NID Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme, Total Marks

Shubhangini Priyadarshi
Shubhangini Priyadarshi

Updated on - Sep 5, 2024

NID exam pattern 2025 will be prescribed by the conducting body on the official website. NID DAT exam pattern includes the NID marking scheme, mode of examination, kinds of questions, and more. The NID DAT exam pattern 2025 differs for the Prelims and Mains exams. 

NID DAT Prelims exam will be conducted in pen and paper mode. At the same time, Mains will consist of a studio test that involves practical experiments, drawing, doodling, sketching, and group discussion that provide hands-on experience to the students, followed by a personal interview. 

NID DAT exam 2025 is conducted to select candidates for admission into various programs the conducting institution offers (National Institute of Design). Candidates must prepare and perform well in the exam to be shortlisted. The conducting authority determines the exam pattern for the NID DAT 2025.

The NID paper pattern depicts the distribution of topics and marks weighting throughout the question paper, and candidates should go through the same before starting the preparation. 

Know More: NID DAT Syllabus 2025

NID Exam Pattern 2025 for B.Des and GDPD

As per NID exam pattern 2025, the exam is divided into two individual tests, prelims and mains exams. 

The prelims test is a conventional pen and paper-based test, and only those candidates who clear the prelims exam will be eligible to appear for the mains test. The main exam comprises a studio test and a personal interview. 

NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern for B.Des and GDPD

NID DAT prelims exam 2025 for the B.Des and GDPD is an offline exam (pen and paper-based test). The exam duration is three hours. Both subjective and objective types of questions are asked in this exam.

For 100 marks, the exam will be conducted. In the table below, candidates can refer to the NID DAT exam pattern 2025 for the B.Des and GDPD prelims exam.

Type of Questions Part/Section Number of Questions
Objective Part 1 22
Subjective Part 2 4
Total Number of Questions 26

 Note: Part 1 comprises objective-type questions, whereas Part 2 comprises subjective-type questions.

NID DAT Prelims Exam 2025 Marking Scheme for B.Des and GDPD

The marking scheme for the NID exam pattern 2025 of prelims test varies for each year. The table of marks weighting is based on the previous year's analysis, and candidates can take note of the same

Number of Questions Marks Allotted
1 to 14 1
15 to 22 2
23 15
24 20
25 15
26 20
Total Marks 100

NID DAT Mains Exam Pattern for B.Des and GDPD

NID DAT mains exam 2025 for the B.Des and GDPD will be conducted for three hours. The questions asked in this test range from doodling drawing to creative sketching. The test will be for a 100 mark. 

NID exam pattern 2025 for the B.Des and GDPD mains exam comprises the following tests. Students can refer to the points below. 

  • Studio Test: The questions under this test comprise practical, hands-on types, such as drawing, sketching, model making, presentations, group discussions, etc. 
  • Interview: Candidates selected and short-listed in the studio test can appear for the interview process. This process is held based on the specialization of the candidates. 

NID DAT Exam Total Score Weightage- B.Des and GDPD 

A merit list will be prepared for the candidates who appear for both prelims and the mains exam. The total marks obtained by the candidates will be calculated by combining their scores obtained in both tests. 

Previously, the percentile score weightage for the prelims exam was 30%, and as for the mains test was 70%. However, the recent percentile mark weighting for calculating the total score has been changed. 

The new score weighting for NID DAT B.Des and GDPD, concerning the main and preliminary tests, is depicted in the table below for students' reference.

Type of Test Percentile Score Weightage
Prelims Test 70%
Mains Test 30%

NID DAT M.Des Exam Pattern

Candidates must qualify for the prelims test to appear for the Mains exam. After clearing the Mains exam, candidates are eligible for admission into the M.Des courses offered by the institution. 

Aspirants can go through the NID exam pattern 2025 and the NID marking scheme of the M.Des for prelims and mains tests under this section. 

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2025 for M.Des - Prelims

The prelims exam for the M.Des is divided into two parts - part 1 and part 2. Part 1 comprises objective-type questions, and part 2 includes subjective-type questions. This exam is taken up offline and is for 100 marks.

