CEED 2026 Entrance Exam Detailed Syllabus (Part A & Part B)

CEED 2026 Entrance Exam Syllabus is the foundation for every aspirant preparing to secure admission into top design institutes in India through the CEED examination. Understanding the syllabus thoroughly helps candidates plan a focused and effective preparation strategy for both Part A and Part B of the exam.

The syllabus covers a wide range of topics such as visualization and spatial ability, drawing skills, creativity, analytical reasoning, environmental and social awareness, language and communication skills, and design thinking.

In this blog, we provide a clear and structured overview of the CEED 2026 syllabus, explaining each section in detail to help candidates identify important topics, weightage, and skill requirements. A strong grasp of the syllabus not only improves exam performance but also boosts confidence during preparation.

CEED 2026 Entrance Exam Syllabus: Overview

The CEED 2026 syllabus, released by IIT Bombay, tests design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving. It covers two parts: Part A (online objective test, 150 marks, 1 hour) and Part B (offline subjective test, 100 marks, 2 hours). Only Part A qualifiers get Part B evaluated. Final score: 25% Part A + 75% Part B (out of 100).

Exam Part	Section Type	Key Topics Covered	Skills Tested
Part A	Objective (NAT, MSQ, MCQ)	Visualization and Spatial Ability, Environmental and Social Awareness, Analytical and Logical Reasoning, Language and Communication, Design Thinking, Observation and Perception	Problem-solving, logical thinking, visual analysis, general awareness
Part B	Subjective / Descriptive	Drawing, Creativity, Form Sensitivity, Communication Skills, Design Aptitude	Drawing ability, creativity, idea generation, visual communication
Overall Syllabus Focus	Design Aptitude	Product design thinking, user-centric approach, creativity, innovation	Design awareness, conceptual clarity, originality
Preparation Scope	Conceptual + Practical	Theory-based concepts and hands-on drawing practice	Balanced preparation for written and creative sections

CEED Part A Detailed Syllabus

Part A (computer-based) has 44 questions (NAT, MSQ, MCQ) across aptitude areas. No fixed marks per section; total 150 marks.

Section	Key Topics & Description	Approx. Weightage (Questions/Marks)
Visualization & Spatial Ability	2D/3D transformations (rotation, scaling, mirroring), perspective/orthographic projections, folding/unfolding, pattern recognition, spatial relationships.	10-15 Qs / 30-45 marks
Practical & Scientific Knowledge	Material properties/uses, basic mechanics (force, motion, friction), energy/electricity principles, environmental sustainability, everyday tech applications.	8-10 Qs / 24-30 marks
Observation & Design Sensitivity	Spotting visual details, user behavior/needs analysis, aesthetics vs. functionality, cultural/social influences on design.	8-10 Qs / 24-30 marks
Environment & Society	Design history (ancient-modern), societal/ethical trends, sustainability/inclusivity, global/local contexts.	6-8 Qs / 18-24 marks
Analytical & Logical Reasoning	Patterns/sequences, analogies/syllogisms, data interpretation (charts/graphs), deductive/inductive problem-solving.	6-8 Qs / 18-24 marks
Language & Creativity	Comprehension (design/general passages), grammar/vocabulary, metaphors/storytelling, idea generation.	4-6 Qs / 12-18 marks
Design Thinking & Problem Solving	Empathy mapping, ideation/prototyping basics, user-centered solutions for real-world scenarios.	4-6 Qs / 12-18 marks

CEED Part B Detailed Syllabus

Part B (pen-and-paper) has 5 compulsory subjective questions, emphasizing creativity. Total 100 marks; evaluated on skills (partial marking yes, no negative).

Section	Key Topics & Description	Marks
Sketching	Freehand sketching of 3D objects/scenes/human figures, proportions, perspective, shading/rendering techniques.	20
Creativity	Conceptual solutions to briefs (e.g., product/service redesign), innovative idea generation.	20
Form Sensitivity	Visual compositions balancing form/function, material/form relationships.	20
Visual Sensitivity	Observation of visuals, color/light/shade analysis, aesthetic judgment.	20
Problem Identification	Identifying design issues in scenarios, user-centered problem spotting.	20

Important Syllabus Topics for CEED

Prioritize these high-weightage areas (based on PYQs; ~60-70% questions from here). Focus 40% on Part A visualization/reasoning, 60% on Part B sketching.

Part A	– Visualization: 3D transformations, perspective drawing. – Logical Reasoning: Patterns, analogies, data interpretation. – Environment & Society: Design history, sustainability. – Observation: User behavior, aesthetics vs. function.
Part B	– Sketching: Human figures, scenes from imagination. – Creativity: Redesign briefs (e.g., packaging, products). – Problem Identification: Scenario-based issues.

