NID Entrance Exam Difficulty Level, Check Past 5 Years NID Difficulty Level Analysis

NID Entrance Exam Difficulty Level, Check Past 5 Years NID Difficulty Level Analysis

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NID DAT Application Date:11 Sep' 25 - 01 Dec' 25

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 02 Sep 2025, 04:35 PM IST

The NID 2026 entrance exam difficulty level will be known after the exam. The NID 2026 exam analysis and student reactions will provide data about whether the NID DAT is difficult. Candidates appearing for NID DAT 2026 should go through the difficulty level of the exam As per the student reactions on the NID entrance exam last year, the NID exam difficulty level was moderate. While Part A was easy, Part B was moderate and lengthy. The drawing part was tricky to assess the candidate's creative thinking. In the last five years, many students have found the logical thinking section difficult. Please find below the analysis of the NID entrance exam difficulty level over the past five years.
Also Check: NID past year paper pdf | NID Acceptance Rate

This Story also Contains

  1. Is NID DAT Difficult?
  2. Previous Year’s NID Exam Difficulty Level
  3. Which is easier to qualify, NID prelims or NID Mains?
NID Entrance Exam Difficulty Level, Check Past 5 Years NID Difficulty Level Analysis
NID entrance exam difficulty level

The NID DAT 2026 syllabus is designed to test the candidate's general knowledge, analytical ability, and creative aptitude. Being one of the top design entrance exams, and NID being among the top design colleges in India, the NID DAT entrance exam is very competitive.

Is NID DAT Difficult?

Aspirants who wish to know if the NID entrance exam is difficult should note that the overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate in previous years. The NID DAT 2026 difficulty level is expected to be in line with in previous years.

Past 5 Years NID Difficulty Level Analysis

Year

NID exam difficulty level

2025Easy to moderate

2024

Moderate

2023

Moderate

2022

Easy to Moderate

2021

Easy

2020

Difficult

Previous Year’s NID Exam Difficulty Level

Candidates who are going to appear for the upcoming NID entrance exam should practice previous year papers. With the help of NID PYQ, candidates can get an idea on the types of questions asked and also the difficulty level.

NID exam difficulty in 2025: Moderate

  • As per the student reactions on the NID entrance exam last year, the NID exam difficulty level was moderate. While Part A was easy, Part B was moderate and lengthy. The drawing part was tricky to assess the candidate's creative thinking.

NID exam difficulty in 2024: Moderate

  • Feedback from students suggested that the exam was easy to moderate. The NID exam 2024 paper pattern was changed, the drawing section had many questions and aptitude questions were not much. The NID entrance exam paper was lengthy, but students had managed to finish. The aptitude section was very easy, whereas the drawing section was moderately difficult.The aptitude section carried 25 marks and drawing section had 75 marks.

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NID exam difficulty in 2023: Lengthy and moderate

  • In NID entrance exam 2023, 40 marks of aptitude section consisting of 28 questions and 60 marks of drawing section. The drawing section was lengthy.

  • The entrance exam 2023 paper was a bit lengthy, an applicant said. The difficulty level of the exam paper was moderate.

  • One more student who appeared for the entrance exam had said the exam was easy and a bit lengthy but manageable.

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NID exam difficulty in 2022: Easy to moderate

  • The exam difficulty was moderate, the paper was manageable in 3 hours so, the student had attempted all the questions, the aptitude and GK part was simpler and the drawing section was also moderate.

  • The other student from the M.Des in animation design found the paper difficult and lengthy compared to the previous year NID exam paper (2021). The paper had 37 questions in aptitude and 8 questions in the drawing part. The time was limited according to the questions that appeared in the exam. The paper pattern was changed. The student had to answer 27 aptitude questions in 2½ hours.

  • One more student who appeared in the M.Des in industrial design found the paper easy but had issues with time management during the exam.

You may also check:

NID exam difficulty in 2021: Easy

  • According to one student who appeared in the NID 2021 exam, the paper pattern was changed. The drawing section was lengthy. The aptitude section had the questions about Covid.

  • The other student who appeared found the NID exam 2021 paper easy.

  • One more student found the NID paper easy but a bit lengthy and time management was challenging.

NID exam analysis 2020 - Difficult

  • The NID exam paper in 2020 was lengthy and found challenging for the creative part. In the creative part the student found difficulty as there was a pattern change as compared to the last year (2019).

  • The other student found the NID exam paper not that hard and average.

  • One more student found the drawing part difficult and time management was difficult.

Which is easier to qualify, NID prelims or NID Mains?

The difficulty level of NID Prelims or NID Mains depends on several factors that include the candidate's preparation, aptitude, and individual skills. NID Prelims consists of subjective and objective questions, whereas NID Mains consists of sketching and drawing along with model making with a set of materials. NID Mains involves creative thinking and innovation on time as required. Hence, the candidates generally feel that the NID Prelims is easy to qualify as compared to the NID Mains.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the difficulty level of the NID entrance exam?
A:

Past trends suggest that the difficulty level of the NID entrance exam as per 

Q: In the last five years, has the NID entrance exam been difficult to crack?
A:

As per previous years, the difficulty level of the NID entrance exam was moderate.

Q: Can I crack the NID entrance exam?
A:

Yes, the candidates can crack the NID entrance exam with thorough preparation by attempting to mock tests with the help of time management.

Q: What are the types of questions asked in the NID entrance exam?
A:

The types of questions asked in the NID entrance exam are subjective and objective questions.

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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:

  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 !