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The National Institute of Fashion Technology offers admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs across its various colleges. The NIFT exam pattern for 2025 will be detailed in the official notification for both UG and PG courses. To approach the exam effectively, candidates should familiarize themselves with the exam pattern in advance.
The exam is conducted in two stages: the General Ability Test (GAT) and the Creative Ability Test (CAT). Candidates must pass these stages to advance to the next steps in the admission process.
Based on the previous year’s NIFT exam pattern, the entrance exam comprises two sections: the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). For the B.Des program, the exam consists of 100 questions in total. The GAT is worth 100 marks, and the CAT is also worth 100 marks. To gain a better understanding of the exam pattern, candidates are encouraged to review past NIFT question papers.
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – Highlights
| Program | Stages of Selection | Mode of Exam |
| B.Des | 1. Creative Ability Test (CAT) 2. General Ability Test (GAT) 3. Situation Test | CAT: Offline GAT: Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| B.F.Tech | 1. General Ability Test (GAT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| M.Des | 1. Creative Ability Test (CAT) 2. General Ability Test (GAT) 3. Group Discussion/Personal Interview | CAT: Offline GAT: Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| M.F.Tech | 1. General Ability Test (GAT) 2. Group Discussion/Personal Interview | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| MFM | 1. General Ability Test (GAT) 2. Group Discussion/Personal Interview | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Details | Information |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Computer-Based Test (CBT), conducted online |
| CAT (Creative Ability Test) | Paper-Based Test (PBT) |
| Total Number of Questions (B.Des) | 100 |
| Question Paper Languages | Hindi and English |
| Negative Marking | 25% of the full marks for each wrong answer |
| B.F.Tech Exam Pattern | Two Sections (A and B) |
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern
Candidates must familiarize themselves with the NIFT 2025 exam pattern to understand the marking scheme and question paper format. The entrance exam for NIFT admission includes three parts:
- Creative Ability Test (CAT)
- General Ability Test (GAT)
- Situation Test
For admission to the Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech), candidates need to attempt only the NIFT GAT question paper.
Students must familiarize themselves with the NIFT entrance exam syllabus and pattern. Those aiming for admission to the B.Des and M.Des programs need to take both the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). Other candidates will only need to focus on the GAT. Understanding the NIFT exam pattern and syllabus is crucial for achieving good scores, as the exam evaluates candidates’ aptitude skills. Shortlisted candidates based on the 2025 entrance exam will be required to participate in the Situation Test. The latest NIFT entrance exam syllabus PDF is published annually on the official website.
Additionally, candidates will receive information on the NIFT exam pattern for 2025. The CAT and GAT exams have distinct formats, and detailed descriptions of these patterns for all courses are provided for reference.
NIFT CAT Exam Pattern 2025
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Syllabus Focus | Intuitive and design abilities, observation power, concept development, innovative use of colour, illustration skills |
| Question Type | Drawn answers |
| Evaluation | Based on the quality of drawn answers and design skills |
Other Related Exam links
| NIFT Notification | NIFT Exam Dates |
| NIFT Application Form | NIFT Fee Structure |
| How to Fill NIFT Application Form | NIFT Application Correction Form |
| NIFT Admit Card | NIFT Preparation |
NIFT GAT Exam Pattern 2025
| Particulars | B.Des Admission | M.Des Admission |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Mode of the Exam | Computer-Based Mode | Computer-Based Mode |
| Medium of the Exam | English/Hindi | English/Hindi |
| Total Number of Questions | 100 | 120 |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
NIFT Situation Test Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Focus | Skills in handling materials and innovative ability |
| Test Areas | – Space visualization – Color and quantity of material – Creative use of material – Construction skill – Overall presentation – Finesse of the model |
| Note Requirement | Write a short note on the concept or idea behind the constructed model (in English) |
| Language Proficiency | Proficiency in English is required as the mode of teaching at NIFT is English |
NIFT Group Discussion Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Evaluation Focus | Eloquent skills |
| Duration | 15-20 minutes |
| Discussion Topic | Case study assigned |
| Assessment Criteria | – Leadership skills – Knowledge of the topic – Interpersonal skills – Problem-solving approach – Other relevant factors |
NIFT Entrance Exam Pattern 2025 BDes – Number of Questions
Here’s the NIFT BDes Entrance Exam Pattern in table format:
| Section | Number of Questions |
| Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 40 |
| Quantitative Ability | 20 |
| Analytical and Logical Ability | 15 |
| Current Affairs and General Knowledge | 25 |
| Total | 100 |
NIFT BFTech Exam Pattern 2025
The NIFT BFTech exam consists of two sections, Sec-A and Sec-B, and is designed to assess candidates’ general ability through a comprehensive test. The exam pattern for 2025 is as follows:
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Medium of the Exam | English/Hindi |
| Mode of the Exam | Computer-Based Mode |
| Total Number of Questions | 150 in Sec-A and 150 in Sec-B |
NIFT 2025 Entrance Exam Paper Pattern for BFTech
Here’s the NIFT 2025 Entrance Exam Paper Pattern for BFTech, detailing the number of questions in each section:
| Sections | Sec-A | Sec-B |
| Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 40 | NIL |
| Case Study | NIL | 20 |
| Quantitative Ability | 20 | 15 |
| Analytical & Logical Ability | 15 | 15 |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 | NIL |
| Total Number of Questions | 100 | 50 |
Other Related Exam links
NIFT Paper Pattern for PG Courses
The NIFT 2025 entrance exam for PG courses is designed to evaluate candidates’ skills through a structured paper pattern that includes various sections tailored to the specific program. The exam assesses candidates’ creative and analytical abilities, general knowledge, and professional skills to ensure a comprehensive evaluation for admission into postgraduate programs.
