UCEED Preparation 2025 - Quick and Easy Tips to ace the design exam

Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design 2025 ( UCEED )

17.4K Views604 Comments

Admit Card: 3 Jan '25

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Manashjyoti HazarikaManager Content

Updated on Nov 18, 2024 12:25 IST

UCEED Preparation 2025 - IIT Bombay will conduct the UCEED 2025 exam on January 19, 2025.

Given the difficulty level and competitiveness of the UCEED exam, you must make an all-out effort to ace the exam.

The UCEED 2025 question paper will include two sections or parts - 1) Part will be objective-type and include 57 questions 2) Part B will include TWO questions - one sketching-based question and one aptitude-based question.

Candidates can crack the UCEED 2025 exam if they are well-acquainted with different design elements and also have adequate knowledge of current affairs and GK. In this article, we discuss the step-wise process the candidate needs to follow to prepare for the exam, study material, frequency, and the right time to solve sample papers and mock tests. 

Go through the below-mentioned UCEED preparation tips to score well in the design exam.

Q:   When should I start preparation for UCEED 2025?

A:

Given that UCEED is one of the most important and the toughest design entrance exams in the country, one should not wait till the last moments to prepare for the exam. Ideally, the candidate should have at least an year to prepare for the exam. That being said, if the candidate has above average understand of the basics, he or she can easily prepare for the exam in six months. When preparing for the exam, it is important to have a target in mind. For example, the merit rank the candidate wants to achieve. Note that the cut-off rank varies from one institute to another.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   How can I prepare for UCEED 2025 in 6 months?

A:

If you have six months to prepare for UCEED and not an year, you need to be judicious with your time and prepare smart. Here are a few tips to prepare for the exam in six months: Make a study time table. Take note of weightage carried by various sections, and dedicate time accordingly. Another point to note is the difficulty level of the exam. Get going with your preparation without any delay. Take notes during study; this exercise will not only help you stay focused, but jot down all the important points. These notes will also come in handy for quick revision. Solve sample papers and take mock tests.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Can I solve previous year's papers considering UCEED syllabus is revised?

A:

IIT Bombay revised the syllabus for the UCEED exam starting 2024.

However, note that while the syllabus has been revised, there are still some topics that overlap. For instance, Part A still continues to have the Analytical and Logical Reasoning, Observation and Design sensitivity, and a few other topics from the various edition. So, candidates can use the previous years papers to practice these topics. For the other topics, the candidate can try out sample papers.

In addition to the syllabus, IIT Bombay had also revised the UCEED exam pattern.

Part A now have 57 questions (down from 68), while Part B will have two questions (instead of 1). 

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Step-wise UCEED 2025 Preparation Plan

Step 1: Possess in-depth knowledge of the UCEED 2025 syllabus.

Step 2: Understand the exam pattern and marking scheme.

Step 3: Prepare a timetable (monthly, weekly, and daily).

Step 4: Solve past years’ question papers, sample papers, and mock tests.

Step 5: Make an effort to complete the syllabus on time. That way you will be able to solve sample papers, take mock tests, and many other exercises.

UCEED College Predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to predict the college in which they can get admission based on their expected exam score.

UCEED Exam College Predictor

Q:   What skills do I need to have for UCEED 2025?

A:

To do well in UCEED 2025 exam, improve these skills: Improve your drawing skills - Practice free-hand drawing. Use 2 grades of pencil - H-grade to do rough work and B to do quick sketch and shading. Work on improving your creativity and be innovative Solve previous years question papers to improve problem-solving and time-management skills. Understand the basic concept of drawing, and learn various forms of drawing - composition, proportion, line drawing, etc. Taking mock tests will help the candidate get an idea as to how much time it takes to solve a section or question.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   Is there any changes to the UCEED 2025 exam pattern?

