Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation Tips 2026: Section-Wise, Important Tips

Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation Tips 2026: Section-Wise, Important Tips

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Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Application Date:13 Jan' 26 - 13 Jan' 26

Ritika JonwalUpdated on 19 Aug 2025, 10:47 AM IST

Interior design, fashion, communication design, product design, business, gaming, and film are among the subjects taught at Pearl Academy, one of India's top design institutions. It has distinguished itself for thirty-one years. More than thirty courses are offered at their five campuses in Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur with the goal of fostering creative minds. Pearl Academy has been at the forefront of the fashion, design, and retail industries since its establishment in 1993. Live lectures and hybrid learning are used to promote social development, creativity, and growth. So let's get right into Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation with the help of this article.

This Story also Contains

  1. Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation Tips
  2. Evaluation Criteria for Personal Interview & Portfolio Showcase
  3. Important Topics for GPT, DAT & Personal Interview
  4. How To Prepare For Pearl Academy Exam Preparation
  5. Additional Tips to Crack the Pearl Academy Entrance Exam:
  6. Pearl Academy Books for Preparation
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation Tips 2026: Section-Wise, Important Tips
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

As per the Pearl Academy entrance exam pattern, exam consists of a Written General Proficiency Test (GPT) and Design Aptitude Test (DAT), a Personal interview, and a Portfolio showcase. Let's go through the Pearl Academy exam preparation tips in detail.

1. Understanding the ‘GPT’ and ‘DAT’

  • GPT stands for ‘General Proficiency Test’ - This exam evaluates candidates in overall for logical reasoning, quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, and English language proficiency. To check the types of questions asked in GPT, students can download the Pearl Academy GPT Mock Test pdf.

  • DAT stand for ‘Design Aptitude Test’ - The DAT assesses candidates based on their ability to draw, communicate effectively, observe and use their imagination, be creative, and have a strong design sense for sometimes also a given problem.

  • Personal Interview & Portfolio Showcase - There is a personal interview phase that comes after the written admission exam, which gives more information about the credentials and potential of each applicant.

To assess their technical and conceptual expertise as well as their material handling abilities, candidates must present their portfolio. A candidate's portfolio should showcase their original ideas, inventiveness, openness to trying new things, and ability to turn ideas into actual designs.

2. Pearl Academy Exam Pattern

Before beginning with the Pearl Academy exam Preparation, lets first understand the exam structure.

Specifics

Information

Time frame

90 mins (GPT+DAT) + 30 mins Personal Interview & Portfolio

Type of Questions

MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

Exam mode

Online & Offline

Markings

No negative marking

Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026

No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings

UPES B.Des Admissions 2026

Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings


The exam pattern of Pearl Academy has been tabulated as per its official sample paper.

Number of Sections

Questions per Section

Marks per question carries

Total Marks per Section

English Language

22

22 x1

22

Logical Reasoning

19

19 x 1

19

Quantitative Ability

11

11 x 1

11

General Knowledge

8

8 x 1

8

Total

60

60

60

3. Syllabus for Pearl Academy Entrance Exam

The very first step for Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Preparation is to understand the syllabus. The Pearl Academy syllabus includes 4 sections that is English Language, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and General Knowledge. They can also refer to Pearl Academy 2025 Question paper for better understanding on structure and question types.

  1. English Comprehension

Pearl Academy Sample Papers (GPT + DAT)
This eBook covers exam structure, exam pattern, a list of topics that can come in Phase-1 (GPT), preparation strategies, and a mock test with proper answer key and solutions to crack the exam.
Download EBook
  • Synonyms and Antonyms.
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Sentence rephrasing
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Comprehension
  1. Logical Reasoning

  • Series
  • Patterns
  • Analogies
  • Classifications
  • Coding - Decoding
  • Blood relations
  • Directions
  • Syllogisms
  1. Quantitative Ability

  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra
  • Geometry & Mensuration
  • Time, Work & Distance
  • Percentage
  • Ratio & Proportion
  • Averages
  1. General Knowledge

  • Awards & Honors
  • Indian Geography
  • General Awareness
  • Indian polity

Evaluation Criteria for Personal Interview & Portfolio Showcase

The following factors are used to assess the candidates during the personal interview:

  • Communication abilities - Proficiency in the selected course: Applicants must exhibit their enthusiasm, interest, and understanding of the course for which they have applied.

