Summary: The NID Exam Pattern 2025 article offers vital insights into the NID entrance exam's structure, marking, and weightage for B.Des and M.Des programs, aiding aspirants in effective preparation for success. 

NOTE: That the information shared in this article is from Brochure 2024, as NID 2025 brochure will be out around October – November 2024. 

The National Institute of Design conducts the NID DAT exam annually to provide admissions to UG and PG programs in the field of Design.

According to experts, knowing the exam pattern will give you a fair idea about exam mode, exam duration, marking scheme, type of questions asked, and more.

The paper pattern differs for B.Des and M.Des programs. Hence, reviewing the detailed exam pattern of the course you are applying for, is essential. 

Read through the post that will give you a complete insight into NID Exam Pattern 2025 for both B.Des and M.Des courses.

Download Free Study Material for NID 2025 by CreativeEdge

NOTE: That the information shared in this article is from Brochure 2024, as NID 2025 brochure will be out around October – November 2024. 

As per the 2024 brochure, NID Entrance Exam Pattern 2025 is as follows - 

The entrance exam is conducted in 2 stages for both NID B.Des and M.Des programs. 

• NID DAT Prelims. 
• NID DAT Mains. 

There are two sections included in the Prelims exam, i.e., 

• Creative Ability Test (CAT) 
• General Aptitude Test (GAT) 

The prelims examination is a pen and paper-based written test. 

In the Mains exam, there will be a - 

• Studio test and 
• Personal interview 

Only those who score above the NID Cut Off 2025 in the prelims exam will get shortlisted for the mains exam. 

Scroll down the post to learn the detailed NID exam pattern or paper pattern for both B. Des and M. Des programs. 

Know more: NID Courses

NID B.Des Exam Pattern 2025

The NID entrance examination for the undergraduate program at NID includes both prelims and mains. Upon qualifying for prelims, you are shortlisted for the mains exam.

Let us understand the pattern of the NID Exam in detail below:

NID Prelims Exam Pattern for B.Des 2025

In the prelims exam, you will be evaluated mainly on your knowledge for creativity, visualization, general knowledge, general aptitude and comprehension. 

However, the NID Entrance Exam Syllabus varies for prelims and mains exams.

NID Entrance Exam Pattern:

• The question paper includes 2 types of questions, i.e., objective and subjective.
• The total time duration of the exam is 3 hours. 
• The NID Paper Pattern for the GDPD course is the same as B.Des.

NID Exam Pattern 2025 - Exam Part	NID Exam Pattern 2025 - Type of Questions	NID Exam Pattern 2025 - No. of Questions
Part I	Objective type questions	19
Part II	Subjective type questions	4
Total No. of Questions		23

NID Exam Pattern: Prelims Marking Scheme 2025

The exam is conducted for 100 marks, out of which the marks for objective and subjective are divided. 

Check out the table below to know the prelims marking scheme.

NID Test Pattern - 

NID Exam Pattern - Type of Question	NID Paper Pattern - No. of Questions	NID DAT Paper Pattern - Marks for Each Question
Objective type questions	Questions 1 to 14	1 mark
	Questions 15 to 22	2 marks
Subjective type questions	Question No. 23	15 marks
	Question No. 24	20 marks
	Question No. 25	15 marks
	Question No. 26	20 marks
Total Marks		100 marks

NID Mains Exam Pattern 2025 for B.Des

• This is an offline mode of exam conducted for 100 marks.
• The total time duration for the mains exam is 3 hours. 
• No negative marking 

After clearing the preliminary stage in the NID Entrance Examination, you need to appear for the studio test and a personal interview.

NID Studio Test for BDes Admissions: 

The studio test for NID admissions comprises questions from topics like drawing/sketching, hands-on model making, group discussions, etc.

You can appear for the personal interview round if you are shortlisted in the Studio Test round. 

Refer: Best preparation books for NID exam

Personal Interview for BDes Admissions:

The BDes/GDPD admissions interview round shall be held separately for each specialization (right after the studio test) at the same exam centre.