A:

IIT Bombay had released a notification on its official website notifying that the UCEED exam starting in 2024 will be conducted following a revised syllabus. As per the revised syllabus, there has also been some changes to the UCEED exam pattern. For instance, the Part B question paper will now include two questions - 1) one question will be on Drawing and 2) the other question will be on Design Aptitude. Note that previously, Part B included a solitary, drawing-based question. Also, the time duration for Part B has been increased to 60 minutes from 30 minutes.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

How to Prepare for UCEED 2025

Candidates need to keep the below-mentioned pointers in mind when formulating UCEED 2025 preparation plan.

Follow the UCEED exam pattern

UCEED Exam

Section

No of Questions

Part A

NAT

14

MSQ

15

MCQ

28

Part B

Drawing Question

1

 

Design Aptitude

1

Knowledge of UCEED marking scheme

Candidates can through the new marking scheme for UCEED 2025 in the table below:

Section

Marks Added for Every Correct Answer

NAT

+4 marks for a correct answer; no negative marking

MSQ

Partial marking

+4, +3, +2, +1, 0, or -1 depending on the correctness of the answer

MCQ

+3 for a correct answer; -0.71 marks for an incorrect answer

Drawing Question

60 marks

Total Marks

300

Know UCEED syllabus

Candidates need to be acquainted with the topics to study for different sections of UCEED 2025. Aspirants can go through the detailed UCEED syllabus to crack this design entrance exam.

Note that IIT Bombay has revised the syllabus for the UCEED 2025 exam.

Part B of the exam will now have two questions from two sections - Drawing and Design Aptitude. Previously, only a drawing-based question was asked. Also, Part B will now be of 60 minutes (instead of 30 minutes).

Go through previous years’ UCEED question papers

Like any entrance exam, while preparing for the exam, aspirants are advised to go through past years’ UCEED question papers for it. Apart from this, candidates should also go through sample papers and mock tests for UCEED 2025 preparation. This would prove beneficial in helping students understand the type of questions asked in the UCEED exam as well as provide them an insight on how to formulate their time management strategy.

Aspirants can go through UCEED preparation articles as well as sample questions by clicking the links mentioned in the table below:

10 Do’s and Don’ts for UCEED Prep

10 Tips to Crack UCEED

UCEED Sample Questions

4 Time Management Tips for UCEED

Expected Questions in UCEED Drawing Section

UCEED Practice Test

UCEED 2019 Topper Interview: AIR 1, Vishwaprasanna Hariharan is already pursuing BDes from IIT Guwahati

What can you do after class 12th for a career in Design, Mass Comm & Architecture

 

Q:   What are the important topics candidates need to prepare for Part B of UCEED 2025?

A:

Note that IIT Bombay revised the syllabus for the UCEED exam starting 2024. As per the revised syllabus, Part B will now have two sections: 1) Drawing and 2) Design Aptitude. Note that in the previous editions of the exam, the Part A included only a sketching-based section. The important topics for UCEED 2024 Part B are given below: Drawing: Ability to draw products, people or scenes in proportion with good line quality, composition, proportion, perspective and shading. Design Aptitude Capability to practically and appropriately respond to problems/situations with ingenuity and empathy.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is one year study plan for UCEED entrance exam?

A:
If the candidate has an year in their hands to prepare for the UCEED exam, then they need to follow these steps: Make a study plan Carefully go though the syllabus and exam pattern; note that the syllabus has been revised for UCEED 2024. Make sure that you get the book combination right. When studying, make it a point to take notes. Side by side with reading books, solve problem Sets. Solve sample paper and take mock tests. Considering you have one year in your hands, if need be, you can tweak your preparation strategy midway to meet requirements.
Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

UCEED 2025 - Preparation Tips by Toppers

Here are a few exam preparation tips (or experiences) shared by UCEED toppers.  

"Till the mid-September, I was pretty chilled and doing regular studies, sketching, and practicing questions. But from October to December, I started giving more time specifically for UCEED preparations. I was in SILICA and used to solve previous year's exam papers, UCEED mock tests, and design sample papers. But I never forgot to take mandatory breaks to freshen up my mind. I used to do SKETCHING BEFORE SLEEPING” (kind of my practice mantra to awaken my design muscles)." - AIR 1, 2021, (SC category), VANSH ANEKAR.