  • Broad Understanding - Portfolio: Applicants should bring in a selection of their best design ideas or works that demonstrate their inventiveness, originality, and competence.

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Important Topics for GPT, DAT & Personal Interview

As per the Pearl Academy syllabus, the important topics for GPT and DAT are as follows.

General Proficiency Test (GPT)

  • English Language - Vocabulary, Comprehension & Expression.
  • Language Ability
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Ability
  • Data Interpretation
  • Basic Mathematics

Design Aptitude Test (DAT)

  • Creativity
  • Drawing skills
  • Observational skills
  • Imaginative power
  • Empathy towards environment
  • Communication skills

Personal Interview

  • Broad understanding
  • Creative and Lateral Thinking
  • Analyzing and reasoning
  • Originality and Creativity
  • Material Handling Skills

How To Prepare For Pearl Academy Exam Preparation

Given below is the list of Pearl Academy exam Preparation Tips that are bifurcated into different stages of the exam.

  1. General Proficiency Test (GPT)

  • Language Skills: Regular reading of books, newspapers, and magazines will help you become more proficient in vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. To improve your writing, try writing essays or summaries more often.

  • Logical Reasoning: Work on answering brainteasers, puzzles, and logical reasoning problems. Focus on strengthening your logical analysis and problem-solving skills.

  • Quantitative Ability: Review fundamental ideas in geometry, algebra, arithmetic, and data interpretation. Regularly practise solving equations and problems in mathematics.

  • Data Interpretation: Practice deciphering information from tables, charts, and graphs. Develop your ability to infer meaning and make decisions from numerical data.

  • Mock Tests: Regularly take Pearl Academy mock tests to hone your time management abilities and replicate the exam setting. Examine your performance and concentrate on strengthening your areas of weakness.

  1. Design Aptitude Test (DAT)

  • Creativity and Innovation: Regularly sketching, drawing, and brainstorming sessions will help you develop your creative side. Try out many materials and techniques to find your own distinctive artistic voice.

  • Observation skills: Develop your ability to notice intricacies in common things, the natural world, and human behavior. Gain experience portraying realistic dimensions, textures, and angles in your drawings by practicing drawing from life.

  • Design Thinking: Become familiar with the steps involved in the design process, such as ideation, problem identification, prototyping, and testing. Try using the design thinking ideas to come up with original solutions to challenges.

  • Practice Assignments and Exercises: Complete practice tasks and exercises that resemble the DAT. This will assist you in honing your technical abilities and creating a methodical strategy for handling design difficulties.

  1. Personal Interview (PI):

  • Learn about the Institute: Become acquainted with Pearl Academy's mission, core principles, offerings, and staff. This demonstrates your sincere curiosity and readiness.

  • Practice Common Interview Questions: Prepare responses to frequently asked questions about yourself, your ambitions for your career, your reasons for attending Pearl Academy, your skills and shortcomings, and how you hope to contribute to the design profession.

  • Display Your Individuality: Show off your enthusiasm for innovation and design. Give personal stories or anecdotes that demonstrate your passion and commitment to your topic of study.

  • Be Confident and Articulate: Get comfortable speaking confidently and straightforwardly. Before giving a considered response, keep your posture straight, create eye contact, and listen intently to queries.

  1. Portfolio Showcase

  • Curate Your Best Work: Choose a variety of pieces that showcase your imagination, technical proficiency, and critical thinking. Add projects, designs, sketches, and any other related artistic pursuits.

  • Organize Professionally: Put your pieces in a logical order and give each one a clear name or description. Prioritize showcasing your best work to grab the interviewer's interest.

  • Describe Your Methodology: Give a brief explanation of each project's concept, source of inspiration, and methods throughout the showcase. Emphasize any obstacles you encountered and how you overcame them to realize your artistic vision.

