UCEED vs CEED 2026: Which Design Entrance Exam Was Tougher This Year?

UCEED 2026 and CEED 2026 difficulty compared. Find out how these two design entrance exams differed this year based on pattern and candidate responses.

UCEED 2026 and CEED 2026 were conducted on January 18, 2026, for undergraduate and postgraduate design admissions. Soon after the exams, candidates began sharing their views on the difficulty level of both papers across student groups and preparation forums.

While both exams are meant for design courses, their purpose and level are different, which also affects how candidates perceived the papers.

Difference Between UCEED and CEED

UCEED is held for admission to Bachelor of Design (BDes) programmes and is taken mainly by candidates after Class 12.

CEED is conducted for Master of Design (MDes) and other postgraduate design programmes and is attempted by graduates and final-year students.

Because of this difference, the level of questions in the two exams is not the same.

UCEED 2026: Candidate Feedback

Candidates who appeared for UCEED 2026 said:

• The paper was similar to previous years
• Drawing questions needed proper time management
• Objective sections were not very lengthy
• Overall, most candidates described the paper as moderate.

CEED 2026: Candidate Feedback

Candidates who appeared for CEED 2026 said:

• Part B questions required detailed answers
• Drawing tasks involved idea development
• Some questions were time-consuming
• Many candidates found the paper more demanding than UCEED.

Overall Comparison

Based on candidate responses:

• UCEED 2026 tested basic design skills and drawing ability
• CEED 2026 focused on higher-level design tasks
• As CEED is conducted for postgraduate admissions, more candidates felt it was tougher.