NID DAT

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NID DAT exam overview

NID DAT (National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test) is a national-level design entrance exam used for admission to NID’s Bachelor of Design and Master of Design programmes, conducted in two stages: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Class XII students usually apply for B.Des; graduates and eligible final-year students apply for M.Des. Prelims shortlists candidates and its score is not carried into the final result; Mains differs by programme (B.Des: Studio Sensitivity Test + In-Person Sensitivity Test; M.Des: studio test + discipline interview).

Quick information

NID’s official 2026–27 handbooks do not publish a fixed question count, total marks, Prelims duration, or negative-marking rule for DAT Prelims. For B.Des, Mains weightages are 60% Studio Sensitivity Test + 40% In-Person Sensitivity Test. For M.Des, weightages are 40% Studio Test + 60% discipline interview.

Preparation areas

NID does not publish a fixed topic-by-topic syllabus; these are useful preparation areas rather than an official exhaustive list:

• Design aptitude and creativity
• Observation and visualisation
• Analytical ability and problem-solving
• General awareness of people, society, environment and design
• Drawing and sketching
• Studio-based ability (Mains)

Who can take NID DAT?

• B.Des: passed/appearing Class XII or equivalent in 2025–26, any stream. Age: General/GEN-EWS born on or after 1 July 2005; OBC-NCL/SC/ST on or after 1 July 2002; PwD on or after 1 July 2000.
• M.Des: bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline (eligible final-year candidates may apply). Age: General/GEN-EWS born on or after 1 July 1994; OBC-NCL/SC/ST on or after 1 July 1991; PwD on or after 1 July 1989.

The 2026–27 handbooks do not state a maximum-attempts limit. Foreign nationals apply under a separate Overseas supernumerary category.

How Southwide mock tests can help

Southwide NID DAT mock tests help students practise text- and visual-based design aptitude questions, observation, creativity, visualisation and analytical problem-solving, with timed attempts to support pacing, best combined with drawing, studio practice and the official NID sample papers.

Official sources

• NID admissions portal
• Official B.Des Admissions Handbook 2026–27
• Official M.Des Admissions Handbook 2026–27
• Official B.Des DAT Prelims sample paper

Last verified: 20 July 2026, against the official NID admissions portal and amended 2026–27 B.Des/M.Des handbooks. The NID DAT 2027–28 handbook and exam date have not been published yet.