How to Tackle MSQ Questions in UCEED Without Losing Marks

The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is a crucial step for aspiring designers to begin the design journey, by securing the seat in a reputed institutes like IIT’s and affiliated institutes. In this series of detailed analysis of various sections as asked in the UCEED exam, the Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) section is unique, offering partial marks but also risking negative marking. UCEED 2026 will tentatively be conducted in January, 2026. In this article we will provide you with this guide, based on analysis of UCEED 2023, 2024, and 2025 papers, provides strategies to confidently tackle MSQs and maximize scores.

This Story also Contains

1. Understanding the UCEED MSQ Section
2. How to Tackle the UCEED MSQ Questions?
3. Important Topics and Strategies for MSQ Section
4. Sequential Approach to Preparation of MSQ’s
5. Common Don’ts for MSQ Questions

Understanding the UCEED MSQ Section

UCEED MSQ Section is unique for its attributes like :

• Have one or more correct options : Unlike MCQs, multiple answers could be correct here.

• Offer partial marking: Selecting correct options that are open still earn partial marks.

• Negative Marking Provision : Choosing any incorrect option leads to negative marks.

• This section is predominantly image-based: Strong visual reasoning is essential.

• Diversity of Topics : From spatial aptitude to general knowledge.

How to Tackle the UCEED MSQ Questions?

1. Prefer Elimination to Hunting Correct Option : It’s always advisable to eliminate the wrong options rather choosing the right options to minimise the risk of negative marking.

Let’s try to understand the same with the given question below, (UCEED 2024)

For all the given options, Here option A & B are correct, however you should prefer eliminating the wrong options, by looking each individual option as:

2. Treat Each option as True/False:

Evaluate all the given questions individually, for the possibility of correct or incorrect first. This will help you overcome the biases from the other choices.

Example: UCEED 2025, Q. 17

# Logic Explanation : In the above question, it has two edges, “An ant can walk all over the surfaces, from the given image, where we access all the options on a feasibility matrix, individually. This prevents confusion from combined options.

3. Don’t be Afraid of Leaving the Questions Unanswered

If you are unsure and unable to make the decision to select or reject an option, considering the negative marking it’s better to leave the question unanswered. It is better not to score rather than taking risk of negative marking, spoiling the overall percentage.

4. Don’t forget Time Management is Key

MSQs are analytic and very time consuming, particularly the image oriented questions, like visualising unfolded box pieces (UCEED 2023, Q-35), where it may take more time than a straightforward observation.

Important Topics and Strategies for MSQ Section

Test-takers must prioritize important topics for UCEED preparation and know their strengths and work on their weaknesses.

Visual Reasoning and Spatial Aptitude:

To excel in spatial and visual reasoning we need to work on following skillsets

Step 01: Practise with Physical objects, Build models to understand 3D forms and 2D Representations. Imagine it like playing with a “Rubik’s Cube”, and perceive the same mentally to break the bigger volume into smaller sub-volumes.

Step 02: Use sketching as skill to transform the mental model onto 2D plain/paper sheet.

Observational and Pattern Recognition Skills:

Observation and Pattern recognition skills, boil down to a common aptitude for, noticing the details and patterns in the surroundings, this helps to develop your mental-visual library, which later reflects in your design skills and applications. These skills can be improved by following activities:

Work on Observation Skills: Pay attention to following details like

• Color

• Shape and Form

• Texture and Patterns

• Use case scenarios

E.g: Comparison of Different types of bottle caps as provided below

Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving:

Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving Skill, require Critical Thinking Skillset.

Critical thinking skills refer to the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information logically and systematically to form a judgment or make a decision

Below we share the exercises to practise the Logical Reasoning:

Step 01 : Practise with Logic Puzzles : Work on “Deductive Reasoning”, with Sudoku or Kenken Puzzles.

Step 02: Learn to Transform the Information to Visuals: Practise converting the information/news into visuals with numbers.

Let’s try to understand the same through Covid Essentials Campaign

The objective of the above infographics here is to make someone aware of the essential requirements for the Covid Infection, both prevention and Control

Work on General Knowledge and Design Awareness :

Each year 2-3 questions are dedicated to Awareness (General/Design/ Current Events Awareness) which can be practised by following:

4a. Read Widely : Stay updated with current affairs, and read about various topics and design events globally.

4b. Create FlashCards : Memorise factual information like historical events/scientific principles.

For Example : The question about the Tropic of Cancer passing through Indian states (UCEED 2024, Q.16) requires factual knowledge of Indian geography. Having this information ready allows for quick and accurate answers.

Sequential Approach to Preparation of MSQ’s

To effectively prepare for the UCEED MSQ sections, follow the provided structured and sequential approach:

Step 01: Understand the Fundamentals

1. Visuals: Practise identifying patterns, symmetries and transformations (rotations, reflection and translation) , understanding the 2D representations of 3D objects.

2. Develop Logic: Work on deductive and inductive reasoning, analogies and critical thinking puzzles.

3. Design Awareness : Read about design history, famous designers, materials, processes, and current design trends. Familiarize yourself with basic physics principles related to mechanisms etc.

Step 02: Refer Previous Year Question Papers (R-PYP)

Try to solve UCEED previous years’ question paper, focussing on your weakness. Not only identifying the correct option but also looking for “Wrongness of any option”.

Step 03: Targeted Practice

Once you have identified weak as well interest areas, through PYP-Analysis, engage in targeted practice. Use dedicated study material or online resources for specific topics.

For Example, If you are struggling with Spatial Reasoning start working on questions focused on dedicated topics.

Step 04: Mock Test and Performance

Analyse your Performance: Identify the MSQs you consistently get wrong, or take too long to solve.

Review Mistakes: Understand the root cause of each error (e.g. Conceptual Gap, Careless Mistakes and Time Pressure)

Common Don’ts for MSQ Questions

Even with the most solid strategy, certain common mistakes can lead to losing the marks. Being aware of these Dont’s which certainly need to be avoided as discussed below:

1. Overcome the “One Correct Option” Mindset : This is the most significant pitfall in MSQ’s(Multiple Select Questions) , always remember that multiple options could be correct since as the name suggests.

Tip: Before attempting any MSQ, mentally prepare yourself for the possibility of multiple correct options. Read the questions and options with an open mind, actively searching for all the valid choices.

2. Avoid Rushing Through Options :

In pressure of exams, students often hastily make decisions for quickly scanning options, often overlooking the subtle details or misinterpreting information.

3. Over-Relience on General Knowledge/Awareness:

While general awareness is a crucial part of the UCEED question papers, it has been observed that some students over rely for scoring on this part, where the general awareness asked in the exam need no special preparation if you are observant to surrounding and absorb the everyday happenings and objects in your surroundings.

4. Poor Time Management:

MSQ are designed for thought-provoking and often time-consuming. Thus, it is advised to avoid such pitfalls, which is one of the most common challenges in front of a student.