As of December 11, 2025, the exam pattern for UCEED 2026 is available under the official brochure. This article outlines the full structure — parts, question types, marks, negative marking rules and time allocation — to help aspirants plan their preparation strategy.
UCEED 2026 Overall Structure
The UCEED 2026 exam consists of two parts — Part A and Part B, both mandatory.
- Part A is an objective, computer-based test (online).
- Part B is a subjective, pen-and-paper drawing and design aptitude test.
- Total marks: 300 — Part A carries 200 marks, Part B carries 100 marks.
- Total duration: 3 hours — Part A for 2 hours, and Part B for 1 hour.
UCEED 2026 Part A: Question Types and Marking Scheme
Part A is further divided into three types of questions. Each question type tests different abilities including reasoning, visualization, design sensitivity, and general aptitude.
Details:
- NAT (Numerical Answer Type): Candidate must input a numeric answer using a virtual keyboard. There are no options. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
- MSQ (Multiple Select Questions): Each question may have one or more correct options. Full marks (+4) are awarded only if all correct options and no wrong option are selected. There is partial marking if some but not all correct options are selected, but a wrong selection leads to a –1 penalty.
- MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions): Each question has four choices; exactly one is correct. Correct answer gives +3 marks, wrong answer leads to –0.71 marks.
Candidates must attempt all three sections within the allotted 2 hours.
Also Check: UCEED 2026 Brochure Updated: Revised Eligibility and Clarifications Released
UCEED 2026 Part B: Drawing & Design Aptitude Test
After Part A, candidates proceed to Part B, which assesses drawing skills, design sensitivity, creativity and visualization.
- Part B comprises two questions: Sketching and Design Aptitude.
- Each question carries 50 marks, totalling 100 marks for Part B.
- There is no negative marking in Part B.
- Answers must be hand-drawn/written in the answer booklet provided; digital entry is not used here.
Part B assesses aspects such as sketching ability, composition, perspective, creativity, design thinking and aesthetic sense.
Also Check: UCEED 2026 Result Sharing Institutes Released by IIT Bombay
UCEED 2026 Important Exam Rules & Evaluation Highlights
- Part A is conducted in English only.
- All sections are compulsory — skipping any would forfeit marks.
- In Part A, unanswered questions do not carry a penalty (except for MSQ/MCQ, where wrong answers have a negative mark).
- Part B evaluation is subjective, done by examiners based on clarity, creativity, proportion, composition, and design sense.
What UCEED 2026 Pattern Mean for the Preparation Strategy?
Given this pattern and marking scheme:
- NAT questions are relatively “safe” — since there is no negative marking, candidates should attempt all. Time spent is often worth the potential +4 marks.
- MSQs require caution — only attempt if confident about all correct options; partial selection might yield fewer marks or even a negative penalty if wrong options are chosen.
- MCQs: strong accuracy is needed — random guesses are risky due to negative marking.
- Part B can significantly impact total score — even strong Part A performance must be complemented by good drawing and design aptitude to secure a high overall rank.
A balanced prep that strengthens both objective reasoning (NAT, MSQ, MCQ) and creative/design skills (sketching, design aptitude) is ideal.
Also Check: How to Get a Good Rank in UCEED 2026: 7 Proven Preparation Tips
Wrapping Up
UCEED 2026 requires balanced preparation: attempt all NAT questions, carefully tackle MSQs and MCQs to avoid negative marking, and focus on Part B drawing skills. Strong performance across both parts is key to a high overall rank.
