Essential Tips to Clear the Entrance Test for Fashion Designing in 2025

If you dream of becoming a celebrated fashion designer like Manish Malhotra, SabhyaSachi Mukherjee, the first step is to get admission to a good design institute.  And for that, clearing the entrance test is a must. 

Just talent is not enough to crack the exam of top institutes like NID, NIFT, and UID. A good strategy with smart preparation is also required.

According to reports, almost 30,000+ students apply for the NIFT entrance every year, but seats are limited to 4,000. So the competition is high, but if you follow the right strategy, then nothing is impossible.

Let’s see some essential tips that will help you succeed in the fashion design entrance test of 2025.

1. Understand the Entrance Exam Syllabus

Every design institute has a different exam structure. For example, in NIFT, there is the CAT (Creative Ability Test) and GAT (General Ability Test) exams. CAT tests the aspirant’s drawing, design sense and imagination skills, whereas GAT tests your reasoning, math, English and GK.

A Pro tip is to break the syllabus into chunks and make a separate strategy for each topic.

2. Create a Study Schedule

As they say, consistency is the key! Make a realistic and daily study plan which covers both your strengths and weak areas and stay consistent with that plan.

Keep 1 hour daily for drawing, 2 hours for theory (GK + aptitude), and a weekly mock test is mandatory to test your progress.

3. Brush Your Drawing Skills Every Day

When it comes to fashion design exams, visual imagination and sketching skills are very important. You should be able to draw human figures, accessories, garment fall, texture, etc, quickly. 

Practice making 3-4 sketches daily within 10-15 minutes. Search for design prompts on Pinterest and practice replicating them.

4. Enhance Your General Knowledge

The syllabus of GK is wide: fashion history, current affairs, designers, fabrics, world events – everything is included. Read fashion-related magazines like Vogue, Elle India and revise daily current affairs (especially design & culture news).

5. Join an Exam Coaching Program

There are many good fashion coaching centers in Indore like Starminds, Pahal Design, BRDS etc. They teach you mock tests, portfolio guidance and time-based sketching.

If you are finding it difficult to do self-study, join coaching or online classes during the weekend.

6. Focus on Time Management

In both CAT and GAT, you have to give maximum output in a limited time. Build your speed and accuracy through mock tests.

Practice time-bound drawing and sectional tests daily.

7. Develop Analytical Skills

Along with creative thinking, logical thinking is also important. Practice analytical reasoning, math basics and comprehension daily. Books like R.S. Aggarwal and Lucent GK help.

8. Stay Healthy and Stress-Free

Health is wealth! To score well, your mind should be sharp and your body active.

Do meditation, eat healthy food and keep a fixed sleeping time. A healthy body and mind will help you focus during your study time and in exams.

9. Believe in Yourself

The most important thing is to have faith in your talent and preparation. Everyone has doubts, but with dedication and passion, you can crack any exam.

Conclusion 

Hope these tips helped you. Dear student, clearing the fashion designing entrance is not just a matter of talent — it is a journey of smart strategy, daily practice and self-confidence.

The competition will be tough, but your dedication can be stronger than that. So, believe in your dream and work hard.