Best NIFT Study Material 2025: What Toppers Recommend

Posted On: 11 June 2025 | 08:34:pm

Cracking the NIFT Entrance Exam demands smart preparation, top-tier study materials, and expert guidance. To secure admission into B.Des/M.Des programs at premier NIFT campuses, aspirants must focus on key areas like CAT, GAT, and the crucial NIFT Situation Test. This guide highlights the best NIFT study materials of 2025, recommended by exam toppers, combined with coaching strategies from NIFT Coaching.

1. Why the Right Study Material Matters

Selecting high-quality study materials is a differentiator. Even top-scoring students stress:

Alignment with the NIFT syllabus and exam pattern
Clear explanations, solved examples, and real previous years’ papers
Comprehensive coverage across CAT, GAT, and Situation Test

The analysis from Careers360, Shiksha, and other platforms underscores that toppers rely on vetted books and mock sets first—starting with official exam questions to build accuracy and speed .

2. Top Books for CAT (Creative Ability Test)

This section accounts for 50% weightage. Leading materials include:

Anatomy & Perspective – “Fundamentals of Figure Drawing” by Charles Oliver; “Complete Guide to Perspective Drawing” by Craig Attebery
Color Psychology – “Psychology of Color” by Richard G. Lewis
“Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug and “Universal Principles of Design” by Tom & David Kelley, praised for aiding creative thinking and usability fundamentals

Toppers use these books alongside NIFT Coaching’s sketch exercises for daily creative training.

3. Best Books for GAT (General Ability Test)

GAT forms 30% of the score (logic, general knowledge, English). Key books include:

Arihant NIFT Exam Self Guide (2025), Arihant Fast Track Objective Arithmetic, and Oswaal’s general English guide
“Word Power Made Easy” for vocabulary enhancement
“NIFT, NID & IIFT Entrance Exam Guide” by D. Mittal and by Surendra Kavimandan—ideal for CAT/GAT

Pairing them with NIFT Coaching’s practice tests and section-wise quizzes strengthens overall readiness.

4. Superior Books for Situation Test

The NIFT Situation Test holds 20–25% weight and needs hands-on preparation. Standout books recommended by toppers are:

“Universal Principles of Design” (Kelley), “100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People” (Weinschenk), “The Design of Everyday Things” (Don Norman)
Practical guides and mock kit handling provided by coaching modules are equally indispensable

These books offer insight into ideation, user-centric design, and model-building frameworks.

5. NIFT Coaching’s Home Kit & Mock Tests

Beyond books, aspirants need hands-on practice:

Model-making kits (paper, wire, straws, clay) mimic exam conditions
Sketch & practice booklets help refine spatial and aesthetic sense
Mock tests (CAT, GAT, Situation Test) simulate actual exam experience

These tools are critical in bridging the theory-practice gap.

6. Structuring Your Study Plan

Use a phased approach:

Months 6–4

Master core syllabus, source primary study materials
Begin daily CAT-based sketching and perspective exercises

Months 4–2

Intensify sketch practice, especially with book prompts
Build Situation Test models under time constraints

Last Month (30 days)

Daily full mocks + performance analysis
Intervention with coaching feedback and refining weak zones

This systematic approach ensures alignment with top-toppers’ success patterns.

7. Study & Coaching Integration

Combine self-study books with expert coaching:

Core books introduce theory and examples
NIFT Coaching adds structure—online/offline workshops, mentorship, and timely feedback
Togehter they create a balanced prep ecosystem

8. Avoiding Common Mistakes

From expert blogs and coaching insights:

Don’t rely solely on random materials online or a single source
Daily sketching + mock frequency are essential
Balance creativity with precise execution—avoid structural flaws in models

9. Toppers’ Endorsements

Career360 & Shiksha highlight that toppers lean heavily on:

Section-focused books for CAT, GAT, Situation test
Mock sets with timed practice, preferably curated by experts

10. NIFT Coaching’s Advantage

At NIFT Coaching, aspirants benefit from:

Curated NIFT Study Material 2025 aligned with exam blueprint
Access to mock tests, home-kit, ideation sessions, and expert NIFT Online Coaching
Personalized evaluations, concept break-down, and execution support

“The best NIFT Study Material 2025 includes Arihant’s guide, R.P. Verma, Surendra Kavimandan, and especially BRDS mock material”—career counselors routinely echo

11. Study Material Checklist

CAT: Oliver, Attebery, Lewis, Kelley, Norman
GAT: Arihant guides, Word Power, Arithmetic books
Situation Test: Kelley, Norman, Weinschenk
Practice Tools: Realistic modeling kits & mock papers from coaching

12. The Role of NIFT Online Coaching

If offline isn’t viable, NIFT Online Coaching offers:

Recorded lectures and live doubt sessions
Home-kit model practice videos
Peer review boards for collaborative learning
Scheduled mocks & mentor feedback loops

13. Avoiding Burnout

Study faster but smart:

Break material into 30–60 min daily slots
Use creativity time-outs to reset mindsets
Get explorer-led revisions to reconnect with the fun of design

14. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which GAT book is best?
A: Arihant’s NIFT Self Guide and Word Power Made Easy are top picks.

Q: Do I need both books and coaching?
A: Yes! Books provide theory; coaching catalyzes skill with feedback and direction.

Q: Are mock tests helpful?
A: Absolutely. Mocks simulate real conditions and enhance time management.

15. TL;DR—Straight to Top

Start with proven textbooks recommended by toppers
Embed mock tests from coaching into exam strategies
Daily CAT sketch + situation model practice
Utilize coaching for structured learning + personalized guidance
Repeat mocks and feedback cycles for fine-tuning

Final Takeaway

From expert-selected books to organized coaching, this robust prep combo is what sets successful candidates apart in the NIFT Entrance Exam. With NIFT Coaching, aspirants get the right NIFT study material, online/offline support, and strategies to confidently aim for those top ranks.