NIFT 2026 AIR 26: How Lavisha Mittal Balanced Class 12 and NIFT Preparation with PW

Lavisha Mittal secured AIR 26 in NIFT 2026 while continuing her Class 12 studies. She had decided to prepare for NIFT as early as Class 11, but managing board preparation alongside an entrance exam required her to make careful use of her available time.

Her preparation included foundational CAT practice, GAT-focused study, PYQs and regular mock tests. Along the way, she also faced moments of self-doubt, particularly about her drawing skills. With support from her parents and PW’s Design Pro batch, she continued working on her weak areas and eventually secured AIR 26.

How Lavisha Mittal Started Her NIFT Preparation 

Lavisha decided to prepare for NIFT while she was in Class 11. Unlike students who take a drop year, she continued her preparation alongside Class 12, which meant balancing board studies, school responsibilities, and entrance exam preparation.

Talking about when she decided to pursue NIFT, Lavisha said:

“Sir I decided in 11th itself to start preparation.”

Managing two different preparation tracks can be challenging, but Lavisha found that online learning helped her organise her schedule and study according to her availability.

She explained:

“Sir I took my 12th coaching also from PW, so I used to get time to study.”

This flexibility allowed her to continue preparing for NIFT without compromising her Class 12 preparation.

How Lavisha Mittal Balanced NIFT and Class 12 

Since Lavisha was preparing for NIFT alongside Class 12, she did not follow a rigid subject-wise schedule. Instead, she used the time available to her and adjusted her preparation according to her academic commitments. 

This approach helped her manage two demanding academic commitments simultaneously.

Lavisha’s Subject-Wise NIFT Preparation Strategy

NIFT preparation involves multiple areas that require different types of skills. Lavisha followed different strategies for CAT and GAT rather than treating every section in exactly the same way.

For the Creative Ability Test (CAT), she focused heavily on foundational drawing and visual practice.

She said:

“Sir for CAT, from the starting itself I practised line practice, shapes and all because that is the foundation.”

For the General Ability Test (GAT), Lavisha concentrated on Mathematics and Reasoning because she considered them scoring areas.

She explained:

“And for GAT I focused on Maths and Reasoning because that is scoring.”

For English, she adopted a more selective approach and focused primarily on previous-year questions toward the end of her preparation.

“And I studied English in the end because it has a very big syllabus, so I only did PYQs for that and that helped me.”

Her strategy shows the importance of understanding individual strengths and prioritising preparation accordingly.

Why Mock Tests Were Important in Lavisha’s Preparation

Mock tests became an important part of Lavisha’s NIFT preparation. Instead of using mocks only as final-stage practice, she used them as a tool for performance analysis.

Her target was ambitious:

“The target was that I had to give one mock daily.”

Regular mock tests helped her understand not only her score but also the areas where she needed improvement.

She said:

“And at the last time, mocks helped me know that I am able to score this much in GAT, where I am facing difficulty and which subject is falling behind.”

This approach made mock tests an assessment tool rather than simply another set of questions. By identifying weaker sections, she could work on them before the examination.

How Lavisha Stayed Motivated During Difficult Phases

Every long preparation journey has periods when motivation drops. Lavisha also experienced moments when she felt demotivated and questioned whether she would be able to clear NIFT.

Instead of keeping those feelings to herself, she discussed them with her parents.

She shared:

“Sir whenever I used to get demotivated, I used to talk to my parents. I used to say, Mummy, Mummy, it is not happening, what should I do?”

Her mother encouraged her to take some time and think rather than putting additional pressure on her.

“Then Mummy used to say, wait for a few days and then think. They did not put so much pressure that you have to do it. They said if it is possible then fine, if it is not possible then see.”

According to Lavisha, the absence of excessive pressure allowed her to prepare with a free mind.

“I did not get pressure, so I prepared freely.”

Her experience highlights the importance of communication between students and parents during competitive exam preparation.

How PW Supported Lavisha’s NIFT Preparation

Lavisha enrolled in the Design Pro batch for her NIFT preparation. She highlighted the role of live classes, doubt resolution, PYQ practice, and dedicated guidance during her preparation.

Talking about her experience, she said:

“Sir I took the Design Pro batch and then watching the live classes of the teachers helped a lot because the doubts that I had used to get cleared, and in reasoning also, the problems that I had were solved by doing PYQs and whatever you used to teach.”

The combination of live teaching and practice helped Lavisha strengthen areas where she faced difficulties. PYQs also gave her an opportunity to understand the type of questions asked in the examination and practise solving them effectively.

The flexibility of online learning further helped her balance NIFT preparation with Class 12 studies.

Lavisha’s Advice for NIFT Aspirants

Lavisha has an important message for future NIFT aspirants who may feel discouraged by their performance in drawing.

She explained:

“You should not get demotivated by looking at the work of others. And this is not a drawing exam.”

She also admitted that she herself felt demotivated because she was not confident about her drawing skills.

“I was very demotivated because my drawing was not that good. But this is an exam of time thinking.”

For students struggling with drawing, Lavisha recommends consistent practice.

“It will improve only with daily practice.”

She also suggested that students develop their design-thinking abilities instead of focusing only on drawing skills.

“If you are not able to draw daily, then strengthen your brain, that how can I make this product in so many ways.”

This reflects an important aspect of design entrance preparation: creativity and the ability to think differently can be just as important as drawing execution.

Lavisha Mittal’s achievement of AIR 26 in NIFT 2026 demonstrates how consistent preparation can produce strong results, even when students are managing Class 12 studies simultaneously.

Her strategy was not limited to drawing practice. She combined foundational CAT preparation, GAT-focused study, PYQs, regular mock tests, performance analysis, and design thinking. Her ability to recognise her weak areas and work on them also played an important role.

Most importantly, Lavisha did not allow temporary self-doubt to define her preparation. With support from her parents, teachers, and dedicated learning resources, she continued working toward her goal.

Her journey is a reminder for NIFT aspirants that a weak area does not have to remain a weakness. With daily practice, smart analysis, and consistency, students can continue improving and aim for their desired rank.