EXAM SYLLABUS

The syllabus of CEED exam is divided into 2 parts, A and B. While, the former is a computer based test, the latter is evaluated manually by the officials.

Part A

Visualization & Spatial Reasoning

Practical & Scientific Knowledge

Observation & Design Sensitivity

Environment & Society

Analytical & Logical Reasoning

Language & Comprehension

Creativity

Art & Design Knowledge

Design Methods & Practices

CEED exam does not have such prescribed syllabus by the exam authority. As per the exam questions from the previous year’s papers it has been observed that Part A contains the following major topics:

Part B

Drawing

Creativity & Ideation

Communication Skills

Problem Identification & Design Thinking

Part B will cover the syllabus on the basis of the following major topics:

EXAM PATTERN

The CEED exam pattern consists of two parts- Part A and Part B. Both the parts are conducted on the same day and candidates need to appear for both the exams on the given date and time.

Part A

1. Part A comprise of a total of 150 marks and 3 sections. Part A will be Computer Based Test of time duration of 1 hour.

2. Part A contains objective type questions (multiple choice questions, multiple select questions and numerical answer questions).

3. These will be design aptitude type questions that evaluate visual ability, environment and social awareness, analytical and logical reasoning, language, observation and design sensitivity of candidates. 

Part B

1. Part B consists of questions that are aimed at testing design, drawing, and writing skills.

2. In Part B, there will be 5 questions of total 100 marks. There will not be any optional questions.

3. The questions in Part B will be displaed on the computer screen and the answers are to be written in the answer book provided by the invigilator (NOT into the computer).

EXAM PATTERN

The CEED exam pattern consists of two parts- Part A and Part B. Both the parts are conducted on the same day and candidates need to appear for both the exams on the given date and time.

Part A

1. Part A comprise of a total of 150 marks and 3 sections. Part A will be Computer Based Test of time duration of 1 hour.

2. Part A contains objective type questions (multiple choice questions, multiple select questions and numerical answer questions).

3. These will be design aptitude type questions that evaluate visual ability, environment and social awareness, analytical and logical reasoning, language, observation and design sensitivity of candidates. 

Part B

1. Part B consists of questions that are aimed at testing design, drawing, and writing skills.

2. In Part B, there will be 5 questions of total 100 marks. There will not be any optional questions.

3. The questions in Part B will be displaed on the computer screen and the answers are to be written in the answer book provided by the invigilator (NOT into the computer).

Mode Of Examination

1. Part-A of the question paper will be administered through a computer based test.

2. The question in Part-B will be displayed on the computer screen and the answer has to be written/drawn in the answer book provided by the invigilator only.

Medium Of Examination

The exam paper for CEED Examination will be in English language only.

Marking Scheme

The marking scheme for CEED varies for Part A and Part B of the design exam. There is negative marking in Part A of the exam but since Part B is a subjective paper, there is no negative marking in it. 

Part A 

The marking scheme for the CEED Part A exam is as mentioned below:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for CEED Examination are required to fulfil 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 candidate’s eligibility for CEED Examination is based on the fulfilment of the following conditions:-

1. Nationality

2. Age Limit

3. Number of attempts

4. Educational Qualifications

Nationality

Indian/Foreign/OCI /PIO card holders candidates are eligible to apply.

Age Limit

There is no age limit to appear for CEED. Candidates with relevant qualification irrespective of age can register for CEED exam.

Number Of Attempts

A candidate can appear for CEED any number of times.

Educational Qualifications

Candidates must have completed a degree/diploma/post graduate degree programme of minimum THREE years (after 10+2 level), or must be appearing for the final examination of such a program by July of current admission year, or must have passed the GD Arts diploma programme (10+5 level) by July of current admission year .

Note - The eligibility criteria for admission to various institutes may differ from the eligibility criteria for appearing for CEED. Before applying for CEED, candidates are advised to check whether they meet the required eligibility criteria for admission to various institutes.

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTE

Different CEED Participating institutes have different eligibility criteria for admissions in the desired courses. The candidates must satisfy the Eligibility Criteria of CEED for different institutes to seek admissions in their desired institutes. The CEED Exam Eligibility for the various participating institutes is summarised below:

IIT Bangalore

A recognized Bachelor’s degree in engineering/design / architecture. 

