A good score in the NID DAT exam is somewhere between 60-66 for students, and those who meet this score may get into top colleges for studying design courses.
What is a good score in the NID DAT 2026 exam? A good score in the NID DAT 2026 exam may ideally range from 60 to 66 per cent. According to past years' trends, a competitive score for the general category BDes candidate ranges from 60 to 66 marks. The benchmark, however, varies based on factors such as exam difficulty, candidate category, and institute-specific NID. For admissions, one would like to know the scoring trends of the course and category he/she have chosen. Students eager to know more about what is a good score in NID DAT 2026 can go through the qualifying marks, exam analysis etc.
What is a Good NID DAT Score?
It will depend on various factors such as how difficult the exam is, the category you belong to, and the college you are applying to. To maximise your chances, you should target a score near or higher than what previous toppers got for your course and college of choice. The NID DAT result comprises the total marks scored by you. Here is a list of good scores in the NID DAT exam as per student category and past year analysis:Category | Good Score |
|---|---|
Open | 90+ |
Gen-EWS | 60+ |
OBC-NCL | 70+ |
SC | 65+ |
ST | 50+ |
PwD | 50+ |
What are the NID DAT Qualifying Marks?
To avoid confusion, the qualifying marks for NID DAT must be clear to the students. It keeps track of the score and rank that have been fetched by the last student who entered the B.Des program. The qualifying marks for NID DAT 2026 will be maintained on the official website, so the score and rank will vary for different candidates based on the discipline and category they have opted for.
The total marks scored in the NID DAT, the rank, category, preferences, and availability are considered by NID authorities for NID seat allocation. To see the previous year's qualifying marks for NID DAT 2026 B.Des admissions, check the table below.
Category | Rank of Last Shortlisted | Score of the Last Candidate Shortlisted |
|---|---|---|
OPEN | 253 | 58.5 |
OBC - NCL | 153 | 43 |
EWS | 257 | 50 |
ST | 181 | 43.75 |
SC | 120 | 29 |
PwD | 62 | 9.75 |
Overseas | 96 | 24.25 |
Minimum Qualifying Score in NID DAT 2026
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The minimum qualifying score in the NID DAT is the minimum mark obtained by the candidate. The minimum scores of the previous year are mentioned below in the list for each category:
Entrance Exam | Open | OBC - NCL | SC / ST | PWD | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B Des | 50 | 45 | 40 | 40 | 50 |
Note: To know the good marks on the NID DAT, it is important to know the cut-off and good scores of previous years. Check the category and course-wise scores on the official website to get a better understanding of good marks in the NID DAT. The marks are calculated from a total of 100 marks.
NID DAT 2026 Exam Analysis
The NID DAT 2026 Prelims exam consists of two distinct sections. Here's the section-wise NID DAT 2026 exam analysis to give you a clear idea of what to expect in NID DAT 2026 Prelims results and cutoffs.
Part | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|
Part I (Aptitude) | Moderately Difficult |
Part II (Drawing) | Moderate to Challenging |
Overall | Moderately Difficult |
Colleges Accepting the NID DAT Score 2026
In India, various colleges offer admission to design courses based on the NID DAT scores. After checking your NID DAT 2026 results, check out some of the best colleges which accept NID DAT scores below.
- National Institute of Design
- Pearl Academy
- IILM School of Design (IILM)
- World University of Design (WUD)
- Shiv Nadar University
Also Read: Top Colleges Accepting NID DAT Scores
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However, the marks are expected to be higher than the previous years because the number of aspirants appearing for this examination is growing with the increasing demand in the fashion world. So, students are advised to start gearing up for the entrance exam and other rounds beforehand. Also, the competition is real in this exam, so students must score higher marks to secure their spots in the best design colleges of India. Stay updated with CollegeDekho for more information related to the NID DAT 2026 exam! Reach out to us through the Q&A Zone for any questions and doubts.
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FAQs
To figure out what is considered a good score for NID DAT 2026, start by checking the previous year's cutoffs on the NID website or on college review platforms. You can also read exam analysis articles that discuss score ranges for various programs and categories. Keep in mind that what constitutes a good score can vary depending on the difficulty of the exam and the level of competition.
In the NID DAT 2026 exam, category reservations could influence the required "good score". Typically, cut-offs for reserved categories like SC, ST, and OBC-NCL tend to be lower compared to the general category. Consequently, if you fall under a reserved category, you might need a marginally lower score to secure admission.
In 2026, the NID DAT exam got tougher, making the "good score" range lower. This means the scores needed for admission might change based on how hard the exam is. When the exam is more challenging, more students tend to score lower. However, even with a lower score on a tough exam, you can still compete well for a spot compared to an easier exam.
- General Category: BDes - score around 65.8, rank around 47-50. MDes - score between 80-95.4.
- Other Categories: Cutoffs are lower, varying based on the category.
The minimum score needed to qualify for NID DAT 2026 changes depending on your category. For folks in the general category, it is typically about 50%, but it might be lower for groups like SC/ST. The specific cutoff for getting into NID DAT Mains gets announced after the Prelims results are out.
If you fall just below the cut-off, there are still options to explore:
- Revaluation: Visit the NID website for revaluation procedures; small discrepancies can impact scores.
- Waitlist: Some programs/campuses experience movement; stay updated and be prepared.
- Additional Rounds: Keep an eye out for extra admission rounds if seats are unfilled.
- Expand Options: Look into other design colleges with similar exams. Diverse opportunities await beyond setbacks.
Guessing your NID DAT 2026 score precisely before results is tough, but there's a way to estimate well! Review your performance on practice tests and mock exams, taking into account the exam format and how it's graded. Evaluate your creative tasks and general test-taking skills. Keep in mind that cutoffs can differ, so prioritise enhancing your preparation rather than fixating on a prediction. Stay positive, trust your hard work, and await the official results with confidence!
Yes, NID DAT cut-offs can vary for different categories. Each category (like General, OBC, SC, ST) may have a specific cut-off score based on factors such as the number of available seats and the overall performance of candidates in that category. It is important to check the official information for accurate details regarding cut-offs for each category.
Determining what's considered a good score for NID DAT Mains 2026 is not specific, considering various factors. Key considerations include:
- Category: Different categories (General, OBC-NCL, SC/ST, PwD, EWS) have different cut-offs. Aim for a higher score within your category for better chances.
- Desired Institute: Top NIDs like Ahmedabad and Bangalore often demand higher scores. Research past cut-offs of your preferred institute for insights.
- Overall Aim: Depending on your goal (B.Des or M.Des), note that M.Des involves a studio test, impacting your overall score.
Figuring out what's a good NID DAT 2026 percentile depends on factors like your category, preferred institute, and whether you're aiming for B.Des or M.Des. Generally, shoot for above the 90th percentile for General, 85th or more for OBC-NCL, and 80th or higher for SC/ST.
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