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What to study for Design Entrance Exams?

Author : Palak Khanna

Updated On : January 25, 2023

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Wondering what to study for Design entrance exam?

What should your overall strategy cover all top design examinations, such as UCEED, NIFT, NID, CEED, and others? Don't be concerned. We got you covered.

Do you know, the majority of the design entrance exams are conducted at the beginning of every year. 

Check out exam dates for different design entrance examinations-

EXAM

EXAM DATE
UCEED 23 Jan 2022                         
NIFT                                6 Feb 2022
CEED 23 Jan 2022
NID

2 Feb

Let us understand first learn about different design exams one by one-

  • UCEED 2022

Since this is a computer-based examination with a pen and paper drawing question, it necessitates a different approach to preparation.
Unlike other design entrance exams, the UCEED assesses your ability to visualise and spatialize, as well as environmental and social awareness, and problem-solving abilities.

The question paper consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. The syllabus is different for Part A and B.

The UCEED 2022 Syllabus for Part A -

  • Visualization and Spatial Ability
  • Observation and Design Sensitivity
  • Environmental and Social Awareness
  • Analytical and Logical Reasoning
  • Language and Creativity
  • Design Thinking and Problem Solving

UCEED Part B: The question paper aims to test your drawing skills which will require subjective evaluation. 

You can check out UCEED Syllabus 2022  and UCEED 2022 Exam Pattern  detailed insights.

Check out: How To Prepare For UCEED In 6 Months

  • The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)- NIFT 

The NIFT exam, which is extremely competitive, attracts about 22000 applications each year.

 The main aim of this entrance exam is to evaluate your the intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability.

The format of the NIFT entrance exam for BDes and MDes programme admissions is three-tiered.

You must first take the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT) as part of the NIFT entrance test 2022 for BDes and MDes admission (GAT).

Check out detailed NIFT Syllabus 2022  and NIFT Exam Pattern 2022

Check out:  How To Prepare For NIFT in 6 Months?

Download Free Study Materials For UCEED 2022 by Creative Edge

  • The National Institute of Design- (NID)

The admission test for NID is divided into two stages: preliminary and mains.

In the preliminary exam, there are two types of questions: objective and subjective. A studio test and a personal interview will be part of the Mains exam.

The prelims exam is a written test using pen and paper, but the mains exam includes a studio test and a personal interview.

Check out detailed NID Entrance Exam Syllabus 2022 and NID Exam Pattern 2022

How should I approach Design Exams ?

  • Check out the detailed Syllabus and Exam pattern of all the design exam.
  • Work on Sketching Skills
  • Design Exams require good sketching skills. Practice more and more sketching questions.

Learn How to prepare for drawing questions, What should be your approach while answering drawing-related questions.

  • Improvise General Knowledge

You will always be more observant and confident if you have a broad knowledge base. The benefits of having a strong grasp on GK don't stop there. It's reflected in your responses as well.

  • Consider creative design concepts for government programs and issues at hand.
  • In NIFT Exam, the questions are designed to test your reading comprehensions skills.
  • Work on English Language Section and Improve Vocabulary

Try to build your vocabulary by reading the newspaper. More emphasis should be placed on topics like synonyms, fill-in-the-blanks, sentence correction, spelling mistakes, and one-word substitutes.

UCEED Mock Test

UCEED Mock Test

  • For Reasoning section-

Focus on topics like coding & decoding, syllogism, blood relations, puzzles, and directions.

  • Solve questions from previous year papers to understand the difficulty level.
  • Quantitative Aptitude section

Be thorough with the concepts like number system, average, time & speed, probability, height & distance, ages, permutations & combinations.

  • Time Management

In the Design Entrance examinations, time management is crucial.
Each question may take a varying amount of time. As a result, you should avoid devoting too much time to a problem for which you do not have an answer.

  • Preparing for the final exam by practicing previous year's exams and mock test can help you improve your speed.

List of Best Books for Design Exams-

Book Title Writer
UCEED (B.Des) Entrance Books and Test Series Paperback  AFAINDIA

The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition Kindle Edition
Don Norman
Comprehensive English for NID, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA, B.Arch & Other Design Entrance Exams Paperback  Designologue
UCEED Design Environment & Social Awareness In Design Perspective Combined With Mental & Verbal Aptitude  Institute of Creative Sciences
NIFT, NID and IIFT Entrance Exam Guide D Mittal
Guide to NIFT/ NID for Group A, B, and C R.P. Datson
NIFT Entrance Exam Mock Papers D Mittal
NIFT entrance exam preparation course Prashant Kumar
Basic Rendering Robert W.Gill

Frequently Asked Questions

Both Indian, as well as foreign nationals, can apply for UCEED 
Age criteria for UCEED for OBC-NCL category must be born on or after.    October 1, 1996, and for SC, ST, PWD categories must be born on or after October 1, 1991.
Candidates must have completed 10+2 in any stream be it Commerce, Science, or Humanities from a recognized board can pursue B.Des course.

You must select a book that covers both topics and sub-topics under the design entrance exam syllabus and is easy to read. You should also review the year of publication of the book when checking the best books, as learning from the new edition would help you learn about the revised syllabus and exam pattern.


There are numerous career opportunities for design in India such as Graphic Designer, User Experience (UX) Designer, User Interface (UI) Designer, Photographer, Interior Designer, etc.

To opt for a career in Design courses at top universities in India after completing 12th standard from a recognized board of education. Applicants need to qualify for entrance exams conducted by the universities. There are basically four ways to start.

  • National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
  • National Institute of Design (NID)
  • Indian Institute of Technologies (IIT)
  • Other Private and Government Institutes
An Architect's average salary ranges from 3 Lac to 10 Lac per annum. However, it depends on your experience.

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