IIT Bombay

Candidate should have a minimum of 55% (50% marks in case of SC / ST / PwD) or equivalent grades in the qualifying degree for individual streams: 

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Design / Engineering / Architecture / Interior Design: 10 +2 + 4 years (minimum 4 years Bachelor’s course). 

2. B. Plan is considered equivalent to B.Arch.

3. Four year B.Sc (Engg) course after HSC considered equivalent to BE / B.Tech. 

4. Professional Diploma in Design: 10 + 2 + 4 years (minimum 4 year diploma program). 

5. BFA (4 year professional program with entry after 10 +2) 

6. GD Art (4 year program after 1 year foundation. Minimum entry requirements are 10^th pass).

IIT Delhi

1. Programme offers 20 seats to students seeking admission in M.Des and belonging to B.Tech, B.Des and B.Arch backgrounds. 

2. Must have a valid CEED score; GATE score will not be considered. 

IIT Guwahati

1. 4 year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Design / Engineering / Architecture / Interior Design or a Design related field with a minimum CPI of 6.0 out of 10 or minimum 60% marks. 

2. 4 year Professional Diploma in Design of NID or Professional Diploma of CEPT (5 year programme) with a minimum CPI of 6.0 out of 10 minimum 60% marks. 

3. Relaxation for SC / ST / PwD Candidates: The CPI or percentage marks in above mentioned eligibility requirements will be relaxed by 0.5 CPI or by 5% marks for SC / ST / PwD candidates. That is, the SC / ST / PwD candidates should have a minimum CPI of 5.5 out of 10 or minimum 55% of marks in their qualifying degree. 

IIT Kanpur

1. A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Design or Architecture.

2. A valid CEED/GATE score are eligible to apply for the two-year Master of Design Programme.

3. Candidates holding degrees in Fine Arts or Interior Design are NOT eligible to apply.

IIT Hyderabad

For M.Des:

1. Must have a valid CEED score.

2. A minimum of 55% marks (50% marks in case of SC/ST) or equivalent grades in the qualifying examination given below –

3. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Architecture / Design/ Interior Design or equivalent (4 years duration after 10+2).

4. Professional Diploma in Design (NID/CEPT or equivalent of 4 years duration after 10+2).

5. B.F.A. (4 year professional programme, after 10+2).

6. G.D. Art (5 year programme after 10th) with one year post qualification, professional experience.

7. Master’s degree in Arts / Science / Computer Applications (2 year programme after10+2+3).

For PhD:

M.Des. / M.Arch. / M.Tech. / M.Phil. / MFA / M.A / M.Sc / Postgraduate Diploma in Design of NID, Ahmedabad OR equivalent Also, either one of the following –

(I). A minimum of 55 percent marks (50% marks for SC/ST) in the final academic year of the programme.

(II). A minimum of 55 percent marks (50% marks for SC/ST) in aggregate or as specified by the university.

IMPORTANT DATES

CEED Admit card is out now, on January 02, 2026 for M.Des applicants. The admit card is out from 1 PM onwards. Candidates can use email id and password to download the admit card. It is available on the candidate portal. The last date for rectification of discrepancies in the CEED Admit Card is January 08, 2025, 05:00 PM.

The last date for CEED registration was extended from October 31, 2025 to November 05, 2025 with regular fees and with late fees was November 10, 2025. CEED Application were available at ceedapp.iitb.ac.in.  CEED Entrance Exam 2026 will be conducted on January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Sunday. CEED Application with late fees of INR 500 is closed now, November 10, 2025. The application closed at 5 PM. CEED Application ended with the regular fee, November 05, 2025.

EXAM ANALYSIS

Here’s a detailed analysis of the CEED 2025 exam — based on actual paper reviews, question papers, and student feedback — to help you understand how the exam was and what trends you can expect for upcoming CEED exams:

CEED 2025 Exam Analysis (Last Year)

Overall Difficulty

The CEED 2025 paper was generally moderate in difficulty overall.

