SEED: The design entrance test for Symbiosis

Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED) is a national level entrance test for design aspirants. This entrance exam is conducted by the Symbiosis Institute of Design affiliated to the Symbiosis International University, once every year for admission in its under graduate design course B. Des. Symbiosis School of Planning, Architecture and Design also allows admission to students as per their SEED scores. Formerly called SET for Design, this design aptitude test is conducted for admission into departments like graphic design, video film design, animation film design, fashion design, product design, interior space design, user experience design and fashion communication. This year SEED happened in July. Registration for SEED 2022 will commence from February next year. Here is what candidates need to know about this entrance test.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates need to have successfully passed their class XII board exams with minimum 50% aggregate for General and OBC categories and minimum 45% aggregate for ST/SC/PWD categories.
Candidates who have successfully passed any 10+3 diploma approved by respective State Board of Technical Education are also eligible. General category students need a minimum of 50% while the reserved categories are given 5% relaxation.
Candidates who are studying in class XII but are yet to appear for their final board exams are also eligible to sit for SEED. However, if selected, they must present their school passing marksheets during admission.
Candidates failing to secure the necessary marks in their school final exams but later pass the Immediate Compartmental Examination (in the same year) are also eligible.
All overseas students with more than 50% aggregate in their qualifying exams are also eligible.

Exam pattern
SEED is conducted in three steps: the aptitude test (Symbiosis Institute of Design Test), Studio Test (portfolio presentation) followed by Personal Interaction. The aptitude test has a written exam comprising 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on topics such as - English, Logical Reasoning, Design Understanding (colour and geometry), Creative Thinking, Visual Observation and General Knowledge (focusing on Indian culture, crafts and traditions). For the Studio Test, candidates are required to upload their portfolio on the website logging into their unique candidate profile which is thereafter reviewed by a panel of design experts. The portfolio may contain things such as sketches, mixed-media illustrations, graphic designs, collages, 2D and 3D models, sculptures, fabric products and so on. Candidates who get through the Studio Test and shortlisted for the interview round.

Marking scheme
SEED’s written exam is of 150 marks. Each correct answer is awarded with 1 positive mark. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. There marks for Studio Test and Personal Interviews are 30 and 20 respectively, which takes the total marks for SEED to 200.

Mode and duration
SEED’s theory exam (aptitude test) is conducted online through computers. Candidates can answer their paper in English only. The duration is 2 hours 30 minutes.