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CEED Preparation Strategy 2026: Know Complete Strategy Tips & Guide
Edited By Ritika Jonwal | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:38 PM IST | #CEED
A combined entrance exam for postgraduate design studies is the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED). All Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) administer this test annually. The requirements for the CEED exam should be understood by those preparing for the CEED 2026 exam. CEED 2026 will be was conducted tentatively in the month of January, 2026. The entrance exam, which is designed for students hoping to obtain a postgraduate degree, assesses a student's higher level of inventiveness and awareness.
This Story also Contains
- CEED Syllabus 2026
- CEED 2026 Preparation Strategy
- How To Crack CEED Exam 2026
- CEED Books
- CEED Exam Analysis (From 2020 - 2025)
It is important for students to begin their CEED preparation early and in a focused manner. Read the article to get Complete Strategy Tips & Guide for CEED 2026 preparation.
CEED Syllabus 2026
There has been an evolution in the CEED 2026 syllabus each year. For how to prepare for CEED exam students must understand that the type of topics tested is equipped to help students in terms of real-world applications and processes. Students can refer to CEED 2025 question paper for a clear understanding. This practical Syllabus is broken down into:
Visualization and spatial reasoning: Ability to visualize and transform 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships.
Practical and Scientific knowledge: Know-how of scientific principles and everyday objects in our day-to-day life works.
Top Design Colleges Accepting CEED 2025 Score
IIT Bombay has released the list of colleges accepting CEED scores. Candidates can check the list of IITs accepting CEED score.
Download EBookObservation and design sensitivity: Develop the capacity to detect concealed properties in daily life and think critically about them. Attention to detail, classification, analysis, inference, and prediction
Analytical and Logical reasoning: Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative information harvesting sense from numerical values, charts, tables, etc.
Art and Design Knowledge: Awareness about art/artifact/product, artists/designers, art/design history and trends
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CEED 2026 Preparation Strategy
Some general tips for CEED Preparation Strategy include:
Work on 3D Drawing Skills
Boost your creative thinking
Time management
Read daily cartoon strips
Important books for CEED Part A
Important books for CEED Part B
How To Crack CEED Exam 2026
Students are often bewildered thinking about the preparation strategy of CEED. It is trivial that the aspiring students familiarize themselves with CEED Syllabus for 2026. So, Careers360 brings here the most fruitful CEED preparation strategy to clear your baffled minds. IIT Bombay will grant admission to design students who crack CEED to the participating institutes based on the merit list and choice of filling. The following are the section-wise CEED preparation tips that you can prepare aptly for the CEED Exam Pattern.
How To Crack CEED Part A:
Understand the CEED paper pattern: Go through the CEED exam pattern before you start preparing for the entrance exam. You must have a clear understanding of the CEED entrance exam. The exam pattern of CEED includes marking scheme, mode of the exam, question formats, maximum mark, duration of the exam, and many more.
Go through past year's question papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the type of questions as well as the difficulty level of the entrance exam. Regular practice with the CEED sample paper will help the students identify how much time it takes to answer each question.
Practice Logical reasoning from a variety of examinations
Elementary school Math and Science are foundational. Revise, revisit, and practice it well.
Improve GK: Read newspapers, magazines, comic strips, brochures, history of Indian fine arts to improve your general knowledge.
Select the Best books for CEED preparation: Books are the best source of knowledge. There are bundles of study materials for CEED but choosing the best one is not simple. Selecting the best books for CEED preparation will help the candidates gain in-depth knowledge of the concept of the CEED syllabus.
Time management: Make a clear-cut timetable for CEED preparation and follow it. Due to strict time constraints, it is not advisable to ponder on one question.
Practice how to attempt these questions tactfully. Here is an example:
Q.1 Two views of a solid object are shown. Count the number of surfaces. (NAT Type)
Quick Tip - The topic used here is Image manipulation and 3D surfaces. One must be thorough, have the subject knowledge, and break the question down considering the top view, side view, and hidden surfaces. Such types of questions require technical prerequisites like knowing different orthographic views and being able to visualize different shapes 3 dimensionally.
Answer - The figures are symmetric. There is an indication from the top view that only object 2 is cuboidal and not spherical.
