EXAM SYLLABUS

AIEED syllabus is not usually released by the Arch College of Design and Business. Some of the important topics that aspirants should study in order to score well in AIEED : 

1- Awareness of Design

2- General Awareness

3- Reasoning

4- Visual Ability

5- Lateral thinking

6- Visualization

7- Colour and composition

AIEED CAT Testing Parameters

The parameters on which candidates are evaluated in AIEED CAT are listed below:

AIEED GAT Testing Parameters

The parameters on which candidates are evaluated in AIEED GAT are listed below:

AIEED Video, Portfolio and Personal Interaction Testing Parameters

The parameters on which candidates are evaluated in Video, Portfolio and Interview round for AIEED admissions are listed below:

EXAM PATTERN

This exam is conducted in three stages which includes GAT, CAT and Interaction. The three stages of the examination have been explained here in the exact format that would be given in the exam pattern. 

Stage I: General Aptitude Test (GAT)

The first stage for the AIEED exam which all the candidates have to go through is the General Ability Test (GAT). If they qualify the first stage then only they can appear for the second stage.

This exam is based on the online submission of videos or portfolios. It will consist of 60 questions worth 100 marks. The exam duration will be of 2 hours.

Stage II: Creative Aptitude Test (CAT)

This is the second stage of the AIEED which is conducted for the applicants who successfully clear the first stage. Creative Ability Test (CAT) is conducted in Online Mode. The exam will consist of 50 questions and complete within 3 hours The total marks will be 200. 

Stage III: Video, Portfolio and Personal Interaction

The candidates who are able to qualify both the level of examination would reach the final round. The final round is called interaction which means the candidates have to introduce themselves and meet the interviewer through Skype. Duration of the exam will be 30 minutes worth of 200 marks.

Mode of Examination

AIEED Examination will be held as an Online Computer Based Test.

Medium of Examination

The exam paper for AIEED Examination will be in English & Hindi language.

Marking Scheme

1- There is no negative marking for exams under AIEED. 

2- The marks from one question to another may vary depending upon the number of questions asked in the exam.

3- A student on answering a question incorrectly will only lose the marks allotted to that question. No additional marks will be deducted for a wrong answer.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for AIEED Examination are required to fulfill certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities.

The criteria for eligibility are decided by the conduction body itself. The candidate’s eligibility for AIEED Examination is based on the fulfilment of the following conditions:-

1. Nationality

2. Age Limit & Relaxations

3. Educational Qualifications

Nationality

1- Citizen of India, or

2- A subject of Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or

3- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit & Relaxation

1- Candidates should have attained the age of 16 years and above, as per Pearson-Edexcel norms applicable to all International Undergraduate level course.

2- The applicants appearing for PG Design courses have to complete 21 years of age as the lower limit, are eligible for the Strategic Management & Leadership Programme as well as the Design Management Programmes.

Education Qualification

For Graduation

The applicants who wish to appear for the AIEED in order to pursue undergraduate courses would be able to appear only if they satisfy the following eligibility criteria. 

1- Students who have Appeared for/ or Cleared Class 10+2 (CBSE/ICSE/IB/State Board/NIOS or equivalent as per UGC Guidelines) are eligible to participate in the AIEED Screening for Design Studies.

2- Class 10+1 Students can also write AIEED,and qualifying students will be eligible for direct admission in the academic year  after clearing the interaction and PoA stage.

For Post Graduation

The candidates who wish to do post-graduation courses through AIEED must be able to satisfy the required eligibility criteria: 

1- Graduates or students pursuing graduation in any discipline from a recognised university can apply for this programme.

2- Students who have done 2 years or 3 years diploma course in design are also eligible for Advance Level Courses.

Note: Reservation of seats under various quotas (SC, ST, Defence, Physically Challenged, NRI, etc.) will be as per the norms and regulations of the institutions. The disclosure of the seats will be done at time of admission process.

IMPORTANT DATES

AIEED 2026 exam dates have been released on the ARCH College of Design & Business admission portal. The application form for AIEED 2026 is open now. The AIEED Situation test and Group Discussion will be held from April 06, 2026 to April 18, 2026. AIEED Interaction and Counseling was done in the months of November and December 2025.. 

