NIFT Entrance Test: Everything aspiring designers need to know

For aspiring fashion designers, entry into the prestigious institute, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), is a dream come true. NIFT has a total of 17 campuses across the country with its headquarters in New Delhi. However, admission to this premium fashion learning institute only after a candidate qualifies the entrance exam held between January to March. While this year’s entrance test is over, latest reports from NIFT officials suggest that application procedure for next year’s exam will start from October 2021. The entrance exam is likely to be conducted in January or February 2022.

Students aspiring to pursue BDes (Bachelor of Design) or BFTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology) right after their class XII can apply for this entrance test. Here is a bird’s eye view of the exam.

Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria for admissions into any of the NIFTs varies from course to course.

For BDes

Candidates should not be more than 23 years during the time of admission. However, those from reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC/PWD will be given age relaxation of five years.
Students should have successfully cleared their class XII board exams with at least five subjects. Preference will be given to candidates with higher percentiles in their board exams.
Overseas applicants need to have successfully cleared General Certificate Education (GCE) exam at the Advanced (A) level or the level of International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other equivalent exam recognised by Association of Indian Universities.
Candidates who have a 3- or 4-year diploma (after their class XII finals) in any subject recognised by AICTE or State Board of Technical Education are also eligible.

For BFTech

Candidates should have had Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as part of their high school curriculum.
Candidates should have successfully passed their class XII final exams with at least five subjects.
Overseas applicants need to have successfully cleared General Certificate Education (GCE) exam at the Advanced (A) level or the level of International Baccalaureate (IB) with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or any other equivalent exam recognised by Association of Indian Universities.
Candidates have a 3-or-4-year diploma (after their class XII finals) in any stream of engineering from an institution recognised by AICTE or State Board of Technical Education are also eligible.
Candidates should not be more than 24 years during the time of admission. However, those from reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC/PWD will be given age relaxation of five years.

Reservation of seats

SC – 15%

ST – 7.5 %

OBC – 27%

PWD – 5%

Exam pattern
The NIFT entrance exam is conducted in four stages: Creative Ability Test (CAT), General Ability Test (GAT), a live Situation test and a personal interview session. CAT has no specific syllabus and tests one’s creative and observation skills, ability to ideate promptly, and discernment and design abilities. GAT tests basic English and GK, as well as communication, analytical and logical assessment and case-based problem-solving abilities. Situation test requires students to create something out of the raw materials and props provided to them. The model created by the examinee is then used to assess his innovation and space visualization power.

Mode and duration
The NIFT entrance test is conducted offline and the only medium is English. While CAT is scheduled for 3 hours for both BDes and BFTech, GAT is for 2 hours in case of BDes candidates and 3 hours for BFTech examinees. Test centres are spread across 32 cities across India.