CEED
Updated: Oct 9, 2026
CEED Syllabus 2027: Part A & B Topics, Drawing, Design Aptitude Breakdown
The CEED Syllabus 2027 is prescribed by IIT Bombay to evaluate design aptitude, observation, visual perception, drawing skills, logical thinking, and lateral problem formulation. The syllabus is bifurcated into two main parts corresponding to the two examination components: Part-A and Part-B.
Part-A Syllabus (Objective Computer-Based Screening Test)
Part-A assesses general design awareness, reasoning, and observational acumen through NAT, MSQ, and MCQ question formats:
| Module / Topic | Detailed Subject Scope |
|---|---|
| Visualization and Spatial Ability | Pictorial and diagrammatic questions to test the understanding of transformation and/or manipulation of 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships; symmetry, rotation, cross-sections, and perspective views. |
| Environmental and Social Awareness | General awareness of environmental factors such as climate, population, water, vegetation, pollution, weather, natural resources, and their implications on the design of products, images, infrastructure, and environment; awareness of design history, craft traditions, art, and socio-economic cultural factors. |
| Analytical and Logical Reasoning | Ability to analyze given information logically and select the most appropriate solutions; capability to discern patterns, sequences, brainteasers, syllogisms, and relational analogies. |
| Language and Creativity | Ability to understand and use standard English grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, idioms, metaphors, and figure of speech; ability to think laterally and identify diverse creative applications. |
| Design Sensitivity and Observation | Ability to detect minute visual details, hidden patterns, textures, colors, contrast, fonts, ergonomics, and aesthetic balance in everyday objects, scenes, and media. |
Part-B Syllabus (Subjective Pen & Paper Test)
Part-B is the core design aptitude test carrying 75% weightage in the final CEED score. It evaluates candidates across 5 subjective tasks:
- Drawing & Sketching: Ability to sketch products, people, or scenes in correct proportions, perspective (1-point, 2-point, and 3-point perspective), line quality, surface textures, shading, and light-and-shadow rendering.
- Creativity & Lateral Thinking: Ability to generate diverse and unconventional concepts, out-of-the-box product ideas, humorous cartoons, metaphorical posters, and imaginative reinterpretations of everyday challenges.
- Communication Skills: Ability to narrate a visual story, illustrate step-by-step user interactions, draft comic strips, storyboards, and write crisp, persuasive concept notes explaining design decisions.
- Problem Identification & Solving: Ability to observe real-world difficulties faced by specific user personas (e.g., elderly, children, workers), formulate user-centric problem statements, and propose ergonomic, functional, and aesthetically viable design solutions.
Recommended Preparation Strategy for CEED
Success in CEED requires balancing analytical speed in Part-A with expressive mastery in Part-B:
- Daily Freehand Sketching: Practice rapid sketching of household utensils, human figures in motion, street scenes, hand gestures, and cross-sections without using rulers or measuring tools.
- Master 3D Perspective: Build strong intuition for eye-level, vanishing points, isometric projections, and shadows cast by complex solids under varied light sources.
- Solve Past 10 Years Question Papers: Complete previous year question papers under strict timed conditions to develop instinctive time management between NAT, MSQ, and MCQ sections.
- Develop a Design Vocabulary: Study landmark designs, influential architects, Bauhaus principles, typography anatomy, sustainable design practices, and Indian folk art traditions.