Set up in 1986, under the aegis of the ministry of textiles, Government of India, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has pioneered in evolving fashion business education across India through a network of seven centres in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Calcutta and Mumbai.

The institute offers four-year undergraduate programmes in design and fashion technology and two-year postgraduate programmes in fashion management, fashion technology and fashion space.

The objective of the two-year postgraduate programme in fashion management is to impart apparel-specific marketing, merchandising and management education to students. The programme focuses on convergence of domestic and export marketing strategies, change and innovation management, merchandising and management from fibre to fashion, retail technologies, etc.

Application forms are available from November and they have to be submitted by mid-December. The completed form may be sent along with a demand draft for Rs 1,000 drawn in favour of NIFT, New Delhi, payable at New Delhi, to the Project Manager CMS, All Indian Management Association, Management House, 14 Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003. For details, log on to www.niftindia.com.

Eligibility

nGraduation from a recognised university or diploma in accessory or fashion design or FIT from NIFT only.

Entrance exam

All eligible candidates have to appear for a written exam at the centres opted by them. It is designed to test their knowledge, skill and aptitude for the programme opted for. The written test is conducted in February at several cities across India.

Pattern of exam

The exam consists of a general ability test (GAT) and managerial ability test (MAT). The GAT consists of the following sub tests: Quantitative ability, communication ability, English comprehension, analytical ability, general knowledge and current affairs, and the thematic apperception test (TAT).

The MAT is a test to judge the managerial effectiveness and interpersonal skills of the candidates. This test comprises the following sub tests: Case study, business domain test and logical ability.

The group discussion continues for approximately 15 to 20 minutes on a given topic based on which a panel of experts will asses you. This is followed by a personal interview.

How to prepare

Prepare maths from books like Maths by R.S. Agarwal. For reasoning, practice objective-type questions from Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal. Brush up your English vocabulary from books like Objective English by Tata McGraw Hill publishers. Read magazines like CSR and Competition Master for GK.

The TAT consists of pictures depicting different situations. You are asked to make up a story about each picture. For this, read psychology textbooks dealing with TAT.

The case study is based on a situation of the industry environment and it helps to evaluate your managerial ability.

The business domain test is meant to assess your knowledge on textiles, the apparel industry, import and export sectors, etc. Read the Economic Times, Business Today and attempt the objective-type questions from magazines like Competition Master.

sample test paper

MAT

A spokesman for a chemical company said to residents of a nearby town: We have conducted test and found no evidence that the fumes leaking from our waste disposal site are harmful to humans. There is no reason to be alarmed, much less to begin evacuating people from their homes.

Which of the following would be the least relevant questions for the head of the residents’ committee to direct to the chemical company spokesman?

a) What steps are being taken to correct the situation?
b) Are further tests being conducted?
c) How much will it cost you to stop the leaks?
d) Do the fumes have an adverse effect on plants or animals?

Business domain test

Which TV channel is related to lifestyle, glamour and fashion?

(a) Trendz (b) Zoom (c) F-TV (d) M-TV

Logical Ability

If PEN is called as SHOP, SHOP is called as SCHOOL, SCHOOL is called as TEMPLE and TEMPLE is called as OFFICE, then where do students study?

(a) SHOP (b) OFFICE (c) SCHOOL (d) TEMPLE