How to Prepare for NID B.Des Logical Reasoning, Syllabus, Books, Practice Tips, Sample Questions
Published by Shikha Kumari on Jan 15, 2025
The DAT exam for the B.Des program is scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 4, 2025. Conducted by NID Ahmedabad, this exam evaluates a candidate’s creative and analytical abilities through various tasks that test their design aptitude. This blog focuses on the Reasoning section of the exam, offering insights into the syllabus, recommended study materials, and preparation strategies. Additionally, we have provided study materials for the Reasoning section in PDF format to help candidates excel.
How to prepare for NID Exam Pattern 2025
The preliminary exam carries 40% weightage and consists of MCQs. These questions are designed to assess the candidates’ thinking and analytical skills through pictures, words, etc.
Colour Terminology | Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship | Elements & Principles of Design | Lettering | Colour, Pattern & Texture | Theme Development |
Inspiration & Design Development | Design Theory | Natural & Geometrical Form | Optical Illusion | Creative Thinking & Writing | Picture Analysis |
Innovation in Design | Principles of Composition | Understanding Light & Shade | Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions | Exercises on Imagination | Visual Logic |
Good Design vs Bad Design | Drawing Fundamentals | Use of Measurements, Scale & Proportions | Optical Illusion | Foreshortening & Perspective | Lateral Thinking |
Developing Themes & Colour Associations | Story Pictures | Presentation Techniques | Imagination & Doodling | 3D Visualisation | Graphics & Pictograms |
Innovation & Creation | Design Awareness | Developing Observation | Expression & Emotion | Ornaments & Motifs | Memory Drawing |
Once the preliminary exam is cleared, the next round is a subjective-based round. This includes interviews, portfolio creation, and evaluating how efficiently the candidates create models in the exam. In M.Des, NID Studio Test is also taken as the part.
Model Making | Doodling | Typical Questions Asked in an Interview | How to Evolve Ideas | Audio-Visual Exercises | Material Manipulation |
Material Manipulation | Interview Tips | Body Language and Its Importance | Previous Years’ Question Papers t & Interview | Evolving Ideas | Portfolio Making |
The exam pattern is set in a way that the difficulty increases with each new section, and so do the marks, as you can see in the following table. While the MCQs are worth only 40 marks, the major section consists of subjective questions.
Type of Question | No. of Questions | Marks | Sectional Marks |
MCQs | Questions 1 to 14 | 1 mark | 14 marks |
Questions 15 to 22 | 2 marks | 16 marks | |
Subjective type questions | Question No. 23 | 15 marks | 15 marks |
Question No. 24 | 20 marks | 20 marks | |
Question No. 25 | 15 marks | 15 marks | |
Question No. 26 | 20 marks | 20 marks | |
Total Marks | 100 marks |
NID divides DAT into two parts: Prelims and Mains. DAT prelims and mains weightage remains in the ratio of 2:3. Even though Prelims weightage is low, it is important for DAT mains.
Exam Component | DAT Prelims | DAT Mains |
Weightage | 40% | 60% |
Logical Reasoning Syllabus for NID B.Des
The logical reasoning syllabus for NID B.Des includes the following areas:
Visual Perception and Analysis
Questions related to visual reasoning test the candidate’s ability to understand and analyze patterns, shapes, and spatial relationships. For example, candidates may be asked to choose the next pattern in a sequence or identify the shape that completes a diagram.
Problem Solving
The ability to apply logical steps to solve design-related problems, such as figuring out how to arrange elements in a given space or what color scheme works best for a particular design.
Pattern Recognition: Identifying and continuing a sequence or pattern. This could involve geometrical or visual patterns.
How to prepare for NID B.Des Logical Section
Preparing for the Reasoning section in the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) B.Des requires consistent practice and strategic focus. By solving mock tests, reviewing past papers, and seeking feedback, candidates can enhance their problem-solving abilities and build confidence. On exam day, time management and presenting ideas clearly are essential for success.
Before the Exam Day
Consistency and practice are key to excelling in the Reasoning section of DAT B.Des. Solve previous years’ question papers (PYQs), take mock tests, and analyze your performance with expert feedback to gauge improvement.
Go through the Syllabus
The DAT B.Des Reasoning syllabus covers topics such as logical reasoning, spatial ability, pattern recognition, and analytical thinking. Familiarity with these areas helps candidates prepare for the variety of challenges they may face in the exam.
Practice Regularly
Building conceptual clarity and enhancing problem-solving skills require regular practice. Engage in activities that stimulate reasoning and analytical thinking, such as:
Solving puzzles to sharpen your logical thinking.
Working on spatial ability questions to strengthen your understanding of structure and space. Analyze patterns to improve recognition and understanding. Engage in quick problem-solving activities that encourage ideation. Use sketchbooks to visually organize your ideas and practice conveying concepts with minimal text, emphasizing clarity and creativity.
Solve Previous Year Papers
Reviewing PYQs is crucial to understanding the exam’s format and recurring topics. Practice solving these papers within a time limit to improve speed and accuracy.
Take Mock Tests
Mock tests simulate exam conditions and help candidates manage stress while improving time management skills. Work on tasks like analyzing design-related problems or creating quick sketches to evaluate your reasoning abilities under pressure.
Seek Feedback
Share your reasoning exercises with mentors or peers to gain constructive feedback. Insights from experienced individuals can help you refine your problem-solving approach.
On the Exam Day
Candidates have limited time to complete the Reasoning section. Allocate time for reviewing your solutions. Prioritize clarity and ensure your answers are practical & logical. A balanced approach to logical reasoning will maximize your performance in the DAT B.Des.
Recommended Books for NID B.Des Logical Reasoning
Selecting the right books can make a significant difference in your logical reasoning practice. Below is a list of books that cover various aspects of NID DAT:
Section | Name of the Book | Author/Publisher | Why |
Quantitative Aptitude | Objective Quantitative Aptitude | OSWAL Books | Offer a variety of practice questions and solutions, ideal for quick revision. |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Covers questions for various competitive exams, ideal for practicing quantitative aptitude. | |
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma | For fast learning and practice arithmetic skills under time constraints. | |
Mathematics for class X | NCERT | Simple and easy to understand for building basic concepts of mathematics. | |
Logical and Analytical Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | must-have for preparing verbal and non-verbal reasoning sections, |
Analytical Reasoning by Magical Book Series | Arihant Publications, M.K Pandey | Offers a variety of problems with solutions | |
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Build strong foundation in logical and analytical reasoning with a step-by-step approach |
NID BDes Logical Reasoning Sample Questions
Q. Match the visuals with its creator/architecture style:
(A) 1-S, 2-G, 3-N, 4-J (B) 1-N, 2-S, 3-J, 4-G
(C) 1-S, 2-G, 3-J, 4-N (D) 1-J, 2-S, 3-G, 4-N
Q. If you remove 18 alternating colour squares from a chessboard, how many squares of alternating colours remain on the board?
(A) 44 (B) 47 (C) 39 (D) 46
Q. Which of the following words have all letters that have the same mirror image?
(A) TEAM (B) TOUR (C) THAT (D) THIS
NID Study Material PDF Free Download
To help in your preparation, we’re sharing a sample question paper by NID in a downloadable PDF format. Though, NID Mains Question Paper is not available you can download and use above NID preparation materials through the following table.
Sample Question Paper 2025 | Download PDF |
Prepare using these PYQs PDFs, take your NID DAT preparation to the next level!