NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – Candidates appearing in the NIFT 2025 exam are urged to carefully go through the NIFT 2025 exam pattern.
The exam pattern will help the candidate understand the dynamics of the NIFT 2025 question paper. For instance, the candidate will get to understand the test duration, types of questions asked, sections, section-wise and overall no. of questions, marking scheme, etc.
These insights can be used to better an effective NIFT 2025 exam-preparation strategy.
For instance, the Communication Ability and English Comprehension section carries maximum 40% weightage for the B.Des program. This means, you simply can’t afford to perform poorly in the section.
The 1st stage of the NIFT 2025 entrance exam includes the written exams – GAT and CAT. This will be followed by a Situation Test/ Personal Interview.
Here we bring you the NIFT 2025 exam pattern for all test components. So, keep reading.
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Table of Contents
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern – GAT
The 1st stage of the NIFT 2025 exam includes a Creative Ability Test (CAT) and a General Ability Test (GAT).
The GAT paper is mandatory for all courses. Meanwhile, only B.Des and M.Des candidates need to take the CAT.
The course-wise GAT exam pattern is explained in detail below.
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – B.Des, B.F.Tech
| Program | B.Des | B.F.Tech | NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – B.Des, B.F.Tech | |
| Paper | GAT | GAT – Section A | GAT – Section B | Section A (2 hrs) + Section B (1 hrs) + CAT (3 hrs) |
| Mode of exam | CBT | CBT | CBT | |
| Language | English/ Hindi | English/ Hindi | English/ Hindi | |
| Test Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 60 minutes | |
| Sections | Number of Questions | Number of Questions | Number of Questions | |
| Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 40 | 40 | NA | |
| Quantitative Ability | 20 | 20 | 15 | |
| Analytical and Logical Ability | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 25 | 25 | NA | |
| Case Study | NA | NA | 20 | |
| TOTAL | 100 | 100 | 50 | |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – B.Des, B.F.Tech
| Program | M.F.M | M.Des | Candidates opting for MFM & M.Des |
| Paper | GAT | GAT | Section-A (2 hrs.) + Section-B (1 hr.) +CAT (3 hrs.) |
| Language of written test | English/Hindi | English/Hindi | |
| Duration | 180 minutes | 120 minutes | |
| Sections | Number of questions | Number of questions | |
| Section A | |||
| Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 50 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Ability | 20 | 20 | |
| Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 | 25 | |
| General Knowledge And Current Affairs | 25 | 25 | |
| Section B | |||
| Case Study | 30 | – | |
| TOTAL | 150 | 120 | |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – M.F.Tech
| Program | M.F.Tech |
| Paper | GAT |
| Language of written test | English/Hindi |
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Sections | Number of questions |
| Communication Ability & English Comprehension | 45 |
| Case Study | 25 |
| Quantitative Ability | 30 |
| Analytical & Logical Ability | 25 |
| General Knowledge And Current Affairs | 25 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern – GAT paper
There is negative marking for the NIFT 2025 GAT exam.
- For every wrong attempt, 25% marks will be deducted.
- However, there is no negative marking for the CAT paper, which is a drawing-based exam.
Also Read:
- NIFT Application Form 2025 (OPEN) – Register Here, How to Apply, Fees, Correction Window
- NIFT Syllabus 2025 – Section-wise Topics, Skills Evaluated, Important Topics
- NIFT Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Academic Qualification, No. Of Attempts, Age Limit
NIFT 2025 Exam Pattern – CAT
Candidates applying for the B.Des and B.Des candidates need to appear in a Creative Ability Test (CAT).
The exam pattern for NIFT 2025 CAT exam is given below.
| Particulars | Description |
| Mode | Pencil-and-paper test. Will be conducted offline. |
| Test duration | 3 hours |
| Skills | The CAT test will judge the intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development and design ability of the candidate. An important aspect of the test is the creative and innovative use of colour and illustration skills. |
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – Situation Test
If shortlisted, candidates seeking admission to the B.Des program have to next appear in a Situation Test. Note that written exam scores will be used to create the shortlist.
Key features of the NIFT Situation Test:
- The Situation Test is a hands-on test
- It is designed to evaluate the candidate’s skills for material handling and innovative ability in a given situation with a given set of materials.
- No additional material will be provided/allowed.
- Model marking – The candidate will be asked to make a model.
- Parameters to be evaluated – The model will be evaluated on space visualization, innovative and creative use of given material, composition of elements, colour scheme, construction skill, finesse of the model and overall presentation, etc.
- Write-up explaining the concept behind the model – The candidate has to also submit a write-up explaining the model. The jury will use the write-up to check the above parameters. Since the medium of instruction in NIFT is English, the write-up must be in English. No marks will be given for write-up in any other language.
- The use of outside/additional material in making the model/design is not permitted.
- Disclosure of identity – The candidate is not allowed to disclose their identity by writing any personal details or place any identification mark on the model/ design/write-up. Doing so will lead to disqualification.
- On the SPOT evaluation of the model – The evaluation of the test will be done by the Jury on the spot. The model will not be preserved for future reference.
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 – Personal Interview
PG applicants who get based on their written entrance exam scores have to appear in a Personal Interview (PI).
Candidates will be evaluated on the various parameters as listed below by a panel, in the Personal Interview:
- Career orientation
- Aptness for the course
- Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities
- Communication
- General awareness, aptitude, creative and lateral thinking
NIFT 2025 – Test Components, Weightage
| Program | Test | Weightage |
| Bachelor of Design (BDes) | CAT | 50% |
| GAT | 30% | |
| Situation Test | 20% | |
| Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech) | GAT (Sec –A) | 30% |
| GAT (Sec –B) | 70% | |
| B. F.Tech candidates opting for B.Des | GAT | 30% |
| CAT | 50% | |
| Situation Test | 20% | |
| Master of Design (MDes) | CAT | 40% |
| GAT | 30% | |
| Personal Interview | 30% | |
| Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech) | GAT | 70% |
| Personal Interview | 30% | |
| Master of Fashion Management (MFM) | GAT | 70% |
| Personal Interview | 30% | |
| M.F.M candidates opting for M.Des | GAT | 30% |
| CAT | 40% | |
| Personal Interview | 30% |
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