UPES DAT 2027 is an online, remote-proctored computer-based test by UPES, Dehradun, for admission to its B.Des and M.Des design programmes. The exam has 40 questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes. You can take the test from home under live webcam supervision — no physical exam centre visit is needed.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPES Design Aptitude Test (DAT) |
| Conducting Body | University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun |
| Mode | Online, Remote-Proctored CBT (from home) |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Total Questions | 40 |
| Total Marks | 160 |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Medium | English |
- UPES DAT 2027 is a 60-minute remote-proctored test with 40 MCQs for 160 marks.
- The B.Des paper has 2 sections: Visual Analogy (20 questions, 80 marks) and Design and General Awareness (20 questions, 80 marks).
- The M.Des paper has 3 sections: Quantitative Aptitude (10 questions), Visual Analogy (15 questions), and Design and General Awareness (15 questions).
- Every correct answer earns +4 marks; there is no negative marking for wrong or unattempted responses.
- The exam runs in two phases annually — Phase 1 in January and Phase 2 in May–June — with an identical pattern in both phases.
- Visual Analogy tests spatial reasoning, embedded figures, matrix arrangements, and pattern recognition.
- Shortlisted students attend a Portfolio Presentation and Personal Interview after the written test to complete admission.
| Direct Link | Link |
|---|---|
| Direct Link to UPES Official Website 2027 | upes.ac.in |
Table of Contents
- UPES DAT Exam Pattern 2027: Overview
- UPES DAT Exam Pattern 2027: Important Dates
- UPES DAT 2027: Detailed Exam Pattern
- UPES DAT Marking Scheme 2027
- UPES DAT Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2027
- UPES DAT Question Types 2027
- UPES DAT Exam Pattern: Changes in 2027 vs Previous Year
- How to Prepare Based on UPES DAT Exam Pattern
- UPES DAT Exam Pattern FAQs
UPES DAT Exam Pattern 2027: Overview
UPES DAT 2027 is a pure MCQ online exam with no drawing or sketching component — a key distinction from design tests at institutions like NID or NIFT. The exam window runs from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and you log in and complete your 60-minute paper within that slot. The official 2027 notification is expected in late 2026; the 2026 confirmed pattern serves as the current reference and is expected to remain unchanged.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online, Remote-Proctored CBT (from home) |
| Exam Window | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Total Questions | 40 |
| Total Marks | 160 |
| Question Type | MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions only) |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +4 |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Sections — B.Des | Visual Analogy; Design and General Awareness |
| Sections — M.Des | Quantitative Aptitude; Visual Analogy; Design and General Awareness |
| Sectional Time Limit | None — free allocation within 60 minutes |
| Post-Test Round | Portfolio Presentation and Personal Interview (shortlisted students) |
UPES DAT Exam Pattern 2027: Important Dates
UPES DAT 2027 is held in two phases. As of September 2026, the official 2027 schedule has not been released. UPES typically publishes the notification in September–October of the preceding year. The projected dates below follow the 2026 exam calendar and will be updated once UPES announces the official 2027 schedule.
| Event | Phase 1 (Expected 2027) | Phase 2 (Expected 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Opens | November–December 2026 (Expected) | March–April 2027 (Expected) |
| Registration Closes | January 2027 (Expected) | May 2027 (Expected) |
| Exam Dates | January–February 2027 (Expected) | May–June 2027 (Expected) |
| Result Declaration | Shortly after exam (Expected) | Shortly after exam (Expected) |
| Portfolio Presentation and Interview | To be announced | To be announced |
| Registration Fee | Rs. 1,750 (Expected, based on 2026) | Rs. 1,750 (Expected, based on 2026) |
Note: All 2027 dates are tentative and subject to the official UPES notification. Visit upes.ac.in for the confirmed schedule once released.
UPES DAT 2027: Detailed Exam Pattern
UPES DAT 2027 has two separate papers: one for B.Des applicants and one for M.Des applicants. Both papers carry 40 questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes. The B.Des paper splits equally across two sections; the M.Des paper adds Quantitative Aptitude and redistributes questions across three sections.
UPES DAT 2027 is a 60-minute computer-based test with 40 questions for 160 marks, and no negative marking applies to either paper.
B.Des Paper — Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Analogy | 20 | +4 | 80 | — |
| Design and General Awareness | 20 | +4 | 80 | — |
| Total | 40 | — | 160 marks | 60 minutes |
M.Des Paper — Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | 10 | +4 | 40 | — |
| Visual Analogy | 15 | +4 | 60 | — |
| Design and General Awareness | 15 | +4 | 60 | — |
| Total | 40 | — | 160 marks | 60 minutes |
Note: No per-section time limit applies in either paper. You can freely allocate all 60 minutes across sections in any order.
