As design education has become highly competitive, students who want to study design often find themselves at a crossroads with a critical question: which one will get you through the door better, a strong portfolio or good scores in aptitude tests?

The All India Design Aptitude Test (AIDAT) and other such examinations aim to measure a student's ability in creative thinking, visual perception, and problem solving. They are designed to reveal how candidates approach design problems, how well they understand visual elements, and how they come up with ideas under time pressure. On the flip side, portfolios are now a huge part of design admissions. A well, crafted portfolio highlights a student's artistic journey, their experimentation with art, and the designer's way of thinking. In contrast to standardised tests, portfolios allow candidates to present work that reflects their personal style, technical skills, and conceptual thinking.

Design professionals think these two elements perform different functions. Aptitude tests help colleges in the main through operate of creative ability even when a person is not using conscious thinking, on the other hand, portfolios show a person s continuous engagements with art and growth over the time. Almost all design schools have started following hybrid models of assessment where aptitude test scores are added to the portfolio reviews and interview processes. With this approach

admission committees can assess not only a student s talent but also his/her ability to turn ideas into physical works. Therefore, students preparing for design admissions should be mindful of both facets. AIDAT and other such aptitude exams measure a fresh creative mind and logical reasoning whereas portfolios illustrate the designer s trail and dedication to the profession.

The new admission system is a sign of design education transformation which is now more focused on valuing originality, storytelling and problem solving skills besides the technical ones Therefore, for students who want to become designers the secret is to be able to do both prepare for structured tests and keep engaged in creative activities at personal level, so that they come to admission with both good ideas and their portfolio.