IIAD Entrance Exam Pattern 2027: No Negative Marking, Marking Scheme and Question Paper Pattern

The IIAD Entrance Exam 2027 consists of two separate aptitude tests: the iDAT (IIAD Design Aptitude Test) for design programmes and the iMAT (IIAD Management Aptitude Test) for management programmes. Both are conducted by the Indian Institute of Art and Design, New Delhi, across 4 phases expected between December 2026 and May 2027 in online and offline modes. The iDAT is a 200-mark, 150-minute hybrid paper with objective and creative tasks; the iMAT is a 100-mark, 2-hour paper covering language, reasoning, and writing. Neither exam carries negative marking.

• The iDAT 2027 has 2 sections — Logical Reasoning (100 marks, 30 minutes) and Creative Thinking & Visual Aptitude (100 marks, 120 minutes).
• The iMAT 2027 covers 3 areas — Language Proficiency, Logical Reasoning, and Creative Thinking — for a combined 100 marks in 2 hours.
• No negative marking applies to either the iDAT or the iMAT — wrong or unattempted answers score zero marks, not a deduction.
• iDAT qualifiers proceed to Part B: Studio Simulation — a 2-hour group creative exercise testing teamwork, rapid prototyping, and design thinking.
• Students applying for Interior Architecture & Design with a valid NATA score are exempt from the iDAT written test and proceed directly to Portfolio Evaluation.
• Both iDAT and iMAT run in 4 phases across the year; applying in an early phase improves your chances as seats fill progressively.
• The iMAT written test is followed by a Personal Interview for final selection to management programmes.

IIAD Entrance Exam Pattern 2027: Overview

The Indian Institute of Art and Design, New Delhi, conducts its own entrance exam across four phases every year. Students take either the iDAT for design programmes or the iMAT for management programmes — the two tests are separate and not interchangeable. Both exams are available in online and offline modes and carry no negative marking. Students who qualify the written stage of their respective test proceed to a mandatory second-stage evaluation before final admission.

The iDAT 2027 is a 150-minute hybrid paper — part objective logical reasoning, part open-ended creative tasks — carrying 200 marks in total.

Students applying for Interior Architecture & Design at IIAD who hold a valid NATA score are exempt from the iDAT written test and proceed directly to Portfolio Evaluation.

Source: IIAD Official Admissions Page — iiad.edu.in

IIAD Entrance Exam 2027: Important Dates

IIAD runs admissions across 4 rolling phases. Seats are allocated on a first-qualify, first-served basis — students who qualify an early phase access a larger pool of available seats than those who apply in Phase 4. The 2027 cycle is expected to follow the same December-to-May schedule as 2026. No official phase dates for 2027 have been announced as of September 2026; expected dates below are based on the 2026 phase schedule.

IIAD 2027: Detailed Exam Pattern (iDAT & iMAT)

The IIAD Entrance Exam 2027 has two distinct written tests. The iDAT tests design aptitude through two timed sections; the iMAT tests management aptitude through three areas. Both include a mandatory second-stage evaluation before final admission decisions are made. Below is the full pattern for each test.

iDAT (Design Aptitude Test) — Exam Pattern 2027

The iDAT 2027 is a 200-mark written test divided into two sections with a combined duration of 150 minutes. Section A on Logical Reasoning has a dedicated 30-minute window. Section B on Creative Thinking & Visual Aptitude has a 2-hour window. After clearing the written test (Part A), students complete Part B: Studio Simulation.

Note: The iDAT written test is Part A. After clearing it, students complete Part B: Studio Simulation — a 2-hour group exercise where 10–15 students build a 3D model or complete a creative assignment using provided materials. IIAD assesses creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation quality in this round.

iMAT (Management Aptitude Test) — Exam Pattern 2027

The iMAT 2027 is a 100-mark, 2-hour test covering Language Proficiency, Logical Reasoning, and Creative Thinking. MCQ-based sections carry 70 marks; writing tasks carry 30 marks. No per-section time limits apply — the 2-hour total is shared across all three areas.

Note: The iMAT written test is followed by a Personal Interview at IIAD’s New Delhi campus for final selection to Fashion Business Management and Luxury Business Management programmes.

IIAD Marking Scheme 2027

Both the iDAT and iMAT 2027 carry no negative marking for any question type. In the iDAT, marks per question depend on the type — MCQs and one-word answers carry +1 mark each, while drawing and writing tasks carry +5 marks or more. Each question in the iDAT paper displays its individual mark value alongside the question instructions. In the iMAT, MCQ marks vary by section and writing tasks are assessed holistically.

iDAT 2027 Marking Scheme

iMAT 2027 Marking Scheme

There is no negative marking in IIAD Entrance Exam 2027 — attempt every question in both iDAT and iMAT, since a wrong or unattempted answer costs zero marks.

For the offline iDAT, drawing tasks require pencil, pen, or dry colour as specified per question. For the online iDAT, written responses must be in English; drawing submission follows IIAD’s digital instructions issued with the admit card.