  • Showcase Variety: To highlight your versatility and adaptability as a designer, include work that demonstrates a range of styles, mediums, and methods.

  • Practice Presenting: To get feedback and enhance your presentation abilities, practice presenting your portfolio to mentors, family members, or friends. Prepare your presentation by scheduling it to go within the allotted time.

Also check:

Additional Tips to Crack the Pearl Academy Entrance Exam:

  1. Understand the Exam Pattern: Learn about the format of the test, which consists of the Portfolio Review, Personal Interview (PI), Design Aptitude Test (DAT), and General Proficiency Test (GPT). Recognize the relative importance of each section and make preparations appropriately.

  2. Establish a Study Timetable: Create a well-organized study schedule that allotted time for every exam section. Make sure to incorporate theoretical study, practice exams, and creative exercises into your study sessions for the DAT.

  3. Practice Often: The secret to success is consistent practice. Work through the Pearl Academy entrance exam previous years' question papers, sample papers, and mock exams to gain a sense of the format and hone your time management abilities.

  4. Concentrate on Weak Areas: Determine which areas of linguistic proficiency, logical reasoning, numerical aptitude, creativity, or design thinking are your weakest. Spend more time and energy studying and practicing in these areas specifically. Refer to the good Pearl Academy books to strengthen your weak areas and boost your preparation.

  5. Enhance Time Management: Throughout the test, efficiently manage your time. Give each segment and question a unique time frame. To improve accuracy and speed, practice answering questions in a timed environment. To manage time, attempt the mock test regularly. Hence, to simulate the exam condition Pearl Academy mock test pdf is provided from where students can try the mock test for effective preparation.

  6. Boost Creativity: To improve your creativity for the DAT, experiment with various artistic materials, techniques, and styles. Sketch, draw, and create on a daily basis to build a solid portfolio and show off your artistic abilities.

  7. Keep Up: Ensure that you are knowledgeable about current events, fashion, design, and related industries. This information can show your awareness of and interest in the sector in the GPT and PI sections.

  8. Seek Advice: If you're having trouble passing the design admission exam, you could choose to enroll in coaching sessions or workshops. Professional advice, pointers, and critiques can greatly increase your readiness and self-assurance.

  9. Remain Calm and Confident: On test day, remain composed and have an optimistic outlook. Have faith in your skills and preparation. Breathe deeply, thoroughly read the questions, and then firmly and logically respond to them.

  10. Review and Reflect: Evaluate your performance following every drill or practice exam. Determine your advantages and disadvantages and modify your study schedule accordingly. Evaluate your development and make the required adjustments.

Pearl Academy Books for Preparation

The best books are recommended for Pearl Academy Entrance Exam preparation.

1. General Proficiency Test (GPT) - The best books for preparing for the GPT exam are:

  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi: This book includes plenty of practice problems and explanations for every topic related to the English language.

  • A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal: This book includes exercises and solved examples covering every area related to logical thinking.

  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal: This book includes shortcuts and strategies to address every topic related to quantitative abilities.

2. Design Aptitude Test (DAT) - The best books for preparing for the DAT exam are:

  • NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide by Surendra Kavimandan: This book includes step-by-step images and tips to cover every aspect of drawing and sketching.

  • NID Mock Test Series by DQ Labs: This book includes practice tests and solutions for every topic related to colour theory and design ideas.

  • NID Workbook by R.S. Aggarwal: This book includes tasks and examples to cover every aspect of visual communication and creativity.

*All study material is just a suggestion, not any obligation, and the aspirants may act as per discrete understanding of the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is asked in the Pearl Academy entrance exam?
A:

The Pearl Academy entrance exam includes language ability, logical reasoning, quantitative skills, and data interpretation questions and also assesses creativity, design thinking, observation, and drawing skills.

Q: Is the Pearl entrance exam hard?
A:

The difficulty of the Pearl Academy entrance exam can vary depending on your preparation and familiarity with the subjects tested. Candidates who are well-prepared, creative, and have a strong portfolio generally find the exam manageable.