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern – MDes
Here’s the NIFT 2025 Entrance Exam Paper Pattern for M.Des:
| Sections | Number of Questions |
| Communication Ability | 30 |
| English Comprehension | 30 |
| Quantitative Ability | 20 |
| Analytical and Logical Ability | 25 |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 for MFTech Programme
To gain admission into the Fashion Technology programs, candidates must take and pass the NIFT entrance exam, which includes a General Ability Test (GAT).
Here’s the NIFT Entrance Exam Paper Pattern for M.F.Tech:
| Sections | Number of Questions |
| Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 45 |
| Case Study | 25 |
| Quantitative Ability | 30 |
| Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 |
| Total Number of Questions | 150 |
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern – MFM Programme
To gain admission to the MFM program, candidates must pass the General Ability Test (GAT) in the entrance exam.
Here’s the NIFT Entrance Exam Paper Pattern for M.F.M:
| Sections | Number of Questions |
| Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 50 |
| Case Study | 40 |
| Quantitative Ability | 10 |
| Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 |
| Total Number of Questions | 150 |
Other Related Exam links
| NIFT Result | NIFT Cut Off |
| NIFT Syllabus | NIFT Counselling Procedure |
| NIFT Seat Reservation | NIFT Eligibility Criteria |
NIFT 2025 Negative Marking
For the NIFT 2025 entrance exam, there is a negative marking for objective-type questions. Each incorrect answer will incur a penalty of -0.25, which is 25% of the full marks for that question.
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 for the Situation Test
For BDes candidates shortlisted based on the CAT and GAT, the next stage is the NIFT Situation Test 2025. This hands-on test assesses candidates’ skills in material handling and innovative ability using a provided set of materials.
During the Situation Test, candidates must create a model that will be evaluated based on the following parameters:
- Space visualization
- Composition of elements
- Innovative and creative use of materials
- Construction skill
- Colour scheme
- Finesse of the model
- Overall presentation
Additionally, candidates are required to submit a write-up explaining the concept or idea behind their model. The write-up must be in English, as NIFT’s medium of instruction is English, and no marks will be awarded for write-ups in other languages.
NIFT 2024 Section-wise Weightage (as per previous year)
Here’s the weightage for different NIFT programs based on last year’s criteria:
| Program | Weightage |
| Bachelor of Design | CAT: 50% GAT: 30% Situation Test: 20% |
| Master of Design | CAT: 40% GAT: 30% Personal Interview: 30% |
| Bachelor of Fashion Technology | GAT: 100% (Sec A: 30% Sec B: 70%) |
| Master of Fashion Technology | GAT: 70% Personal Interview: 30% |
| Master of Fashion Management | GAT: 70% Personal Interview: 30% |
How to Fill out the NIFT 2025 OMR Sheet?
Candidates must carefully mark their answers on the OMR sheets, as these will be digitally scanned. It is crucial to avoid any errors while filling out the OMR sheet, as even minor mistakes could lead to incorrect encoding by the scanning computer. Below are the instructions for filling out the NIFT 2025 OMR sheet.
- The NIFT answer sheets for 2025 will be scanned by machines to calculate scores.
- For objective-type questions, candidates should select the correct answer by darkening the corresponding circle with a blue or black ballpoint pen. Marking more than one option or improper shading will result in an incorrect response.
- Instructions on how to mark or shade the answer options will be provided in the exam hall, and important guidelines will be printed on side 1 of the answer sheet. Candidates should read these instructions carefully before starting the test.
- Tearing, bending, or mutilating the OMR answer sheet is not allowed.
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern for Artisans Category
Candidates should note that NIFT admits Artisans and their children based on their performance in the Studio Test, Interview round, and document/eligibility verification.
