NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern - Check Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Chapter Wise Weightage, Duration

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2026

The National Institute of Design (NID) always announces the updated NID DAT 2026 exam pattern on its official website at admissions.nid.edu. Admission handbooks have been provided for B.Des and M.Des courses, which detail information about the examination. However, the notice has just provided an overview. It said that NID DAT 2026 Prelims for B.Des will be a paper-and-pencil-based examination where the questions can be presented in both text and visual formats. Although the interesting thing is, it does not mention the details regarding the test duration and the sections involved, with the number of questions to be attempted in each section. The duration will be mentioned in the NID DAT 2026 admit card.

Last year, B.Des Prelims had a duration of 3 hours, whereas the M.Des Prelims was conducted for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Aspirants qualifying in Prelims shall move to the NID DAT 2026 Mains exam. For complete information about the NID DAT 2026 exam pattern of Prelims and Mains exam, aspirants can see the rest of the exam page.

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Highlights of NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The NID DAT 2026 exam pattern comprises both DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. DAT Prelims assess candidates' knowledge, skills, and behavioural abilities. Meanwhile, NID DAT Mains include a Studio Test, and only those who perform well in this test proceed to a personal interview. However, getting shortlisted for NID DAT Mains is determined by one's performance in DAT Prelims. The exam pattern, as outlined in the NID DAT BDes prelims official sample paper, is as follows:

NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 for B.Des

NID DAT 2026 Prelims marks the initial phase of the two-step NID admission process. The National Institute of Design has outlined the general structure of the NID DAT 2026 Prelims question paper in the admission handbook. Here is the general overview of the NID DAT Prelims exam pattern 2026 for the B.Des program.

• Duration: The NID DAT Prelims paper for the B.Des program will last THREE hours, conducted from 10 am to 1 pm.
• Sections: The DAT Prelims question paper comprises two sections - Part I and Part II.
• Mode: The exam will be conducted in a paper-and-pencil/pen format.
• Question Types: Expect a mix of textual and visual questions in the question paper.
• Language: The paper will be in English only.
• Negative Marking: Good news, there will be no negative marking.

The possible structure of the NID DAT Prelims question paper for the B.Des program is outlined below:

The anticipated marking scheme for the NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam is provided in the table below:

NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 for M.Des

Here are the main details related to the NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam pattern for the M.Des program:

• Sections: The exam consists of two sections:
  • Common Design Aptitude Test
  • Discipline-Specific Test
• These sections assess the candidate's design aptitude collectively.
• Total Questions: 100 questions in total.
• Question Format: A combination of objective and subjective types of questions.
• Language: The paper is conducted in English.
• Number of Disciplines: Candidates can opt for up to two disciplines.

Additional Note:

• If you are applying for one discipline, you will need to take the NID DAT Prelims for that specific discipline only.
• If you are applying for two disciplines, you will take two test papers, one for each discipline.
• Duration: The test will last for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Negative Marking: No negative marking applies.

NID DAT Mains Exam Pattern 2026 for B.Des

To advance to the second stage of the NID DAT selection process 2026, candidates must successfully clear the NID DAT Mains exam 2026. This exam is typically conducted offline at NID campuses across India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. The NID DAT exam pattern for the NID Mains exam 2026 consists of a studio test followed by a personal interview. Both components will be conducted at the allotted NID campus based on the candidate's performance in the studio test.

• NID Studio Test: The NID studio test for B.Des admissions serves as a platform to showcase your creative talents, problem-solving skills, and hands-on abilities. Engage in a range of activities, including drawing, sketching, hands-on model making, group discussions, and presentations, to demonstrate your design potential. 

Also Read: How to Prepare for NID Studio Test?

The NID DAT 2026 exam pattern for Mains is given in the table below. 

NID DAT Mains Exam Pattern 2026 for M.Des

As part of NID DAT Mains, candidates must take a studio test and attend a personal interview:

• Studio Test for MDes Admissions: This test is specific to each specialization and includes various sections with different formats, such as hands-on drawing, sketching, model making, and group discussions. The test lasts for three hours.
• Personal Interview for MDes Admissions: Following the studio test, candidates will face a personal interview immediately after its completion.

NID DAT Exam Pattern 2026: Weightage for Prelims and Mains

The final NID DAT 2026 results will be determined by assigning weightage to both NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains:

NID DAT Final Results Weightage for B.Des 

NID DAT Final Results Weightage for M.Des 

NID DAT Prelims: OMR Sheets Guidelines

Candidates are advised to complete the OMR sheets with the utmost care, as they will undergo digital evaluation. The following instructions outline the proper method for filling out the OMR sheet:

• Careful Marking: Accurately fill out the OMR sheets as they will be evaluated electronically.
• Single Correct Answer: For each multiple-choice question, select the correct option and shade the corresponding oval on the OMR sheet using only a blue or black ballpoint pen.
• Mark One Oval Only: Darken only one oval for each question. Marking more than one oval per question will be considered an incorrect answer.
• Proper Oval Darkening: Refer to the first page of the OMR answer sheet for the correct method of darkening the oval. Follow the specified procedure while filling the oval.
• Maintain OMR Integrity: Avoid tearing, mutilating, or bending the OMR answer sheet. Handle it with care to ensure proper evaluation.