Hello Aryaratna,

National Institute of Design (NID) is an ‘Institute of National Importance’ as per the NID Act 2014 as well as an autonomous institute under the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. It conducts Design Aptitude Test (DAT) for admissions to Bachelor of Design Programmes offered at NID Ahmedabad (main campus).

NID DAT exam, as a whole, consists of three stages –

• Written Exam (Prelims and Mains): Those candidates who qualify the written exam by clearing NID 2019 Cut-Off will be called for the studio test and personal interview.
• Studio Test: The second stage involves a studio test of 100 marks which includes drawing/sketching, modeling and group discussion.
• Personal Interview Round: In the third stage, an Interview is conducted immediately after the studio test at the same center.

A final NID Merit List of selected candidates is prepared after this round. Only the candidates who clear these three stages would get admission in the college.

The written exam has two screening stages:

• Preliminary

This is the first paper that is to be attended by all the applicants, and based on the result, the shortlisted candidates will appear for the Main exam. This aptitude test is conducted for three hours duration and test paper of DAT carries 100 marks questions. This pattern consists of two parts: one part of the paper has 22 objective type questions (carrying 30 marks), and another part comprises of 3 subjective type questions (carrying 70 marks).

The candidates will be accessed on the basis of four parameters: Analysis, Creativity, Knowledge, and Visualization.

• Mains

After the results are announced for prelims examination of NID DAT, shortlisted candidates are called for Mains examination at Ahmedabad Campus. This part of the exam comprises four subjective questions, all of which is mandatory for candidates to answer in a given space provided.

The Mains test is conducted for three hours duration, and the test paper carries 100 marks questions which would involve formats such as Drawing, Sketching, and Hands-on model making.

NID DAT 2019 was conducted on January 6 by NID Ahmedabad. According to NID DAT 2019 exam analysis, the majority of the candidates found drawing part of the paper difficult whereas general knowledge in DAT exam section was easy. NID DAT 2019 mains will be held in Ahmedabad, on May 12 0r 19, 2019. Counseling of NID DAT admission 2019 will be held at the Ahmedabad campus in the second week of June.

The conducting body of the DAT, Design Aptitude Test, is National Institute of Design (NID) which is yet to announce any compensation regarding changes in the marking scheme of the exam, but you can be dead sure that there wouldn't be any.

In case you get selected for the Mains, start focusing on your preparation as it will be tough and will test a lot on creativity and observational skills.

NID DAT Syllabus 2019 for Mains

• Model making
• Material manipulation
• Questions generally asked in an interview
• Audio-visual exercises
• Mock interview
• Evolving ideas
• Past studio test & interview questions
• Importance of body language
• Doodling
• Creative thinking
• Guidance on portfolio making
• Interview tips

It is recommended you to look up interview questions asked related to design, get ideas/tips to make models fast and look stylish (you'd have only 3 hours to do a model, sketch and drawing so speed is a must), improve your drawing skills and communicational skills, and focus on the dimensions of an object.

Tips to crack DAT: https://design.careers360.com/articles/how-crack-nid-dat

I hope this helps! All the best.