NIFT Syllabus 2023 (OUT): CAT, GAT Test Topics, Questions

  • By Bhavya Thakkar
  • 22 November 2022
NIFT Syllabus 2023

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The NIFT entrance exam syllabus was released by the National Institution of Fashion Technology on their official website. Candidates can create strategies and prepare for the NIFT subjects by reviewing the NIFT exam syllabus. Keep reading to find out more about the NIFT syllabus.
Note: The last date to apply for the NIFT entrance examination is 31st December 2022. 

NIFT Exam Pattern

Overall, the NIFT exam pattern contains two sections that will be tested among candidates:

  1. Written Exams - All programmes need the GAT examination, and candidates for the B.Des degree and M.Des degree must additionally take the CAT exam. 
  2. Situation Test (for B.Des) / Group Discussion and Personal Interview (for all PG programs)

The test duration for admission to the programs like B.Des and M.Des is 120 minutes. The total number of questions that will be asked from the fashion designing entrance exam syllabus is 100 and 120 for B.Des and M.Des, respectively.

Program name

B.Des

M.Des

Exam Paper 

GAT

GAT

Language of the written test

English/Hindi

English/Hindi

Duration of the test

120 mins. 

120 mins. 

Sections in test

No. of questions

No. of questions

Communication Ability

25

30

English Comprehensive

25

30

Quantitative Ability 

20

25

Analytical Ability 

15

20

General knowledge & Current Affairs

15

15

Total questions

100

120

The test duration for admission to the programs like BFTECH, MFTECH and MFM are 180 minutes. The total number of questions that will be asked from the NIFT entrance exam syllabus is 150 for each of the given courses.

Program name

BFTECH

MFTECH

MFM

Exam Paper

GAT

GAT

GAT

Language of the written test

English/Hindi

English/Hindi

English/Hindi

Duration of the test

180 mins. 

180 mins. 

180 mins. 

Sections in test

No. of questions

No. of questions

No. of questions

Communication Ability & English Comprehensive

45

45

50

Quantitative Ability 

30

30

10

Analytical Ability 

25

25

25

General knowledge & Current Affairs

25

25

25

Case Study

25

25

40

Total questions

150

150

150

Note: From year to year, the number of questions usually changes for each section and for each course. Different courses may have questions with varying degrees of difficulty.

General Ability Test (GAT): Detailed NIFT Exam Syllabus (for all programmes)

  1. Quantitative Ability: This sub-test is intended to assess candidates' quantitative abilities. It included questions like addition, multiplication, division, fractions, percentage, rate of interest, work and task, ratio and proportion, and distance. 
  2. Communication Ability and English Comprehension: This sub-test measures the candidates' proficiency in English for daily communication. It includes questions on idioms and phrases, singular and plural forms of words, words with matching meanings, synonyms and antonyms, correct spelling, understanding a situation from a text, and more.
  3. Analytical and Logical Ability: This sub-test measures the candidate's capability for drawing conclusions and using logic from the provided data, as well as their aptitude for recognising problems and using logic to solve them. Theoretical frameworks and exercises for lateral and creative thinking are probably beneficial.
  4. General Knowledge and Current Affairs: This section of the test is meant to gauge the candidate's general knowledge and familiarity with current events.
  5. Case Study: This section of the test is based on a scenario in an industrial setting. It helps in assessing the candidate's managerial aptitude.

Candidates who have been shortlisted from the written admission exam must participate in the appropriate Situation Test, Group Discussion (GD), or Personal Interview (except B.FTech).

CAT Topics: NIFT Entrance Exam Syllabus

Only B.Des and M.Des applicants will appear for the CAT examination, which is a paper-based mode test. It is intended to gauge a candidate's capacity for observation, intuitive and drawing abilities, creativity and the usage of various colour schemes.

Drawing Fundamentals

Design Theory

Principles of composition

Natural & Geometrical Form

Innovation in Design

Principles of Composition

Creative thinking & writing

Optical Illusion

Understanding Light & Shade

Visual Logic

Form & Function

Colour, Pattern & Texture

Theme Development

Drawing Fundamentals

Picture Analysis

Memory Drawing

Inspiration & Creativity

Ornaments & motifs

Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions

Elements & Principles Of Design

Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship

Use of Measurements, Scale & proportions

Optical Illusion

Foreshortening & Perspective

Developing Themes & Colour Associations

Usage of Colour in Compositions

Imagination & Doodling

3D Visualisation

Presentation Techniques

Expression & Emotion

Exercises on imagination

Lateral Thinking

Story Pictures

Graphics & Pictograms

Innovation & Creation

Design Awareness

Situation Test: NIFT Exam Pattern

Candidates for the B.Des degree who have been selected based on their performance on the written entrance exam (GAT + CAT) must complete a Situation Test. 

  • The Situation Test will assess applicants' material handling and problem-solving skills in the context of a given scenario using a given set of materials. 
  • The model will be judged on its ability to space visualisation, innovative and creative use of the materials provided, element composition, colour scheme, building expertise, model elegance, overall presentation, etc.
  •  The write-up describing the idea behind the model's construction will check these parameters.
  • The write-up must be in English only. Per the NIFT syllabus, no marks will be provided for a write-up in any other language.

Note: The jury will perform an on-site test evaluation. The model won't be kept around for future use.

Group Discussion & Personal Interview: NIFT Exam Pattern

Candidates who pass the written NIFT entrance exam and are selected for Master's Programs must participate in case study-based group discussions (GDs) and personal interviews (PI). 

Group Discussion

A panel of experts will evaluate the candidates during the group discussion (GD), which will last between 15 and 20 minutes and include the following topics:

  • Conceptual clarity
  • Knowledge of the topic assigned
  • Contribution made to the topic
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Ability to generate new ideas
  • Problem-solving approach
  • Leadership qualities
  • Effective communication

Personal Interview

A panel will evaluate candidates during the personal interview based on the numerous criteria outlined below:

  • Career orientation
  • Aptness for the course
  • Overall personal achievements in academics and co-curricular activities
  • Communication
  • General awareness and aptitude, creative and lateral thinking

NIFT Exam Pattern: Test Weightage 

Program

Test

Weightage

Bachelor of Design (B.Des)

GAT

30%

CAT

50%

Situation Test 

20%

Master of Design (M.Des)

GAT

30%

CAT

40%

Personal Interview

30%

Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTECH)

GAT

100%

Master of Fashion Technology (MFTECH)

GAT

70%

Personal Interview

30%

Master of Fashion Management

GAT

70%

Personal Interview

30%

As per NIFT, if two applicants receive identical scores, the tie will be broken by comparing the candidates' marks from tests that carried more weight. For B.Des candidates, for instance, the marks acquired in the CAT will be compared if the two candidates have the same scores. Similarly, the GAT scores will be used if the CAT scores are also the same.

Conclusion: 

If you have any queries regarding entrance exams, degree courses, curriculum or other career-related doubts, check out Sunstone. Through training, job placements, and certifications, Sunstone offers a range of ways to recognise students' broad learning. We also help you develop important life skills like problem-solving and critical thinking through our directory of learning courses. Sign up today! 

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