What is CAT in NIFT 2025: NIFT CAT Preparation Guide

Overview: Learn What is CAT in NIFT 2025 with our guide on the new online format, preparation tips, and strategic insights for mastering the exam. 

Candidates aspiring to join the B.Des or M.Des programs at NIFT must take the Creative Ability Test (CAT). The CAT is a written examination with a weightage of 50% for the B.Des program and 40% for the M.Des program.

Discover effective ways to attempt the CAT in the NIFT exam and time management, preparation tips, and other important details.

Download Free Study Materials for NIFT CAT 2025 by Creative Edge

What is CAT in NIFT Syllabus 2025

To understand the NIFT exam pattern well, you must know the syllabus thoroughly. And you might be wondering where you will get that information from.

The Creative Ability Test or CAT is designed to test the following:

• Intuitive ability
• Power of observation in concept development
• Design ability of the candidate. 

To perform well in the test, the candidate must be able to use colour and illustration techniques creatively and innovatively.

To resolve that issue, here we have the complete list of Syllabus and topics which you need to cover folly to ace your examination:

Design Theory	Colour Terminology	Inspiration & Design Development
Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions	Elements & Principles Of Design	Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship
Natural & Geometrical Form	Innovation in Design	Principles of Composition
Creative thinking & writing	Optical Illusion	Understanding Light & Shade
Visual Logic	Form & Function	Colour, Pattern & Texture
Theme Development	Drawing Fundamentals	Picture Analysis
Memory Drawing	Inspiration & Creativity	Ornaments & motifs
Use of Measurements, Scale & proportions	Optical Illusion	Foreshortening & Perspective
Developing Themes & Colour Associations	Usage of Colour in Compositions	Imagination & Doodling
3D Visualisation	Presentation Techniques	Expression & Emotion
Exercises on imagination	Lateral Thinking	Story Pictures
Graphics & Pictograms	Innovation & Creation	Design Awareness

Download PYPs with Solutions for NIFT CAT 2025 by Creative Edge

NIFT Exam Section-Wise Weightage

Program	Test	Weightage
Bachelor of Design (BDes)	CAT	50%
	GAT	30%
	Situation Test	20%
Master of Design (MDes)	CAT	40%
	GAT	30%
	GDPI	30%

Types of Questions Asked in the NIFT CAT Exam

Let us understand some of the aspects on which you will be evaluated in the NIFT Entrance Exam 2025:

Creativity	Use of Colors
Observation Power	Illustration Skills
Innovative	Concept Design

Transitions based questions:

For Example:

• Depiction of transition
• The transition from a cocoon to a butterfly
• Dawn to dusk
• Life of Leaves
• Human emotions
• Life cycle    
• How to scratch out a saree pallu
• Table lamp
• 2-D questions 
• Geometrical shapes
• Traditional designs
• Analogous designs
• Motifs

Check Out: NIFT CAT Question Papers with Solutions

What is CAT in NIFT NIFT Exam 2025

How do you attempt the CAT in the NIFT exam? The key to showing transitions is the use of the correct colour. Each of you has your approach to depicting such transitional scenes. However, our experts recommend a thoughtful approach here.

Example: Draw Dawn to dusk.

Let us look at the image given below:

Many of you begin colouring from the first to the last box, considering the first box to be Morning and the last box to be night.

But do you know, you could get confused with your colour choice in the middle!

Instead, if you draw the precursor and post cursor simultaneously, you won't lose track, as shown below in the image: 

Continue filling in from the outer box and meet in the middle so that you will have proper colour palette for the transition.

 

Also Read: NIFT Drawing Questions

Free Demo Classes to Boost Your NIFT CAT 2025 Prep by Creative Edge

Things to remember while drawing and colouring

• Use correct division of space
• Balance the design
• Visual weight balancing
• Colour balance
• Connectivity and overlapping
• Colour connectivity
• Rhythmic lines

Check Out: NIFT Exam Syllabus 2025

What is CAT in NIFT: Tips to Attempt CAT Section in the NIFT Exam

• Be ready with your arsenal: Pen, Pencil and Colours
• Use poster colours, but do not use them in corners to avoid spills. Pencil colours can cover corners.
• Be mindful of your colours and keep colour Micro liner handy
• Poster colour gives the advantage of variety. You can create any colour by adding white or any primary colour.
• Use Analogous colours: 2 secondary and one primary colour. Examples of Analogous colours are given below in the image

• Practice with NIFT Previous Year Question Papers
• As the exam will be conducted, you can keep your water during the exam.
• You can take the NIFT 2025 exam from your location and be in your comfort zone.
• In such a situation, you must take care of strict time management. 
• As per the NIFT Previous Year exam trend, we have compiled one more list of topics from which maximum questions are asked in the NIFT entrance exam

Time Management for the NIFT CAT Exam

When attempting the CAT section, note that students are given 3 hours to complete it. Time management can be tricky and subjective, differing from student to student. 

Most students will split the given 3 hours into 1 hour per question, but this can lead to a student spending more than an hour on the same question, trying to perfect it without an idea or thumbnail plan for the next. 

To alleviate this, students can divide their time as given below -

Total time given	180 minutes
Thumbnail and sketch plans for all questions	45 minutes (15 per question)
Final sketches and annotation + concept writing	135 minutes (45 minutes per question)

What is CAT in NIFT - Preparation Tips for the NIFT CAT Exam

• Familiarize yourself with the exam format, question types, and time allotted for the CAT section.
• Analyze previous year's question papers to understand the difficulty level and types of questions asked.
• Pay attention to details, colours, textures, and patterns in everyday objects.
• Practice sketching subjects like people, objects, nature, and abstract forms.
• Experiment with various mediums like painting, sculpting, photography, and digital art.
• Find your own artistic voice and perspective.
• Practice observing details in images, objects, and people.
• Break down complex visuals into simpler elements.
• Look beyond the obvious and find hidden meanings in images.
• Develop a strategy to manage time effectively during the exam.
• Prioritize questions based on difficulty level and point value.
• Practice solving questions within the given time frame.
• Create a portfolio showcasing your best creative work.
• Include a variety of sketches, designs, and art projects.
• Demonstrate your ability to think creatively and solve problems visually.

Attempt Mock Tests fpr 100% in NIFT CAT 2025 by Creative Edge

Key Takeaways

The shift to a remote proctored format for NIFT 2025 represents a significant change, prioritizing candidate safety while maintaining rigorous standards.

By understanding the exam's structure, preparing with the right materials, and employing strategic approaches to the Creative Ability Test (CAT), candidates can effectively understand how to attempt CAT in NIFT.

Embrace these NIFT preparation tips and strategies to optimize your performance and adapt seamlessly to the nuances of online testing for NIFT 2025.

Check Out: CAT and GAT for NIFT