NIFT CAT will be conducted as an offline pen & paper-based exam while GAT will be held online in the CBT mode. CAT applies to B.Des & M.Des programmes only while GAT applies to all Design courses. Find more about the NIFT 2026 CAT vs GAT section differences here.
NIFT 2026 CAT vs GAT Section Differences:
There are numerous fundamental differences between the
NIFT 2026
Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT) in a number of aspects like exam purpose, applicability, mode, duration, syllabus, question types, marking scheme, etc. It is mandatory for you to appear for GAT for all courses (including B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.FTech, MFM), but CAT is conducted only for admission to design courses (B.Des, M.Des). Notably, only GAT is conducted and considered for specialized courses like B.F.Tech. CAT evaluates your creative and innovative thinking, drawing abilities, and skills in concept development. On the other hand, GAT assesses your expertise or aptitude in English language, quantitative skills, logic, case studies, communication, and general awareness. Find the distinct comparison of the differences between the NIFT 2026 CAT and GAT sections below.
Also Read:
Skills You Must Have to Crack NIFT CAT 2026 Exam
NIFT 2026 CAT vs GAT Section Differences
The differences between the NIFT 2026 CAT and GAT sections have been provided below in a comprehensive manner.
Point of Difference
|
CAT (Creative Ability Test)
|
GAT (General Ability Test)
|
|---|
Purpose of Exam
|
Evaluates your intuitive & creative abilities, skills pertaining to design, and visual ability
|
Evaluates your general aptitude including quantitative, verbal ability, and GK
|
Conducted for
|
B.Des & M.Des (Design candidates) programmes only
|
All programmes including B.Des, M.Des, B.F.Tech, M.FTech, MFM
|
Mode of Exam
|
Offline (Pen and paper-based)
|
Online (Computer-based test)
|
Duration of Exam
|
Approximately 3 hours for all programmes that are applicable
| -
B.Des & M.Des: 2 hours
-
B.FTech, M.FTech, & MFM: 3 hours
|
Question Type
| -
Drawing-based
-
Creative problem-solving
-
Design tasks
|
Objective (Multiple-Choice Questions - MCQs)
|
Nature of Questions
| -
Sketching
-
Illustration
-
Creativity
-
Colour usage
-
Design concept development
|
Aptitude-based questions including quantitative, verbal, logical, and general knowledge
|
Syllabus
| -
Design Theory
-
Colour Theory & Application
-
Observation & Visualization
-
Creative Thinking
-
Illustration & Drawing Skills
-
Understanding of Light & Shade
-
Perspective and Proportion
-
Storyboarding or creation of a series of panels to illustrate a short story or process
-
Abstract ideas, emotions, or themes
-
Design & Illustration for specific products
-
Scene & Perspective Drawing
|
GAT Syllabus for B.Des & M.Des (Duration: 2 hours)
Following are the sections covered in this paper:
-
Quantitative Ability: Basic mathematics (e.g., fractions, ratio & proportion, rate of interest, percentages, profit & loss, time & distance, time & work)
-
Communication Ability & English Comprehension: English grammar, vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms), reading comprehension, and sentence structure
-
Analytical & Logical Ability: Logic-based questions (e.g., series, puzzles, blood relations, direction tests)
-
General Knowledge & Current Affairs: Awareness of recent events, history, geography, and fashion industry news
GAT Syllabus for B.FTech, M.FTech, & MFM (Duration: 3 hours)
The sections covered in this paper include:
-
Quantitative Ability
-
Communication Ability & English Comprehension
-
Analytical & Logical Ability
-
General Knowledge & Current Affairs
-
Case Study (There will be a business or industry-related situation or problem and you will be asked to analyze it and answer the MCQs related to it)
|
Skills Evaluated
| -
Drawing
-
Innovation
-
Creativity
-
Drawing
-
Visualization
-
Observation
-
Design aptitude
-
Creativity & imagination
-
Observation and intuitive ability
-
Illustration and Colour application
-
Conceptual thinking and design skills
| -
Logical Reasoning
-
Analytical Reasoning
-
English language
-
Quantitative Ability
-
General Knowledge
|
Examples of Sample Questions
| -
Creating a sketch of an innovative design or product
-
Developing concepts from the shapes or stimuli provided
-
Solving visual problems through creative usage of colour and shapes
| -
Solving a math problem (e.g., percentages, time & work, ratio and proportion)
-
Going through the reading comprehension passages and answering related questions based on it
-
Analytical reasoning questions
|
Marking Scheme
|
No negative marking
| -
There is a penalty for incorrect answers
-
0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer
|
Weightage in Final Merit
|
The weightage for design courses for Design courses have been provided below:
Programme
|
CAT Weightage
|
Situation Test / GD/PI
|
|---|
B.Des
|
50%
|
20% (Situation Test)
|
M.Des
|
40%
|
30% (Group Discussion & PI
|
|
The weightage for different Design programmes have been provided below:
Programme
|
GAT Weightage
|
Situation Test / GD/PI
|
|---|
B.Des
|
30%
|
20% (Situation Test)
|
M.Des
|
30%
|
30% (Group Discussion & PI)
|
B.FTech
|
100%
|
-
|
M.FTech
|
70%
|
30% (Group Discussion & PI)
|
MFM
|
70%
|
30% (Group Discussion & PI)
|
|
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