DE-CODE Pattern 2026: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

Updated on Dec 24, 2025 14:11 IST

By Anshul Jindal, Associate Senior Executive

DE-CODE 2026 pattern - The Centre for Design Excellence will determine the exam pattern of DE-CODE 2026. The candidate needs to refer to the exam pattern to understand the types of questions asked, marking scheme, test duration, types of questions asked, etc. The DE-CODE 2026 exam will be conducted in a computer-based online mode.

The duration of the exam will be three hours. The DE-CODE 2026 question paper will have two parts: An aptitude Test (multiple-choice questions) and a Creativity Test (Subjective Questions). Candidates who qualify in the written exam have to next appear in a Portfolio/Studio Test and Personal Interview.

The DE-CODE 2026 merit list will be prepared by giving weightage to the performance of the candidate in the DE-CODE 2026 exam, portfolio review, and personal interview. Candidates are provided with their login ID and password for the exam, which they have to enter while appearing for the Design Aptitude Test.

Table of contents

DE-CODE Exam Pattern 2026
DE-CODE Exam Pattern: Portfolio/Studio Test
DE-CODE Exam Pattern: Personal Interview
DE-CODE Exam Pattern 2026 - FAQs

DE-CODE Exam Pattern 2026

The exam pattern for DE-CODE 2026 is such that aspirants have to attempt multiple-choice questions in one-hour duration and subjective questions in two hours duration. The design aptitude test (Multiple Choice Questions) will test the knowledge an aspirant possesses in spheres such as Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, General Knowledge, Current Affairs, etc. The Creativity Test (Subjective Questions) will comprise questions in visual (graphical representation) or written formats.

DE-CODE Paper	Duration	Paper Type	Marks
Aptitude Test (Paper 1)	60 minutes	Multiple Choice Questions	200 marks
Creativity Test (Paper 2)	120 minutes	Subjective Questions	200 marks

Note: One-fourth marks of the total marks allotted to the question will be deducted for indicating an incorrect response to each question.

Check: DE-CODE Exam Syllabus

Aspirants who are shortlisted based on their performance in the DE-CODE Exam 2026 need to appear for a studio test/portfolio and interview round. The weightage for the studio test/portfolio is 25 marks and the interview round is 25 marks. Candidates are shortlisted for admission based on their performance in the written test as well as the studio test/portfolio and interview.

DE-CODE Exam Pattern: Portfolio/Studio Test

After qualifying DE-CODE, aspirants need to appear for the Portfolio/Studio Test and interview. Candidates are required to submit their portfolios. The submitted portfolio will be reviewed by a panel of interviewers. The portfolio may contain sketches, mixed-media illustrations, collaging of images, photography, 3D objects like sculpture, fabric products, gadgets, art-inspired products, etc.

DE-CODE Exam Pattern: Personal Interview

Candidates who get shortlisted on the basis of their portfolios are required to attend this round. In this round, candidates are asked questions related to the program they have opted for. Also, the panel ask questions about the portfolio they have submitted or uploaded for admission to the Vivekanand Global University and Invertis University.

DE-CODE Marking Scheme

In aptitude test, candidates will be awarded two marks for correct response of each question. 1/4 (one-fourth) marks of the total marks allotted to the question will be deducted for indicating incorrect response of each question. No deduction from the total score will be made if no response is indicated for the item in the answer sheet.