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CEED 2024 Question Paper PDF Download (Part A & Part B) with Solutions

Author : Vineeta Agrawal

August 11, 2026

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Download the CEED 2024 question paper (Part A + Part B) with the answer key and full solutions, free.

CEED 2024 was conducted by IIT Bombay on 21 January 2024: a 3-hour, 250-mark test with 49 questions across Part A (objective - visual reasoning, observation, design aptitude) and Part B (sketching and design thinking). Overall difficulty was moderate.

Solving this paper under timed conditions is the fastest way to understand the real CEED pattern, the level of creativity expected, and where you currently stand. Grab the PDF below, attempt it like the real exam, then check your answers against the solutions.

CEED 2024 Question Paper PDF Download

The CEED 2024 question paper PDF is the single best resource for decoding IIT Bombay's current approach to design aptitude. Pair it with the CEED 2024 answer key and solutions to spot exactly where you lose marks - whether that's spatial visualization in Part A or design-thinking depth in Part B - and turn each mistake into a targeted revision point.

Resource

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CEED 2024 Question Paper PDF

CEED 2024 Answer Key

Download Other CEED Previous Year Question Papers as Well:

Key Highlights: CEED 2024 Question Paper

  • CEED 2024 was conducted by IIT Bombay on 21 January 2024 and had 49 questions across Part A and Part B for a total of 250 marks.
  • Part A (150 marks) and Part B (100 marks), conducted over 3 hours.
  • Overall difficulty was moderate - Part A rewarded visual reasoning and observation; Part B was the tougher, design-thinking-heavy section.
  • Observation-based questions featured real-world products, mechanisms, animation principles, materials, ergonomics, and design awareness.
  • Part B included Sketching, Creativity, Visual Sensitivity, Form Sensitivity, and Problem Identification tasks worth 20 marks each.
  • Students were asked to storyboard a child lifting a toy box, create interactions using a cube-shaped human head, design an ornamental font wordmark, develop furniture from a 3D form, and identify design problems in a rural kitchen.
  • The paper strongly emphasized design thinking, visual communication, problem identification, and creativity over rote knowledge.

What is CEED 2024 Question Paper?

It is the official Common Entrance Examination for Design paper conducted by IIT Bombay on 21 January 2024 - a 3-hour, 250-mark test with 49 questions split across Part A (objective) and Part B (sketching and design thinking).

CEED 2024 Exam Pattern At a Glance:

Component

Details

Exam Mode

Computer-based examination (Part A on computer, Part B answered in booklet)

Duration

3 Hours (Part A: 1 Hour + Part B: 2 Hours)

Part A Marks

150 Marks

Part B Marks

100 Marks

Total Marks

250 Marks

How Many Questions in CEED 2024

Total 49 (Part A + Part B)

Question Types

NAT (Numerical Answer Type), MSQ (Multiple Select Questions), MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions), Sketching, Creativity, Visual Communication, Form Development, Problem Identification

Skills Tested

Observation, Visual Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Design Aptitude, Creativity, Sketching, Visual Sensitivity, Form Sensitivity, Communication Skills, Problem Solving, Design Thinking, Human-Centered Design

Check: CEED Sample Papers

CEED 2024 Question Paper - Part A Breakdown

Section

Question Type

No. of Questions

Marks

Section I

NAT

8

32

Section II

MSQ

10

40

Section III

MCQ

26

78

Total

44 Questions

150 Marks

Check: CEED Eligibility Criteria 2026

CEED 2024 Question Paper - Part B Breakdown

Question

Focus Area

Marks

Q1

Sketching

20

Q2

Creativity

20

Q3

Visual Sensitivity

20

Q4

Form Sensitivity

20

Q5

Problem Identification

20

Total

-

100 Marks

Check: Complete CEED Syllabus for 2027 (Part A + Part B)

Design & Architecture Exams 2025 Toppers by CreativEdge

 Design & Architecture Exams 2025 Toppers by CreativEdge

CEED 2024 Part A Questions Analysis

Area

Topics Asked (Actual Questions from CEED 2024)

Difficulty

Visual Reasoning

Paper folding and unfolding, cube and 3D object visualization, top-view identification, shadow analysis, pattern completion, image transformations, perspective understanding, rotational symmetry, object reconstruction from fragments.

