How to start and what to practice for NID-DAT exam

You can keep this PDF - A PDF with a complete list of SYL links to the NID exam

DAT Prelims covers the following (syllabus and pattern/markings listed in the official website is the same for both BDes and MDes)

• Knowledge
• Analysis
• Visualization
• Comprehension
• Creativity

Part A - MCQ for 70 points

Part B - Subjective for 30 points

Though Part A accounts to 70% of total marks compared to part B, the later (part B) needs ample amount of time for preparation. Because, as you know, sketching/drawing cannot be learned in a night. You cannot schedule it on the last week or on the last day unless you're skilled enough (above average or an artist by nature - with full confidence of making sketches in the stipulated time during the exam. In fact, this is not just about sketching, this is also about design/creative ideas. Your creative thoughts need to be refined by the time you reach the exam date. For that, you better practice on more design questions. So, assuming that you have a sufficient amount of time for preparation, start with sketching and practice on creative questions.

 
NID MDes CDAT new pattern - what is it and how to deal with it?

If your exam is around two months, then start your GK practice. GK here also includes general design aptitude like idea about famous designers, personalities, products etc. (You can check the suggested list of syllabus here) 

Imagination/creativity plays a major role in your performance, esp. for NID. So, you better prioritize it. Below, I'm giving a few points as strategizes.

Strategies

1. 

Start with basic sketches and then move on to making sketches minding details like texture, shadows, and, by giving importance to the shape of the object/human, size/proportion, view etc. In parallel, you can choose to study 'English' or 'comprehension'' part of Part A. 

2. 

Observe through existing sketches/drawings and understand 

• Details (shading, shadows, proportion of objects/human)
• Perspective and view
• Picturization
• Imagination of the artist - what is he trying to portray or communicate?
• Simplicity etc.

3. 

Set a weekly timetable - Based on your time and availability, plan for the preparation. You can choose to do weekly, bi-weekly or even every day. Spare some time for your preparation. If you've time and have good memory power too, dedicate some time for GK study too. Latest GK topics would be helpful to you apart from general knowledge questions including those studied during school days. 

Here's my strategy - as part of weekly timetable for NID preparation

4. 

If you are a beginner or average at sketching, then you need to do more work. Start by simply copy-sketching and after you improve on copy sketching, move to the next level of drawing those sketches in some other view/direction. This calls for your imagination skills. Once you do sufficient amount of practice on this, move on to the next level of creating your own sketches out of your imagination. You can consider some real-life examples or if you are out of questions, you can refer to this page on subjective questions for practice. 

5. 

Practice first on object sketching (drawing objects, humans/animals in a particular situation or in a particular instant - like an infant playing with a toy etc.) Practice lesser on scenarios or keep it as secondary practice giving priority to object sketching.

Subjective practice questions for BDes

Subjective practice questions for MDes

6. 

As you approach near to the exam (say only a few weeks are left for the exam), alter the preparation schedule. Give more time for general studies and comparatively less time for sketching. By then you should be able to do perform well on subjective questions. Regardless, keep working on your creative ideas because the more you think of creative solutions for problems, the more you will be benefited - both for the exam and for your career as well. You don't need to draw/sketch every time you think of some idea. Just that draw mentally in your mind and imagine how your IMAGINED idea would look like or make a rough sketch. This exercise would be fun btw.

Other than the above, you can have variations in your study pattern. No timetable can suit everyone. So, have your own. But, I would recommend you to go through a weekly timetable that I prepared keeping in mind everyone (student, working profession etc.) You can have a look at it and either follow it as it is (if you find it workable to you) or alter to as per your timing. 

Last but not least - it's your confidence that takes you to greater heights. All the best :) 

Additional video help for non-verbal and aptitude development

What to start? 

