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The National Institute of Design will release the 2025 exam pattern for NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) on their admissions website at admissions.nid.edu. According to the previous year’s pattern, the prelims will be conducted as a paper-and-pencil/pen test, with a total of 100 marks. Last year, the distribution of marks for the prelims was adjusted, with 25 marks allocated for the aptitude section and 75 marks for the drawing section.
To support candidates, we have reviewed past exam papers and created a suggested exam pattern. In the previous edition, the DAT Prelims for the B.Des program had a duration of 3 hours, while the M.Des program exam lasted for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
By referring to the NID 2025 exam pattern, candidates can gain insights into the structure of the NID Prelims question paper, including the number of questions, marking scheme, maximum marks, and more. Aspiring candidates should review the exam pattern and the NID 2025 exam syllabus PDF before beginning their preparation. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the NID exam pattern for 2025, detailing the marking scheme, total marks, number of questions, and other essential information.
NID Exam Pattern 2025
The NID Exam Pattern 2025 encompasses both the DAT Prelims and DAT Mains stages. The DAT Prelims evaluate candidates’ fundamental design skills and aptitude, while the DAT Mains includes a Studio Test and a personal interview for shortlisted candidates. Understanding this pattern is crucial for effective preparation and successful admission to NID’s design programs.
NID 2025 Related Links
| NID DAT M.Des Eligibility | NID Eligibility B.Des |
| NID Exam Dates | NID Sample Paper |
| How to Fill NID Application Form | NID Application Correction |
| NID Admit Card | NID Syllabus |
NID DAT Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights
The NID DAT 2025 exam pattern includes both DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The DAT Prelims evaluate candidates’ knowledge, skills, and behavioural abilities. The NID DAT Mains consist of a Studio Test, and only candidates who excel in this test will advance to a personal interview. Admission to the NID DAT Mains is based on performance in the DAT Prelims.
| Aspect | Details |
| Exam Sections | Drawing and Aptitude |
| Marks Allocation | Drawing: 75 marks, Aptitude: 25 marks |
| Duration | 150 minutes total |
| Part A Duration | 15 minutes |
| Part B Duration | 135 minutes |
| Total Number of Questions | 23 |
NID DAT Exam Pattern 2025
The NID 2025 exam pattern outlines the overall structure of the exam, which includes two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Both the B.Des and M.Des programs follow this pattern. The DAT Prelims assesses students’ knowledge, skills, and behavioural abilities through a mix of objective and subjective questions, covering topics such as design aptitude, creativity, and visualization. In the DAT Mains, candidates must undergo a studio test to demonstrate their design skills. To effectively prepare, students should review the NID DAT 2025 syllabus and understand the exam pattern.
Here’s a table summarizing the NID DAT entrance exam stages:
| Stage | Brief Description |
| Prelims (The First Stage) | A written exam designed to assess candidates’ design aptitude, creativity, visual observation, and analytical ability. It includes objective (MCQs), subjective questions, and sketching. |
| Mains (The Second Stage) | Candidates who pass the prelims proceed to the mains exam, which involves studio tests and personal interviews. The studio test evaluates practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Personal interviews assess candidates’ perspectives on design, motivations, and communication skills, offering a thorough evaluation of their suitability for the field. |
NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates aiming to take the NID DAT exam should familiarize themselves with the NID DAT exam pattern for the prelims to improve their chances of success. The NID DAT 2025 prelims consist of two sections: objective-type questions and subjective-type questions. The prelims paper for the NID B.Des program assesses candidates’ design aptitude, observation skills, creativity, and communication abilities. Based on the previous year’s exam pattern, details of the NID prelims for the DAT are outlined below.
NID DAT BDes Prelims
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the NID DAT B.Des Prelims pattern:
| Sections | Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks per Section |
| Part I | MCQs | 27 | Q1 – Q15: 15 marks Q16 – Q26: 22 marks Q27: 3 marks |
| Part II | Subjective Type | 4 | Q28 – Q31: 60 marks |
| Total Marks | 100 marks |
DAT Prelims Exam Pattern for B.Des Program
The NID DAT Prelims exam is a critical assessment for design aspirants, evaluating their skills through a paper-and-pencil test. The exam features two sections and is conducted in English, with no negative marking, and is scheduled for the 4th week of December 2024.