Q: What should I do to prepare for the entrance exam?
A:

To prepare for the Pearl Academy entrance exam, students are advised to understand the Exam Structure, Study General Proficiency, Enhance Design Skills, Prepare Your Portfolio, take Mock Interviews and review Previous Years' Pearl Academy Entrance Exam Papers.

Q: Is it easy to get into Pearl Academy?
A:

Students who are well prepared for the Pearl Academy entrance exam and have valid scores in GPT and DAT can easily get admission in the Pearl Academy.

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Pearl Academy – MBA in Fashion & Lifestyle Business Management

Duration: 2 years

Campuses: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline

Admission: Pearl Academy Entrance Exam + Interview

Fees: ~11.85 lakhs

Key Highlights

Global Collaborations – Partnerships with LDT Nagold (Germany) & Manchester Met (UK)

Practical Learning – Industry projects, masterclasses, case studies

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hi ,

Pearl Academy's entrance exam for 2025 is structured to assess candidates' proficiency, creativity, and aptitude relevant to design and media courses. The exam comprises two primary components:

  1. General Proficiency Test (GPT): This section evaluates a candidate's general aptitude.
  2. Design Aptitude Test (DAT) or Media Aptitude Test (MAT): Depending on the chosen course, candidates will undertake either the DAT or MAT to assess specific skills pertinent to design or media fields.

here is the syllabus for the exam -

GPT syllabus -

The GPT focuses on assessing the following areas:

  • English Language:

    • Comprehension
    • Vocabulary
    • Expression
    • Grammar
    • Verbal ability
  • Quantitative Ability:

    • Basic mathematics
    • Arithmetic
    • Data interpretation
  • Logical Reasoning:

    • Analytical reasoning
    • Pattern recognition
    • Series completion
    • Analogies

Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Syllabus:

The DAT is tailored for candidates applying to design-related courses and assesses:

  • Creative Aptitude: Ability to generate innovative ideas and concepts.
  • Drawing Ability: Skill in sketching and rendering.
  • Observation Power: Keen attention to detail and surroundings.
  • Imagination: Capacity to think creatively and envision concepts.
  • Sensitivity to the Environment: Awareness of societal and environmental contexts.
  • Communication Skills: Effectiveness in conveying ideas visually and verbally.

Media Aptitude Test (MAT) Syllabus:

For candidates targeting media-related courses, the MAT assesses:

  • Creative Thinking: Innovative approach to media concepts.
  • Visual Communication Skills: Ability to convey messages effectively through visuals.
  • Understanding of Media and Culture: Knowledge of contemporary media landscapes and cultural contexts.
  • Storytelling Ability: Proficiency in crafting compelling narratives.

hope this helps

Hello Jhanvi,

Pearl Academy’s Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program typically consists of 8 semesters over 4 years.

Here are some important details :-

  • Duration – 4 years (Full-time).
  • Semesters – 8 (2 per year).
  • Structure – Foundation year, specialization years, and final year project.
  • Specializations – Fashion Design, Product Design, Communication Design, etc.
  • Internships – Offered in later semesters for industry exposure.
  • Certifications – May include international collaborations.
  • Eligibility – 10+2 qualification from a recognized board.

Hope you find it useful !

Hello,

Pearl Academy Entrance Exam is conducted six times a year. Pearl Academy has released the Pearl Academy 2022 application form for the July cycle in online mode - pearlacademy.com. The last date to fill out the Pearl Academy application form 2022 will be closed on July 21, 2022. You still can fill out the form for the last session. Keep an eye on the official website or the link below for the latest information. The exam is conducted in online mode.  Aspirants have to pay the application fee of Rs 1500 using credit/ debit card/ net banking to complete the registration process.

https://design.careers360.com/exams/pearl-academy-entrance-exam#date_blocks

Hello

The details pertaining to entrance test being conducted by Pearl Academy in May isn't updated yet at the official website, only information of March/April cycle exam is provided as of now though the entrance test is conducted in multiple cycles, if you're interested to appear then don't wait anymore and apply for the same by registering at https://pearlacademy.com/, last date is 21st March, written test is on 26th March, interview is to be conducted in online mode, you can also visit our page at https://design.careers360.com/exams/pearl-academy-entrance-exam to know more details regarding this.