UPES DAT Marking Scheme 2027
UPES DAT 2027 follows a uniform, penalty-free marking scheme. Every correct MCQ earns +4 marks across all sections and both papers. Wrong and unattempted answers carry zero marks — not a deduction. This scheme applies equally to Visual Analogy, Design and General Awareness, and Quantitative Aptitude questions.
| Question Type | Marks for Correct Answer | Marks for Wrong Answer | Marks for Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ — Visual Analogy | +4 | 0 | 0 |
| MCQ — Design and General Awareness | +4 | 0 | 0 |
| MCQ — Quantitative Aptitude (M.Des only) | +4 | 0 | 0 |
There is no negative marking in UPES DAT 2027 — attempt all 40 questions to maximise your total score of 160 marks.
UPES DAT Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2027
UPES DAT 2027 tests three subject areas across its two papers: Visual Analogy, Design and General Awareness, and Quantitative Aptitude (M.Des only). Each area has a distinct topic cluster requiring targeted preparation.
Visual Analogy
Visual Analogy carries 20 questions (80 marks) in the B.Des paper and 15 questions (60 marks) in the M.Des paper. It is the highest-weightage section in B.Des and the second-highest in M.Des.
| Topic | Sub-Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Spatial Reasoning | Pattern recognition, figure series completion, odd-one-out |
| Embedded Figures | Identifying shapes hidden within complex figures |
| Matrix Arrangements | Figure matrices, analogical visual reasoning |
| Figure Partition | Division and reconstruction of geometric shapes |
| Dot Situation | Spatial placement of dots in overlapping and adjacent shapes |
Design and General Awareness
Design and General Awareness carries 20 questions (80 marks) in B.Des and 15 questions (60 marks) in M.Des. It combines four sub-areas: design knowledge, English language, general knowledge, and logical reasoning.
| Topic Area | Sub-Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Design | Design history, colour theory, design terminology, famous designers |
| English Language | Synonyms, antonyms, tenses, sentence correction, active/passive voice, jumbled paragraphs, punctuation |
| General Knowledge | Geography, polity, sports, economics, technology, current affairs, government schemes |
| Logical Reasoning | Verbal reasoning, syllogisms, family trees, critical reasoning, data interpretation |
Quantitative Aptitude (M.Des Only)
Quantitative Aptitude is exclusive to the M.Des paper and carries 10 questions (40 marks). It tests basic arithmetic and data interpretation at a moderate difficulty level.
| Topic | Sub-Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentages, ratios, averages, profit and loss, basic arithmetic operations |
| Data Interpretation | Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs |
UPES DAT Question Types 2027
UPES DAT 2027 is a pure MCQ exam — all 40 questions across both papers are Multiple Choice Questions with four options each. There are no subjective, numerical-type, integer-type, or drawing-based questions in any section.
- MCQ (Single Correct): Each question has four options and one correct answer. You select on screen — no OMR sheet is used in this remote CBT.
- Visual Analogy questions show figure sequences, spatial diagrams, or embedded shapes. You pick the option that completes the visual pattern or relationship.
- Design and General Awareness questions mix vocabulary MCQs, factual GK items, and reasoning-based questions drawn from design history, English, and current affairs.
- Quantitative Aptitude questions (M.Des only) involve numerical computation and reading data from charts or tables. Basic arithmetic is sufficient — no advanced mathematics is tested.
- All questions carry equal weight (+4 marks) — no differential marking between sections, topics, or difficulty levels.
UPES DAT Exam Pattern: Changes in 2027 vs Previous Year
No official changes to the UPES DAT exam pattern have been announced for 2027 as of September 2026. The 2027 cycle is expected to follow the same structure confirmed for 2026. If UPES revises the pattern in its 2027 notification, this article will be updated accordingly.
| Parameter | 2026 (Confirmed) | 2027 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online, Remote-Proctored CBT | Online, Remote-Proctored CBT (No change expected) |
| Duration | 60 minutes | 60 minutes (No change expected) |
| Total Questions | 40 | 40 (No change expected) |
| Total Marks | 160 | 160 (No change expected) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 per correct; no negative marking | +4 per correct; no negative marking (No change expected) |
| Sections — B.Des | 2 (Visual Analogy; Design and General Awareness) | 2 (No change expected) |
| Sections — M.Des | 3 (Quantitative Aptitude; Visual Analogy; Design and General Awareness) | 3 (No change expected) |
| Question Type | MCQ only | MCQ only (No change expected) |
Note: In an earlier cycle, the exam had 25 questions for 100 marks. The expanded format of 40 questions for 160 marks was introduced in a prior cycle and has remained consistent since. Check upes.ac.in for the confirmed 2027 notification.