How to solve design aptitude, non-verbal, and Ability questions with examples

How to count no. of surfaces in given solids

Maths Basics for non-math background design aspirants

Here is my latest post - Improve imagination, work with 3D solids and unfolding of solid shapes

Improve your imagination and learn to work with solid shapes

You are here UCEED >> 3D solid shape manipulation and unfolding of solids

Hello ,

In-spite of including many online resources for helping you learn about math solid geometry and their manipulation, I'm getting a number of comments on how to solve them; especially the question "unfolding of solids". So, in this post, I've covered their basics and will try to make you understand the process in a simpler way for your easy understanding  - by considering and elaborating the process for some examples. I will begin with basics and then move to the topic 'How to analyse/visualize unfolding by imagination' at the end of this session.

Before that, here are my recent videos, uploaded in 2020, on 

What to start, How to learn the basics? 

How to solve design aptitude, non-verbal, and Ability questions with examples

PART 2

3D solid in different views

Math solid shapes are usually viewed best in isometric drawings. View which the solid is usually 30 degree inclined with the horizontal as shown in the sample picture below are usually isometrics. They are best examples of 3D because of solid being represented in 3 co-ordinate directions.

The four common projection we come across in drawing or Engg. graphics are - front view, left side view, right side view, top view. Although bottom view is there, but it has not much significance coz  most of the times, it will be a single plane surface shape.

For your additional info, let me add other types of views as taken from Wiki (note: the list includes photography views too!)

• Bird's-eye view
• 2.5D
• Cross section
• Cutaway drawing
• Exploded view drawing
• Fisheye lens
• Panorama
• Worm's-eye view
• Zoom lens

Now, consider a solid shape (first angle projection), and when they are unfolded, you can get the following transformations as shown below.

unfolding of the first angle geometry

unfolded views

Ok, above are some basics, now let me add an example that I drew personally (in color) for your better understanding, the solid has been rotated in different directions for you to realize how it gets oriented. Also, it's important that you should note the continuation or break of surfaces in every view.

Figure also shows the direction of view, which I consider as front instead of our regular way of taking arrow in left! The following set of figures shows the same solid viewed in different 3D positions. Note that any black surface that you might see in the pics are just their shadows and has nothing to do with actual solid.

Now, the front view!

right side view is shown below, notice that the yellow box on top of the rectangular box covers the view of the blue triangle and so the triangle won't appear from left side.

Below figure shows the backside view. Observe how the view is similar to front view except the swapping of positions of the blue and yellow positions. This is not always true but for this specific geometric shape.

Below figure shows the left side view (little distorted). Actually the blue triangle width and the yellow square/retangle width are of same size and so they must lie in the same line. But because of little distortion while making the picture, it turned little. Hope you understood and don't get confused.

Ok, now that we have seen some basics, we will move to solving the question "Unfolding of solid shape" by taking an example.

Unfolding solid shapes 

Below image shows the example that I considered with unique alphabets for each surface - for easy identification. I also included back view that depicts clearly the visible surfaces, such that both the views covered all the surfaces except the bottom surface, which I think is not necessary to show here as you can easily assume that.

(Note: You may want to click the image for enlarged view or to download)

Now, let's say I unfolded the surface with tag 'A', which when unfolded will assume the below shape. A is unfolded from vertical position to the horizontal position by rotating towards us as shown by the arrow in the image below (just like opening the front door of a box).

Unfold B now from vertical position to the horizontal position by rotating to the right as shown in the below image. (Note: You can unfold in any order, it really doesn't matter, I took this way. But if in exam they show options in unfolded view, then you may have to put extra effort in determining which way they unfolded. If you understand the way I proceed here, then it will be easy to identify any unfolding!)

Now, I will unfold both E and D surfaces together to vertical plane as indicated by arrow in the below image. 

In the above two images, note a line tagged 'p' which will actually not be a line when A and B are unfolded but an empty space, I just included there for your visualization, in the next image, I removed that to show you how in actual the solid looks when the surfaces A and B are removed. 

Now, I unfold surfaces C and F as shown in the below picture. C to the right and F to the back (indicated by arrows in the image).

Now, I'm interested in bringing all the surfaces to the ground. I mean make them flat/plain by unwrapping as indicated in the below image.