"I would say that sketching is not a one-night thing. It has to be practiced daily. And one must try LIVE SKETCHING to understand the depth of the process." - AIR 1, 2021, (SC category), VANSH ANEKAR.

"I solved only UCEED question papers of the past three years (2015, 2016, and 2017). I recommend students solve past years’ CEED question papers as the two exams (CEED and UCEED) are similar in nature. The logical reasoning sections of Olympiads could also be of help in UCEED preparation." - AIR 1, 2019, Vishwaprasanna Hariharan.

Best Books for UCEED Preparation 2025

Candidates can consider preparing for UCEED 2025 by studying topics mentioned in the books listed below:

Name of the Book

Author

UCEED Design Environment & Social Awareness In Design Perspective Combined With Mental & Verbal Aptitude

Srijan Shilpa

Cracking CEED & UCEED (with Previous Years’ Papers and Mock Tests

Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal

NID-NIFT-UCEED-CEED Workbook

Ar Revati Shantanu Parkhi and Rhythm Singh Kachhawa

Comprehensive English for NID, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA, B.Arch & Other Design Entrance Exams

Designologue

Quantitative Aptitude

RS Aggarwal

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning 

RS Aggarwal

UCEED (BDes) Entrance Books and Test Series 

AFA India

Analytical Reasoning, Mental Aptitude, Verbal Aptitude (UCEED Guide)

Institute Of Creative Sciences

UCEED Sample Papers 2025

IIT Bombay, the exam conducting body, releases the question paper and answer keys for UCEED within a few days of the conduct of the entrance exam. This means the question paper and answer keys for the UCEED 2025 exam will also be available after the exam.

In the meantime, the candidate can download the previous year's question papers for practice. They can refer to the answer keys to check their answers. 

Additionally, sample papers for UCEED are easily available in the market. For instance, the candidate can buy sample papers online from Amazon, Flipkart, etc. The candidate can purchase these sample papers for practice.

You can download UCEED sample papers here.

UCEED Mock Test 2025

The mock tests for UCEED 2025 are meant to be taken in the last few weeks or days leading up to the entrance exam.

The purpose of the mock tests is to help the candidate get an exam-like ambiance to practice in and thus get acquainted with the exam process. 

Note that the UCEED 2025 Part A will be conducted in a computer-based mode and include NAT, MCQ, and MSQ-type questions. The duration of the exam will be 1 hour. Meanwhile, Part B will be administered in an offline mode, and will be 2 hours long.

The mocks can also help the candidate identify silly errors and fix them.

Design exams whose registrations are closing soon

Register now and prepare to increase your chances at top colleges which accept these exams

Registration ends soon
Exam D-day soon
About to start
SEED 2025 Online registration

16 Aug '24 - 25 Dec '24

View allDesign exams

UCEED Preparation 2025 - FAQs

The candidate may go through the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the UCEED 2025 exam preparation below.

Q:   Is it possible to prepare for UCEED 2025 in 3 months?

A:

Three months is not a lot of time to prepare for an exam of the magnitude of UCEED. But the silver lining is it could be done, provided your fundamentals are strong. Here is how you prepare for UCEED 2025 in three months: Follow the official UCEED syllabus and exam pattern. Make a time table. To start with focus on the topics that are easy but carry decent weightage. Once you are done with the easy topics, move on to the moderately difficult and difficult topics. It is important for you to not get stuck with a difficult problem and burn up all your time. Instead move on to the next topic. Solve sample papers and take mock tests.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What is the last month exam preparation tips for UCEED 2025?

