What sort of questions are asked in the general knowledge portion of design exams?

If you have not heard it many times already, the entrance exams to seek admission into the National Institute of Design (NID), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and IIT Institute of Design (IIT-IDC) are highly competitive, and the admission process is rigorous. Embarking on your journey towards cracking design entrances can be both thrilling and daunting.

Time and again, we have discussed the exam patterns of these design entrances in our previous blogs (do check them out😉) and stressed on how important it is to understand them. It is like your Boards papers — understanding the exam pattern helps you solve the paper faster and better.

We know that they are usually divided into the aptitude section, and the design & drawing section. Preparation for design entrances, especially when papers like UCEED/CEED have negative marking for their aptitude section, require a more strategic approach and comprehensive preparation. The aptitude section covers numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, verbal reasoning, general knowledge and visual aptitude.

And that is where a lot of us have our first hiccup — general knowledge? Like what even falls under GK? The vastness and vagueness of GK often scares us the most and we tend to postpone preparing for it. But this time, instead of hiding away, let’s face it head on, shall we?

While the specific content may vary, here are some common categories of questions that you might encounter:

1. The Theory & History of Design (duh!)

- Significant design movements, styles, and their characteristics.

- Questions about the masters of art, design and architecture.

- Understanding of design principles and their application in different contexts.

2. Current Affairs and Trends

- Recent innovation and trends in the design and tech industry.

- Recent news, national and international, of political, social, cultural and, economic significance

- Famous award winners - like that of the Olympics, Nobel Prize, Pulitzer, etc.

3. Social Sciences and Culture

- Indian history and world history - significant historical events and personalities

- Indian and world geography, climate, natural resources, and topography.

- Indian and world culture, traditions, festivals, and art forms

- Recognition of iconic landmarks, symbols, and cultural artifacts

4. Environmental and Scientific Concept

- Basic science and maths concepts, scientific phenomena, and famous scientists.

- Environmental issues, conservation efforts, and ecological systems.

Illustration by Nandini Seshan.

After reading this list, you might be either reassured or even more freaked coz’ that is a LOT. But don’t fret—you’ve got this!

Read newspapers, magazines, and online news sources regularly to stay updated with current events. Be that know-it-all and annoy your friends and family. Bring out those NCERT textbooks/school textbooks, borrow some chunky encyclopedias, solve GK quizzes and take mock tests.

Practice regularly, make mistakes and have fun.

To learn about what else you could do along your design preparation journey and seek more clarity about these design entrances, do check out other blogs!

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Nandini Seshan

Communication Design/NID Vijayawada

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