary depending on the chosen M.Des. specialization.

Prelims Exam Pattern (General Expectations):

Here is a general idea of what the prelims might cover, though the specific weightage and question types can vary:

  • Design Aptitude: This section might assess your visual thinking, observation skills, ability to identify patterns, and spatial reasoning. Expect questions on visual perception, mental ability tests, and basic design principles.

  • Discipline-Specific Test (for some programs): Certain M.Des. specializations might have a separate test focusing on the specific design discipline.

  • General Aptitude Test: This section might include questions on analytical reasoning, verbal ability, and general knowledge.

Mains Exam Pattern (General Expectations):

The mains exam format is more program-specific, but might involve elements like:

  • Studio Test: This hands-on test assesses your design skills, creativity, and ability to translate ideas into visual form. The specific task or materials used can vary depending on the chosen specialization.

  • Design Exercises: You might be presented with design challenges or problems to solve creatively. This assesses your approach to design thinking and problem-solving.

  • Personal Interview (for some programs): Some specializations might have a personal interview to assess your motivation, interest in the field, and understanding of the program.

I hope it helps!

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