Part A (Objective section) was moderate to easy-moderate, while Part B (drawing/design) was considered a bit tougher or more time-consuming by many students.

Part A (Objective Section) – Analysis

Part A had three question types — NAT, MSQ, and MCQ — covering visual reasoning, spatial ability, logical problems, and design awareness.

Section-wise Trends in 2025:

Visualization & Spatial Reasoning: High weightage; questions on cube nets, rotations, mirror & shadow, perspective views.

Analytical & Logical Reasoning: Moderate; pattern logic and sequential reasoning were common.

Design Awareness & Perception: Included color/font recognition and product understanding.

Language & Creativity: Low weightage but present.

Environment & Social Awareness: A few questions.

Difficulty Level: Mostly moderate.

Part B (Subjective / Drawing Section) – Analysis

Part B tested sketching, creativity, visualization, and design thinking. There were 5 questions, roughly like:

Scene creation and visual communication

Problem identification

Product re-imagination

Iconography or story boarding

Difficulty Level: Slightly more challenging than Part A due to sketching depth and presentation time required.

Key Insights from CEED 2025

Most candidates found visual and spatial reasoning questions important — good practice here boosts Part A marks.

Part B required clear ideas, neat sketches, and good concept expression rather than just drawing skill.

Time pressure in Part B was noted as a challenge by many aspirants.

Objective questions were largely pattern-based rather than purely factual.

Trends from Previous Years (2017–2024)

Looking at past analysis also gives exam trends:

Moderate difficulty has been consistent.

Questions typically focus on visual reasoning, pattern recognition, and design context.

Part B remains a major determining factor in final ranking due to creative skill evaluation.

What This Means for Your Upcoming CEED Preparation

Based on 2025 trends, you should focus on:

Part A Skills

Spatial reasoning and visualization

Logical and analytical problem solving

Pattern recognition

Design awareness (colors, shapes, products)

Part B Skills

Daily sketching + ideation exercises

Strong visual communication

Clear problem expression and creative thinking

Time Management

Practice timed full-paper mocks

Prioritize easy targets first in Part A

EXAM ANALYSIS 2023

As per the CEED exam 2023, the question paper for Part A is moderately difficult and Part B is easy to moderate. According to the CEED exam analysis 2023 of experts and students, the duration of Part A was one hour and Part B was 2 hours. Although the questions of Part A and Part B appear on the computer screen, only the answers to Part A should be entered into the computer and the answers to Part B should be given in the answer book provided by the invigilator. CEED 2023 Part A had a total of 100 marks with 3 compulsory sections.

PAPER ANALYSIS PART A

EXAM ANALYSIS

Here’s a detailed analysis of the CEED 2025 exam — based on actual paper reviews, question papers, and student feedback — to help you understand how the exam was and what trends you can expect for upcoming CEED exams:

CEED 2025 Exam Analysis (Last Year)

Overall Difficulty

The CEED 2025 paper was generally moderate in difficulty overall.

Part A (Objective section) was moderate to easy-moderate, while Part B (drawing/design) was considered a bit tougher or more time-consuming by many students.

Part A (Objective Section) – Analysis

Part A had three question types — NAT, MSQ, and MCQ — covering visual reasoning, spatial ability, logical problems, and design awareness.

Section-wise Trends in 2025:

Visualization & Spatial Reasoning: High weightage; questions on cube nets, rotations, mirror & shadow, perspective views.

Analytical & Logical Reasoning: Moderate; pattern logic and sequential reasoning were common.

Design Awareness & Perception: Included color/font recognition and product understanding.

Language & Creativity: Low weightage but present.

Environment & Social Awareness: A few questions.

Difficulty Level: Mostly moderate.

Part B (Subjective / Drawing Section) – Analysis

Part B tested sketching, creativity, visualization, and design thinking. There were 5 questions, roughly like:

Scene creation and visual communication

Problem identification

Product re-imagination

Iconography or story boarding

Difficulty Level: Slightly more challenging than Part A due to sketching depth and presentation time required.

Key Insights from CEED 2025

Most candidates found visual and spatial reasoning questions important — good practice here boosts Part A marks.