1 and 4 are spherical. 3 and 5 are cylindrical. 6 is a hole cut inside 5.
Surfaces from shape 1=1
4=1
3=1 (without top view consideration)
5=1(without bottom view consideration)
6=1
2=4(considering 4 sides without top and bottom)
First Total= 9 surfaces
Now, considering manipulated surfaces:
Final total= 9+ 5= 14 surfaces.
Therefore the total number of surfaces in the given image manipulation is 14.
Q.2 A dice is rolled from its current position (A) through B, C, and D to stop at position E. What will be the number on the top of the dice at position E, if each pair of its opposite faces adds to seven? (MSQs)
A. One
B. Three
C. Four
D. Six
Quick Tip - While solving MSQs like this, students must remember that they are not equipped with time enough to get stuck in one problem. The question here comes from Dice configurations and arrangements. In this question, it was important to have a prerequisite knowledge of dice, and that the opposite sides of a dice add up to 7. Tricks like these make problem-solving simpler instead of turning into an elongated process. Here is the solution:
Answer: (C) A dice are numbered in a way that the numbers on the opposite faces are added to give 7. The possible sequences for that from this image are
(1,6)
(2,5)
(3,4)
When the dice rolls to B: the base will have 6 so the top will be 1 and the front face becomes 3
When the dice rolls to C: the base will be 5 and top will be 2 and left face will be 6 and 1 will be opposite to that.3 is the front face
When the dice rolls to D: the base will be 1and the top will be 6. 3 is still the front face
When the dice rolls to E: the base will become 3 and the face with the top will be: 7-3 = 4.
How To Crack CEED Part B:
Think out of the box: If you want to crack CEED, then you must get off the beaten track and think uniquely that can amaze others with your design. Remember your idea of innovative design is the answer to every problem. Designing is not about making fancy things but it is the solution to a problem. The examiners evaluate candidates' creativity and problem-solving skills.
Practice speed sketching and design sprints
You may be given a real-time scenario or situation from life, like a perspective view of the Railway station where you may be asked to identify the challenges from the person of a third person with special abilities, or a pregnant woman. Hence practice on-the-spot, situational sketching.
You can improve your creativity skills through observation: Try to observe each small thing around you and bring up a new innovative idea. Your observation and visualization skills are the main aspects of finding a solution to a problem.
`Prepare a strong portfolio: After you have cleared the written test, you will be asked to present your portfolio during the personal interview. Prepare a distinctive portfolio that can transcend you from your competitors. Include your best work in the portfolio.
Work on 3D drawing skills: Students must improve their sketching skills. Draw a 3-D model using the right equipment. If your drawing skills are weak, then it would be a good idea to join the drawing class and start regular practice sketching.
CEED Books
Since there is no prescribed study guide or compulsory CEED study material for CEED preparation tips, students must spend some time choosing appropriate study material. The study material must be intensive and must offer multiple examples of concepts for a clear understanding of theory and application. Here are some reliable, picked-out CEED preparation books recommended by qualified topper candidates and experts:
CEED Books | Author/Publisher |
Design Drawing | Francis DK Ching |
CEED (MDes) Test Series | TRENDZ ACADEMY |
Perspective Drawing Handbook | Joseph D’Amelio |
Art Perception | David Cycleback |
CEED previous years' question papers, sample papers & mock Tests
The question papers and sample papers from previous years of CEED are some of the best study materials for CEED preparation as there is no specific study material that is compulsory. Solving these question papers and CEED mock tests is one of the best CEED preparation tips suggested by toppers and experts to help you crack the exam with a good score. This gives students a clear idea of on what basis they will be judged and tested.
CEED preparation online can be done through various resources. These include online study materials, live coaching sessions, mock tests, and video tutorials from institutes. This allows you to study at your own pace and convenience. Candidates can enhance their preparation by utilizing CEED preparation strategy free pdf downloads. These resources provide valuable insights and guidance for effective study.
