NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: GAT, CAT, Situation Test, Marking Scheme, Syllabus

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: NIFT entrance exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency, is held every year through an online proctored mode. NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern includes three parts: the General Ability Test (GAT), the Creative Ability Test (CAT), and the Situation Test. The GAT is an online multiple-choice test with 100 to 150 questions. It checks general aptitude, awarding 1 mark for each correct answer and deducting 0.25 marks for wrong answers. The CAT is an offline, subjective test with 3 questions to assess a candidate’s design and creative skills. The Situation Test (for B.Des. candidates) involves creating a 3D model using given materials.

NIFT 2025 Exam mainly evaluates analytical and creative abilities. To prepare for the GAT, candidates should focus on language, communication, quantitative, and reasoning skills. For the CAT, practice in sketching, creativity, and visual presentation is essential

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern

NIFT 2025 examination was held in three stages and consisted of one written paper, one drawing test, and a hands-on test. The GAT was 2 to 3 hours long, while the CAT and the Situation test were 3 hours in duration each. Here are more details on NIFTEE:

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: GAT Exam Pattern

The General Ability Test, or GAT, is compulsory for all NIFT applicants, but has a different test structure for different programs. While B.F.Tech., MFM, and M.F.Tech. Candidates are given a case study; the B.Des. and M.Des. candidates are not. Elaborated below is the examination pattern of NIFT 2025’s GAT paper:

B.Des. and M.Des.

The GAT for the B.Des. and the M.Des. program has 100 and 120 total questions, respectively. Here is how the GAT paper was structured in NIFT 2025:

B.F.Tech.

GAT paper for B.F.Tech. had the same topics as for B.Des. and M.Des., but included a case study. It had 150 questions, divided into two sections: A and B, which were to be completed within 3 hours or 180 minutes. Here is a breakdown of the B.F.Tech.’s GAT paper:

M.F.Tech. and MFM

The NIFT 2025 GAT exam pattern for MFM and M.F.Tech. The candidates had 150 questions, and they were given 3 hours to attempt their papers. Here are more details on the GAT paper:

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: CAT Exam Pattern

NIFTEE’s CAT was a 3-hour-long offline test to judge candidates’ design aptitude. It was a subjective test with no negative marking. Here are the details of the NIFT 2025 CAT paper:

• The CAT is a pencil and paper subjective test.
• There are three questions.
• The test duration is three hours.

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: Situation Test

NIFT’s situation test was a hands-on test for B.Des. candidates where materials were provided to create a 3D model within 2 hours. Here is what applicants were required to do in the situation test:

• Candidates are given material to prepare a 3D model.
• Outside materials cannot be used.
• The time limit given to complete the test is 2 hours.
• A write-up in English must be submitted explaining the concept of the model.

Differences in NIFT 2025 GAT, CAT, and Situation Test

NIFT’s GAT and CAT differ in their structure and purpose. While GAT’s mandatory 100 to 150 questions are attempted by all candidates, CAT, with 3 subjective-type questions, is for B.Des. and M.Des. candidates only. The table below lists more differences between the papers:

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme

NIFT awards one mark for each right answer marked in GAT and deducts 25% for each wrong answer. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions. Here are the details of NIFT 2025’s GAT paper:

Changes in NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern

NIFT changed the examination pattern for its GAT paper for 2025. The primary changes were made in the distribution of questions across the sections and the splitting of the GAT paper for B.F.Tech. Into two parts. Here is what the old NIFT exam pattern looked like:

NIFT Old Exam Pattern for B.Des. and M.Des.

The old NIFT examination pattern had 5 sections, which were later changed to 4 sections for the newer tests. Here is how the questions were distributed across the 5 sections in the old exam pattern:

NIFT Old Exam Pattern for B.F.Tech

The previous examination pattern of B.F.Tech’s GAT had only one section and 5 subsections. This was split up into Sections A and B for the latest NIFTEE. Here is how the questions were divided in the older pattern:

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: Syllabus

The NIFT 2025 Syllabus for GAT was divided into four sections: Quantitative Ability, Analytical Ability, Communication and English Comprehension, and General Knowledge and Current Affairs. For CAT, candidates are judged on several areas, like: creative ability, power of observation, intuitive abilities, concept development ability, design prowess, ability to use colours, and illustration skills.

NIFT 2025 GAT Syllabus

The GAT tests candidates on their basic Mathematical skills, English and communication skills, and knowledge of current affairs. Here is what is covered under each section of the NIFT’s GAT examination:

NIFT 2025 CAT Syllabus

The NIFT 2025 CAT syllabus was designed to judge the candidates’ ability to think intuitively, develop concepts, design skills, use of colors, etc. Here is the syllabus for the CAT paper for NIFT 2025:

NIFT 2025 Situation Test Syllabus

B.Des. program applicants who qualify for the GAT and CAT papers are invited for a situational test, where they are given materials to create a 3D model. Here is how candidates were judged in the NIFT 2025 situation test:

NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern: FAQs