Here is a detailed overview of the NID DAT Prelims:
| Particular | Details |
| Duration | 3 hours (10 AM – 1 PM) |
| Sections | Two sections: Part I & Part II |
| Mode | Paper-and-pencil/pen test |
| Type of Questions | Textual and visual questions |
| Language | English only |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
| Exam Date (B.Des & M.Des) | 4th week of December 2024 |
| Reporting Time | 8:00 AM |
| Gate Closing Time | 9:30 AM |
| Time of the Exam | B.Des: 10 AM – 1 PM M.Des: 10 AM – 12:30 PM |
DAT Prelims Exam Pattern for M.Des Program
The DAT Prelims exam for the M.Des program features two sections to assess design aptitude, with a total of 100 questions in both objective and subjective formats. Conducted in English, the exam allows candidates to apply for up to two disciplines and is designed without negative marking.
Here are the key points related to the DAT Prelims exam pattern for the M.Des program:
| Particulars | Description |
| Sections | Two sections: Common Design Aptitude Test and Discipline Specific Test |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Types of Questions | A mix of objective and subjective questions |
| Medium of the Paper | English |
| Maximum Number of Disciplines | Candidates can apply to a maximum of two disciplines |
| Test Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
Additional Notes:
- Candidates applying for one discipline will have a single test paper.
- Candidates applying for two disciplines will have two separate test papers, one for each discipline.
NID DAT Related Exam Links
NID DAT Exam Pattern Prelims: Section-Wise Analysis
Grasping the NID DAT Prelims syllabus is crucial for effective exam preparation. Working through NID DAT Prelims sample papers can be highly advantageous for students. The table below highlights the key sections of the NID DAT Prelims syllabus that students should focus on.
| Part | Number of Questions & Marks Allotted | Topics Covered |
| Part 1 | 1 Mark (15 questions) | General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Indian Geography, World Geography, IT and Computers, Sports, Environmental Awareness, Ecology, Books and Authors, Business Awareness, General Awareness |
| Part 1 | 2 Marks (11 questions) | Analytical Ability: Coding-Decoding, Series (Non-Verbal), Mirror and Water Images, Embedded/Hidden Images, Cubes and Dice, Venn Diagram, Figure Counting, Direction and Distance Test, Paper Cutting and Folding, Linear/Circular Arrangement |
| Part 1 | 3 Marks (1 question) | English: Design-related Passage-Based Questions, Text and Visual Representation, Visual and Text-Based Questions |
| Part 2 | 15 Marks (4 questions) | Design Aptitude Test |
NID DAT Mains Exam Pattern 2025
To gain admission to NID, candidates must pass both the prelims and mains exams. Clearing the NID DAT Prelims is a prerequisite for appearing in the NID DAT Mains. Although there is no fixed syllabus for the Mains, candidates should excel in creativity, sketching, and crafts. The DAT 2025 Mains will be conducted offline at NID campuses including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Assam. Based on previous years, the studio test will be held in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bangalore, followed by a personal interview at the designated campus.
Here are the key details for the NID DAT B.Des Mains:
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Mode of Language | English |
| Type of Questions | Sketching, Drawing, and Model Making |
NID Dat Exam Pattern Mains: Section-Wise Analysis
The NID DAT B.Des Mains exam includes various formats such as studio setups. The exam paper will be in English, and candidates will be assessed on their skills in drawing, sketching, and model making.
Weightage and Marking Scheme for NID DAT 2025
The NID DAT exam pattern shows different weightages for B.Des and M.Des programs. For B.Des, the prelims account for 40% and the mains for 60%. For M.Des, the prelims contribute 30%, and the mains contribute 70%, with the studio test and interview weighing 40% and 30%, respectively. The marking scheme for the NID DAT Prelims may vary annually, so candidates should review past sample papers to familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and weightage, which overall follows a 30:70 ratio for prelims and mains.
