About NCAT

Creative thinking matters when the obvious answer is not enough.

NCAT - the National Creativity Aptitude Test - is designed to sensitise undergraduate students to creative thinking, problem solving and achievement motivation, and to encourage them to actively develop these abilities.

The idea behind NCAT

Beyond knowing the right process

Technical knowledge and hard work are essential, but real differentiation often comes from finding a better approach to an existing problem. NCAT places the spotlight on that ability to think differently.

01

Creative Thinking

Encourages students to look beyond familiar answers and explore novel approaches to problems and opportunities.

02

Problem Solving

Highlights the value of applying ideas thoughtfully rather than relying only on memory, routine or established methods.

03

Achievement Motivation

Promotes consistency, initiative and the motivation to improve - qualities that support long-term personal and professional growth.

Why NCAT

Assessment as a starting point

NCAT is intended to make students more aware of creativity and achievement motivation, spark curiosity about these abilities and motivate them to read, learn and practise further.

Recognise different strengths

Academic performance does not always reveal every kind of ability. NCAT creates another lens through which students can discover and sharpen their creative potential.

Turn awareness into action

Once students recognise the role of creative thinking and achievement motivation, they are better positioned to seek resources, practise and develop these abilities over time.

Who can participate

Three categories for undergraduate students

NCAT currently uses three categories based on the student's year of undergraduate study.

Category 1

First Year

  • B.Tech / B.Engg.
  • B.Sc. / BCA
  • B.Com / BBA
Category 2

Second Year

  • B.Tech / B.Engg.
  • B.Sc. / BCA
  • B.Com / BBA
Category 3

Third / Fourth Year

  • 3rd Year: B.Tech / B.Engg. / B.Sc. / BCA / B.Com / BBA
  • 4th Year: B.Tech / B.Engg.
NCAT is structured for undergraduate participation. The earlier postgraduate category is not part of the current three-category structure.
The outcome

Awareness, motivation and a reason to keep improving

By participating, students get an assessment-focused introduction to the importance of creativity and achievement motivation. The larger objective is to encourage them to continue developing these capabilities beyond the test itself.