Moderate to Difficult

Logical Reasoning

Sequence completion, pattern-based reasoning, analytical interpretation of visual data, relationship mapping, elimination-based logic questions, and inference-based problem solving.

Moderate

Design Aptitude

Product usability, ergonomics, design awareness, material properties, mechanism understanding, visual communication principles, everyday product analysis, and design decision-making scenarios.

Moderate

Observation

Counting and identifying visual elements, spotting subtle differences between images, object arrangement analysis, hidden-pattern recognition, visual matching, and attention-to-detail questions.

Moderate

General Awareness

Design-related knowledge, products and inventions, visual culture, architecture, design terminology, materials, and basic awareness of creative disciplines.

Easy to Moderate

Check: CEED Colleges

Was CEED 2024 Easy or Difficult?

CEED 2024 was moderate overall. Part A stayed approachable for well-prepared visual thinkers - most questions tested paper folding, cube visualisation, top-views and observation rather than heavy calculation.

Part B was the real filter: the furniture-from-3D-form and rural-kitchen problem-identification tasks demanded genuine design thinking, not just neat sketching. In short: Part A rewarded practice; Part B rewarded thinking like a designer.

Sample Questions from CEED 2024 Paper (Part A)

Q.1. The two objects on the left have a height of 1 cm and sides of 4 cm. The yellow object on the right has a total height of 5 cm. The cylindrical base of the yellow object has a diameter of 6 cm and a height of 1 cm. The two objects on the left are to be stacked on the yellow object on the right. After all the objects are stacked together, how many outer surfaces will the resulting structure have?

Answer: 25 surfaces

Solution:

Break the stacked structure into its parts and count every exposed face. The two square blocks on the left are hollow - a square frame with a square hole - so each one contributes its outer walls, the inner walls of the hole, and its top and bottom, giving more faces than a solid block would.

Add the faces of the yellow piece (its cylindrical base plus the central pillar), and the exposed surfaces total 25.

Q.2. A “group of letters” has a few letters flipped on vertical axis. The mirror image of this “group of letters” is shown below. What is the total number of flipped letters in the group?

Answer: 7

Solution:

A letter counts as "flipped" only if its mirror image (left-to-right) looks different from the original. Vertically symmetric letters - A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y - read the same in a mirror, so they are not flipped. Letters like b, d, p, q, e, r and s change under a mirror, so those are the ones to count. Work through the group and tally only the letters whose mirrored form differs from the normal form.

Q.3. What number will replace the question mark?

Answer: 162

Solution:

Find the rule linking the numbers in each row. Here, the third value equals the product of the first two, multiplied by 1.5. Test it on the rows you're given (2 × 4 = 8, then 8 × 1.5 = 12; 10 × 5 = 50, then 50 × 1.5 = 75), then apply the same rule to the last row: 12 × 9 = 108, and 108 × 1.5 = 162.

Q.4. Coloured cubes (red and yellow) of equal size are arranged and stacked to form the cuboidal structure as shown in the image. If the ratio of the number of yellow cubes to that of the red cubes is 1:3, how many yellow cubes are NOT visible in the image?

Answer: 4

Solution:

Step 1 - Total cubes. Count the full cuboidal stack, including the cubes hidden inside and behind. The structure is made of 36 unit cubes (a 3 × 3 × 4 arrangement).

Step 2 - Use the ratio. Yellow : Red = 1 : 3, so the cubes are split into 4 equal parts. Yellow cubes = 36 ÷ 4 = 9, and red cubes = 3 × 9 = 27 (and 9 + 27 = 36, which checks out).

