NIFT Syllabus 2025: Written Exams (GAT & CAT Syllabus)

NIFT Syllabus 2025 is prescribed by the NTA. The exam has two parts- GAT and CAT. NIFT 2025 GAT syllabus will include topics like quantitative analytics, analytical ability, Communication Ability & English Comprehension, etc. CAT is a Creative Ability Test, in which candidates have to display their imagination, observation and creativity.

The NIFT exam syllabus also includes Situation Test and Case Study-based GD and PI. BDes aspirants have to appear for Situation Test, which is a hands-on test and will be conducted soon after the results are declared and is mandatory for all B.Des candidates. The test will be held in an offline mode and is designed to evaluate one's material handling skills and innovative ability in a given situation with a given set of materials. On the other hand, PG applicants have to appear for Case Study-based GD and PI. The duration of the GDPI will be 15-20 minutes. The detailed NIFT entrance exam syllabus for both the written exams and the Situation Test/ Interview is given below.

Format of NIFT 2025 Exam

The NIFT entrance exam is conducted in TWO parts.

1. Written exams
2. Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

The written exams comprise the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT).

The GAT paper is mandatory for all courses. However, only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT.

The scores of the written exams are used to SHORTLIST candidates for the Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

• Candidates seeking admission to the B.Des program need to appear in the Situation Test
• Meanwhile, PG applicants need to take the Personal Interview

The FINAL scores of results of NIFT 2025 will be prepared by giving weightage to the written exams and Situation Test/ Personal Interview.

Exception: The only exception is the B.F.Tech program, where applicants only need to take the GAT paper. This means, only scores of the GAT exam will be considered for preparing the merit list.

Learn about the NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern

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NIFT 2025 Syllabus for CAT

If you are seeking admission to the B.Des or M.Des course, then you need to take the CAT exam.

Here are a few important aspects of the exam:

As per the NIFT syllabus, the CAT test is administered to evaluate the intuitive ability, power of observation concept development, and design ability of the candidate. An important aspect of the test is the creative and innovative use of color and illustration skills.

During the exam, the candidate is not allowed to reveal their identity by marking the answer sheet. If found guilty, the candidate will be disqualified.

Topics included in NIFT CAT Syllabus 2025

• Creative Ability
• Power of Observation
• Intuitive Abilities
• Concept development Ability
• Design Prowess
• Ability to use colors
• Illustration skills

NIFT CAT Syllabus 2025 - Important Topics

While the candidate is expected to diligently cover the entire NIFT CAT syllabus, it is also recommended that the candidate also practices the important topics given in the table below. It will improve the candidate's chances of scoring well in the exam.

Important Topics of NIFT CAT Paper

NIFT 2025 Syllabus for GAT

As per the NIFT 2025 Syllabus,  the GAT paper will include questions from the following topics:

• Aptitude
• Communication Ability
• English Comprehension
• Analytical & Logical ability
• General Knowledge & Current Affairs

NIFT GAT Syllabus - Test Components, Topics, Skill Tested

NIFT GAT Syllabus 2025 - Important Topics

The GAT paper will be conducted in a computer-based mode. If you prepare well for the paper, you can score very well. Here we list the important topics for the paper.

NIFT GAT Syllabus 2025 - Important Topics

NIFT 2025 GAT Question Paper Structure

The GAT paper is mandatory for all the courses offered by the NIFTs and will be conducted in a computer-based mode.

Note that the paper structure will be program-specific, including the number of questions asked per section, test timings, and weightage.

The question paper structure for each paper is given below.

NIFT 2025 question paper structure - B.Des

NIFT 2025 question paper structure - M.Des

NIFT 2025 question paper structure - B.F.Tech

NIFT 2025 question paper structure - M.F.Tech

NIFT 2025 question paper structure - M.F.M

Note that:

• The M.F.Tech question paper will also include questions from the engineering field.
• The level of difficulty may vary for different questions.

NIFT 2025 Syllabus FAQs

Ques.  What is the NIFT 2025 exam pattern for the B.FTech program?

Ans. The participating institutes of NIFTs offer a 4-year B.FTech programme. Admission to the programme is based on GAT scores. The NIFT 2025 GAT question paper for the programme will be of 180 minutes and will be bilingual. Candidates will have the option to take the exam either in English or Hindi. The question type will be multiple-choice. The question paper will have a total of 150 questions. Questions will be asked from the following FIVE sections - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The mode of NIFT 2025 exam for the GAT paper will be computer-based-test (or CBT).

Ques.  What is the syllabus for the NIFT situation test?

Ans. Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des programme need to appear in a Situation Test after qualifying the written exam. The Situation Test carries 20 percent weightage. The situation test will be a hands-on test and will evaluate the candidate's material handling and innovative ability. The candidate will be asked to make a model or design using a given set of materials. The expert panel will evaluate the model on parameters like space visualization, innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model and overall presentation, etc. The candidate will also have to submit a write-up explaining the model. The situation test will be evaluated on the spot.

Ques.  What are the important topics for NIFT Syllabus for CAT and GAT?

Ans. The written exam of NIFT has two papers - the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). B. Des and M. Des candidates need to appear in both CAT and GAT, while candidates applying for other courses only need to take the GAT. NIFT CAT Syllabus Creativity Design Theory Visual Logic Innovative Use of Colours Illustration Skills NIFT GAT Syllabus Quantitative Ability: Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, etc. Communication Ability and English Comprehension: Synonyms, Antonyms, Words with corresponding meanings, Singular, Plural, etc. Analytical Ability and Logical Ability General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Ques.  Do we need to join coaching to prepare for the NIFT entrance exam?

Ans. Joining a coaching for NIFT preparation is not really needed. Coaching is for those who want to learn how to draw things. But, if someone has this talent, which most students passionate about sketching and painting do possess, there is no need for coaching. One can prepare through self-study. For your understanding, I would like to give an example. In coaching, students are made to learn how to draw the 3D image by various techniques using measuring instruments but one who is natural at art can imagine what a 3D image would look like if it has to be drawn on a paper and would draw the same. In both cases, the outcome is the same. Regarding theory, that is, GAT, if you are confident to solve Maths, History, Geography, General science up till class 10th level, then there is definitely no need for coaching. Though the level of English is a bit high you can improve it yourself.

Ques.  What is the syllabus for the NIFT Personal Interview?

Ans. Candidates seeking admission to the Masters courses at NIFT participating need to appear in a Personal Interview after qualifying in the written exam. The Personal Interview is conducted in an offline mode. The interview will evaluate the candidate on the following parameters: Career orientation Aptness for the course Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities Communication General awareness and aptitude, creative and lateral thinking Note that the Personal Interview carries 30% weightage.