Top Design Entrance Exam
CEED Exam Analysis (From 2020 - 2025)
Since CEED exam tests students in multiple dimensions unlike previously, students must prioritize their time and give equal weight to all factors. Therefore, the purpose of the exam analysis is to aid candidates in comprehending this. Over the past few years, the CEED Entrance Exam question paper has altered and evolved significantly. The test now looks at prospective students' awareness of other things, such as real-world knowledge, observation, and analytical capabilities, in addition to their drawing, sketching, and visualizing talents. The CEED 2025 exam had two parts: Part A (NAT, MSQ, and MCQ) was mostly moderate to easy in difficulty. The MCQ section was the biggest part of the exam as it needed careful thinking because of negative marking. Part B focused on drawing, which was moderately difficult.
You may also check:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How should I start preparing for CEED?
Start early preparation
Understand the syllabus very well
Know that there is a -0.5 negative marking for every wrong answer
Be cautious about your attempts and strategically study question-wise and not subject-wise, when you are solving mock tests and question papers.
2. Can I start preparing by solving mock tests directly?
Conceptual knowledge is very important and hence start with the best study material once you have your foundation ready, begin to answer mock tests.
3. How can I score good marks in CEED exam 2026?
Students can solve CEED sample questions, mock tests and previous years' papers to score good marks in the CEED exam 2026. In addition, they can also refer to the best recommended CEED preparation books for more effective preparation.
4. How to improve the sketching skills for CEED 2026?
It is not emphasized enough that everyday sketching is absolutely important
It is like trying to get fit in the gym, you need important muscle memory to develop this skill.
Practice the variety of sketching techniques, you can do one from each set every day Categorize them into 5-6 categories, and by the end of each week, you must ideally have about 35-40 sketches.
The number is important while practising. Do free-hand illustrations and anatomical drawings as many times as possible.
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Questions related to CEED
Have a question related to CEED ?
Hello Anushka,
Thanks for reaching out!
You can definitely prepare for CEED to pursue UI/UX design.since you're not from design background you'll need 4-6 months of focused prepration.
Focus on:
Sketching
Visual communication
Design concepts
User experience basics
Problem - solving skills
Past CEED papers.
Practice drawings, story boarding, Idea generation daily.
You can also take online courses to learn design fundamentals and tools.
Consistency and practice matter most!
get all the detailed info here:
https://design.careers360.com/articles/ceed-syllabus
All the best!
Taabia Fathima 13 July,2025
Hello sir,
Thanks for reaching out!
Yes, you still have a good chance even with a mid CEED score, if the rest of your profile is strong. While the CEED score is important, most of the institutes use full selection process that includes your CEED score(Part A and B), Portfolio and often an interview or studio tests.Your 6 years of experience, strong portfolio and relevant coursera certificates can add significant value during admission in IITDM, Srishti etc which consider the overall profile not just the rank.
Taabia Fathima 10 July,2025
You can get free study material for the CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) from several reliable sources. Here's a simple list of where to find it:
Official CEED Website
Go to the
CEED official site (ceed.iitb.ac.in)
for previous year question papers and sample papers. They are the best for understanding the exam pattern.
NID and CEED Prep YouTube Channels
Many educators and toppers upload free tutorials, sketching tips, design aptitude tricks, and analysis of previous papers.
Telegram Groups
Search for “CEED preparation” on Telegram. Many groups share PDFs, notes, sketching practice sheets, and mock tests.
Free Blogs and Websites
Look for blogs like Pahal Design, BRDS, and Design Aspirants. They often post free reading material, tips, and past year questions.
Reddit and Quora
On platforms like Reddit or Quora, search for CEED preparation threads. Toppers often share their notes and resources.
Ayush Madanpotra 27 June,2025
Actually You'll be eligible for both years CEED 2025 & CEED 2026.
You can give CEED 2025 because during that time you'll be in your last year of graduation and you're eligible to give CEED EXAM while you're in your final year of graduation.
BUT remember one thing that if you are applying in 2026 you will be eligible for year 2027 session which will be loss of your one precious year so be careful and decide what you want.
sadafreen356 26 October,2024
Hello,
Maybe, because When it comes to eligibility for the CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design), having backlogs in your undergraduate program may not necessarily disqualify you from appearing for the exam. However, it is important to note that each institute has its own specific eligibility criteria for admission to their MDes programs. Some institutes may consider backlogs as a factor during the admission process, while others may not.
Hope this helps you,
Thank you
https://www.google.com/amp/s/design.careers360.com/exams/ceed/amp
Tanya Gupta 27 January,2024
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