NID DAT (Prelims) is a written design aptitude test conducted by NID whereas NID DAT (Mains) comprises of a Studio Test and Interview round. Candidates are clear both these admission rounds are offered admission in design programmes offered at  colleges accepting NID entrance exam scores for admission.

National Institute of Design (NID) offers admissions to aspirants in Bachelor of Design (BDes), Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD) as well as Master of Design (MDes) programmes on the basis of their performance in NID Design Aptitude Test. In order to secure admission in design programmes offered at National Institute of Design (NID) aspirants need to take part in NID DAT (Prelims) and NID DAT (Mains). Only candidates who are shortlisted in NID DAT (Prelims) can appear for NID DAT (Mains).

Candidates must have completed or currently appearing for 10+2 in any stream from any recognized board of education such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or their equivalent.

NID consists of 2 exams i.e., DAT Prelims (Pen and Paper based written test) and DAT Mains (Studio Test and Personal Interview). NID DAT Prelims is divided into two parts i.e. I and II. Part I is objective and consists of Multiple Choice Objective Type (MCQ) questions and is 70 marks. On the other hand Part II has subjective type questions and is 30 marks.

DAT Mains:
NID DAT Mains is also commonly referred to as Studio Test or Round 2. DAT Mains has duration of 3 hours, with a total of 100 marks. The structure is unpredictable and could comprise of questions in drawing/sketching, hands-on model making, group discussions, presentations, personal Interview, portfolio etc. This is a basic outline of the NID exam pattern, according to which a candidate needs to prepare.

DAT Prelims:

Mental ability: Here questions can range from coding -decoding, blood relations, distance and direction sense, puzzles, seating arrangements, analogies, paper folding and cutting.

Analytical Reasoning: Statements and arguments, statement and assumptions, statement and conclusions, course of action, passage and conclusions, assertion and reason, cause and effect, syllogism

Visual spatial ability: Counting of figures, mirror and water images, 2D shape perception, 2D verbal translation, counting of cubes, development of surfaces, 2D to 3D and 3D to 2D identification, sciography, counting of edges and surfaces.

General Knowledge: Audio video terminology, famous art and artists, famous designers, business personalities, logo study, performance arts.

Maths: Geometry, mensuration, statistics, permutation and combination.

English: Literature, idioms and phrases, grammar and language, vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling errors.

Design sketching: Perspective, 2D, 3D, shading, texturing, rendering, human figure drawing, 3D composition, theme sketch, objects in perspective, animal figure drawing.

DAT Mains:

Material Handling - Tasks given to effectively manage materials like Clay, Thermocol, Paper, Wire, and Fabric etc.

Observation Exercises - Tasks given to check candidates Audio and Visual observation skills etc.

Personal Interview

NID Ahmedabad

• B.Des: Animation Design, Ceramic and Glass Design, Exhibition Design, Film and Video Communication, Furniture and Interior Design, Graphic Design, Product Design, and Textile Design.
• M.Des: Animation Film Design, Ceramic and Glass Design, Film and Video Communication, Furniture and Interior design, Graphic Design, Product Design, Textile Design.

NID Gandhinagar

• M.Des: Apparel Design, Lifestyle Accessory Design, New Media Design, Photography Design, Strategic Design Management, Toy and Game Design, Transportation and Automobile Design

NID Bangalore

• M.Des:Design for Retail Experience, Digital Game Design, Information Design, Interaction Design, and Universal Design.