Step 3 - Subtract what you can see. Count the yellow cubes visible on the exposed faces of the stack - there are 5. The rest must be tucked inside or behind the structure:

Hidden yellow = Total yellow − Visible yellow = 9 − 5 = 4.

Q.5. Shown below is the view and cross-section of a seat belt used in aeroplanes. Part X has four different components P, Q, R and S. How many springs are required to be fixed on the part S to make the seat belt work?

Answer: 1

Solution:

Part S is the component that returns the belt to its resting position after it's pulled. That return action only needs a single spring to store and release the tension, so one spring is enough to make the mechanism work.

Q.6. Sal tree seed moves in a particular manner, while free falling. Which toy(s) given below has/have a similar movement?

Answer: C, D

Solution:

A Sal seed is a winged seed: as it falls it spins and spirals downward - natural autorotation, like a tiny helicopter. The toys that move the same way are the ones that rotate and spiral as they drop: the propeller/whirligig toy (C) and the helical-rotor flying toy (D). A fidget spinner (A) and a spinning top (B) rotate, but they don't spiral through the air as they fall, so they don't match.

Q.7. A professional animation studio has created a paper cut-out model with movable joints as shown below. This is to be used for an animation feature film. Which material(s) will the studio use for the joints?

A. Nylon Wire B. Mouldable Clay C. Eyelet Rivet D. Chalk

Answer: A, C

Explanation: 

A cut-out animation puppet needs joints that pivot smoothly and hold their pose frame after frame. An eyelet rivet (C) is the classic solution - it pins two paper parts together while still letting them rotate. Thin nylon wire (A) also makes a flexible, durable joint. Mouldable clay (B) is too soft to hold a repeatable position, and chalk (D) is brittle and can't form a working joint.

 Read More: CEED 2027 Exam Pattern in Detail

CEED 2024 Part B Questions Analysis

Question Type

Actual Question Breakdown

Skills Tested

Difficulty

Sketching

Q1: Draw a sequence showing a child attempting to lift a heavy toy box. The sketch had to depict the struggle, effort, body posture, and progression of actions through multiple frames.

Human figure drawing, observation, body language, sequential sketching, visual storytelling

Moderate

Storytelling / Creativity

Q2: Create a visual narrative using a character with a cube-shaped head. Candidates had to develop an engaging interaction or situation while maintaining consistency of the character throughout the story.

Creativity, storytelling, imagination, character development, visual communication

Moderate

Visualization / Communication Design

Q3: Design an ornamental wordmark by transforming a given word into a visually appealing typographic composition while maintaining readability.

Typography, composition, visual sensitivity, communication design, aesthetics

Moderate

Form Sensitivity

Q4: A three-dimensional geometric form was provided. Candidates had to transform it into a functional furniture design while preserving key characteristics of the original form.

Form exploration, product design, spatial visualization, creativity, functional thinking

Difficult

Design Problem Solving

Q5: Identify design-related problems in a rural kitchen environment and visually communicate practical solutions through sketches and annotations.

Observation, empathy, user-centered design, problem identification, design thinking

Difficult

Communication

Multiple questions required candidates to communicate ideas visually without relying heavily on text, including storytelling, typography, furniture design, and problem-solving tasks.

Visual communication, clarity of thought, presentation skills

Moderate to Difficult

Check: CEED Eligibility 2026- Age Limit & Educational Qualification

CEED 2024 Cutoff & What Score You Needed?

A strong CEED 2024 attempt meant clearing the Part A qualifying cutoff first - only then is Part B evaluated. Use the paper to benchmark- if you can comfortably clear Part A under timed conditions, you're competitive. For category-wise qualifying marks, see the CEED cutoff analysis.

Top 10 Most Important Topics from CEED 2024

Students love this.