IIAD Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2027

The iDAT and iMAT each test distinct skills tied to their programme requirements. The iDAT’s Logical Reasoning section is the most time-pressured portion of the entire exam — 100 marks in just 30 minutes. Section B gives you 2 hours for creative and visual tasks. The iMAT distributes 100 marks across language, reasoning, and creative writing, each requiring a different skill set.

iDAT: Section A — Logical Reasoning (100 Marks, 30 Minutes)

iDAT: Section B — Creative Thinking & Visual Aptitude (100 Marks, 120 Minutes)

iMAT: Language Proficiency & Logical Reasoning (70 Marks)

iMAT: Creative Thinking (30 Marks)

IIAD Question Types 2027

The IIAD entrance exams use a diverse mix of question formats that go well beyond standard MCQs. The iDAT directly assesses creative and visual ability through drawing, sketching, and writing tasks that carry 5 or more marks each — making the creative section the highest-stakes portion of the test. Understanding each format before the exam helps you plan your time and preparation effectively.

iDAT 2027 Question Types

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Single-correct-answer questions carrying +1 mark each. Appear in Section A (Logical Reasoning) and occasionally in Section B (Creative Thinking). Four options per question; no negative marking.
• One-Word Answers: Short-answer items requiring a single word or number. Common in Section A for pattern identification and reasoning conclusions. Carry +1 mark each.
• Drawing and Sketching Tasks: Freehand sketches, shape transformations, logo thumbnails, product drawings, and visual compositions. Carry +5 marks or more as stated per question. Evaluated on creativity, visual execution, and originality.
• Picture Construction and Visual Tasks: You receive visual fragments, shapes, or a theme and must compose a meaningful scene or design. Carry +5 marks or more. Tests design sensibility, composition, and spatial thinking.
• Descriptive / Writing Tasks: Short stories, creative briefs, or descriptive passages based on a visual or thematic prompt. Carry +5 marks or more. Evaluated on language quality, imagination, and coherence of expression.

The exact number of questions in the iDAT is not fixed — each question states its mark value in the paper. Read all questions before you start to identify high-mark tasks and prioritise your time accordingly.

iMAT 2027 Question Types

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Cover Language Proficiency and Logical Reasoning, together carrying 70 marks. MCQ mark values vary by section, typically ranging from 1–10 marks per question. No negative marking applies.
• Writing Tasks: Essay, story, or letter writing; the entire 30-mark Creative Thinking section is assessed holistically on language quality, creative thinking, clarity, and coherence. No negative marking.

IIAD Exam Pattern: Changes in 2027 vs Previous Year

The IIAD entrance exam pattern has remained consistent across recent cycles. No structural changes to the iDAT or iMAT pattern, duration, total marks, or marking scheme have been officially announced for 2027 as of September 2026. Previous year question papers and sample papers remain fully applicable for 2027 preparation.

Since the IIAD 2027 exam pattern is expected to be unchanged from 2026, students can use the same preparation strategy without adjustments. Confirm any changes via the official 2027 brochure on iiad.edu.in once released.

How to Prepare Based on IIAD Entrance Exam Pattern

Preparation for IIAD 2027 must address two very different skill sets depending on your chosen test — creative visual expression for the iDAT or language precision and analytical reasoning for the iMAT. The tips below are drawn directly from the exam structure.

1. Build speed for iDAT Section A (Logical Reasoning): You have only 30 minutes for 100 marks. Practise number series, spatial reasoning, analogies, and coding-decoding daily until you can solve each type within seconds. Speed is non-negotiable here.
2. Invest the majority of your iDAT preparation in Section B: Creative Thinking & Visual Aptitude carries 100 marks over 2 hours. Practise observational sketching, shape design, colour composition, and imaginative writing daily. High-mark creative tasks reward consistent practice over last-minute cramming.
3. Attempt every question — no penalty for wrong answers applies to either test: In both iDAT and iMAT, wrong answers score zero. Never leave anything blank — even an imperfect sketch or a partially completed essay earns more than a blank page.
4. Use the correct stationery for offline iDAT drawing tasks: Drawing questions specify pencil, pen, or dry colour. Practise with each material ahead of the exam. For the online iDAT, follow IIAD’s digital drawing-submission instructions sent with your admit card.
5. Strengthen vocabulary and grammar for iMAT: Language Proficiency and Logical Reasoning carry a combined 70 marks through MCQs. Read English newspapers daily, practise grammar rules, and work on synonyms, antonyms, and reading comprehension to build speed and accuracy.
6. Practise timed writing for iMAT’s Creative Thinking section: The 30-mark writing section rewards clarity, structure, and originality. Aim to plan and complete a 300-word essay, story, or letter in under 25 minutes during your practice sessions.
7. Prepare for Studio Simulation as a separate, distinct stage: The iDAT’s Part B group exercise tests teamwork, rapid prototyping, and presentation alongside creative skills. Practise articulating design ideas quickly and working collaboratively on creative problems — skills that cannot be built the night before the exam.