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Start Free Test →NIFT 2026 Exam Pattern
Complete exam pattern for NIFT B.Des admissions — CAT, GAT, and Situation Test. Duration, marks distribution, and marking scheme.
NIFT Exam Pattern — Overview
NIFT B.Des admission is a two-stage process. Stage 1 is a written test (CAT + GAT) and Stage 2 is a Situation Test (only for shortlisted candidates).
| Component | Duration | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT (Creative Ability Test) | 3 Hours | 100 | 50% |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | 2 Hours | 100 | 30% |
| Situation Test | 2 Hours | 100 | 20% |
CAT — Creative Ability Test Pattern
Duration
3 Hours
Total Marks
100
What to Expect
- •3-5 subjective questions per paper
- •Drawing, sketching, and visual composition
- •Concept-based creative questions
- •Evaluation on creativity, skill, and presentation
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GAT — General Ability Test Pattern
Duration
2 Hours
Questions
100
Marks
100
| Section | Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability | 20-25 | 25% |
| Communication Ability | 25-30 | 30% |
| Analytical Ability | 20-25 | 25% |
| General Knowledge | 15-20 | 20% |
Situation Test Pattern
Only for candidates who clear the written exam (CAT + GAT). You are given materials and a theme to create a 3D model.
Duration
2 Hours
Materials Provided
Paper, wire, clay, thread, etc.
Evaluation Criteria
NIFT Marking Scheme 2026
⚠️ Note
Negative marking is only in the GAT section. CAT and Situation Test have NO negative marking [citation:1][citation:8][citation:16].
Exam Day Strategy
Time Management
Allocate 40% time to reading, 50% to solving, 10% to review.
Start with Easy Questions
In GAT, attempt easy questions first to build momentum.
Sketch Practice
For CAT, practice sketching under time pressure — 30 min per question.
Model-Making Practice
For Situation Test, practice 5-6 models before the exam.
NIFT 2026 Chapter-wise Notes & PYQ PDF
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