Finally, to put together, and when viewed from top, the unfolded solid looks like below

The above is only one possibility, like I mentioned there are many possibilities, I took time to draw some possibilities as I showed in the below images, can you try yourself to make some more if you get free time ? I bet you can, if you understood the above steps :)

How to count no. of surfaces in given solids

I hope you enjoyed this, as well as understood how to deal with similar questions. I'm expecting your imaginative skills to be better from now especially when dealing with solid shapes and manipulations. 

Good luck :)

Last minute tips for NID-DAT exam (new pattern)

Although I started speaking about NID very late, yet I believe I covered good amount of information with resources in my blog post - NID-DAT complete Resource collection. So, here are my final tips for your NID exam for tomorrow 

1. NID pattern has changed and it covers wide topics, so if you keep searching for topics then you are lost in an ocean of huge confusing web resource, so utilize whatever time left specifically to revise the so far learnt or referred topics and also whatever topics you have saved for last minute
2. (In correction to my earlier mistake - Thanks to Simran comment below) There is no negative marking for NID-DAT and also objective questions are MCQ type, so you don't have the restriction of checking whether your assumed answer is correct or not. UCEED exam has the headache of negative marking and MSQ's, but luckily NID doesn't have. So, go ahead, try to attempt all the question even if your only partially sure about a given questions. But be wise while choosing answers. Some questions are deceptive and might seems the answer as say 'A' but it could be some other option.
3. Be confident. That is the only tool/armour you have. A well prepared person with less confident might have greater chances of loosing marks! Likewise an average prepared guy with full confidence have the greater chance of being the topper!
4. Sleep well! Yes you heard me right, don't rush to revise or study before exam. Don't be in a hurry - turning papers, check links etc before the last minute of exam. At least relax yourselves before two hours, by compromising yourself that you have covered everything. Remember new pattern has diverse topics, so it's never complete! Likewise you are never unprepared! you might have observed that 'on the spot solving questions' are well asked in NID. So, you are already well prepared :)
5. Check yourself whether you have covered this topics or not - 
   a. Color theory 
   b. Art media 
   c. Famous designers, 
   d. History and evolution of art 
   e. Basic math recap and so on
6. I think attempting Subjective part of NID is quite easier than CEED subjective, based on the sample questions. I think even NID started giving priority to idea/concept rather than just objective sketching (that was my earlier belief). So, take time in making good idea. I know your brilliant brain has the same structure like that was shown in the recent animated movie "Inside-Out". So, try to put all your intelligence (not strength) to get good alternate idea. Ideas are generated spontaneously based on your prior exposure, habits, your observation skills, the environment in which you were raised etc and several other factors. I can always sense the intelligent version of you :) You saw your intelligence yet? ......No ?..... No issues, you are going to see it tomorrow :)
7. Mind the time during exam
8. Carry all those things listed 'to be carried' to exam, including 
   a. admit card, 
   b. ID proof, 
   c. pencils,  rulers, sketch pens/pencils, Eraser, Sharpener etc
   d. Your other art tools etc
9. Stay cool and relaxed like I mentioned earlier

That's it, I don't want you to spend time much on reading this. You better revise your topics.

 

NID DAT - Resources and study materials

You are here  >> Resource and books for NID

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This blog (stuff you look) is basically started for CEED, later UCEED topics were added. Now that I went through NID DAT syllabus and analysed the pattern, I found that fortunately most of the CEED/UCEED topics are similar to that of NID DAT pattern. So, in this page, I have gathered all those useful topics which are relevant to NID under separate headings as listed in the sample paper (A1,A2 and A3). Also, I have included all those mock tests, which are directly helpful to your preparation. Although bit late, but hopefully you will find these page useful.

Although bit late, but hopefully you will find these page useful. Please note that since the entire syllabus is not known, these collections are based on my pure observation/analysis and need not necessarily covers everything or might cover topics that may/may not appear directly in your exam. So, please co-operate.

This page serves as a collection of links from around the web pages that helps you study relevant topics; including topics and guide materials that I prepared. As of know, I'm just including those topics/NID-related resources that I have with me. I will update with newly found topics whenever time permits. So, keep watching ......


