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NID DAT Study Material 2026: Best Books, Sample Papers, Mock Tests
Edited By Ritika Jonwal | Updated on Jun 05, 2025 10:33 AM IST | #NID DAT
NID DAT (Prelims) exam will tentatively be conducted in January 2026. The Design Aptitude Test (DAT), often known as the NID Entrance Exam, is extremely demanding and demands a great deal of preparation in advance. Therefore, students have to buckle up with their NID 2026 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.
This Story also Contains
- NID Study Material 2026
- Books for NID 2026
- NID Sample Papers 2026
- NID DAT 2025 Question Paper
- NID Mock Tests - Free PDF Download
Students must predominantly have a keen understanding of the requirements of NID 2026 syllabus. They must also review and judge the NID question paper thoroughly. The NID Study Material 2026 is hence given in the following sections.
NID Study Material 2026
The NID exam prepares students for admission to various design programs offered across NID campuses, including B.Des, M.Des, and other specialized design courses. Candidates need to create an effective exam plan and use the best NID study materials for 2026 to prepare for the entrance exam. Choosing the right NID 2026 study material is essential for students who aim to excel in the design entrance exam. The NID entrance exam is held annually in multiple cities across India. To fully understand the exam requirements, prospective students must review the NID exam pattern. Below is a list of the best NID study materials to help students in their preparation.
Books for NID 2026
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 2026 for preparation. Applicants can also download the free NID preparation books, which will contribute to the list of the NID preparation books listed in the table below:
Section | Name of the Book | Authors Name |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
Objective Quantitative Aptitude | OSWAL Books | |
Mathematics for class X | NCERT | |
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma | |
| 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 | |
| Design of Everyday things | Don Norman |
Design Drawing | Francis D. K. Ching | |
Basic Rendering | Robert W.Gill | |
NIFT/ NID/ IIFT entrance exam guide | Surendra | |
| General Knowledge Digest | OSWAL books |
Manorama Yearbook | — | |
General Knowledge | Manohar Pandey | |
| 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 |
Must-read articles to become a designer:
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Try NowNID Sample Papers 2026
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 previous 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 DAT 2025 Question Paper
The NID DAT 2025 exam saw a shift in its pattern, with Part A focusing solely on non-verbal reasoning, removing verbal reasoning and quantitative aptitude. Part B, emphasizing sketching and creative design tasks, became more challenging and time-consuming. This shift made the exam more focused on creativity and time management. For NID DAT 2026, candidates should expect a continued emphasis on design and creative problem-solving, with less focus on traditional reasoning, making practice in creative skills and time management crucial for success.
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. Candidates can refer to NID DAT 2025 prelims question paper for better command on the preparation. 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.
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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 2026 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 2026?
Students can begin by picking out important and productive NID Study material 2026. 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 2026?
Students will be tested based on these categories in the Prelims :
Quantitative Aptitude
Logical and Analytical Reasoning
Design Aptitude
General Knowledge
Articles
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Questions related to NID DAT
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.
Sarishti bhagi 10 April,2025
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)
Rubina Naseer 04 April,2025
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 !
Prachi Kumari 23 October,2024
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.
Deepti Singh 07 October,2024
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 !
Prachi Kumari 11 August,2024
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