NATA
Qualifying aptitude test for admission to five-year B.Arch programmes at most architecture schools in India (other than the IITs/NITs, which use JEE Main Paper 2).
Eligibility
Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, IT, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics, Business Studies or a technical vocational subject, with at least 45% marks in aggregate; or hold a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics with at least 45% aggregate. There is no age limit. A candidate may take up to two attempts in Phase 1 (best raw score counted for the percentile), or a single Phase 2 attempt — appearing in only one phase is permitted.
Age limit: No age limit
Exam pattern
A 3-hour test of 200 marks in two parts. Part A is an offline Drawing and Composition Test of 90 minutes and 80 marks with three questions: composition and colour (25), black-and-white sketching and composition (25) and 3D composition (30). Part B is a 90-minute computer-based aptitude test of 50 questions for 120 marks. In the 2026 cycle, Phase 1 tests ran on designated Fridays and Saturdays from 4 April to 13 June, with a candidate allowed up to two attempts (best raw score used for a percentile computed after all Phase 1 sessions); a one-attempt Phase 2 on 7–8 August served only admissions against vacant seats after centralised counselling.
Syllabus at a glance
Drawing and composition: perspective and object drawing, sense of proportion and scale, light and shadow, 2D/3D composition and colour. Aptitude: diagrammatic, numerical, verbal and inductive reasoning; situational judgement; Class 12-level Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics; plus general awareness of architecture, buildings and the built environment.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NATA 2027 registration opens | Mar 2027 (expected) | expected |
| Phase 1 tests (Fri–Sat sessions) | Apr – Jun 2027 | expected |
| Phase 2 test (vacant seats, single attempt) | Early Aug 2027 | expected |
| Scorecards | Rolling, within about a week of each test; percentile after Phase 1 ends | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- NATA & B.Arch Complete Self Study Material — Ar. Shadan Usmani
- A Complete Self Study Guide for B.Arch Entrance Examination — P.K. Mishra (Arihant)
- B.Arch/NATA/JEE Main Offline Drawing Test — Nimish Madan
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- NCERT Mathematics, Class 11 and 12
How toppers play it
- Book an early Phase 1 slot — with two Phase 1 attempts allowed and the best score counted, an April first attempt leaves room for an improvement before counselling; Phase 2 only serves leftover vacant seats.
- Practise timed drawing daily: composition-and-colour, black-and-white sketching and 3D composition questions in 25–30 minutes each, since the 90-minute, 80-mark paper part is time-tight.
- Do not neglect PCM — Class 12-level physics, chemistry and maths questions appear in Part B and catch drawing-focused aspirants off guard.
- Build architectural general awareness (famous buildings, architects, materials, terms); these are quick, high-yield marks in the aptitude section.
- Remember NATA is only a qualifier — B.Arch seats are allotted through state/institution counselling that also weighs Class 12 marks, so keep board preparation alive.