NID DAT 2026 Exam Day Analysis Underway After Prelims on December 21 as the National Institute of Design conducted the NID DAT 2026 entrance exam for admission to Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) programmes across India. The national-level Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims was held in offline mode, with students appearing at designated centres across the country. The NID DAT Prelims exam is the first stage of the two-tier admission process, and candidates are now awaiting detailed exam analysis covering question difficulty, section-wise performance, and overall impressions from the test conducted on December 21, 2025.
NID DAT 2026 Exam Timing and Reporting Details at Test Centres
The NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam commenced at 10:00 AM and concluded at 1:00 PM, with an overall duration of three hours for all candidates appearing for both UG and PG design programmes. Candidates were required to reach their respective exam centres well before the reporting time to complete verification formalities without rush. Candidates were advised to reach test centres by 8:30 AM, with the gates closing strictly at 9:30 AM to ensure smooth conduct of the examination. All candidates were instructed to carry their NID DAT Prelims admit card along with a valid original photo identification proof for verification at the entry point. A printed copy of the admit card was mandatory for entry into the hall.
Offline Mode and Exam Conduct Rules for DAT Prelims
The NID DAT 2026 Prelims was conducted in a conventional offline (pen-and-paper) format, requiring candidates to write answers directly on the exam paper and OMR/answer sheets provided at the centres. Entry to the exam hall required compliance with strict identification and document rules to prevent entry issues on the exam day. Candidates were instructed not to carry electronic devices, mobile phones, or unauthorised materials inside the examination hall. Exam invigilators ensured that each candidate complied with all regulations to maintain a fair testing environment.
What NID DAT 2026 Exam Analysis Will Cover?
The upcoming NID DAT 2026 exam analysis is expected to highlight the paper’s overall difficulty level, subject-wise trends, good attempt estimates, and qualitative impressions from test-takers and experts. This analysis helps candidates and future aspirants gauge the level of preparation required for subsequent stages. Design entrance exams like NID focus on creative thinking, general awareness, analytical aptitude, and visual communication skills. The analysis typically includes segments on both General Ability Test (GAT) and Creative Ability Test (CAT) components, offering insight into performance benchmarks across sections.
Next Steps After NID DAT 2026 Prelims
After the completion of NID DAT 2026 Prelims, the National Institute of Design will evaluate answer sheets and prepare results. The DAT Prelims result is expected to be released online at a later date, allowing candidates to check their qualifying status for the next stage. Candidates who qualify in the prelims will be shortlisted for the DAT Mains exam, which is typically scheduled several months after prelims. The second phase assesses deeper creative aptitude and design thinking, forming a key step in the overall admission process. Shortlisted candidates should begin preparing for the DAT Mains stage while tracking official notifications regarding the result announcement, mock test releases, and mains exam dates.
