NIFT Entrance Exam 2016: Tips to prepare for Creative Ability Test

NIFT entrance is a national level entrance examination conducted for admissions into graduate and post graduate courses of design and is specifically designed to select candidates for various design subjects. CAT is particularly designed to assess the drawing skills, observation and visualisation abilities, along with testing the creative writing skills of the candidate and as the field of design is vague and ambiguous, it has wide range of topics and hence any topic can be asked in this test.

So, what are the do’s and don’ts for candidates who are preparing for NIFT Entrance Exam 2016. Further, in this article we will be discussing some necessary tips for organised and efficient preparation for this test.

Pre-requisite

Before starting the preparation, one must organise and cross-check all the resources, requirements, methods and plans for preparation as it is necessary to start in an organised manner, so that, one can utilize his/her time to the fullest.

Due to the distinctness in the pattern and ideology of the examination, the preparation tips are also slightly different from other examination.

Four major factors of concern which are pre-requisite for any design entrance are:

1. Relevance – Do prepare the relevant topics and subjects without any focus dilution. For example, start with the preparation for the Creative Ability test, do not jump towards the second stage (situation test) preparation in between or before CAT preparation.
2. Effectiveness- You need to spend time to enhance your creative skills. This would require sitting for prolonged hours with complete focus and concentration towards your target. Be a critique of your own work, do find errors and keep learning from your mistakes.
3. Efficiency – Make a list of your strengths and keep working on them. But give more time to the topics which are not your forte. Do not skip practicing the topics you have not done before. Keep observing and researching.
4. Sustainability – After completing a topic, do not keep it untouched for a longer time period as it may fade out from your memory which may reduce the quality of your work.  Keep revising the topics, it will be profitable in the long run. 
   
   
   

TIPS FOR CAT (Creative Ability Test)

Develop objectives and goals:

Your goal should be clear to you, so that you have confident and planned approach towards your goal. Don’t prepare to appear in the examination but set your target to qualify and get marks in the test. Develop your objectives to achieve your goal. You must be very sure about what are you preparing for. List out the topics you have to cover in order to qualify the examination. Check your strength and weakness and set objectives to improve

Prepare a methodology:

Make a draft methodology chart for your preparation, as you have to prepare for the test in stages and skipping or shuffling the stages can confuse you and may affect the quality of your work which may hinder your performance in the examination. Start with the fundamentals and basics of design.

This would keep you updated about your progress and will set a strong foundation for further stages.

Determined Approach:

 Be determined and execute your plan thoroughly and rigorously. Keep in mind, if you just make plans and do not implement them then there would not be any significant progress in your quality of work.

Observation and Application based methods:

Keep observing your surrounding and vicinity; this would help you to understand the application of the topics you are practicing, as creative test is always application based.

For example, if you are practicing line work then check for its application, look up for questions based on line exercise. The same should be done for all the topics in order to understand to reason for practicing particular topics.

Be Optimistic:

The examination is designed to evaluate drawing, visualisation, creative writing but other than this it also assesses the psychology behind your answers. Your answer will depict your psyche. One has to keep an optimistic approach by choosing positive, cheerful, confident topics, options and colour schemes.

Avoid Myths:

A common myth is that entrance exams are very tough or that the questions are complex and difficult to crack. It is just a different pattern of examination which requires different approach to understand the same subject that you have studied in school.

Time Management:  

Time management is a critical part in preparation of any exam as you have to maintain the quality of your answer and complete it in given time as well. Students should develop a habit of drawing complete answers and do it in a set timeline. So attempt the questions with such a speed that you can complete the tests within stipulated time.

No Plagiarism, No shortcuts. Avoid focus dilution:

Do not copy answers from any available resources. Avoid plagiarism, as it would damage your imagination abilities and would deplete your thoughts, ideas and observation regarding the subject and topics and you will not be able to come up with any innovative answers.

Your focus should be strong and cemented, do not get distracted from unnecessary ideas or logics which are not applicable or unpractical with respect to your preparation. Remember, there is no shortcut for developing your skills; you have to keep practicing and observing.

Never quit mid-way:

Some people are in the habit of leaving jobs half finished. Quitting is a negative habit and won’t take you far in life.

Keep revising, Keep retaining:

Here, revision refers to practicing the topics continuously as revision is always fruitful as it broadens the scope of developing innovative answers and strengthens the foundation of your preparation. Make sure that the weaker topics are revised more as they would require supplementary input.

Practice Sample Papers: 

Practice past year papers thoroughly. This will give you an idea of the type of questions that are asked in an exam.

Remove Psychological Barrier: 

Every battle is first won in the mind then on the ground. Psychological battle starts before the real battle comes in. And the greatest battle is not physical, but psychological.

So, be prepared and be confident, believe in yourself.