Marking Scheme for UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)
The UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) is an important entrance exam for admission into the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) programs in prestigious institutions such as IITs and other top design institutes across India. The exam is designed to evaluate a candidate's design aptitude, creativity, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
Understanding the marking scheme is crucial for candidates as it directly impacts their exam strategy. Below is a comprehensive and updated breakdown of the UCEED marking scheme for 2025:
1. Part A – Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Part A is the first section of the UCEED exam, consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), multiple-select questions (MSQs), and numerical answer type questions (NATs). This section is entirely computer-based and is designed to test the candidate's logical reasoning, visual-spatial ability, design sensitivity, and creativity.
a. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
Total Marks per Question: 3 marks
Correct Answer: +3 marks
Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (negative marking)
Unanswered Question: 0 marks (no penalty for unanswered questions)
Key Points:
- Each MCQ has 4 options, and only one of them is the correct answer.
- Candidates need to select the correct option to gain marks.
- A penalty of -1 mark is applied for each incorrect answer.
- There is no penalty for leaving a question unanswered.
b. Multiple Select Questions (MSQs):
Total Marks per Question: 3 marks
Correct Answer: +3 marks (only if all correct options are selected)
Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (for each incorrect selection or incomplete answer)
Unanswered Question: 0 marks (no penalty for unanswered questions)
Key Points:
- MSQs may have more than one correct answer. Candidates must select all the correct answers to receive full marks.
- If a candidate selects an incorrect answer or fails to select the correct options, they receive negative marks for each wrong option.
- There is no penalty for leaving a question unanswered.
c. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions:
Total Marks per Question: 4 marks
Correct Answer: +4 marks
Incorrect Answer: 0 marks (no negative marking)
Unanswered Question: 0 marks
Key Points:
- NAT questions do not have options. Candidates are required to input the numerical value as the answer.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answers, meaning candidates are not penalized for providing an incorrect answer.
- Candidates should ensure that their numerical answers are accurate and correctly formatted.
2. Part B – Pen-and-Paper Test (Drawing and Creative Ability)
Part B is the second section of the UCEED exam, focusing on creative problem-solving, drawing ability, and design sensibility. This section is conducted in a traditional pen-and-paper format, where candidates are asked to solve design-based problems through sketching and drawing.
Marking for Part B:
Total Marks per Question: 60 marks (for the entire section)
No Negative Marking: There is no negative marking in Part B.
Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation is based on creativity, originality, clarity, presentation, and relevance of the answers, not the number of questions answered.
Key Points:
- Part B is not based on correct or incorrect answers but on the quality and creativity of the responses.
- Candidates are assessed on how effectively they present and communicate their ideas through sketches and drawings.
- There is no penalty for incomplete or incorrect sketches, but poor quality or lack of relevance in responses will affect the score.
- Part B requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to visualize, ideate, and solve design problems creatively.
Total Marks and Weightage of UCEED Exam
The total number of marks for the UCEED exam is 300, combining the marks from both Part A (computer-based test) and Part B (drawing and creative ability section).
Part A (Computer-Based Test): 240 marks
- This section consists of MCQs, MSQs, and NATs, testing a range of skills from reasoning to spatial and design awareness.
Part B (Drawing and Creative Ability): 60 marks
- This section assesses the candidate's creativity, drawing skills, and problem-solving abilities, focusing on visual representation of ideas.
Final Total Marks: 300 marks (240 marks from Part A + 60 marks from Part B)
Summary of UCEED Marking Scheme
| Section | Question Type | Marks for Correct Answer | Negative Marking | Marks for Unanswered Questions |
|-------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Part A (Computer-Based Test) | MCQs | +3 | -1 for incorrect | 0 |
| | MSQs | +3 (if all correct answers) | -1 for incorrect | 0 |
| | NATs | +4 | None | 0 |
| Part B (Drawing Test) | Drawing and Creative Ability | Evaluated based on creativity, clarity, and relevance | None | None (No penalty for incomplete) |
Important Tips Regarding Marking Scheme:
Part A – Strategy:
- Maximize Accuracy: Since there is negative marking for MCQs and MSQs, it’s better to avoid random guessing unless you can eliminate some options.
- Focus on Strong Areas: Attempt questions in sections you are confident about to avoid unnecessary negative marks.
- No Penalty for NATs: For NATs, focus on providing the correct numerical answers, as there’s no penalty for incorrect responses.
Part B – Strategy:
- Creativity and Presentation Matter: While there is no negative marking, the creativity, originality, and clarity of your responses are essential for scoring well in this section.
- Time Management: Given the limited time in Part B (1 hour), plan your responses carefully and allocate time for each drawing.
- No Negative Marking: There's no penalty for incomplete or incorrect drawings, so focus on producing the best possible design solutions within the time frame.
General Tips:
- Accuracy over Speed in Part A: Focus on answering the questions correctly in Part A, especially considering the negative marking for wrong answers.
- Quality over Quantity in Part B: Aim for fewer high-quality answers rather than attempting to finish all questions if you can’t provide creative solutions for some.
Conclusion:
The UCEED marking scheme is designed to evaluate a wide range of design-related skills, from theoretical knowledge and analytical abilities in Part A to practical and creative problem-solving skills in Part B. Candidates need to carefully manage their time and approach each section strategically to maximize their scores.