A:

In the last few months leading up to the UCEED 2025 exam, the candidate needs to follow this routine: If you have maintained a note, ensure you regularly go through the important points. Do timely revision of all the topics, especially the sticky concepts. Solve as many sample papers you can. Also take mock tests to get into the exam mood. Mocks will help you get an exam like ambience and you can get an idea as to how the question paper would be look like, the sections you need to attempt first, etc. Pay close attention to your health - sleep the full quote of hours, stay hydrated, do light exercise, and stay happy. It is also a good idea to not start any new topic at this stage of exam preparation.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What are the important topics candidates need to prepare for Part A of UCEED 2025?

A:

The UCEED 2025 question paper will have two parts - 1) the computer-based Part A and 2) drawing and aptitude-based Part B. To prepare for Part A, the candidate needs to focus on the following topics: Visualization and spatial reasoning: Ability to visualise and transform 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships. Practical and scientific knowledge: Know-how of scientific principles and everyday objects. Observation and design sensitivity: Capacity to detect concealed properties in day-to-day life and think critically about them. Attention to details, classification, analysis, inference and prediction. Environment and society: General awareness of environmental, social and cultural connections with design. Analytical and logical reasoning: Ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative information. Language: Proficiency in reading and comprehending Standard English . Creativity: Grasp of verbal and non-verbal analogies, metaphors, signs and symbols.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What types of questions will be asked in Section 2 of UCEED 2025 question paper?

A:

The UCEED 2025 question paper for Part A will include three sections. It will include 28 Multiple Select Questions (MSQs). Each MSQ may have one or more than one correct choice (s) out of the four given. The following marking scheme will be followed for MSQ-type questions: Full Marks: + 4 If only (all) the correct option (s) is (are) chosen and None of the incorrect options is chosen. Partial Marks: + 3 If all the four options are correct but ONLY three options are chosen and None of the incorrect options is chosen. Partial Marks: + 2 If three or more options are correct but ONLY two options are chosen, both of which are correct and None of the incorrect options is chosen. Partial Marks: + 1 If two or more options are correct but ONLY one option is chosen and it is a correct option and None of the incorrect options is chosen. Zero Marks: 0 If None of the options is chosen (I. e., the question is unanswered). Negative Marks: -1 In all other cases.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What do I need to do in the last few week of UCEED 2025 exam preparation?

A:

The last few days are very crucial in the context of UCEED 2025 exam preparation. It is because if you mess up these last few days, all your efforts in the last few months and years could go down the drain: Here are a few tips to follow in the last few weeks leading up to the UCEED exam: Focus these last few days on revision Solve sample papers. Try to solve at least one sample paper a day. Take mock tests. Do quick revision of important topics. After taking the mock or solving the sample papers, do a quick analysis and SEE if there are any quick remedies to costly errors. Don't start any new topic. It is because it will eat into crucial revision or practice time. Also, note that starting a new topic so late in the day can only add to the anxiety, something you need to avoid.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What will be the structure of the UCEED question paper 2025?

A:

The question paper for the UCEED 2025 exam will 3 hours long and have two parts. Part A - It will be computer-based section, 2) Part B - It will be a sketching-based and aptitude-based test. The candidate need to appear in both the paper to be included in the merit list. Further, the candidate has to qualify Part A, or else his or else Part B paper answer booklets will only be evaluated. The qualifying marks for Part A will be released before the declaration of results. Part A will include the three types of questions - Numerical Answer Type NAT Multiple Select Question (MSQ), and Multiple Choice Question (MCQ).

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

Q:   What key points do candidates need to remember about UCEED 2025 Part B question paper?

A:

The candidate needs to remember the following points about Part B question paper of UCEED 2025: Part-B will now include only TWO questions The question for the section will shown on the computer monitor. The candidate after reading the question has to write/ draw the answer option in the answer booklet provided by the invigilator. Part B test will evaluate the drawing ability and Design Aptitude of the candidate. Part B is mandatory and will only be evaluated if the candidate qualifies Part A. The cut-off marks for Part A will be declared by IIT Bombay before declaration of results.