Part B required clear ideas, neat sketches, and good concept expression rather than just drawing skill.

Time pressure in Part B was noted as a challenge by many aspirants.

Objective questions were largely pattern-based rather than purely factual.

Trends from Previous Years (2017–2024)

Looking at past analysis also gives exam trends:

Moderate difficulty has been consistent.

Questions typically focus on visual reasoning, pattern recognition, and design context.

Part B remains a major determining factor in final ranking due to creative skill evaluation.

What This Means for Your Upcoming CEED Preparation

Based on 2025 trends, you should focus on:

Part A Skills

Spatial reasoning and visualization

Logical and analytical problem solving

Pattern recognition

Design awareness (colors, shapes, products)

Part B Skills

Daily sketching + ideation exercises

Strong visual communication

Clear problem expression and creative thinking

Time Management

Practice timed full-paper mocks

Prioritize easy targets first in Part A

EXAM ANALYSIS 2023

As per the CEED exam 2023, the question paper for Part A is moderately difficult and Part B is easy to moderate. According to the CEED exam analysis 2023 of experts and students, the duration of Part A was one hour and Part B was 2 hours. Although the questions of Part A and Part B appear on the computer screen, only the answers to Part A should be entered into the computer and the answers to Part B should be given in the answer book provided by the invigilator. CEED 2023 Part A had a total of 100 marks with 3 compulsory sections.

PAPER ANALYSIS PART A

PAPER ANALYSIS PART B

EXAM ANALYSIS 2022

CEED 2022 was held on January 23, 2022 from 9 AM to 12 PM. The difficulty level of the exam has been recorded as Moderate. This analysis will help all the candidates who have appeared in the exam or all those aspirants who are going to appear for the exam in the future.

SECTIOB WISE EXAM ANALYSYS

The total duration of the exam was 3 hours combining both the papers (180 minutes).

Part A: It is comprised of three sections i.e. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)s, Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Numerical Answer Type (NAT).

Part B: Contained one question on topic and branch-specific (to solve within 30 minutes)

1. A candidates took 25 minutes to answer numerical answer-type questions and they found MCQs easy. Overall difficulty level of the exam has been recorded as Moderate.

2. There were 5 questions that were asked in part B and candidates found the questions a bit confusing.  Each question in part B was to be answered on a separate page and some of the candidates found it difficult to understand.

STUDY TIPS

Here are some of the CEED preparation tips, suggestions and strategy. This CEED preparation strategy is prepared as per the suggestion and advice of experts.

1. Enhance Your Creativity : Candidates must read topics based on Interaction Designs and Visual Communications. Various books having these topics are available in the market. Candidates can also study these topics online through E-commerce websites.

2. Solve Question Papers of Previous Years : Candidates must know the CEED exam pattern of previous years and try to solve questions on a regular basis. By solving CEED sample papers, previous year' question paper and mock tests, candidates will be able to build their confidence to appear for the CEED exam. 

3. Enhance 3D Drawing Skills : Candidate should try to improve their drawing skills for qualifying the entrance exam. Candidates must be able to imagine and draw a 3D model of the structure. Candidates can boost their 3D skills by drawing common designs of household items such as fruits, fridge or any other thing. Constant practice will make you learn more about sketching which will, in turn, prepare you better. 

4. Boost Your Creative Thinking : CEED exam tests creativity and creative thinking of the candidates. Therefore, candidates must try to answer the questions asked in the exam in a different way if they want. Doing this will surely increase the chances to qualify for the exam.

5. Proper Time Management : Candidates must split their time for the various topics covered in CEED exam pattern. If a candidate is good at drawing, then he/she must devote more time to increase his/her skills in other topics and general awareness.

STUDY PLANS

The only deciding factor for the selection or rejection of a candidate is the Strategy & Planning which is used by them for their preparation for the CEED Examination. A good and result-oriented Strategy & Planning for the examination will definitely allow the candidates to make their way through CEED Examination.

3-Month Study Plan

1. Each day is important so it is crucial to have a definite plan in front of you so that you can stick to it for maximum efficiency.

