How to Start Preparing for Design Entrance Exams from Scratch in 2025?
Design Entrance Exams assess candidates' creative abilities, design aptitude, problem-solving skills, and potential through written tests, drawing assessments, and interviews. Continue reading to know about these exams and how to prepare for them.
Swati Kumar3 Feb, 2025
Share
Preparing for Design Entrance Exams from Scratch in 2025: Each year, the number of aspirants for design entrance exams continues to rise as more students gravitate toward creative fields, seeking opportunities in fashion design, graphic design, industrial design, and more. The increasing popularity can be attributed to the growing demand for innovation in industries like tech, fashion, media, and entertainment.
To start preparing for design entrance exams from scratch in 2025, begin by building a strong foundation in sketching, creativity, and design thinking. NID (National Institute of Design), NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology), UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design), and CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design), are some of the most common design entrance exams in India.Design Entrance Exams in India Overview
Design entrance exams in India are competitive examinations that help students secure admission to prestigious design institutes across the country. These exams assess candidates' creative aptitude, design thinking, and problem-solving skills for various undergraduate and postgraduate design programs.1. UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)
- Conducted by IIT Bombay
- For Bachelor's in Design programs
- Computer-based screening test with two parts
- Considered the toughest design entrance exam
- Multi-stage selection process
- Includes prelims, mains, situation test, and personal interview
- For National Institute of Fashion Technology
- Admission to UG and PG design courses
Other Prominent Design Entrance Exams
- CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design)
- SEED (Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design)
- AIEED (All India Entrance Examination for Design)
- Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
- IIAD Design Aptitude Test (IDAT)
How to Start Preparing for Design Entrance Exams from Scratch in 2025?
Preparing for design entrance exams in 2025 requires a strategic and comprehensive approach that focuses on developing creative skills, technical knowledge, and exam-specific preparation. Some of the preparation tips for preparing for design entrance exams from scratch in 2025 are as follows.- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- Develop Drawing Skills
- Develop Analytical and Creative Thinking
- Enhance General Knowledge
- Practice Problem-Solving and Aptitude
- Practice Mock Tests and Previous Papers
- Build a Strong Portfolio
How to Prepare for NIFT Exam 2025?
The NIFT Entrance Exam is a national-level exam conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate fashion design programs. It assesses candidates' creative abilities, general knowledge, quantitative skills, and design aptitude through a combination of written tests, a creative ability test (CAT), and a situation test. Some preparation tips for NIFT entrance exam 2025 are as follows.- Familiarize yourself with the NIFT syllabus and understand the format of each section to strategize your preparation accordingly.
- Read newspapers, watch fashion shows, and keep track of international and national fashion events, trends, and designers.
- For NIFT CAT, practice sketching regularly, experiment with different materials, and work on developing your observation and visualization skills.
- For the English Language section in NIFT GAT, read books, articles, and fashion magazines to enhance your vocabulary and comprehension.
- Solve previous years' question papers and take multiple mock tests to improve time management and exam strategy. Analyze your performance after each test, identifying strengths and weaknesses.
- For the NIFT Situation Test, practice material handling using various materials like clay, aluminum foil, foam, and wire. Develop 3D model-making skills by practicing under timed conditions. Focus on concept development, material exploration, and innovative design solutions. Learn to explain your design concepts effectively.
How to Prepare for NID Exam 2025?
The NID (National Institute of Design) entrance exam, commonly known as NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test), is a national-level competitive examination for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate design programs across various NID campuses in India. The exam includes the Preliminary (DAT Prelims) and Main (DAT Mains) examinations.- The NID DAT 2025 consists of two phases: Prelims and Mains, including a studio test and interview. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
- Practice sketching daily, work on drawing from life, and develop your visual thinking. Focus on creating innovative designs and showcasing your unique approach to design problems through regular practice.
- Work on exercises that involve identifying and solving design challenges, puzzles, and logical reasoning problems to improve your analytical skills.
- Stay updated with the latest trends in design, art, culture, technology, and the global creative industry. Read newspapers, magazines, and design blogs to enhance your General Knowledge and gain awareness of global and national events.
- Develop a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your creative skills and design thinking. Document your design process and experiment with innovative design concepts.
- Regularly take mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and improve your time management. Simulate real exam conditions to practice answering questions under time pressure.
How to Prepare for UCEED Exam 2025?
The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to assess candidates' design aptitude and skills for admission to undergraduate design programs.It is the gateway for admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at premier institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIITDM Jabalpur.- The UCEED 2025 exam is a 3-hour computer-based test with two parts: Part A (objective questions) and Part B (drawing and design aptitude). Familiarize yourself with the exam structure, which includes Numerical Answer Type (NAT), Multiple-Select Questions (MSQ), and Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ).
- Practice sketching regularly to improve your visual and design sensitivity. Focus on free-hand drawing, use different pencil grades (H and B), and work on improving proportions, composition, and perspective.
- Stay updated on current affairs, design trends, and environmental issues. Read design magazines, newspapers, and relevant articles to broaden your knowledge.
- Build a portfolio that showcases your creativity and technical drawing skills. Work on various subjects, including product design, concept sketches, and illustrations, to demonstrate versatility.
- Regularly take mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and improve your time management.
Preparation Books for Design Entrance Exams
Preparation books for design entrance exams are essential resources that help candidates strengthen their skills in areas like creativity, drawing, general knowledge, and reasoning. These books provide structured study material, practice questions, and tips tailored to the exam syllabus. Some of them are listed below.| Book Title | Writer |
| UCEED (B.Des) Entrance Books and Test Series Paperback | AFAINDIA |
| The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition Kindle Edition | Don Norman |
| Comprehensive English for NID, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA, B.Arch & Other Design Entrance Exams Paperback | Designologue |
| UCEED Design Environment & Social Awareness In Design Perspective Combined With Mental & Verbal Aptitude | Institute of Creative Sciences |
| NIFT, NID and IIFT Entrance Exam Guide | D Mittal |
| Guide to NIFT/ NID for Groups A, B, and C | R.P. Datson |
| NIFT Entrance Exam Mock Papers | D Mittal |
| NIFT entrance exam preparation course | Prashant Kumar |
| Basic Rendering | Robert W.Gill |
How to Start Preparing for Design Entrance Exams from Scratch in 2025? FAQs
When should I start preparing for design entrance exams?
It’s ideal to start at least 6-8 months before the exam. This allows enough time to focus on building skills, practicing consistently, and understanding the exam pattern.
How do I improve my drawing and sketching skills?
Practice daily by sketching objects from life and imagination. Focus on improving your accuracy, proportion, and creativity. Experiment with different mediums and techniques to diversify your skill set.
What should be the focus in the general knowledge section?
Stay updated on current events, especially in art, culture, design, and technology. Reading newspapers, magazines, and design-related blogs can help improve your awareness.
Are mock tests important for preparation?
Yes, mock tests are crucial for understanding the exam format, improving time management, and identifying areas that need improvement. Regular mock tests also help reduce exam anxiety.
What should I include in my design portfolio?
Your portfolio should showcase your best creative work, including a mix of sketches, illustrations, conceptual designs, and completed projects. Aim to show versatility, originality, and your unique design approach.
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Check out these Related Articles
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.