Entrance Exam for Interior Designing After 12th: Complete List & Preparation Tips

Interior designing in India has evolved from an aesthetic profession to a multidisciplinary career. The demand for interior designers in residential, commercial, and other sectors have surged. 

Everyone needs highly skilled and detail-oriented interior designers. But before you begin your journey in this lucrative field, you need to enrol in an interior design course. For that, entrance exams for interior designing come into the scene. 

Entrance exams for interior designing after 12th is considered a crucial requirement by all top interior design colleges in India. These exams give an unbiased way to measure the capabilities of aspiring designers for in courses.

Interior design teams are a gateway to enter prestigious interior design colleges and get the college of your dreams. With the right strategy and right preparation, you can easily crack these exams and take a leap towards an influential career in the field of interior design.

But how to apply for these exams? Or, what are all the important entrance exams for interior design? Or, how to prepare for these exams?

Well, if all these questions are coming to your mind, this guide will help you understand these exams better

Must Read – Interior Design Courses Fees in India: Diploma, Degree & Certificate Comparison

Entrance Exam for Interior Designing After 12th – Overview

From residential interior designing to commercial interior designing to furniture design to light design, the field of interior design offers diverse opportunities to budding interior designers. To enter a reputed interior design institute and learn from top-notch professionals is a dream of every student.

However, most colleges want students to clear entrance exam for interior designing. As interior design is a field that demands strong creative skills and design understanding. Therefore, it is required to take part in these entrance tests. These exams are mainly conducted to evaluate:

• Design knowledge and aptitude of students
• Drawing abilities of students 
• Visualization and logical thinking of students
• Awareness regarding design and architecture. 

Must Read – Interior Designing Course at AAFT: Eligibility, Syllabus & Career Options

Eligibility Criteria to Appear for Entrance Exam for Interior Designing After 12th

Students from any stream [ Commerce, Science, and Arts] can appear for interior design exams. However, it is required to clearly understand the eligibility criteria set by various interior design institutes regarding these exams.

• Completion of class 12th from a recognized board 
• Aggregate percentage of marks is required to appear for entrance exam for interior designing 
• Some exams have a requirement of Maths as a subject for design-related programs. 
• Other eligibility criteria listed on the official website of college.

Entrance Exam for Interior Designing After 12th – Different Type of Exams

Interior design exams are the key to get admission in B.Des in Interior Design Course or Diploma Courses. These entrance exams assess a candidate’s wide range of skills and aptitude. Entrance exams jot candidates with a view that only deserving ones get the chance to do design studies. Both private and government institutes conduct interior design exams. Some colleges conduct their own exams to admit candidates for interior design colleges.

Must Read – Scope of Interior Design in India 2026: Career Paths After Graduation

UCED [ Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design ]

UCED is among the top-level entrance exams for interior designing after 12th. The exam is conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to the B.Des course in interior design. The exam is conducted to test your creative, analytical and technical skills. 

Exam Motive; Hiring candidates for best-in-class interior design colleges at top institutes.

Exam Mode: Computer Based Test 

NID Design Aptitude Test 

The NID DAT is an entrance exam conducted as an entry gate for bachelor’s and master’s design courses at various national colleges and universities. The exam mainly has two rounds; the prelim round and the mains round.

Exam Motive: To jot down qualified candidates for top-notch interior design colleges.

NIFT Entrance Exam 

The National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts entrance exams to hire candidates for various interior design courses. The test consists of General Ability Test [GAT] and Creative Ability Test [CAT].

Exam Mode: To offer candidates admission for top-notch interior design courses at NIFT.

Exam Motive: Pen-paper based and Computer Based Test

CEED [Common Entrance Examination for Design] 

The CEED entrance exam is a national level examination for securing admissions in the Masters program at IITs and IISc Bangalore. To appear for this test, a candidate is required to pass a bachelor’s degree. 

Exam Motive: The exam is conducted to evaluate creative, design and drawing skills of candidates.

AIEED [ All India Entrance Examination for Design ]

The AIEED test is an interior design exam conducted by ARCH Academy for aspirants seeking admissions in graduate and postgraduate courses. A 10+2 pass candidate can appear for this exam. 

Exam Motive; The exam is conducted to test candidates on the basis of creative and technical skills. 

Must Read – Step-by-Step Interior Designing Guide for Beginners 2026

Entrance Exam for Interior Designing After 12th – Preparation Tips

To crack the interior design entrance exam, you need to bookmark some necessary tips. These tips are essential for aspiring interior designers to crack these tough exams. A full-proof preparation strategy would be life saviour for you. 

Research Thoroughly 

Before appearing for an interior design entrance exam, it is vital to research thoroughly. Know the exam pattern, eligibility criteria and overall syllabus before you start your preparation. 

Plan Accordingly 

Jot down all the important topics by dividing them on the basis of difficulty level. Learn the format of each exam, make notes and plan your preparation accordingly.

Manage your Time and Speed 

Interior design entrance exams test your speed and skills. These time tested exams are conducted to test candidates on creativity and technical skills. Therefore, it is essential to manage your time. You can do this by practicing mock tests and previous year question papers.

Be Consistent 

Interior design entrance exams are hard. You have to be consistent and work really hard to achieve your goals. Making a top-notch study plan and practising regularly is the key to succeed in these exams.

Must Read: Interior Design Courses in India: Fees, Eligibility, Admission, Career Opportunities

Take your Interior Design Career to Next Level

With AAFT School of Interior Design, you can enrol in a top-notch interior design course. These courses are designed to equip you with a deep level of interior design knowledge. 

Start preparing for entrance exams to get a seat in B.Des in Interior Design or B.Sc in Interior Design program by AAFT Noida and AAFT Raipur. Also, plan a campus visit and start your interior design journey today.

Entrance Exam for Interior Designing FAQ