Thumbs Up IconUpvote Thumbs Down Icon

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Get prep tips, practice papers, exam details and important updates

Download Important Dates for Design Exams
qna

UCEED Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, one can not join IDC IIT Bombay without qualifying UCEED for B.Des. The eligibility criteria for getting admission into the college is that one should have passed the qualifying examination (Class XII or equivalent ) from the recognised Board/Examination.

UCEED is an exam of 300 marks. It has 3 s

...more

A

Alesha Patel

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, CEPT University accepts UCEED scores for admission to its BDes courses. To be eligible candidates must pass a Class 12 with 50% aggregate from Gujarat state board or any other State boards or CBSE/CISCE/NIOS/IB. Candidates must apply and appear for the UCEED  and score good aggregate to grab th

...more

63158629
Jiya Tyagi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

It is very much possible for candidates to prepare for the UCEED 2025 exam at home.

To prepare for the exam follow these tips:

  1. Make a study plan
  2. Divide the syllabus into smaller chunks and allocate time accordingly. 
  3. Refer to the exam pattern
  4. Take notes during study
  5. Work on your drawing and visulalization

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The Department of Design, IITD, is set ton introduce a B.Tech in Design program from the upcoming admission session.

It will have an intake of 20 students in the first batch. It is a 4 year program. The intake will be based on JEE advanced merit rank.

The aspirants also must have qualified the design

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

To study BDes at IIT Bombay, candidate must appear in the UCEED and attain the require the neccessary rank. IIT Bombay BDes Cutoff 2024 among the General AI category candidates was 14

IIT Bombay will release the cut-off marks for the 1st round of UCEED 2025 seat allotment on April 21, 2025.

The cut-

...more

N

Neha Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The counseling for UCEED 2025 will commence on March 14, 2025. The counseling process will have five seat allotment rounds.

The candidate is allowed to withdraw seats till the 4th round of counseling. However, after the announcement of the last round of seat allocation, an option to withdraw/decline

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

To avoid any last-minute unforeseen transaction issues, the candidate should pay the seat acceptance fee for a round well before the end time/date of the
corresponding round.

Note that if the fee is not paid within the given deadline, the allotment will be cancelled. Also, such seats will be offered t

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, the seat-acceptance fee paid by the candidate will be adjusted against the institute fees of the admitting institute at the time of joining. In case the candidate
declines the offered seat after remitting the seat acceptance fee, the refund of the seat acceptance fee will be done per the policie

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The candidate has to pay the seat-acceptance fee only once. If the candidate is allotted another seat (because they chose the ‘float’ option), they aren't required to pay the fee again.

However, the seat-acceptance fee will have to be paid within the given deadline. Or else, the allotment will be can

...more

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The candidate can contact UCEED 2025 admission officials at the following address:

Chairperson,
UCEED-CEED Office,
IIT Bombay,
Powai, Mumbai – 400 076.
Website: www.uceed.iitb.ac.in
Email: uceed@iitb.ac.in
Phone: +91-22-2576 4063/9093/9094

The candidate may use any of the contact options provided here.  

M

Manashjyoti Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

58 Institutes accepting UCEED

B.Tech. in Computer Science and Design
  • 4.5

    Placements

    4.7

    Infrastructure

    4.6

    Faculty & Course Curriculum

    4.7

    Crowd & Campus Life

    4.3

    Value for Money

    4.0

    Learning Experience

    0.0

    Course Support

    0.0
    (8)
  • |
  • Total Fees: ₹ 19.55 Lakh
  • |
  • 4 years
  • |
  • Full Time
Bachelor of Design (B.Des.)
  • Total Fees: ₹ 35.85 Lakh
  • |
  • 4 years
  • |
  • Full Time

Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates

Dec '24: ADEPT 2025 Application START date
20 Dec '24: IIAD 2025 - Application Submission Last Date
16 Aug '24 - 25 Dec '24: SEED 2025 Online registration
3 Jan '25: CEED 2025 Issue of Admit Card
Jan '25: DEED 2025 Exam Dates (Phase 1)