Which college you got into?
Fortunately, I was able to get into IIT Hyderabad for M.Des Self-sponsored.
Why did you think of making a future in the Design stream?
Design has always been an integral part of my life. As a profession that has evolved with time and technology, design is a very interesting option with a wide range of job possibilities.Furthermore, it’s a field which connects various disciplines which is very well suited for a person like me keen on exploring.
Which Design specialization did you apply for?
M. Des in Interaction design
How did you prepare for the CEED exam?
A major part of the preparation journey was the continuous classes and mock tests scheduled by 3DT. It was a great path led out by experienced professionals as mentors as well as made a huge role in providing continuous motivation. Apart from that regular sketching and creativity boosting exercises also made an immense impact.
How long did you prepare for the exam and how many hours did you study in a day?
The preparation was almost for 6 months and spanned around most hours of the day around 8-9 hours daily.
Did you refer to any important books or study material?
I mostly referred to the materials provided by 3DT and few online sources.
Are there any important topics to score well on?
I believe the creativity section is a key topic to get a good score in part B.
Any tips for the CEED exam from your experience?
Time management while solving under stress. However with 3DT mock tests it played a huge role in completing under given time.
What are the mistakes one should avoid while preparing for the exam?
Definitely one shouldn’t give away under pressure. The exams may seem daunting at first but slowly the patterns can be analyzed and worked around.
Did 3designthinkers mock test helped you in preparation?
3DT Mock tests were a boon to us in the preparation journey. They not only acclimatized us to the exam patterns but also helped us time ourselves for the main exam. The feedback provided for tests were on point and provided immense clarity on areas to be improved. The in-depth analysis of our weak and strong sections provided insight on how to tackle questions under stress as well.
What is the importance of giving mock tests in preparation according to you?
The most important impact of mock tests is how it enables us to do proper planning and time management of the paper. It helps us understand our standings on different areas and as a result we gain weapons for tackling the final exam.
How did you manage time while taking the CEED exam?
For myself, I attempted the sections I was well versed in first for part A and worked through the paper. For Part B, I attempted questions for which I had a clear idea first.
Which as per you was the most difficult part of the CEED exam?
For me the instant juggling between multiple topics in Part A was a major issue.
Is there any section that plays the “deciding factor” for getting shortlisted in the exam?
Overall creativity questions are a major deciding factor.
How did you prepare for the Interview round?
For the interview round, I went through multiple interview videos of past aspirants and got to know the ongoing projects and professors of respective institutions and their works. 3DT provided immense support through their questionnaire and mocks to gain proper answers to our own projects when posed with various questions. It provided a sense of direction in the overall interview process. Deep understanding of our portfolio projects and how design impacts us as an individual also plays a key role.
Did you give any mock interviews and how was your experience ?
Yes, fortunately 3DT provided us with support throughout the Interview selection process. From insights about portfolio to tackling hard questions under stress, everything was put out in front of us so we were prepared. The mocks took place through proper professional formats and replicated the set ups of a real interview under proper time management. The feedback provided helped us shape our responses in an effective manner and provided clarity as to how to deal with various scenarios and hook the attention of the respective professors.
What happened in your interview round?
In my interview round, there were really interesting questions however a lot of it was already covered through the mocks. The first question was to relate my biotechnology background with the current design discipline I was aiming for. They were immensely curious about my cultural background as well and asked how my cultural set up impacted my design ideology as a whole. Following that I was questioned in detail about my portfolio projects and they provided me with scenarios which I have to tackle while dealing with projects in future. They were very much interested in my Selection test answers, which I had appeared for the day before. Further on, they went on to inquire about if I had any project idea in mind, if I were to be accepted as a student in IIT Hyderabad.
Any advice for CEED aspirants?
Enjoy the process and daily sketching serves wonders. Observation skills come in very handy, just explore the same scenarios through multiple perspectives.
Reviews on 3dt?
3DT is a major part of my design journey. I attribute my success so far to them for providing outstanding support in all areas from sketching, creative thinking to problem solving. They helped me gain insights into my design thinking as a whole and laid out a proper guideline to prepare for the exams & interviews through their mocks. Their feedback boosted my confidence and helped me improve on my weaker sections and polish the stronger ones. The experienced mentors provided honest guidance and support no matter how late it might be at night. I whole-heartedly thank the 3DT team for everything.