Rank

Topic

Questions Seen

1

Visual Reasoning

Very High

2

Observation

Very High

3

Spatial Ability

High

4

Perspective

High

5

Product Understanding

Moderate

6

Design Awareness

Moderate

7

Storytelling

Moderate

8

Typography

Moderate

9

Form Development

Moderate

10

Problem Identification

Moderate

Check: CEED 2027 Expected Cut-off

NID, NIFT, UCEED Demo Classes

 NID, NIFT and UCEED Mock Tests

CEED 2024 vs CEED 2025 Question Paper: What Changed

In one line: CEED 2024 tested how well you see; CEED 2025 tested how well you think like a designer. Year on year, the paper got harder and more product-focused.

What changed

CEED 2024

CEED 2025

Overall difficulty

Moderate to difficult

Harder, more time pressure

Main focus

Visual reasoning & observation

Product design & real-world function

Visualization

Paper folding, perspective, cube stacks

3D rotations, object reconstruction, shadows

Design thinking

Mostly in Part B

Across the whole paper, including Part A

Product awareness

Light - toys, seat belts, gliders

Heavy - mechanisms, ergonomics, manufacturing

Reasoning style

Visual pattern puzzles

Analytical - assembly & mechanism logic

Best-suited candidate

Strong visual thinker & sketcher

Visual skills + product sense + analysis

What this means for you:

  • 2025 leaned much harder into product design - mechanisms, ergonomics, manufacturing and usability.
  • The exam moved away from pure visual puzzles toward real-world, functional design reasoning.
  • 2024 rewarded strong visual thinkers; 2025 rewarded candidates who think like working designers.

Also Check: CEED Books 2027

CEED 2024 vs Previous Years (2022-2023)

Factor

CEED 2022–2023

CEED 2024

Observation

Tested primarily through pattern recognition, visual counting, hidden forms, shape identification, motion analysis, and image interpretation. Candidates mostly needed sharp visual attention and spatial accuracy.

Observation became more contextual and design-oriented through image analysis, animation frames, seat-belt mechanisms, toy movements, visual storytelling, and real-world object interpretation.

Visualization

Strong emphasis on geometry, orthographic views, folding, cube manipulation, shadows, sectional views, transformations, and spatial puzzles. Most questions had a clear right or wrong answer.

Visualization remained important but became more applied. Questions involved perspective understanding, bicycle assemblies, object stacking, paper cups, pixel shifts, and 3D-form interpretation rather than purely geometric exercises.

Design Awareness

Focused on ergonomics, accessibility, user-centered design, mechanisms, product functionality, interface design, and everyday design situations. Questions were present but relatively limited in number.

Design awareness became noticeably stronger. Candidates were expected to understand animation production, traditional art forms, vehicle movement, material usage, transportation systems, and functional products.

Creativity

Creativity was tested mainly in Part B through sketching, storytelling, concept generation, and visual communication. Part A remained largely analytical.

Creativity started blending with observation and interpretation. Even objective questions required candidates to think visually and connect design concepts with practical situations.

Problem Solving

Dominated by logical reasoning, mathematical thinking, mechanical puzzles, quantitative analysis, and structured problem solving. Many questions resembled aptitude-based challenges.

Shifted toward design problem solving. Candidates had to understand systems, user interactions, movement, assembly logic, and product behavior rather than only solving abstract puzzles.

Communication

Mostly restricted to Part B where candidates expressed ideas through sketches, narratives, and design concepts.

Greater emphasis on interpreting visual information and communicating design intent. Part B increasingly rewarded clarity of thinking and visual storytelling rather than only artistic skill.

How CEED Evolved (2022 → 2023 → 2024)

CEED 2022 → Aptitude + Spatial Reasoning
CEED 2023 → Aptitude + Design Context
CEED 2024 → Observation + Design Awareness + Design Thinking

Toprankers CEED Preparation Tips 2026: Check Step Wise Preparation Strategy & Toppers tips

How to Use the CEED 2024 Question Paper Effectively

What To Do

Why It Helps

Timed Solving

Attempt the complete CEED 2024 question paper under actual exam conditions (1 hour for Part A and 2 hours for Part B). This helps improve speed, decision-making, and time management.