Here is the weightage for NID DAT Prelims and Mains for both B.Des and M.Des programs:
| Particulars | B.Des | M.Des |
| DAT Prelims | 40% | 30% |
| DAT Mains | 60% | Studio Test – 40% |
| Interview – 30% |
DAT Prelims Exam Pattern – Sections, Type of Questions, No. of Questions
The DAT Prelims exam will be held at designated centres across India and will be available only in English. Based on previous years’ papers, we provide an overview of the sections, the number of questions, and the types of questions included in the exam.
DAT Prelims Exam Pattern 2025 (B.Des)
Here is the tentative structure of the DAT Prelims question paper for the B.Des program:
| Exam Part | Type of Questions | Number of Questions |
| Part I | Objective type questions | 22 |
| Part II | Subjective type questions | 4 |
| Total No. of Questions | 26 |
Marking Scheme for NID DAT Prelims 2025
The expected marking scheme for the DAT Prelims exam is as follows:
| Type of Question | Number of Questions | Marks for Each Question |
| Objective type questions | Questions 1 to 14 | 1 mark each |
| Questions 15 to 22 | 2 marks each | |
| 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 |
Instructions for Filling the OMR Sheets for NID DAT Prelims
Here are the instructions for filling out the OMR sheets for the NID DAT 2025 Prelims:
- Answering Questions: Each multiple-choice question has four options. Use a blue or black pen to darken the corresponding oval on the OMR sheet.
- Marking: Ensure that only one oval is darkened per question. Marking more than one oval will be considered incorrect.
- Procedure: Detailed instructions on how to darken the ovals correctly are provided on the first page of the OMR answer sheet. Follow these instructions carefully.
- Sheet Care: Do not tear, mutilate, or bend the OMR answer sheet in any manner.
NID 2025 Related Links
| NID Exam Dates | NID Syllabus |
| How to Fill NID Application Form | NID Application Correction |
| NID Admit Card | NID Sample Paper |
| NID Result/Merit list | NID Cut Off |
| NID Placements | – |
NID Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
What is the NID DAT?
The NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) is an entrance exam conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to its design programs, including B.Des and M.Des. It consists of two stages: Prelims and Mains.
What is the pattern of the NID DAT Prelims for 2025?
The NID DAT Prelims for 2025 consists of two parts: Part I includes 22 objective-type questions, while Part II includes 4 subjective-type questions. The total number of questions is 26, with a maximum of 100 marks.
How is the NID DAT Prelims paper divided in terms of marks?
For the NID DAT Prelims 2025, objective-type questions from Questions 1 to 14 carry 1 mark each, and Questions 15 to 22 carry 2 marks each. Subjective-type questions carry 15, 20, 15, and 20 marks for Questions 23 to 26 respectively.
What is the duration of the NID DAT Prelims exam for the B.Des program?
The duration of the NID DAT Prelims exam for the B.Des program is three hours, conducted from 10 AM to 1 PM.
What is the mode of the NID DAT Prelims exam?
The NID DAT Prelims exam is conducted in a center-based mode across various test centers in India. The exam is paper-and-pencil based.
Are there any negative markings in the NID DAT Prelims?
No, there is no negative marking in the NID DAT Prelims.
What should I do if I make a mistake while filling the OMR sheet?
Ensure that you carefully follow the instructions for filling the OMR sheet. Use a blue or black pen to darken only one oval per question. Avoid making any stray marks or altering the OMR sheet in any way.
What is the weightage of Prelims and Mains for B.Des and M.Des?
For B.Des, the weightage is 40% for Prelims and 60% for Mains. For M.Des, the weightage is 30% for Prelims, 40% for the Studio Test, and 30% for the Interview.
What types of questions are asked in the NID DAT Mains exam?
The NID DAT Mains exam includes studio tests that assess drawing, sketching, and model-making skills. It is followed by a personal interview that evaluates design perspectives, motivations, and communication skills.
Where will the NID DAT Mains studio tests be held?
The studio tests for NID DAT Mains will be conducted at NID campuses, including NID Ahmedabad, NID Gandhinagar, NID Bengaluru, and other designated NID locations as per the previous year’s data.
If you have any queries regarding NID Exam Pattern 2025, you can ask your query and leave comments below.
As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.