Downloadable PDF - A complete list of SYL links for NID-DAT exam (sitemap) 

NID-DAT Syllabus - a comprehensive list of topics

If your exam is very near, then here are My Last minute tips for NID-DAT aspirants

Also check - JEE Mains Paper-2 (Arch) resource and study materials

A1. Knowledge-based questions test the candidate's ability to remember and recall factual/general knowledge.

Indian cultural GA

Cultural tour of India - Art, crafts, traditional wear etc

Indian state paintings and painters

Indian musical instruments

Something about India and time

Cultural and complete Architectural collection of India  

More Painting Resources : on wiki page, most popular painting styles

Check more - 20 famous architectures of the world

Also for reference - 100 greatest paintings of all time 

Artistic Media used - Artistic media on Wikipedia

Here's - a good guide for art movements

Check more about famous designers - famous designers here 

A very good facts blog about famous persons around the world

Go through this wiki page in free time about Art movement

• A list of famous Indian authors - here

• All about Prime ministers of India - here

• A very good list of Indian Bank Logo's - here

• Past to present logo evolution for some famous brands - here

List of famous personalities, designers 


More Topics

• Photography terms and guide
• Animation study
• Typography
• Video and color technology
• Illustrations
• Indian Automotive awareness
• Useful websites 

Free time reference study

• Artistic tools, drawing terms and sculpture material
• Logo's of Indian Govt. undertakings - 1
• Logo's of Indian Govt. Undertakings - 2
• List of logos - here>>

Materials and manufacturing related

I had detailed and categorized materials as well as manufacturing process with examples of day-to-day products. Don't spend much time on this topic ! Just give a brief overview.

You may check - Material and manufacturing process >>

1. Every day materials - here >>
2. Plastic materials and manufacturing process - A very good guide for household plastic materials and their manufacturing process. You may not go through manufacturing process, just note for what material, what particular manufacturing process is employed - here >>
3. Tips for selecting plastic materials - here >>
4. Top Indian stone and rock carvings - here >>

Color Selection

Let us now see some pdf files, which may help you choose color at different occasions

• Psychology of color by Painters of Louisville from - nowsorcing.com
• Colors by gender from blog.kissmetrics.com
• Check the shades of Red color - wiki page

  Check this Infograph to get more details about - color selection principles 
• Learn about shades of other colors - wiki page

Signs, symbols and their interpretations

• Signs, symbols - their meaning - 1
• Signs, symbols - their meaning - 2
• Health and safety symbols list 1  
• Health and safety symbols list 2
• Imp - List of all Eco Labels use in India 

A very lengthy but useful pdf file about signs in design context. Just have a quick glance for now. Later, if you are interest you may go deeply into this book - Signs and symbols with design

A2. Comprehension based questions test the candidates’ ability to understand, explain, compare, infer, summarize, classify, exemplify or interpret.

Inference from Paragraph and pictures

• Paragraph inference Material - 1
• Paragraph inference Material - 2
• Paragraph inference Material - 3
• Paragraph inference Material - 4 (briefly go through this)
• Paragraph inference Material - 5

Verbal Reasoning

• A very good file on types of reasoning (Imp)
• Verbal Reasoning Test 1  
• Solutions for VR Test1 
• Verbal Reasoning Test 2 
• Solutions to Verbal Reasoning Test 2  
• Cause and Effect test samples

Data Interpretation

• Data Interpretation test 1 
• Data Interpretation test 2
• Answers to Data Interpretation test 2 - 
• Data Interpretation test 3
• Answers to Data Interpretation test 2 

Word/Pictogram puzzles (Rebus puzzles)

• Pictogram puzzle - material 1
• Pictogram puzzle - material 1
• Pictogram puzzle - material 1
• Visual analogue guide
• Simile, metaphors guide
• Introduction to Figurative Language terms
• Online figurative test 

Leisure time study - material 1

Paragraph summary

Para summary material - 1
Para summary material - 2

Leisure time study - material 3

English comprehension

Comprehension material 1
Very good exercise with answer key

leisure time study - TOEFL material

A3. Analytical and Reasoning based questions test the candidates’ ability to select, compare, separate, distinguish or differentiate, de construct.

