There’s something oddly sacred about the phase before a big entrance exam. Especially when it’s design—when the world expects you to be both wildly creative and quietly disciplined at the same time. Preparing for NIFT, NID, or UCEED isn’t just about cracking a paper; it feels like standing at the edge of a dream you’ve been sketching in the margins of your notebooks for years.
But somewhere between that dream and the preparation, myths creep in. They whisper things. They make the journey feel heavier than it needs to be.
Let’s sit with those myths for a moment—and gently, honestly, unravel them.
Myth 1: “You have to be born talented to crack these exams”
This one? It’s probably the loudest.
There’s this romantic idea that designers are just… born. That some people naturally see better, draw better, think better. And if you don’t fit that mold from the start, you’re already behind. But that’s not how it really works.
Design, at its core, is observation. It’s patience. It’s curiosity. It’s the ability to look at a simple object- a chair, a leaf, a crowded street- and ask, why is it this way? how could it be different?
You don’t need to be born with that. You build it. The truth is, most students who crack NIFT, NID, or UCEED didn’t start as prodigies. They just stayed consistent. They sketched when it felt awkward. They practiced when their lines weren’t perfect. They learned to see before they learned to draw. You can build yourself in this journey. Taking time is not wrong.
Myth 2: “Only students from an arts background can succeed”
This myth quietly scares a lot of science and commerce students.
You might feel like you’ve taken the “wrong stream.” Like everyone else already has a head start because they’ve been drawing or studying art for years.
But design doesn’t belong to one stream.
In fact, some of the best design thinking comes from people who bring something different to the table. A science student might approach structure and functionality with clarity. A commerce student might understand user behavior and practicality better. There are so many students who are from science field preparing for design entrances, because your stream does not determine whether you have the potential to become a great designer or not.
Myth 3: “You need expensive coaching to crack these exams”
Let’s be real, this one creates a lot of pressure.
There’s a belief that without coaching institutes, test series, and structured classes, cracking these exams is nearly impossible. But here’s the quieter truth: resources help, but they are not everything. What matters more is how you use what you already have.
Some of the strongest portfolios and performances come from students who taught themselves how to see the world differently. Who didn’t wait for “perfect guidance,” but started anyway. So if you have access to coaching, great—use it well. If you don’t, don’t let that stop you. Your creativity was never meant to be limited by a classroom.
Myth 4: “Drawing skills are everything”
Yes, drawing matters. It’s a tool. A language. But design exams aren’t looking for perfect artists. They’re looking for thinkers. Your lines don’t need to be flawless. Your shading doesn’t need to be gallery-level. What matters is whether your idea comes through. Whether your concept makes sense. Whether your perspective shows effort and understanding. A rough sketch with a brilliant idea will always stand stronger than a perfect drawing with no thought behind it.
Instead of paying attention to making your work look pretty, try to make it look more meaningful.
Myth 5: “You need to study 10–12 hours a day”
Somewhere along the way, preparation got equated with exhaustion. You see schedules online color-coded, intense, almost military-like, and suddenly it feels like if you’re not studying all day, you’re not doing enough.
But creative preparation doesn’t work like that. Your mind needs space. It needs pauses. It needs moments where you’re not actively studying but still absorbing—watching, noticing, thinking. Instead of long, draining hours, focus on intentional practice.
A focused 3–5 hours where you genuinely engage with sketching, problem-solving, or analyzing questions will always beat 10 hours of distracted effort. And don’t underestimate rest. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Myth 6: “There’s a fixed ‘right way’ to prepare”
This myth makes people doubt themselves constantly. You’ll hear things like: “Follow this exact strategy.” “Solve this many papers daily.” “Use this method only.”
And while advice can help, it can also box you in. Because design is not about following one path. It’s about finding your own rhythm.
Some people learn by sketching daily. Others improve by observing and analyzing. Some focus on mock tests early, while others build their basics first. There is no single “correct” method. The right way is the one that helps you grow. You should listen to the guidance but also stay in touch with individuality, because that is what makes individual differences matter more.
A quiet truth beneath all the noise
It is not necessary what you always hear from your peers or read and listen online his true, but it is your responsibilities to cross check these myths, because if you don’t you are simply willing o follow any random suggestions given to you.
You can accept advice and guidance of those who you trust and believe has the right to guide you and give advice to you. Cross check these myths with some artists in your available contacts your mentors or art teachers. Before blindly following them, and trust the process and keep faith in yourself. Everything works for the person who believes in themselves and is willing to take guidance from a true mentor or idol.
Nothing is impossible, you just need to try from your end and do not stop! Cause your these efforts will matter in future and maybe you might be the one guiding some other beginner in the future, who knows?
