How to Prepare for NID 2026 (Prelims & Mains): Check Preparation Strategy

Stages of NID Exam - Prelims and Mains

Well, the students who are preparing for the NID 2026 exam well in advance will have the best chance of passing it with ease. The NID DAT 2026 competition is fierce. Thus, you must exert maximum effort.

There are two steps in the NID admissions process (Prelims and Mains): NID DAT Prelims is where candidates must first appear. The candidates are narrowed down for the NIT DAT Mains, a studio test, based on their prelim results.

How To Crack NID Entrance Exam 2026 - Stages of Preparation

Aspirants need to qualify for the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) to gain admission to NID campuses. Those aspirants who make up their minds to appear in the NID DAT exam should go through on how to prepare for the NID entrance exam thoroughly. It will help you while in NID exam preparation. In this article, Careers360 offers a set of top-notch suggestions on how to prepare for NID 2025. The list of preparation tips are as follows.

1. Understand the NID DAT exam pattern

Before beginning the NID DAT preparation, one must be thorough with the exam pattern. However, In the NID 2025 exam, significant changes have been made in the NID exam pattern. Since NID DAT is conducted in 2 stages Prelims and Mains. The NID DAT prelims now feature an altered structure, notably with an increase in the drawing section and a decrease in the aptitude portion. Previously, the total marks for the Aptitude and Drawing sections were 25 and 75, respectively. Primarily, the NID DAT 2025 exam included a total of 23 questions. These modifications represent a realignment of focus and temporal distribution among sections to efficiently evaluate candidates' competencies.

2. Know your NID Syllabus 2026

Familiarizing yourself with the NID entrance exam syllabus is essential for structured and focused preparation. Students should refer to the NID DAT Syllabus 2026 to gain a clear understanding of the topics covered across different sections. This will help you identify key areas to focus on, plan your study schedule efficiently, and ensure you are well-prepared for all aspects of the exam.

3. Create a Study Plan

Every person has a different amount of preparedness depending on their study habits and capacity for critical thinking and problem - solving approach. Hence, there are few things that students should keep in mind when they study.

• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses first.

• Second, categorize the list of important topics from NID DAT study material according to their weightage. Divide them into the most and least significant topics.

• Third, begin by studying simple topics for the NID DAT preparation and gradually advance to more challenging ones.

• Maintain a regular study schedule because consistency is the key

• Continue to practice the questions and take the mock exams on a regular basis.

• Follow up on current affairs and read on general knowledge topics daily.

• Practice at least one drawing exercise on a daily basis to create more accuracy and speed for the exam.

4. Solve Previous Year's Question Papers

Solve all previous years' question papers for NID DAT to boost your preparation. Also check the NID DAT 2025 prelims question paper for recent changes in the pattern. After that, give daily mock tests. For more practice you can also download NID DAT B.des Prelims eBook from our website in which you can find 10 free mock test series of NID DAT Prelims exam.

Also Read: How to Crack NID DAT in 3 Months

Preparation Strategy for NID DAT Prelims 2026

The Prelims exam is conducted in two parts, Part A and Part B. Given below is the effective preparation strategy for NID DAT Prelims.

The Prelims exam is conducted in two parts, Part A and Part B. Given below is the effective preparation strategy for NID DAT Prelims.

• Conceptual Understanding: Pay close attention to learning the foundational concepts of design, such as perspective, color theory, form, and composition. Examine the contributions made by renowned designers and the history of design.

• Practice questions: NID DAT prelims comprise three parts that are NAT, MCQ and MSQ. So Practice the MCQs, MSQs and NATs from past years' practice papers.

• Refer Books: After attempting the mock test, analyze your answer sheet examine for the incorrect answers and comprehend the underlying ideas. Refer to the NID books for easy review. Write down key formulas, ideas, and shortcuts in a notebook which will help in the last-minute revisions.

• To study more in detail please refer to the article How To Prepare For NID DAT Prelims

Also Read: NID Vs NIFT

Preparation Strategy for NID DAT Mains 2026

The NID-Studio Test is the advanced stage of evaluating admission at NID in different streams. It further evaluates an aspirant's Sensory Reflection, Agility, and Problem-Solving Skills. The questions in the studio test are practical and situation-based, where one needs to respond immediately to a given scenario. It is usually doable within the time limit if one has meticulously followed the above-shared advice for prelims.

There is no fixed format for questions, but it is doable if you have trained your senses well, no matter the challenge. For example, remember the 10-15 sounds, which you must identify and note in your answer sheet. (Purely Sensory and Cognitive Evaluation).

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Additional Tips for NID Mains/Studio Test

Since the Studio Test is very crucial in NID exam. So here are some additional tips for how to prepare for NID Studio Test effectively.

Keep Sketches Minimalist:

When sketching ideas, emphasize the basics by using only pencil, and color only if absolutely required. Concepts should be communicated using shading and highlights, as well as crisp lines, within the given time.

Avoid Overly Complex Solutions:

Keep your ideas practical, simple, and easy to understand. Concepts that are visually intuitive as compared to complicated designs are favored by the evaluators.

Manage Time Smartly:

Time should be allocated equally to all tasks within the Studio Test. Tackle the problems in the order you feel most confident starting with your strongest answer, while ensuring maximum attempts by not getting stuck on any single task.

Use the Thumbnail Technique:

Remember to visualize your concepts by doing quick thumbnail sketches or rough drafts. This allows better organization of ideas and plans for layouts, reducing last-minute errors.

Practice Situational and Sensory Tasks:

Sound recognition, touch, or tasks involving materials are common in the Studio Test. Regularly enhancing observational skills along with sensory memory aids in performance refinement.

Focus on neatness and Presentation:

Pay attention to the order of the elements. Arrange them cleanly to avoid smudges and to maintain an organized workspace. A presentation that is clean and neat, even for simple ideas, often earns higher marks.

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Recommended Books For NID Preparation 2026

Given below is the list of NID preparation books that can help in your NID DAT preparation.