Law, Design & Other UG Entrance · Higher study

NATA

National Aptitude Test in Architecture

Qualifying aptitude test for admission to the five-year B.Arch programme at architecture colleges across India (except IIT/NIT B.Arch seats, which use JEE Main Paper 2).

Eligibility

To appear: passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics. For B.Arch admission: at least 50% aggregate in PCM and 50% in Class 12 overall (relaxations as per CoA rules). Candidates may take up to three attempts per academic year, and the best valid score counts.

Age limit: No age limit

Exam pattern

A 200-mark test in two parts. Part A, Drawing and Composition (80 marks), is a hand-drawn paper test taken at the centre and covers composition and colour, black-and-white sketching, and 3D composition. Part B, Aptitude (120 marks), is a computer-based multiple-choice test covering visual reasoning, logical derivation, General Knowledge (GK) and architecture, language interpretation, design sensitivity and numerical reasoning. To qualify, candidates need minimum marks in each part and overall (for 2026, roughly 20/80 in Part A, 30/120 in Part B and 70/200 overall).

Syllabus at a glance

Drawing covers perspective, proportion, light and shadow, colour theory and creating 2D and 3D compositions from given elements. Aptitude covers visual and spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, architecture GK (famous buildings, architects), language comprehension, design sensitivity and basic maths reasoning.

Upcoming dates

Event	Date	Status
NATA 2027 brochure release	Feb - Mar 2027	expected
Online registration opens	Mar 2027	expected
Phase 1 tests (Fridays and Saturdays)	Apr - Jun 2027	expected
Phase 2 test	Aug 2027	expected
Results	Within about a week of each test session	expected

Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.

Free prep material

Official

NATA official portal

Brochure, sample questions, qualifying criteria and score cards. Check here for current attempt and fee rules.

Official

Council of Architecture

Lists CoA-approved architecture colleges and B.Arch admission norms.

Study material

Drawabox

Free structured course in perspective, line control and 3D forms, which builds directly the skills Part A tests.

Study material

NCERT Class 11 Fine Arts and Class 12 Maths

Free official books for art appreciation basics and the maths behind numerical reasoning questions.

Previous papers

JEE Main Paper 2 past papers (NTA)

B.Arch aptitude and drawing questions overlap heavily with NATA aptitude. Useful as free extra practice.

Standard books

A Complete Self Guide for B.Arch Entrance Examination - P.K. Mishra (Arihant)
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain - Betty Edwards
Perspective Made Easy - Ernest R. Norling
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning - R.S. Aggarwal
NCERT Mathematics Class 11-12 - NCERT

How toppers play it

Part A is 80 marks, so sketch every day. Practise 3D composition and colour composition under a timer, because finishing all drawing questions in time is the common failure.
Clear each part's minimum separately. A strong aptitude score cannot make up for missing the drawing minimum.
Use the multiple attempts strategically. Take an early Phase 1 attempt to learn the format, then a later attempt to improve, since the best score counts.
For the architecture GK component, build a one-page list of landmark Indian and world buildings with their architects and styles.