Design Aptitude Test 2025: Eligibility And Admission Process

Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is an aspect of the entrance examination that tests the candidates on their creativity, judgment, and drawing and sketching ability, and the skill to produce and express visual design thoughts within a restricted time period. The DAT generally has questions about sketching, drawing principles, visual observation, creativity, visualization, and design rationale on the basis of drawing. 

Applicants can be asked to sketch or draw when responding to open-ended questions and discuss their ideas. The DAT plays a significant role in admission to design programs and measures innovativeness and imagination, logical thinking, and visual expression abilities. In India, design programs are based on the DAT as one of the requirements of the admission process, which is utilized mostly by design institutes such as NID / NIFT.

Design Aptitude Test Overview

Design Aptitude test evaluates qualities like drawing ability, creativity, imagination, observation, problem-solving, and visual thinking. Depending on the institute, the test format and levels may vary, but the core aim remains the same: assessing whether a candidate has what it takes to thrive in design studies and careers.

 Top DAT Exams

 Design Aptitude Test is organized by many design institutes in their own way for admissions in Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programs. Each exam may have prelims and mains stages. The prelims often focus on aptitude and creativity, while the mains include interviews and studio tests. Commonly, these include:

• DAT conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID)

• DAT by the MIT Institute of Design

• DAT by Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD)

• DAT for other reputed design colleges

Design Aptitude Test Eligibility Criteria

 Deign Aptitude Test eligibility criteria can be different depending on the institutes. Certain institutions can include other requirements, and, therefore, it is crucial to verify the official announcements. To apply for DAT, applicants usually have to meet the following requirements:

• In the case of B.Des: 10 +2 or any stream.

• In the M.Des: 10+2+3 years of graduate study in any degree.

• DAT Admission Process

• The stages also need specific preparation because they require various skill sets.

• The process of admission normally entails:

• Apply to DAT by filling out the necessary form and fees.

• Appear in the DAT exam, which is a test of the capability to be creative and design.

• Pass the mains or studio test, in which applicants can undergo practical work and face-to-face interviews.

• Decision made after evaluating performance in all levels.
  

Design Aptitude Test Questions

DAT questions mainly fall into two categories:

Drawing and Sketching

Candidates are asked to create drawings or sketches based on given prompts. Candidates may also write a short explanation of their artwork. Questions for practice are given below:-

• İmaging Assignment: Visualize a market site from above that captures the crowd, stalls, and arrangement of space as a whole.

• Redesign Assignment: Redesign a schoolbag that is simple and practical to use for someone who lives in rural areas.

• Storyboard Assignment: Create a storyboard in 3 or 4 frames that shows the change of state for an object. A suggestion would be to show a messy room that becomes a creative studio space.

• Conceptual Sketching Assignment: Conceptually sketch a classroom of the not-too-distant future that incorporates good design.

• Perspective Sketching Assignment: Sketch a refrigerator showing different perspectives, including light and shadows.

• Design Solution Assignment: Create a sketch of an ergonomic keyboard and mouse that would be supportive for someone who is in front of a screen for long periods of time.

• Process Illustration Assignment: Illustrate in a 3-step process either "potato to chips" or "a t-shirt drying on a clothesline."

• Imaginary objects Assignment: Create realistic object versions of punctuation marks with explanations for each object.

• Real-Life Situations Assignment: Represent a real-life situation based on the theme "All that is gold does not glimmer" and explain its meaning.

• Product & Scene Sketching Assignment: Create an outlined image of a child's water bottle and then create a lunch box that matches the design language of the water bottle.

General Aptitude and Reasoning

These questions assess logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Some sample questions are given below:- 

• What geometric solid is formed when you fold along the lines of the given image?
  A) Pyramid B) Tetris C) Tetrahedron D) Harmonica

• Look at this series: 22, 21, 23, 22, 24, 23, … What number should come next?
  A) 22 B) 24 C) 25 D) 26

• A person walks 12 meters towards the west, then turns right and proceeds five meters up towards north. How far is the person from their original starting point?

• What comes next: A 1 D 4 H 8 M 13 _____ _____

How to Prepare for a Design Aptitude Test

Consistent effort will enhance your familiarity with and comfort with design and visual articulation, leading to greater confidence and stronger performance. Achievement in the DAT will depend on your practice and the establishment of a dependable plan. Here are some suggestions to prepare for the DAT: 

• Practice drawing consistently: Whether it be simple sketches and figures, or recognizable objects, and eventually graduate to more complex subject matter. Use clean lines and focus on proportion.

• Practice developing your observation skills: Challenge your ability to observe the finer details of high art, and more everyday objects.

• Understand the underlying principles of design: Learn and understand the principles of balance, contrast, rhythm, scale, and harmony.

• Review previous years’ question papers and sample assessments: This printed material will expose you to the potential or actual and expected format of questions on the DAT.

• Practice creative thinking: Engage in doodling, brainstorming, and thematic story drawing.

• Practice puzzles and/or optical illusion exercises to develop your reasoning and visual logic.

• Practice working on time management skills when solving exercises, and apply similar time management skills to practice to finish the exercises within the prescribed timed conditions of the actual DAT.

Explore our online design courses available on Design Crash Course 2026 Batch to unlock your creativity and master industry-relevant skills. Our courses offer flexible learning with expert-led instructions, empowering you to pursue your passion and advance your career in design.