2. Check out the entire CEED Syllabus and CEED Exam Pattern clearly. Doing so will ease up the preparation process as both of the aforementioned elements carry the important parameters of the entrance test.

3. Solve as many CEED sample papers and Previous Year’s Question Papers as possible. Practising regularly from the mock papers and last year’s question papers as they provide a clear understanding of the type of questions and format of the CEED exam.

6-Month Study Plan

Month 1: Basics & Foundation

Focus on understanding the exam.

Understand CEED exam pattern and syllabus

Start daily sketching practice (basic shapes, objects, perspective)

Revise basics of visualization, observation, and creativity

Read about design awareness, art, and design basics

Improve English comprehension (reading practice)

Month 2: Core Concepts – Part A Focus

Practice visual reasoning and spatial ability

Start logical and analytical reasoning questions

Study environment, society, and general design awareness

Practice NAT, MCQ, MSQ type questions

Continue daily sketching (still life, simple scenes)

Month 3: Part B Skill Building

Focus on freehand drawing, proportions, and perspective

Practice human figures, objects, and scenes

Work on creativity and idea generation

Learn to present ideas clearly using sketches + short explanations

Attempt previous years’ Part B questions

Month 4: Integrated Practice

Start full Part A mock tests (weekly)

Analyze mistakes and weak areas

Practice Part B questions under time limits

Improve visual storytelling and problem-solving

Build consistency in drawing speed and clarity

Month 5: Advanced Practice & Mock Tests

Increase mock tests (2–3 per week for Part A)

Solve previous 10–12 years CEED papers

Practice complete Part B papers in exam-like conditions

Focus on original ideas, neat presentation, and clarity

Revise important design concepts and awareness topics

Month 6: Revision & Final Preparation

Revise all Part A topics (visual, logic, design knowledge)

Daily timed sketching practice

Attempt full-length CEED mock tests

Improve weak areas identified in mocks

Light practice in the last week, focus on confidence and accuracy

Daily Time Split (Suggested)

Part A practice: 2–3 hours

Part B drawing & creativity: 2 hours

Design awareness / revision: 1 hour

Final Tip

Consistency matters more than talent in CEED. Daily sketching + regular mock analysis is the key to cracking the exam.

OVERVIEW

Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) exam is conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay on behalf of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India to offer admission to aspirants in M.Des - Master of Design and Ph.D Programmes. The Objective of the Common Entrance Exam for Design (CEED) is to evaluate the candidate's aptitude for design involving visual perception ability, drawing skills, logical reasoning, creativity, communication and problem-solving skills.

SELECTION PROCESS

During the counseling procedure, the allotment of seats and branches will be done. The seats are allotted to the successful candidates based on their performance in CEED. The counseling and seat allotment is an online process. 

CEED Selection Process – Step by Step

Step 1: CEED Written Examination

The CEED exam is conducted in two parts:

Part A – Objective Test (Online / Computer-Based)

Objective type questions (MCQ, MSQ, NAT)

Conducted in online mode

Candidates must clear the Part A cut-off

Only candidates who qualify Part A are eligible for Part B evaluation

Part B – Subjective / Design Test

Drawing, creativity, and design thinking based questions

Answers are written/drawn in an answer booklet

This part carries higher weightage in the final score

Step 2: CEED Result Declaration

The final CEED score is calculated using Part A + Part B

An All India Rank (AIR) is allotted

CEED does not provide admission directly, it only provides the score/rank

Step 3: Apply Separately to Design Institutes

After qualifying CEED, candidates must apply individually to institutes that accept CEED scores, such as:

IIT Bombay

IIT Delhi

IIT Guwahati

IIT Hyderabad

IISc Bengaluru

Other CEED-accepting institutes

Each institute has its own application form, eligibility criteria, and schedule

Step 4: Institute-Level Selection Process

Most institutes conduct:

Design Aptitude Test (if applicable)

Personal Interview

Portfolio Presentation

Final selection is usually based on:

CEED score

Performance in interview

Portfolio quality

Academic background

Important Points

There is no centralized counselling for CEED

CEED score is valid for one year only

Selection criteria may vary from institute to institute