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NID DAT reference books 2026 can help you prepare well for the exam. Referring to the books and materials for preparation helps you to understand the exam pattern and also learn and understand the topics well.
These NID DAT reference Books 2026 are very beneficial and can be used to perform well in each stage of the exam, namely: prelims and mains tests.
Preparation can be done with the help of going through various other sources; however, going through reference books and materials can help candidates cover a wide range of topics in a short time.
This section discusses all the aspects of Books for the NID DAT 2026, and candidates are advised to go through this page completely for further information about the same.
Best NID DAT Books 2026
NID DAT Reference Books 2026 for preparation are listed below in a table. Candidates can make a note of the same.
| Best NID DAT Books 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Book for NID | Mock Test Series for NID | Entrance Books and Test Series for BDes | RS Agarwal - NID DAT Book |
| NID Guide | Robert Gill - Basic Rendering | Francis DK Ching - Design Drawing | NID Entrance Exam - Success Master |
Certain other important NID DAT Preparation Books are listed below for reference:
- NIFT, NID, IIFT Entrance Examination by Dharmendra Mittal
 |
- NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide Surendra
 |
- NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Examination 2026 Dharmendra Mitta Success Master
 |
How to Select NID DAT Books 2026 for Preparation?
Candidates are advised to consider certain aspects for selecting the NID DAT Books for preparing for the exam. The aspects to consider are given below.
- Candidates should select recent publications of reference books, which contain the latest updates.
- The NID DAT Books 2026 should be published by renowned publications and must cover all the topics in the syllabus.
- The books for preparation should be written in simple language and must be easily understandable.
- The ideal NID DAT Books 2026 for preparation should comprise a lot of previous year question papers and mock tests for practise.
NID DAT Exam Pattern
Before preparing with the NID DAT Books 2026, candidates should go through the exam pattern very carefully. Going through the paper pattern or the exam pattern will help the candidates get an idea about the weighting of marks along with the distribution of topics. The exam pattern for the prelims and the mains exam are discussed below. Candidates can go through the same for reference.
NID DAT Prelims Exam Pattern
The aspects of the prelims exam pattern are listed below.
- It is an offline exam which takes place with the total duration of 3 hours
- The exam comprises 26 questions with total marks of 100.
- The question type is mixed - subjective and objective
NID DAT Mains Exam Pattern
The aspects of the main exam pattern are listed below.
- The main exam is conducted offline, which takes place for 3 hours.
- It is of 100 marks comprising both objective and subjective types of questions
Read More: NID DAT 2026 Exam Pattern
NID 2026 Syllabus
Candidates should go through the syllabus before starting the preparation. NID DAT 2026 Syllabus is divided into three major parts or sections. The syllabus for the exam is distinctive for each exam type, as shown below.
Prelims Syllabus: The syllabus includes some topics like Design Theory, Visual Logic, Elements & Principles of Design, Memory Drawing, etc.
Mains Syllabus: The syllabus includes topics like Model Making, Material Manipulation, Doodling, Creative Thinking, etc. and other hands-on practical subjects.
Fixed Syllabus: There is a new fixed syllabus determined by the exam authorities. Candidates can go visit the NID DAT Syllabus page for further information.
NID DAT Preparation Tips
Candidates need to follow certain strategies and techniques to prepare well and clear the exam, along with preparing with the NID DAT Books 2026. They can either devise their strategies or follow the below-given tips and techniques for preparation:
- The candidates need to prepare by going through the topics one by one. Topic-wise preparation enables the candidates to understand and remember the concepts better.
- Candidates should thoroughly go through the syllabus and the exam pattern before starting the preparation.
- Evaluating oneself during preparation is a crucial process of strengthening his/her knowledge. It is the only way to know how much the person has prepared for the exam and how much is still required to be covered. Candidates need to find as many practice questions, sample papers and mock tests as they can and start testing themselves. Based on their performance in the practice sessions, the candidates can evaluate themselves and accordingly focus on what needs to be done to improve themselves.
- They must prepare and practice the most difficult and important topics first. This way the important sections can be covered, and the speed and accuracy levels can also be enhanced.
- Candidates must revise frequently at regular intervals, be it for every 2 to 3 chapters or every couple of new topics learnt. This way they will be able to brush up on their memories.
- It is advised that the candidates should prepare for at least 6 to 8 hours a day to score well in the exam.
- The candidates should attend to the questions they are familiar with before attending the questions that are unknown to them during the exam. This way they will secure the minimum score for the exam within minimal time consumption. Time efficiency during the exam can be achieved in this way.
FAQs on NID Books
Q: Which books are best for NID DAT 2026 Prelims preparation?
For Prelims, use NID Entrance Exam Guide by R.S. Aggarwal for reasoning, Design Drawing by Francis D.K. Ching for sketching basics, and Manorama Yearbook for general knowledge. Also, refer to previous years’ papers to understand the question style and difficulty level.
Q: Are there different books for NID DAT 2026 Mains preparation?
Yes. For Mains, focus on books that enhance creativity, visualisation, and practical design skills. Rendering with Pen and Ink by Robert W. Gill and Creative Workshop: 80 Challenges to Sharpen Your Design Skills by David Sherwin are excellent choices for hands-on preparation.
Q: Do I need separate books for B.Des and M.Des NID DAT 2026?
While the core preparation resources are similar, B.Des aspirants should focus more on fundamentals like sketching and visual communication, whereas M.Des aspirants can use advanced design theory and problem-solving books like Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman for concept development.
Q: Can I prepare for NID DAT 2026 without buying too many books?
Yes. You can combine a few essential books with free resources like online tutorials, design blogs, and art workshops. Practice sketching daily, work on design challenges, and use open-access mock papers to build your skills without relying solely on multiple paid books.
Q: Are coaching study materials enough for NID DAT 2026 preparation?
Coaching materials cover the syllabus well, but pairing them with recommended books can give you an edge. Books provide broader perspectives, in-depth design concepts, and varied practice exercises that coaching notes alone may not fully cover. Combining both ensures well-rounded preparation.
