Comparing Top BDes Entrance Exams: UCEED vs NID DAT vs NIFT
Published by Shikha Kumari on May 23, 2025
B.Des. emphasizes innovative creative skills through courses that provide training in product design, graphic design, fashion design, and jewelry design and emphasizes design basics, drawing, digital design, and user experience principles. Candidates who have creative vision and artistic skills would find this program suitable. Students have to go through rigorous and different kinds of entrance exams to get admission in prestigious institutions which provide different levels for this course. In this article we will be Comparing Top BDes Entrance Exams namely UCEED vs NID vs NIFT:
Top BDes Entrance Exams in 2025
There are many Top BDes Entrance Exams in India but here we are going to focus on a few. Namely UCEED Entrance exam, NID DAT and NIFT Entrance exam:
UCEED: targets a holistic evaluation of design talent through a two-part examination: computer-based objective test assessing logical reasoning, visualization, and imagination, followed by a drawing section assessing sketching and design thinking abilities. It is more concerned with analytical proficiency and problem-solving in addition to creative expression and is therefore best for candidates seeking admissions to IITs and other elite institutions.
NID DAT: is unique because it has a two-stage examination: an initial written test of knowledge, understanding, and imagination followed by a mains stage comprising studio tests and individual interviews. The studio test involves actual hands-on model making and drawing, testing conceptual thinking and practical design ability. The interview also tests the candidate’s confidence and grasp of design, so NID DAT is a very tough exam with a strong emphasis on practical skills.
NIFT Entrance Exam: for the first time marries a General Ability Test (GAT) on communication, quantitative ability, and current affairs with a Creative Ability Test (CAT) to test innovation, observation, and illustration skills. The Situation Test also provides for actual fashion design problems in simulated environments to test material handling skills, space visualization, and creativity. This test is specifically designed for fashion and allied design streams, merging objective and practical tests.
Comparison between UCEED vs NID DAT vs NIFT 2025
As we have clearly defined the three entrance exams above. Here given below in a tabulated form we have compared and differentiated the three entrance examples namely UCEED, NID DAT and NIFT on the basis of their conducting body, Exam Frequency,Eligibility, etc.
| Aspect | UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design) | NID DAT (National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test) | NIFT Entrance Exam (National Institute of Fashion Technology) |
| Conducting Body | IIT Bombay | National Institute of Design (NID) | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year (January) | Once a year (Prelims in January, Mains later) | Once a year (Written + Situation Test/Studio Test + Interview) |
| Eligibility | Passed 10+2 or equivalent; born on or after Oct 1, 2000; max 2 attempts | Passed 10+2 or equivalent; age limit with relaxation; born on or after July 1, 2004 | Passed 10+2 or equivalent; age limit applies with relaxations |
| Exam Pattern | Part A: Computer-based (NAT, MCQ, MSQ); Part B: Drawing (offline) | DAT Prelims: Pen & paper test; DAT Mains: Studio test + Interview | GAT (General Ability Test) + CAT (Creative Ability Test); Situation/Studio Test and Interview for shortlisted candidates |
| Syllabus Focus | Visualization, drawing, design aptitude, logical reasoning, creativity | Design aptitude, observation, logical reasoning, creative skills | Communication, English comprehension, quantitative & analytical ability, general knowledge, creative ability |
| Courses Offered | B.Des in Product Design, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, etc. | B.Des and M.Des in various design disciplines | Fashion Design, Textile Design, Leather Design, Accessory Design, Fashion Communication, B.F.Tech |
| Participating Institutes | IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIITDM Jabalpur, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee | NID campuses: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, etc. | NIFT campuses across India including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, etc. |
| Application Fee | Approx. ₹3,800 | Approx. ₹3,000 | Approx. ₹3,000 (₹1,500 for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Fees (Approximate) | ₹6-10 lakhs total (varies by institute) | ₹6-12 lakhs total (varies by NID campus) | ₹13-14 lakhs total (varies by campus and course) |
| Seat Intake (B.Des) | Limited seats across IITs and participating institutes | Around 425 seats across NID campuses | Thousands of seats across multiple NIFT campuses |
| Placement Highlights | Average salary around ₹4-6 LPA; good industry connections | Highest package up to ₹18 LPA; average around ₹4.9 LPA | Average package ₹4-6 LPA; strong placements in fashion industry |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to high; strong focus on drawing and design aptitude | High; subjective drawing and studio test carry significant weight | Moderate; combination of objective and creative tests |
| Unique Features | Two-part exam with emphasis on creativity and technical skills | Studio test involves hands-on model making; interview rounds | Situation test/studio test simulates real-world fashion design scenarios |
Top B.Des Entrance Exam Preparations Tips 2025:
Preparing for each and every exam carries their own preparation pattern and subjects, each of these exams focuses on different aspects of the same subjects so given below are the top B.des entrance exams preparation tips for 2025:
UCEED Preparation Tips
- Know the Exam Pattern: UCEED consists of two parts—Part A (computer-based, comprising NAT, MCQ, MSQ) and Part B (offline drawing). Concentrate on both logical reasoning and creative drawing abilities.
- Master Visualization & Drawing: Sketch every day, and practice perspective, shading, and proportion. Visualization exercises enhance spatial reasoning.
- Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Review previous year papers to know repeat topics and question patterns. This aids in time management and learning difficulty levels.
- Develop Logical & Analytical Skills: Improve reasoning skill with puzzles, pattern recognition, and quantitative aptitude.
- Mock Tests & Revision: Take practice tests in timed mode periodically and revise key concepts occasionally.
NID DAT Preparing Tips:
- Recognize the Two-Stage Test: Get ready for the Mains (studio test, interview) and Prelims (objective questions on general awareness, reasoning, and design ability).
- Develop Your Drawing Ability: NID DAT Freehand drawing and practical model building are the mains. Practice conceptual sketching, freehand drawing, and model building.
- Improve Observation & Conceptualization: Practice exercises that enhance your skill to observe details and create innovative solutions to design problems.
- Prepare for Interviews: Practice expressing your design concepts clearly and with confidence. Practice interviews can ease nervousness.
- Study Design Fundamentals: Develop basics of design theory, color, form, and composition.
NIFT Entrance Exam Preparation Tips:
- Understand Exam Portions: Prepare for Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), and Situation Test. CAT is concerned with drawing and creativity; GAT with English, quantitative aptitude, and general knowledge; Situation Test assesses material handling and design thinking.
- Students should develop drawing and sketching skills. Practice basic form, perspective, shading, and color theory.
- It is essential to read newspapers daily alongside solving comprehension passages and quantitative problems to enhance your general knowledge and grammar skills.
- Students need to develop their test-taking skills by using material manipulation as well as model making and spatial visualization techniques during practice situations.
- You should solve papers from previous years because they help you get familiar with the question types and examination format.
- By taking timed mock tests students can enhance their speed and accuracy in test situations.
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