Refer: NID Interview Question with Answers

NID Exam Weightage for B.Des 2025

The final marks are calculated based on the marks secured in the prelims and mains exams. Previously, the weightage allocated to NID DAT Prelims for BDes/ GDPD admissions was 40%, and NID DAT Mains was allocated a weightage of 60%.  

But since last year, the weightage has been changed, and the new structure is tabulated below:

NID Exam Pattern	NID Exam Pattern - Weightage
NID DAT Prelims	40%
NID DAT Mains	60%

NID Exam Pattern 2025 for M.Des

The entrance examination for the postgraduate program also includes both prelims and mains.

You shall be shortlisted for the mains exam after clearing the prelims exam. Let us understand the pattern of the NID M.Des Exam in detail below:

NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 for M.Des

NID MDes Exam Pattern -

• The preliminary examination for M.Des includes a Creative Ability Test + Discipline-Specific Test and Genral Aptitude Test.
• The NID DAT Question Paper includes 2 types of questions, i.e., objective and subjective.

For only one discipline, you need to appear for NID DAT Prelims comprising CAT and discipline-specific tests. The total duration of DAT Prelims is 2.5 hours.

For two disciplines - If you have applied for 2 disciplines, you need to appear for NID DAT Prelims comprising of CAT and two discipline-specific tests. The total duration of DAT Prelims will be 4.5 hours (30 minutes for CAT and 2 hours for each discipline-specific test) 

NID Prelims Marking Scheme 2025 for M.Des -

The marking scheme for prelims may vary from one year to the other. 

Look at the table below for the tentative prelims marking scheme for the M. Des program.

NID Pattern - Exam Part	NID Question Pattern - Type of Questions	NID Question Paper Pattern Marks
Part I	Objective type questions	20
Part II	Subjective type questions	80
Total No. of Questions		100 marks

Check: NID Application Form

NID Mains Exam Pattern 2025

To score good marks in the mains exam, you are advised to follow the NID Preparation Tips provided by experts.

Before the pandemic, the exam was conducted online mode for 100 marks.

• The total time duration for the mains exam is 3 hours. 
• There are different types of questions included in the studio test. 

After clearing the preliminary examination, you must appear for the studio test, followed by a personal interview.

Learn more: How to prepare for NID Studio Test?

NID Studio Test for M.Des Admissions: 

• The studio test is conducted separately for each specialization that you have applied for.
• The studio test for NID admissions comprises questions from topics like drawing/sketching, hands-on model making, group discussions, presentations, etc.
• You can only appear for the personal interview round if you are shortlisted in the Studio Test round. 

Refer: Important Questions for NID CAT

Personal Interview for M.Des Admissions:

The interview round for M.Des admissions shall be held separately for each specialization (right after the studio test) at the same exam centre.

Bosst your NID exam progress: NID 2025 Online Coaching

NID Exam Pattern 2025: Weightage for M.Des

The final marks are calculated based on the marks secured in the prelims and mains exam.

Previously, the weightage allocated to NID DAT Prelims for admission in all MDes specializations was 30%, and NID DAT Mains weightage was 70%.

But since last year, the weightage has been changed, and the new structure is tabulated below:

Exam	Weightage
NID DAT Prelims	30% (Common Design Aptitude Test - 15%; Design Specific Test - 45%)
NID DAT Mains	70%

Check: NID DAT Result 2025

What is the new NID exam pattern or NID new exam pattern?

Once the official NID 2025 brochure is released, the details will be updated in this blog! We can expect the syllabus and exam pattern to remain similar to that of last year. 

Conclusion

NID DAT Exam Pattern and format are quite different from other design exams. With the right preparation and practice, you can ace the NID DAT Exam and take a step closer to your dream of becoming a design professional.

Key Takeaways: 

• The NID DAT consists of two stages, Prelims and Mains, with distinct question formats and evaluation methods.
• The Prelims is a written test, while the Mains include a studio test and personal interview. Only candidates surpassing the NID Cut Off in Prelims qualify for the Mains.
• The weightage allocation between Prelims and Mains can be revised for both B.Des and M.Des programs.

Practice with: NID Free Mock Test Series