This test comprises a discipline or domain-specific test and a Common DAT (Design Aptitude Test). Candidates will be shortlisted accordingly based on their performance in both tests. 

The candidates can choose to appear for either one discipline-specific test or two. 

  • The total duration for the candidates appearing for one discipline-specific test and CDAT will be 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes)
  • The total duration for the candidates appearing for two discipline-specific tests and CDAT will be 250 minutes (4 hours and 10 minutes)
  • For each discipline-specific test, 100 minutes will be allotted, and the CDAT will take place for 50 minutes. 

NID DAT Mains Mark Weightage for M.Des Prelims 

The NID Mains marking scheme for M.Des's prelim exam varies yearly. The table of marks weighting is based on the previous year's analysis, and candidates can make a note of the same.

Type of Questions Percentile Mark Weightage
Subjective Type 30%
Objective Type 70%

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2025 for M.Des - Mains

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2025 for the M.Des mains exam will be an online, computer-based test for a total of 100 marks. The total duration of the test is 3 hours (180 minutes). 

NID exam pattern 2025 for the M.Des mains exam comprises the following tests students can refer to the points below. 

  • Studio Test: The studio test comprises questions based on hands-on practical exercises, such as drawing, sketching, doodling, model making, etc. The duration of the exam will be 180 minutes. The test will be held separately based on each specialization. 
  • Interview: The interview process will be conducted in the exam centres after the studio test is conducted. This process will also be performed separately, based on specialization. 

NID DAT Exam Total Score Weightage for M.Des

The exam authority will release the final merit list for all the candidates appearing for the prelims and the mains exam. The total scores obtained by the candidates will be calculated by combining their marks in both tests. The new score weighting for the NID DAT M.Des prelims and mains exam is below for candidate reference

NID DAT Exam Total Score Weightage for M.Des
  Prelims Exam Weighting Mains Exam Weighting
CDAT  Discipline Specific Test
Percentile Weighting 15% 45% 40%

Previously, the percentile score weighting for the prelims exam was 30%, and as for the mains test, it was 70%. However, the recent marks weighting for calculating the total score has been changed due to the persisting pandemic situation.

NID Exam Pattern

Preparation Tips for NID DAT Exam 2025

Choosing the best and right study material for candidate preparations can prove helpful. They need to practice previous years' question papers to become familiar with the exam pattern and have a clear view of how NID exams have been conducted in the past.

Students must carefully review the latest prescribed syllabus of NID 2025 and start the preparations accordingly.

  • Students must prepare a well-defined strategy for their NID 2025 entrance exam preparations and a timetable for their suitable studying hours.
  • They must follow the timetable and the strategy consistently, and remember to cover and revise every topic of the NID 2025 syllabus in their preparations.
  • One week before the NID 2025 entrance exam, they must go thorough with the concepts and should focus on weaker areas. Last-minute revision is also necessary to score better in the NID 2025 exam.
  • Students must choose the best and right study material for their preparations can prove helpful. Practice previous years' question papers to become familiarized with the NID exam pattern 2025 and have a clear view of how NID exams have been conducted in the past.

Read More: NID DAT Preparation Tips

FAQs on NID Exam Pattern

Q: What will be the mode of the NID DAT studio test?

A: NID DAT studio test includes group discussion, practical experiments, drawings, sketching, doodling and much more. It is conducted in offline mode.

Q: Is there any negative marking in the NID DAT exam pattern 2025?

A: There is no negative marking in the NID exams. Candidates are advised to not miss out on any questions in the examination.

Q: What is the mode of conduct of the Prelims exam?

A: The NID DAT Prelims exam is conducted in pen and paper mode.

Q: Who prescribes the NID exam pattern?

A: The National Institute of Design will prescribe the NID exam pattern 2025.

Q: What is the exam duration of the NID DAT exam?

A: NID DAT Prelims exam and Mains exam are conducted for three hours.

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