Subjective Part Dominates Design Entrance Exams: Why Revised NID Selection Process is Not Unexpected

Subjective Part Dominates Design Entrance Exams: Why Revised NID Selection Process is Not Unexpected

Sumeet SudarshanUpdated on 29 Sep 2025, 02:52 PM IST

The National Institute of Design revised the NID 2026 selection process recently. In the revised NID 2026 selection process, the NID DAT mains, which is the subjective component of the NID entrance exam, will have 100% weightage in the final selection of candidates. The NID DAT prelims, which earlier had 40% weightage in the final selection, has been reduced to a qualifying exam for the mains. On the surface, the change in NID DAT 2026 may look too drastic. However, an analysis of the selection process of other top design entrance exams suggests that the subjective component already has a proportionately heavy weight in the final selection criteria of these exams.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is the Subjective/Mains Part of Design Entrance Exams?
  2. Overview of the Change in NID DAT Selection Process
  3. Why is the Change in the NID Selection Process Not Unexpected?
  4. What it Means for Candidates Appearing for Design Entrance Exams?
Subjective Part Dominates Design Entrance Exams: Why Revised NID Selection Process is Not Unexpected
Subjective Part Dominates Design Entrance Exams

Most of the top design entrance exams have an objective and a subjective component in their selection criteria. In this article, let’s look at the weightage of the subjective part in the top design exams, such as NIFTEE, CEED, and UCEED, and understand why the change in the NID selection process is not unexpected.

What is the Subjective/Mains Part of Design Entrance Exams?

The subjective or the main part of the top design entrance exam evaluates a wide range of skills among candidates, which include their creativity, drawing skills, observation skills, visualisation, and practical task handling skills.

Often, candidates are required to attend a studio test where they may be required to complete a task with the provided material, or they may be required to draw and explain their perspective. Candidates may also be interviewed to understand their personality and suitability for the course. Further, a candidate may be required to present a portfolio of work.

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

Pearl Academy B.Des Admissions 2026

Last Date to Apply: 13th Jan | No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings

What differentiates the subjective component from the objective part is that it lacks a model solution or a definite answer. The jury or expert evaluates the candidates on the spot based on their performance.

On the other hand, the prelims or the objective part of the design entrance exams often are MCQs, which have a definite answer and are designed to test the candidate’s general awareness and logical reasoning ability.

Overview of the Change in NID DAT Selection Process

The table below provides an overview of the change in the NID selection process for prelims and the mains exam.

NID B.Des 2026 Revised Weightage

Particulars

Revised Weightage

Old Weightage

Prelims

No weightage in final selection. Qualifying exam for mains

40% weightage in final selection

Mains

100% weightage in final selection (Studio sensitivity test - 60%

In-person sensitivity test - 40%)

60% weightage in final selection

NID M.Des 2026 Revised Weightage

Particulars

Revised Weightage

Old Weightage

Prelims

No weightage in final selection. Qualifying exam for mains

30% weightage in final selection

Mains

100% weightage in final selection (Studio test - 40%

Interview - 60%)

70% weightage in final selection (Studio test - 40%

Interview - 30%)

Why is the Change in the NID Selection Process Not Unexpected?

The change in the NID selection process is on expected lines, as the subjective part in other design entrance exams already dominates with a much higher weightage in the final selection criteria. Often, the weightage for the subjective part is over 70% except in UCEED, where the subjective and objective parts are not weighted, indicating an equal weightage of 50% for each.

The outsized importance of mains/subjective component indicates that top design colleges look for candidates who possess the creative aptitude and hands-on practical skills to build a successful career in design.

The tables given below show the weightage of the mains or the subjective part for other entrance exams.

Weightage of Subjective Part in NIFT B.Des Selection Process

Part

Weightage

Creative Ability Test

50%

Studio Test

20%

Total

70%

Weightage of Subjective Part in NIFT M.Des Selection Process

Part

Weightage

Creative Ability Test

40%

Interview

30%

Total

70%

Weightage of Subjective Part in CEED Total Score

Part

Weightage

Part B

75% for calculating the final CEED score (evaluated only for those who are shortlisted from part A)

Weightage of Subjective Part in UCEED Total Score

Part

Weightage

Part B

No weightage is assigned for Part A and Part B for calculating the final score. In other words, equal weightage of 50%.

What it Means for Candidates Appearing for Design Entrance Exams?

The high weightage for the subjective component in top design entrance exams means candidates cannot rely solely on their exam preparation. They have to invest in developing their creative and hands-on skills and build a good portfolio of creative works that showcases their personality and ability. It also suggests that the top design colleges are looking for candidates who possess job readiness and can meet the demands of the growing design industry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the weightage of the interview in the NIFT M.Des selection process?
A:

The interview has 30% weightage in the NIFT M.Des selection process

Q: What is the weightage of CAT in the NIFT B.Des selection process?
A:

The CAT has 50% weightage in the NIFT B.Des selection process.

Q: What is the change in the NID selection process?
A:

In the NID 2026 selection process, the mains has 100% weightage for final selection.

Articles
|
Upcoming Design Exams
Ongoing Dates
GLS DAT Application Date

17 Aug'25 - 22 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
UPESDAT Application Date

12 Sep'25 - 20 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
BITSDAT Application Date

16 Oct'25 - 1 Feb'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Certificate Program in Machine Learning and AI with Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Post Graduate Diploma Program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Via Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi
Computer Fundamentals
Via Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
Certificate Program in Design Thinking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Data Analysis Using Excel
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Udemy
 1087 courses
Coursera
 505 courses
Edx
 330 courses
Vskills
 157 courses
Swayam
 136 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?

Hello,

Yes, if you are in Class 12, you are eligible to sit for the NID DAT 2026 (BDes) exam. The National Institute of Design allows students who are in their final year of Class 12 or have already passed to apply.

To know more access below mentioned link:

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-admission-2026

You can get the NIT DAT SYLLABUS, updated version from careers 360 in detail from careers 360 article. Follow the link given from The link of the syllabus article is given below from careers 360

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nid-dat-syllabus-2026

Yes you are eligible to appear for NID DAT for the M.Des programme. Since you are in final make sure you will have completed your BA by the required deadline. Also go through the specific specializations you want to apply for, some may require certain specific backgrounds to be eligible

Hello,

To prepare for M.des exams like CEED or NID DAT, here are some points which you can follow:

Understand the pattern – focus on creativity, design aptitude, and problem-solving.

Practice sketching daily and improve visualization.

Study basics of color, form, and design concepts.

Solve previous papers and build a

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