Preparation Tips from 2025 Toppers

Toppers (e.g., AIR 1-10 from 2025) emphasize 6-8 months prep: 3 hours daily (1.5 sketching, 1.5 aptitude). Key advice:

Practice Rule: “3P” – Practice, Practice, Persistence (solve 50+ PYQs/mocks; weekly full tests).
Part A: Analyze errors; focus on weak areas like reasoning (3 days/week). Use apps for quick quizzes.
Part B: Daily 1-hour sketching (3D objects, scenes); get feedback via forums/mentors.
Overall: Start early (6 months); revise trends (e.g., sustainability); stay updated via design docs (Netflix’s Abstract). Mock analysis > new topics in last month.

CEED Exam Pattern 2026

Exam on Jan 18, 2026 (9 AM-12 PM, 3 hours total). Part A screens for Part B evaluation.

Aspect	Part A (Online)	Part B (Offline)
Duration	1 hour	2 hours
Mode	Computer-based	Pen-paper (booklet)
Question Types	44 objective: NAT (8), MSQ (10), MCQ (26)	5 subjective (sketching/writing)
Total Marks	150	100
Marking	NAT: +4 (no negative); MSQ: +4 full/+partial (-1 wrong); MCQ: +3 (-0.5 wrong)	Skill-based (partial yes, no negative)
Qualifying	Cutoff-based (e.g., Gen: δ = μ + (σ²/10) in 2025)	Evaluated only for qualifiers

Marking Scheme for CEED 2026

Marking Scheme for CEED 2026 explains how marks are awarded and deducted across different sections of the exam, helping candidates understand the scoring pattern and strategize their attempts effectively for maximum score.

Part-A (150 marks | 44 questions | 1 hour)

Section	No. of Questions	Question Nos.	Marks for Correct Answer	Marks for Wrong Answer	Marks if Not Attempted	Total Marks
NAT	8	1 – 8	+4	0	0	32
MSQ	10	9 – 18	Partial marking (see below)	-1 (any wrong option)	0	40
MCQ	26	19 – 44	+3	-0.5	0	78
Total	44	1 – 44	150

Part-B (100 marks | 5 compulsory questions | 2 hours)

Section	No. of Questions	Question No.	Partial Marks	Negative Marks	Marks
Sketching	1	1	Yes	No	20
Creativity	1	2	Yes	No	20
Form Sensitivity	1	3	Yes	No	20
Visual Sensitivity	1	4	Yes	No	20
Problem Identification	1	5	Yes	No	20
Total	5	1 – 5	100

CEED Syllabus 2026 FAQs

1. What is included in the CEED Syllabus 2026?
The CEED Syllabus 2026 includes visualization and spatial ability, analytical and logical reasoning, environmental awareness, design thinking, drawing skills, creativity, communication skills, and problem-solving aptitude.

2. Is the CEED 2026 syllabus divided into sections?
Yes, the CEED 2026 syllabus is divided into Part A and Part B. Part A focuses on objective aptitude-based questions, while Part B evaluates drawing, creativity, and design aptitude.

3. Does CEED 2026 have a fixed syllabus like other exams?
CEED 2026 does not follow a rigid syllabus. It tests conceptual understanding, creativity, and design aptitude through a broad range of topics rather than subject-specific chapters.

4. What topics are important for CEED 2026 Part A?
Important Part A topics include logical reasoning, visualization, spatial ability, language skills, environmental and social awareness, observation skills, and basic design-related analytical thinking.

5. What does Part B of the CEED 2026 syllabus focus on?
Part B focuses on drawing ability, creativity, communication skills, form sensitivity, and the candidate’s ability to visualize and present innovative design ideas effectively.

6. Is drawing compulsory in the CEED 2026 syllabus?
Yes, drawing is a crucial part of the CEED 2026 syllabus under Part B. Candidates are assessed on sketching skills, perspective, creativity, and visual communication.

7. Are design-related questions asked in CEED 2026?
Yes, CEED 2026 includes design-related questions that test design thinking, user-centric problem solving, creativity, and the ability to apply concepts to real-life situations.

8. How should candidates prepare according to the CEED Syllabus 2026?
Candidates should prepare by understanding syllabus topics, practicing previous year questions, improving drawing skills, enhancing observation abilities, and developing strong logical and creative thinking.

9. Is the CEED 2026 syllabus the same for all design institutes?
Yes, the CEED 2026 syllabus is common for all participating institutes, as the exam is conducted centrally to assess design aptitude for postgraduate design admissions.

10. Why is understanding the CEED Syllabus 2026 important?
Understanding the CEED Syllabus 2026 helps candidates focus on relevant topics, manage preparation time efficiently, reduce exam stress, and improve overall performance in the entrance exam.

Written by Abhijeet Chatterjee

Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.

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