EXAM ANALYSIS

Exam Analysis for AIEED 2026 (All India Entrance Examination for Design)

Exam Year: 2026 admission cycle

Key Screening Dates: Situation Test & Group Discussion held from April 6 to April 18, 2026 (this replaced the traditional written paper format in this cycle).

AIEED 2026 Exam Context

For UG and PG programs in design (like Fashion, Interior, Graphic, Product, Jewellery, etc.), the AIEED 2026 cycle did not follow a single pen?and?paper written test on one fixed date like some other entrances. Instead, the process emphasised a more holistic and multi?stage evaluation, with major screening phases conducted between December 2025 and April 2026.

This year’s admission cycle involved submission of creative work, aptitude tests, and on?campus evaluations rather than a single studio test on a fixed 2026 exam date.

AIEED 2026 Timeline (Insight)

Registration Period: Started November 1, 2025 and continued till around January 10, 2026.

Online Screening Phase (December 15–20, 2025): Aspirants were able to take the initial screening (which could be set by the institute instead of a formal one?day test).

Situation Test & Group Discussion: Conducted April 6–18, 2026 on campus — this was the major evaluative phase for shortlisted candidates.

Batch Start: New sessions begin mid?June 2026.

Exam Structure & Pattern (2026 Insight)

Unlike standard multiple?choice design entrances, AIEED 2026 was structured around multi?stage evaluation, focusing more on design thinking and creative potential than a traditional written exam.

Core components included:

General Ability Test (GAT): This online stage tested candidates’ reasoning, awareness, design sensibilities and concept comprehension. Questions were logical, awareness?based, and assessed general aptitude related to design thinking, not only technical recall.

Creative Ability Test (CAT): This part evaluated creative problem solving, visualization and written and visual articulation of design ideas. It went beyond standard objective answering, often looking at quality of response.

Portfolio of Abilities (PoA): Aspirants submitted a creative portfolio showcasing their work. This carried significant weight in selection.

Statement of Purpose (SoP): Candidates wrote or narrated their motivation and goals in design — this was an evaluative document.

Interaction / Interview / Group Discussion / Situation Test: These rounds were held to assess collaboration skills, problem solving under discussion, communication, and adaptive design thinking.

The combined evaluation was not purely based on correct answers but on design mindset, originality, and expression.

Marking & Scoring Focus

While some detailed marking allocations differ by source, the overall idea is:

Written tests (GAT + CAT) together held a large portion of weightage and focused on aptitude and creativity.

Portfolio / personal interaction portions were equally or more crucial, reflecting how the institute values real creativity and individual expression.

There was no heavy reliance on pure memory?based questions; instead emphasis was on design thought processes and skills.

Note: Negative marking was generally not applied like many other national exams.

Difficulty & Skill Areas to Prepare

Based on the 2026 pattern change and format:

1. Creative Thinking & Visualization

Preparing sketching, visual problem interpretation, and freehand design thinking was key.

2. General Awareness & Design Concepts

Understanding current design trends, art history basics, general awareness of global issues and design contexts was beneficial.

3. Portfolio & Expression

Students who showcased originality and clear thought in portfolios and SoP had high chances of progressing.

4. Group Dynamics Skills

The situation test and group discussion required quick thinking, clear communication, and collaborative problem solving.

Major Shift in 2026 Compared to Earlier Years

Instead of a single written test on one fixed date, AIEED 2026 emphasizes multi?modular evaluation, where a combination of online screening activities, creative portfolios, written aptitude tests, and on?campus interactions decides final selection. This trend reflects a growing emphasis on holistic evaluation of design talent, similar to international design school practices.

Bottom Line — Exam Insight (2026)

AIEED 2026 is less about just answering questions on paper and more about thinking like a designer.

Creative articulation, portfolio quality, communication skills, and design sensibility were critical in this cycle.

Aspirants should focus preparation on design thinking exercises, portfolio building, and real?world design awareness rather than rote question practice.