General, Mechanical and Verbal Reasoning questions

Here is a very good online website, where several free PDF files for practicing verbal, non verbal and psychometric tests are available in each page  that you can download and use for your practice - Free PDF's from assessmentday.com

(Detailed Reasoning topics will be added soon)
Most of the sample test papers (PDF files) that I've included here (below) has been taken from Job Test Prep website. Big thanks to the web owner for including free PDF files!

• Practice with explanations - Spatial Reasoning test 1
• Psychometric Practice test - 1, and Answer for test - 1
• Verbal Reasoning Practice test - 3, and Answer for test - 3
• Situation Reasoning Practice test - 4, and Answer for test - 4
• Logical Reasoning Practice test - 5, and Answer for test - 5

Free time study

• Online practice - Quantitaive aptitude practice
• Quantitative aptitude online practice - here >>
• Go through Arithmetic reasoning and venn diagrams - here >>

Here is my guide on - How to solve Reasoning and Logical questions with ans example

A very good website for practising unfolded views of solids - Practice unfolded views of solids >>

Odd man out series exercises

Online practice test - 1
Prcatice test - 2 Numerical (downloadable)
Online practice test - 3 (Word)
Find the odd picture - warmup worksheet

Leisure time exercises

Exercise - 1
Exercise - 2
With good explanations and procedure
Figurative exercise but with no solutions

Direction sense test

A Good worksheet with explanations
Additional worksheet with in depth questions
Online practice exercise

Leisure time practice

Leisure time exercises for your practice - 1
Leisure time exercises for your practice - 2


More Reasoning Topics

Check the details in downloadable (Pdf) from working with geometry objects >>

Learn a way of Solving number of faces on complex objects >>

My solution for tetrahedron tessellation problem - Tetrahedron Tessellation problem solving here>>

Geometry representations by Malati - here>>

Leisure time works

• A detailed instructions on how to draw a tessellation by David B Sullivan -  here

• Best tessellations work by Escher from teacherweb - here

General Topics

Standard ISO paper sizes

Learn about - Indian epigraphy history

Learn about - Famous inscription in India
Check here - List of Indian Folk dances (state-wise)
A complete list of - Indian Folk dance (wiki page)

Go through this link to learn about famous books and others

Check all the image formats list

Learn more about - Pica in wiki page
Learn more drawing terminology here - quizlet blog for drawing terminology
Very good collection of - perspective and non-perspective images

Relevant Mock tests

Although these practice tests are designed for UCEED, practising them is helpful for NID to the fullest. Like I said, the pattern matches to a greater extent to UCEED. So, take time in taking these questions. Also solving CEED Part-A mock tests and previous papers are very helpful. Remember NID subjective questions matches some what to CEED Part-B questions. I will try to group those questions and guide materials too ...... soon.

Sample Mock test practice - 3
Official UCEED 2015 sample test Answer key
UCEED Sample Mock test practice - 2 
Sample questions for UCEED 2015, Model test - 1

NID Subjective help

NID-DAT 2015 Prelims Subjective ideas

- Superb book for learning sketching techniques and different facets of design (including perspective, shadowing, shading, texture, architectural facts etc) - Design drawing by Francis D.K.Ching

- A (very famous) complete pdf book "Basic Rendering" from Robert W.Gill, which covers most of the rendering topics including perspective projections (For those wishing to learn sketching/rendering)

Latest update: Tips for Exploded view drawing

You can find more materials related to sketching/rendering - Resources/materials for CEED 

Also:

Answers to 2015 NID-DAT subjective sample paper by Vaishnavi Boradwar

Ideas for NID Strategic Design Management 

The above pdf file is just an attempt (of questions) to give you an idea of the type of questions that could possibly be asked in NID subjective part for SDM stream. Although I don't have idea, hopefully this is worth sharing for your reference. 

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Also check - JEE Mains Paper-2 (Arch) resource and study materials

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Hope this page is useful, Like I said, I will keep updating this page whenever I find the time or come across useful/relevant materials.


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