How to Prepare Based on UPES DAT Exam Pattern
The UPES DAT 2027 pattern gives you a clear preparation roadmap. With 40 equal-weight MCQs in 60 minutes and no negative marking, speed with accuracy — not caution — is the winning strategy.
- Make Visual Analogy your B.Des priority: At 20 questions and 80 marks, it is the highest-weightage section. Practise spatial reasoning puzzles, embedded figures, and matrix problems from design aptitude workbooks every day.
- Attempt all 40 questions without skipping: No negative marking means every unattempted question costs you a guaranteed +4. Answer your confident questions first, then return to the harder ones.
- Build a Design GK note sheet: Colour theory, design history, and famous designers do not appear in standard competitive exam books. Prepare a one-page reference on design terminology and key design movements.
- Practise English vocabulary for 15 minutes daily: Synonyms, antonyms, and sentence correction questions respond well to a consistent word-list routine over 4–6 weeks before the exam.
- For M.Des — target Quantitative Aptitude efficiently: At 10 questions worth 40 marks, this section offers high returns for moderate effort. Focus on percentages, ratios, and reading bar graphs or pie charts quickly.
- Simulate the remote-proctored environment: Take timed mock tests at home with your webcam running to replicate exam-day conditions. This reduces technical anxiety before the actual test.
- Check your technical setup 48 hours before the exam: UPES DAT requires a stable internet connection, a working webcam, and a quiet room. Verify all three well in advance — issues on exam day cannot be resolved last-minute.
UPES DAT Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques. Is there negative marking in UPES DAT 2027?
Ans. No, UPES DAT 2027 has no negative marking. You earn +4 marks for every correct answer, and wrong or unattempted responses carry zero marks. Always attempt all 40 questions to maximise your score.
Ques. How many questions are asked in UPES DAT 2027?
Ans. UPES DAT 2027 has 40 questions in both the B.Des and M.Des papers. Each question carries +4 marks, making the maximum total score 160 marks.
Ques. What is the duration of UPES DAT 2027?
Ans. UPES DAT 2027 is a 60-minute exam. There is no per-section time limit, so you can allocate your time freely across all sections within the one-hour window.
Ques. What are the sections in the UPES DAT 2027 B.Des paper?
Ans. The B.Des paper has two sections: Visual Analogy (20 questions, 80 marks) and Design and General Awareness (20 questions, 80 marks). Both sections carry equal weightage.
Ques. What are the sections in the UPES DAT 2027 M.Des paper?
Ans. The M.Des paper has three sections: Quantitative Aptitude (10 questions, 40 marks), Visual Analogy (15 questions, 60 marks), and Design and General Awareness (15 questions, 60 marks).
Ques. Is UPES DAT 2027 conducted online or offline?
Ans. UPES DAT 2027 is conducted fully online as a remote-proctored computer-based test. You take the exam from home under live webcam supervision — no physical exam centre is required.
Ques. How many phases does UPES DAT 2027 have?
Ans. UPES DAT runs in two phases each year. Phase 1 is typically in January and Phase 2 in May–June. The pattern and marking scheme are identical across both phases.
Ques. What is the marking scheme for UPES DAT 2027?
Ans. UPES DAT 2027 awards +4 marks for every correct MCQ. Wrong answers carry zero marks, and unattempted questions also score zero. The same scheme applies across all sections of both the B.Des and M.Des papers.
Ques. What happens after UPES DAT 2027 results are declared?
Ans. After the written test result, UPES releases a merit list of shortlisted students. Shortlisted students attend a Portfolio Presentation and Personal Interview — held at UPES Dehradun campus or online via Microsoft Teams — after which final admission offers are made.
Ques. What is the difference between the UPES DAT B.Des and M.Des papers?
Ans. Both papers have 40 questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes. The B.Des paper has two sections (Visual Analogy: 20 questions; Design and General Awareness: 20 questions). The M.Des paper adds a third section — Quantitative Aptitude (10 questions) — reducing the other two sections to 15 questions each.
Ques. What topics are covered in the UPES DAT Visual Analogy section?
Ans. The Visual Analogy section covers spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, embedded figures, matrix arrangements, figure partition, and dot situation problems. These questions test your ability to identify and complete visual patterns and spatial relationships.
Ques. What is the maximum score in UPES DAT 2027, and is there a fixed cut-off?
Ans. The maximum score in UPES DAT 2027 is 160 marks. UPES does not publish a fixed cut-off; shortlisting for the Portfolio Presentation and Interview round is based on merit-list rank. A higher score improves your chance of being shortlisted.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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