STUDY TIPS

Understand the Pattern: Focus on GAT, CAT, Portfolio, and Situation/Group Discussions. Avoid rote memorization.

Develop Creative Skills: Practice sketching, color combinations, visualization, and designing solutions for problems.

Portfolio Building: Start collecting your best creative works. Quality and originality matter more than quantity.

Daily Practice: Dedicate time every day for drawing, reading design blogs, or solving design-based thinking questions.

Time Management: For online GAT and CAT sections, practice completing tasks under time limits.

Awareness of Trends: Stay updated with design trends, current events, art, and global issues — these often appear in discussions or interviews.

Mock Tests & Feedback: Attempt sample papers or previous years’ exercises and seek feedback from teachers or peers.

Group Skills: Practice explaining your ideas clearly, collaborating, and defending your design choices confidently.

STUDY PLANS

3-Month Study Plan (Intensive)

Goal: Rapid preparation focusing on immediate readiness for AIEED 2026.

Month 1

Week 1–2: Understand exam pattern, practice basic GAT questions (logical reasoning, awareness, design aptitude).

Week 3: Start Creative Ability Test exercises — sketching, concept drawing, visualization exercises.

Week 4: Collect and organize portfolio materials. Start identifying gaps and improve weak areas.

Month 2

Week 1–2: Focus on advanced CAT exercises. Practice scenario-based problem solving and design thinking questions.

Week 3: Practice GAT sample tests online under timed conditions.

Week 4: Work on portfolio presentation and Statement of Purpose writing.

Month 3

Week 1–2: Mock situation tests and group discussion practice. Solve previous exercises and get peer feedback.

Week 3: Revise all sections — GAT, CAT, portfolio, awareness topics.

Week 4: Simulate full exam conditions — practice timed tests and portfolio presentation together.

Key Focus: Time management, speed, clarity in design expression, and portfolio polishing.

6-Month Study Plan (Gradual & Strong Foundation)

Goal: Build strong fundamentals and gradually master each component for high scoring.

Month 1–2

Understand AIEED exam pattern thoroughly.

Start daily sketching, creative exercises, and color studies.

Begin reading about design trends, art, and design history.

Month 3–4

Focus on GAT practice: logical reasoning, design aptitude, awareness.

Expand CAT exercises: scenario-based problems, creative writing in design context.

Start compiling portfolio — include sketches, designs, and personal projects.

Month 5

Practice mock tests for GAT and CAT under timed conditions.

Work intensively on portfolio and Statement of Purpose.

Start group discussion and situation test simulation.

Month 6

Revise all sections daily.

Refine portfolio based on mentor feedback.

Focus on speed and presentation skills for interview and situation tests.

Attempt full-length simulations combining GAT, CAT, portfolio, and group discussion.

Key Focus: Holistic development, creativity, clarity in ideas, strong portfolio, and confidence in group interactions.

OVERVIEW

Arch College of Design and Business conducts the All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED) to offer admissions to its undergraduate as well as postgraduate design programmes. The exam is held in three stages/ phases - Stage I (General Aptitude Test or GAT ), Stage II (Creative Aptitude Test or CAT) and Stage III (Personal Interaction).

SELECTION PROCESS

Here’s the AIEED selection process in a step-by-step manner:

Application Submission – Candidates must submit the AIEED 2026 application form online with all required details and documents.

AIEED Entrance Test – The test evaluates design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It is the first stage for shortlisting candidates.

Situation Test & Group Discussion (April 6–18, 2026) – Shortlisted candidates are assessed on:

Situation Test: Practical design task to evaluate creativity and design thinking.

Group Discussion: Communication skills, teamwork, and idea presentation.

Interaction & Personal Counselling – Already conducted in November–December 2025. This step reviews motivation, interest in design, and suitability for the program.

Seat Allotment – Based on overall performance in the entrance test, situation test, GD, and personal interaction, candidates are allotted seats in their preferred programs.

Document Verification & Fee Payment – Final confirmation of admission after verifying academic records and paying the required fees.

Admission Confirmation – Seat is confirmed and candidate is officially enrolled in the program.