Mock Simulation

Treat the paper like a real CEED exam. Avoid interruptions, follow the official pattern, and evaluate your performance honestly to identify readiness levels.

Error Analysis

Review every incorrect or skipped question. Identify whether mistakes came from weak observation skills, poor visualization, logical errors, or lack of design awareness.

Sketching Practice

Reattempt Part B questions and focus on improving sketch clarity, storytelling, visualization, and communication rather than artistic perfection.

Compare with Recent Papers

Study CEED 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 papers together to identify recurring themes in observation, design thinking, visualization, and problem-solving. This reveals how the exam is evolving and what skills IIT Bombay is prioritizing.

Pro Tip:

Don't use the CEED 2024 paper only as a practice test. Use it as a diagnostic tool.

The biggest benefit comes from analyzing why you made mistakes and improving the underlying design skills that CEED consistently tests year after year.

Must-know: What is the Difference Between UCEED and CEED?

What CEED 2024 Reveals About IIT Bombay's Selection Criteria

This is the insight students actually want.

Skill

Evidence from CEED 2024

Importance

Observation

Multiple image-based questions

Very High

Spatial Ability

Folding, perspective, visualization

Very High

Design Thinking

Rural kitchen problem, furniture design

Very High

Creativity

Storytelling and character tasks

High

Sketching Quality

Important but not enough alone

Moderate

Design Awareness

Supporting role

Moderate

Check: CEED Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions

Who Should Solve the CEED 2024 Paper?

The CEED 2024 question paper is particularly valuable because it tests observation, visualization, design awareness, creativity, and problem-solving in a balanced manner.

It serves as an excellent benchmark for understanding modern CEED expectations.

Candidate Type

How the CEED 2024 Paper Helps

Beginners

Provides a clear introduction to the CEED exam pattern, question formats, difficulty level, and the skills evaluated in Part A and Part B.

CEED 2026 Aspirants

Helps understand recent CEED trends, especially in observation, visual reasoning, design aptitude, and design thinking.

CEED 2027 Aspirants

Builds strong fundamentals early and exposes students to the types of creative and analytical challenges commonly seen in CEED.

Design Students

Strengthens visualization, communication, sketching, storytelling, product understanding, and user-centered design skills.

Self-Preparing Candidates

Acts as a reliable self-assessment tool for identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need focused improvement.

Repeat Aspirants

Helps refine exam strategy, improve time management, and address recurring gaps in observation, creativity, and problem-solving.

Download Other Past CEED Papers: (Year-Wise Papers & Their Deep Analysis)

CEED 2026 Question Paper

CEED 2025 Question Paper

CEED 2023 Question Paper

Final Takeaway

The CEED 2024 question paper is one of the best resources for understanding modern CEED trends. It highlights the growing importance of observation, visualization, design awareness, creativity, and communication skills alongside traditional aptitude preparation.

By solving the CEED 2024 question paper PDF and analyzing its questions in depth, aspirants can develop stronger visual reasoning, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

For the best results, combine CEED 2024 sample question papers with recent papers such as CEED 2025 and CEED 2026 to identify evolving patterns and prepare more strategically for future exams.

Preparing for CEED 2027? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.

Join best CEED Online Coaching by Creative Edge and get expert guidance on all CEED subjects. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

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About the Author

Faculty
Vineeta Agrawal

Communications Executive

Vineeta Agrawal is a seasoned content writer with 3 years of experience and a flair for turning ideas into impactful stories across industries. She blends creativity with strategy to craft content that clicks and converts. Off the clock, she’s a fiction film buff always chasing her next cinematic escape.... more