Arunav Dwivedi
Jan 20
16 min read
Introduction
If you're aspiring to join a top-tier design college in India, the Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design (UCEED) is your gateway to institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, and IIITDM Jabalpur.
Every year, around 13,000 to 14,000 students appear for UCEED, competing for a limited number of seats (around 225 seats in IITs for 2025).
This article will guide you through eligibility, exam pattern, preparation tips, and essential resources to ace UCEED.
Why UCEED Matters?
With design careers gaining popularity in India, UCEED is one of the most prestigious exams to enter the Bachelor of Design (BDes) programs at IITs and other top institutes.
This exam tests your creativity, logical reasoning, and visual perception, ensuring that only the most innovative minds get selected.
Eligibility Criteria
You can attempt UCEED twice in consecutive years, but not in Class 11 or after two years of passing Class 12. Here are the key criteria:
Age Limit: Born on or after October 1, 2000 (GEN/EWS/OBC) or October 1, 1995 (SC/ST/PwD)
Number of Attempts: Maximum 2 attempts in consecutive years
Qualifying Exam: Class 12 pass-out in 2024 or appearing in 2025 (any stream: Science, Commerce, or Arts & Humanities)
Free Resources & Downloadables
UCEED is a 3-hour exam conducted in English with two parts:
Part A (Computer-Based - 240 Marks)
Numerical Answer Type (NAT): No options, enter the correct number (4 marks/question, no negative marking)
Multiple Select Questions (MSQ): More than one correct answer (Partial marking, -1 for incorrect answers)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): One correct answer out of four (+3 for correct, -0.71 for incorrect)
Part B (Pen-and-Paper - 60 Marks)
Drawing Section: 1 question testing your creativity, perspective, and composition skills
Top Colleges Accepting UCEED
Apart from IITs, several private and government design colleges accept
UCEED scores for BDes admissions. Some top choices include:
IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, IIITDM Jabalpur
Result-sharing institutes (check the official website for the updated list)
How to Start Preparation
1. Solve Previous Year Question Papers: Start by analyzing past UCEED papers (both UCEED & CEED). These help you understand question trends and difficulty levels.
2. Improve Drawing & Composition Skills: Part B carries 60 marks and can be a game-changer. Many students score 50+, giving them an edge over others.
3. Join a Structured Program: If you're looking for more than just a coaching institute, check out our C2D - Connect to Design Program, where we focus on design mindset & creative thinking.
Pro tips to Crack UCEED
Improve Visualization Skills: Practice perspective drawing, 3D visualization, and spatial reasoning
Master Logical & Analytical Reasoning: Solve puzzles, riddles, and logical reasoning questions
Time Management: Learn to prioritize questions and attempt scoring sections first
Stay Updated: Follow design trends, visual arts, and cognitive science principles
Free Resources & Downloadables
Video Guide
Watch our in-depth UCEED Preparation Strategy video to get expert tips from top rankers and faculty members.
“
I followed the UCEED study plan and cracked IIT Bombay BDes with AIR 54! The structured preparation really helped me focus on scoring sections.
- Rohan, UCEED Topper
FAQ
Want expert mentorship and a structured UCEED preparation plan?
Join our C2D - Connect to Design Program for trial sessions and exclusive resources. Let's make your dream of IIT BDes a reality! 🚀
Book a free Session
