WHAT SHOULD WE OPT FOR GATE / MAH-CET /CEED?

As we are now going through the pandemic, we have some more time to think about the entrance
exams that we can opt, so that we get admissions in Post-graduate courses in India. I am here
specifically talking about Architecture entrances, that are GATE-AR / MAH-CET M.ARCH. and CEED.
Specifically, Architecture, because, this is my profession and there is a need to educate people about
the various entrance exams that are held by different bodies for Postgrad in Architecture.
There are various exams that we need to know about to get into M. Arch. /M. Des, those are:
1. GATE
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an exam conducted by INDIAN INSTITUTE OF
SCIENCE jointly with seven INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY at Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur,
Kharagpur, Madras, Mumbai, Roorkee. Qualifying GATE is a mandatory requirement for seeking
admission in any Masters Program or Doctoral Program in relevant branches of Science, in the IIT
(Roorkee and Kharagpur), IISc, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Center for Environmental
Planning and Technology (CEPT) and the only institutions supported by Ministry of Human Resource
Development (MHRD) and other government agencies. GATE score is also being used by some Indian
public sectors for recruiting graduate engineers in entry-level positions.
This is a computer-based exam. It comprises of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ's) and some
Numerical Questions. In the time of 3 hours, you have to solve 65 questions. There are 30 one-mark
questions and 35 two-mark questions. Negative marking is done. You are provided with a notepad
for scribbling and a scientific calculator for calculations.
Cutoff varies every year as per the difficulty level of the question paper.
Topics that are covered in GATE are History of Architecture, Building Services, Building Materials,
Building Construction, Project Management, Estimation and Valuation, Building Structures,
Environmental Planning, Transportation, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Acoustics.
2. MAH-CET
Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MAH-CET) is a computer-based entrance test, conducted by
State Common Entrance Test Cell, i.e. Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra. Qualifying
MAH-CET is a mandatory requirement for seeing admission in any Masters Program in Architecture,
Technology, Science, and other branches in the colleges which are affiliated to DTE (Directorate of
Technical Education).
There is an eligibility criterion requirement to apply for the exam, one has to fulfill the criteria to be
eligible for the exam. Candidates must check for the eligibility criteria. There is a separate eligibility
criterion for Maharashtra Candidature/ All India Candidature.
There is no negative marking system in this exam. The duration of the exam is 1hr. The exam will
contain 50 Multiple Choice Questions for 100 marks.
The subjects covered in the exam are, Building Technology, Environment, History of Architecture,
Humanities, Urban Design and Planning and current Architecture practice (National Building Codes,
Laws and Regulations, etc.)
3. CEED
Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is to assess the candidate's aptitude of design
involving visual perception ability, drawing skills, logical reasoning, creativity, communication, and
problem-solving skills. It is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay. It is a
mandatory requirement for admission for Master of Design in IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT
Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IITDM Jabalpur, and Ph. D program in Design to IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay,
IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Kanpur. Admitting institutes may conduct tests or interviews for
the admission.
CEED is carried out in two parts:
Part A: Visualization and Spatial Ability, Environmental and Social Awareness, Analytical and Logical
Reasoning, Language and Creativity, Design Thinking and Problem Solving, Observation and Design
Sensitivity
Part B: Drawing, Creativity, Communication Skills, Problem Identification Skills.
Part A consist of 23-Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ’s), 8-Numerical Answer Questions and 10-
Multiple Select Questions (MSQ’s), That makes total of 41 questions for 100 marks. Marks for each
correct answer vary from 2 to 3 marks each as per the sections of the exam. Part A is computerbased
exam. These will be design aptitude type of questions that evaluate visual perception ability,
drawing skills, logical reasoning, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills. There is no
negative marking for Numerical Answer Questions but there is negative marking for MCQ’s and
MSQ’s.
Part B consist of 5 questions of 100 marks (20 marks each) that will be aimed at design testing,
drawing and writing skills. The questions in part B will be displayed on computer screen and answers
have to be written or drawn on the answer book provided by the invigilator. Answer books will be
collected by the invigilator at the end of the examination. Part B will only be evaluated manually for
the candidates who are shortlisted from Part A.
Final CEED score will be calculated by giving 25% weightage to Part A and 75% weightage to Part B
after the calculation.
How to prepare for these Entrance Exams?
1. Know your topics: You should be properly aware of the syllabus and the marking system.
Take at least 3 months for preparation and give your best in it. You will get to know about
the topics in their respective official websites.
2. Divide the topics: Divide as per the topics you already studied and new topics. First, revise
the already studied topics properly. Then get into new topics, so that you are thoroughly
ready with some of the portion.
3. Previous year question papers: After you are done with studying, take up one by one
previous year question papers, and solve them in the said time limit, i.e. 1 or 3 hours as per
the examination time limit.
4. Understand current trends: Try and understand current trends in Architecture, norms, and
regulations, National Building Codes (NBC).
To conclude on this research is, getting ranks in these exams makes you eligible to get admission to
the Master's Program in your desired field. Choose a field you are interested in, choose an institute you
have dreamt of studying in, as per the institute pick up an exam or two, and start the studies
beforehand.
You should at least take 3 – 6 months for the preparation so that you will be sorted out and
complete the syllabus without creating any clutter.
So, let us start preparing for one of these exams in a full fledge.
BEST WISHES FOR YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS…!!!
ALL THE BEST.

Blog By-

Ar. Ruchi Buradkar
Mumbai