Important Topics to Study for CEED Exam 2025

CEED or (Common Entrance Exam for Design), conducted annually by the IDC Bombay, is the gateway for making a career in Design through Entry at Postgraduate Level (M Des.) courses offered by the IIT and various reputed private institutes offering admissions based on the CEED, score cards. Success in the CEED 2025 requires a balanced and strategic approach, mastering the technical skills needed for Part-A and the Drawing Communication Skills, sought in Section-B for the attempting the creativity section.

In this article, referencing the previous three-year question paper for years 2022, 2023 & 2024, we bring you the combination of the right tips and essential topics for scoring well in the upcoming 2025 CEED-2025 examination.

Key Focus area for the CEED-2025 Examinations

Key focus themes, as identified previously in the examination from the year CEED 2022-2024 question papers, include the assessment for the following:

1. Numerical Aptitude

2. Spatial Understanding

3. Mechanical Aptitude

4. Form & Visual Sensitivity

5. Creative Problem Solving

6. Logical Thinking Aptitude

Crucial Topics/Subtopics for CEED 2025

1. Numerical Aptitude

It is a mix of algebraic, geometric, spatial, and logical questions that have been asked continuously for more than 05 years.

The Numerical Aptitude includes primarily the following topics.

• Volumes and Proportions: Determining the Proportional understanding of objects.

• Understanding of Geometrical Forms: Platonic and Archimedean Solids

• Other important topics are SI & CI, ratio and proportions, percentage, speed, time and work, fundamentals of geometry, etc.

2. Spatial Reasoning:

Questions from this theme have consistently been asked in various DAT examinations, including CEED. The most relevant topics asked repeatedly are as follows :

• Surface Counting: In this type of question, one must answer by counting the number of cubes, surfaces, edges, vertices, missing pieces, parts, etc., for which a particular image is provided.

• Patterns and Tessellations: Repetition, Overlapping of Patterns for the Shapes, Tessellations and Tangram puzzles are crucial topics to be covered for practising the Patterns and Tessellations.

• Technical Drawings and Views: Technical Drawings and Views include the understanding of the application & limitations of the following topics:

1. Cross Section and Exploded Drawings

2. First and Third Angle Projections

3. Assembly and Exploded Drawings

4. Orthographic and Isometric Drawings

• Folding and Unfolding of Surfaces: Paper & Unfolding, Patten Continuity and Discontinuity etc. An example of the same is attached below:

3. Mechanical Aptitude :

• Path and Motion: Questions where the motion of a device, wheel, or object is given and the path is traced. Either of the one is provided, and we need to identify the other as shown in the example :

• Principle of Machines and their Operation: This section includes essential topics like 06- Simple Machines, Understanding of the Mechanical Advantage, Daily Life Objects and their Functionality, e.g. Working of Cycle Gears on varying gear Ratio, etc.

• Working Principles of Daily Life Objects: An understanding of the workings of daily life objects and the principles behind them is commonly asked about in application format. For example, the application of Pascal’s Law, thermodynamics, water pressure, physical and chemical properties of materials, etc., are often asked about in the examinations.

4. Form and Visual Sensitivity :

This area is crucial for Part B of the CEED 2025 examination to develop an understanding of aesthetics, visual Sensitivity, proportions, and consistency of design language in the proposed solution for creative reflection.

The important topics for this domain are as follows :

• Pictogram: Graphical Symbols that convey the meaning visually, including the understanding of Graphic Design Fundamentals, Logo, Elements of Semiotic and Semantic Theory, etc., are some crucial elements of the pictograms that are known things for Section-B in the CEED-DAT Examinations from the last years.

• Organic and Geometric Forms: Forms are essentially 3D volumes that refer to the initial visual perception of the objects and shapes around us. The forms are broadly classified as Organic and Geometric(Inorganic Forms). The transformation of incremental development through “Metamorphosis” is also essential for organic and geometric forms.

5. Creative Problem Solving

Creative Problem Solving includes reflection to communicate the ideas or reflection for a given situation as asked:

Human Interactions, Morphing Shapes, Visualising or Proposing design solutions, and abstracting to refine ideas (e.g. Proposing a Sports Shoe inspired by the given Architectural building from a famous architect as provided in the question paper ).

For scoring well in the Creative Problem-Solving and Reflection questions, understanding the additional topics includes the following :

• Perspective Drawing (1,2 and 3-point Perspective)

• Part and Assembly Drawing

• Human Anatomy and Movements

• Understanding of Material and Properties

• Understanding of Ratio and Proportions

6. Logical thinking Aptitude :

CEED strongly emphasises the Problem-Solving mindset of an aspirant, where the Logical-deductions are mainly focused on Part A. This section includes the following important topics :

• Non-verbal reasoning Topics: Syllogism, Embedded Figures, Water and Mirror Images, Pattern Completion, Cubes and Dice, Analogy and Classification based on identified patterns, Rotations and Symmetry in the given shapes, etc. have repeatedly been asked in the past.

• Structured Thinking: Learning to approach the given problems in Part B of the CEED Examination by dividing the complex problem into smaller chunks of incremental steps would be crucial under Objective Learning for Design Aptitude.

To successfully crack the CEED 2025 or any other significant DAT exam, a balanced approach to technical aptitude, creative thinking, and consistency in practice is required. An aspirant could perform well in the examination by focusing on the key topics and practising the questions from the abovementioned topics. One crucial practice is looking at the previous years' question paper to strategically plan for attempting the various sections. Finally, approach your preparation journey with curiosity and confidence without fearing failure.