Admissions for Artisans will be carried out offline at the NIFT campus chosen by the candidates. The specific criteria for Artisans seeking admission to the B.Des courses at the design college are detailed in the table below.
Here are the details for the NIFT Admission Test for Artisans:
| Test Component | Weightage | Timing |
| Studio Test | 40 | To be notified |
| Interview | 20 | To be notified |
| Verification of Documents/Eligibility | – | To be notified |
The Studio Test, designed to assess creative abilities, requires candidates to create a 3D model using modelling clay or other materials provided at the test centre.
NIFT Exam Pattern for Lateral Entry Admission 2025
NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA) allows candidates to directly enter the 3rd semester of UG courses at NIFT participating colleges. Below is a table outlining the admission tests required for candidates seeking admission through NLEA:
Here is the table detailing the admission tests and weightage for the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) under NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA):
| Name of Course | Test | Weightage |
| Bachelor of Design (B.Des) | GAT | 40% |
| Studio Test | 40% | |
| Personal Interview | 20% | |
| Verification of Documents/Eligibility | – |
Tips to Prepare for NIFT 2025
To prepare effectively for the NIFT 2025 exam, candidates should focus on both the written exams and the Situation Test/Interview. Here are some preparation tips:
- Follow the Updated Syllabus: Ensure you are studying the most current syllabus for the exam.
- Refer to the Exam Pattern: Understand the format and structure of the exam to strategize your preparation.
- Practice for the GAT Paper: The GAT will be conducted online and will consist of approximately 100-150 questions. Focus on improving both speed and accuracy to complete the questions within the allotted time.
- Solve Sample Papers and Take Mock Tests: Engage with sample papers and practice tests to familiarize yourself with the exam style and question types.
- Enhance Observation and Drawing Skills: Regularly practice drawing and shading. Start with basic drawing techniques and gradually work on more advanced skills.
NIFT Written Exams – Test Timings
Here is the tentative schedule for the NIFT 2025 written exam, which will be held in the 1st week of February 2025:
| Program | Written Test | Reporting Time | Test Timing |
| BDes | GAT | 8:30 AM | 9:30 am – 11:30 am |
| CAT | 12:30 PM | 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm | |
| MDes | GAT | 8:30 AM | 9:30 am – 11:30 am |
| CAT | 11:30 AM | 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm | |
| BFTech | GAT | 8:30 AM | 9:30 am – 11:30 am |
| MFTech | GAT | 8:30 AM | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm |
| MFM | GAT | 8:30 AM | 9:30 am – 11:30 am |
Other Exam Related links
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
What is the NIFT entrance exam?
The NIFT entrance exam is conducted for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The exam includes tests like the Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), and Situation Test, depending on the program.
What are the key components of the NIFT 2025 entrance exam?
The NIFT 2025 entrance exam consists of the Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), and Situation Test. For postgraduate programs, there may also be a Group Discussion (GD) or Personal Interview (PI).
How long is the Creative Ability Test (CAT) for NIFT 2025?
The Creative Ability Test (CAT) for NIFT 2025 is 3 hours long. It evaluates candidates’ design abilities, observation skills, and creative use of color and illustration.
What is the duration of the General Ability Test (GAT)?
The General Ability Test (GAT) is 2 hours for undergraduate programs and varies in duration for different postgraduate programs. It is conducted in a computer-based format.
What is the negative marking scheme for the NIFT entrance exam?
The negative marking scheme for the NIFT entrance exam is -0.25 marks (25% of the full marks) for each incorrect answer.
What should candidates bring on the exam day?
Candidates should bring their admit card, a valid photo ID, and blue or black ballpoint pens. It is essential to follow any specific instructions provided by NIFT regarding the exam day.
Can candidates apply for NIFT admission through lateral entry?
Yes, candidates can apply for lateral entry to the 3rd semester of undergraduate courses through the NIFT Lateral Entry Admission (NLEA) process, which includes tests such as the GAT, Studio Test, and Personal Interview.
How is the Situation Test conducted, and what does it involve?
The Situation Test is a hands-on assessment where candidates are given materials to create a model. They are evaluated on their ability to handle materials, space visualization, creativity, and overall presentation. Candidates must also write a short note in English explaining their model.
When is the NIFT 2025 written exam scheduled?
The NIFT 2025 written exam is tentatively scheduled for the 1st week of February 2025. Exact dates and timings will be specified in the official notification.
How can candidates prepare for the NIFT entrance exam?
Candidates should review the updated syllabus and exam pattern, practice sample papers and mock tests, work on speed and accuracy for the GAT, and enhance their drawing and creative skills for the CAT and Situation Test.
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.
