NIFT 2026 CAT vs GAT Section Differences

Point of Difference

CAT (Creative Ability Test)

GAT (General Ability Test)

Purpose of Exam

Evaluates your intuitive & creative abilities, skills pertaining to design, and visual ability

Evaluates your general aptitude including quantitative, verbal ability, and GK

Conducted for

B.Des & M.Des (Design candidates) programmes only

All programmes including B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.FTech, MFM

Mode of Exam

Offline (Pen and paper-based)

Online (Computer-based test)

Duration of Exam

Approximately 3 hours for all programmes that are applicable

• B.Des & M.Des: 2 hours
• B.FTech, M.FTech, & MFM: 3 hours

Question Type

• Drawing-based
• Creative problem-solving
• Design tasks

Objective (Multiple-Choice Questions - MCQs)

Nature of Questions

• Sketching
• Illustration
• Creativity
• Colour usage
• Design concept development

Aptitude-based questions including quantitative, verbal, logical, and general knowledge

Syllabus

• Design Theory
• Colour Theory & Application
• Observation & Visualization
• Creative Thinking
• Illustration & Drawing Skills
• Understanding of Light & Shade
• Perspective and Proportion
• Storyboarding or creation of a series of panels to illustrate a short story or process
• Abstract ideas, emotions, or themes
• Design & Illustration for specific products
• Scene & Perspective Drawing

GAT Syllabus for B.Des & M.Des (Duration: 2 hours)

Following are the sections covered in this paper:

• Quantitative Ability: Basic mathematics (e.g., fractions, ratio & proportion, rate of interest, percentages, profit & loss, time & distance, time & work)
• Communication Ability & English Comprehension: English grammar, vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms), reading comprehension, and sentence structure
• Analytical & Logical Ability: Logic-based questions (e.g., series, puzzles, blood relations, direction tests)
• General Knowledge & Current Affairs: Awareness of recent events, history, geography, and fashion industry news

GAT Syllabus for B.FTech, M.FTech, & MFM (Duration: 3 hours)

The sections covered in this paper include:

• Quantitative Ability
• Communication Ability & English Comprehension
• Analytical & Logical Ability
• General Knowledge & Current Affairs
• Case Study (There will be a business or industry-related situation or problem and you will be asked to analyze it and answer the MCQs related to it)

Skills Evaluated

• Drawing
• Innovation
• Creativity
• Drawing
• Visualization
• Observation
• Design aptitude
• Creativity & imagination
• Observation and intuitive ability
• Illustration and Colour application
• Conceptual thinking and design skills

• Logical Reasoning
• Analytical Reasoning
• English language
• Quantitative Ability
• General Knowledge

Examples of Sample Questions

• Creating a sketch of an innovative design or product
• Developing concepts from the shapes or stimuli provided
• Solving visual problems through creative usage of colour and shapes

• Solving a math problem (e.g., percentages, time & work, ratio and proportion)
• Going through the reading comprehension passages and answering related questions based on it
• Analytical reasoning questions

Marking Scheme

No negative marking

• There is a penalty for incorrect answers
• 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer

Weightage in Final Merit

The weightage for design courses for Design courses have been provided below:

The weightage for different Design programmes have been provided below: