Common Mistakes Students Make While Preparing for NATA; How To Avoid Them
National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Exam
7 Aug '26 - 8 Aug '26
NATA exam requires a lot of preparation. Candidates will find the NATA preparation challenging. There are a few Common Mistakes Students Make While Preparing for NATA. Over here, we have provided tips to avoid the common mistakes while preparing for NATA 2026.
NATA 2026 Preparation Tips
NATA is one of the most important entrance exams for architecture aspirants. For candidates appearing for first time or looking to improve scores, it is important to understand the common mistakes students make while preparing for NATA and how to avoid them. Students can miss chance of getting seat in a top architecture college if they make these mistakes while preparing for NATA.
In this article, candidates can find the tips to avoid mistakes while preparing for NATA 2026. Understanding these mistakes early can help the candidates avoid them and get the best results for the NATA exam preparation 2026.
- Ignoring The Drawing Test Practice
- Not Understanding The Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- Lack of Consistency
- Ignoring Time Management
- Not Reviewing The Mistakes Made in Past Tests
- Neglecting Aptitude and Basic Mathematics
- Memorising Instead of Learning Concepts
- Overlooking General Awareness and Observation Skills
- Lack of a Revision Plan
Ignoring The Drawing Test Practice
Many students ignore drawing practice and focus only on aptitude questions. However, as per the NATA 2026 exam pattern, the drawing section has the maximum marks. If the candidates do not focus on it, their marks will go down significantly. Therefore, students need to practice drawing every day.
Commonly asked questions
To have a higher chance of securing good marks, candidates are advised to follow NATA preparation tips. The candidates should have a proper strategy to know how they can prepare for examination and secure the scores they need for admissions into preferred institutes. Firstly, candidates should check official NATA exam pattern and syllabus to understand how the examination will be held and the topics that need to studied. Candidates should create a personalised timetable so they can efficiently divide their study time and cover syllabus. Mock tests should be attempted regularly, and candidates should make a habit of creating notes on important topics. Revision should be done regularly.
In case candidates are satisfied with scores in first session of NATA, and are sure that it will lead to admissions into preferred institutes, then they are not required to attempt further examination sessions. However, candidates are advised to check previous year cutoffs to be sure that obtained scores are enough for admissions. The candidates are advised to attempt more than one session of NATA, because best of scores will be considered for admission. Attempting all tests of NATA will give an advantage to candidates to obtain score they require for admission into preferred institute/college.
No. The authorities of CoA will not prepare the NATA merit list. Since no common counselling process is conducted for the qualified candidates, there is no need for a NATA merit list. The qualified candidates will be required to apply individually to their preferred colleges. The merit list for admissions will be prepared by the colleges for their separate BArch admission process. The candidates are advised to carefully check the eligibility and admission criteria for admission into their preferred institute.
Not Understanding The Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Some students start NATA preparation without checking exam pattern or the NATA 2026 syllabus. This leads to wasting time on less important areas while ignoring important sections like visual reasoning, mathematics and general aptitude.
Lack of Consistency
NATA preparation requires steady practice, not last-minute studying. If the candidates are not consistent, they will miss the drawing flow and observation skills. Prepare a study plan and follow it consistently. Do not miss studies on any of the days.
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Ignoring Time Management
Many students struggle with managing time during the NATA 2026 exam. The exam includes a drawing section and an aptitude section. Both sections must be approached differently. Only with regular practice will candidates know how much time should be allotted for each section. To learn to manage time during the NATA exam, candidates must practice using previous year question papers and regularly take mock tests.
Candidates can start with one mock test in 2 weeks. Later, when the exam is nearing, candidates can take mock test every week.
Not Reviewing The Mistakes Made in Past Tests
The candidates must review the mistakes they have made in the previous test so that they don't repeat the same mistake again. Many students don't analyse the mistakes they made in the test, which will lead to repeated errors. Therefore, after each mock tests take time to understand the mistakes and stop making the same mistakes in the next test.
Neglecting Aptitude and Basic Mathematics
NATA 2026 will include questions from basic mathematics and aptitude. Most students do not focus on understanding the fundamentals, which can lead to making errors while answering the questions. Therefore, candidates must regularly practice math problems and aptitude questions using past year question papers. Candidates can also use online resources and books to solve mathematics questions.
Memorising Instead of Learning Concepts
NATA is not a rote learning exam. Candidates must understand the concepts properly. Candidates are expected to use their creative skills in the exam.
Overlooking General Awareness and Observation Skills
NATA will also assess the general awareness of the candidates related to architecture. If the candidates do not practice these topics, they will lose a lot of marks. Therefore, the candidates must stay updated about architectural concepts by reading articles and watching videos. Candidates must improve their observation skills by sketching objects, people and landscapes they see around them.
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Lack of a Revision Plan
Many students prepare well for the exam, but they miss revising for the exam. If the candidates miss the revision, they may forget important concepts and will struggle recalling them during the exam. Therefore, candidates must practice a revision schedule and strictly follow the schedule.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Yes, students can get admission in Sri University BArch with NATA scores. BArch admission is entrance-based. The final selection is based on academic scores and SSU CET/ NATA/ JEE Main Paper-2.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
NATA is one of the accepting exams for admission in BArch at Sister Nivedita University. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get admission in BArch based on their JEE Main paper-2 scores. Aspirants must also meet eligibility i.e. Class 12 with PCM with at least 50% aggregate for admiss
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a month ago
Candidates can appear for maximum of 2 attempts in NATA in one academic year. The best score out of all the attempts is considered for final result. Score in NATA Test is valid for 2 academic years.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The format of NATA test is given below:
Part 1:Drawing and Composition Test (Duration: 90 minutes, Maximum marks: 80)
A1: Composition and Colour
A2: Sketching and Composition
A3: 3D composition
Part 2: Computer based Adaptive Test (Duration: 90 Minutes, Maximum marks: 120 marks)
B1:42 MCQs
B2: 8 NCQ
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Applicants have to pay a fee for submitting NATA application form. Fee for NATA application form is INR 1750 for General/OBC category, INR 1250 for SC.ST/PwD category students, and INR 1000 for transgender students.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
It is compulsory to get a valid NATA score to get admission in B.Arch in BMS School of Architecture. The test has two parts as follows:
Section | Components |
Part 1:Drawing and Composition Test (offline) Duration: 90 minutes Maximum marks: 80 | A1: Composition and Colour A2: Sketching and Composition A3: 3D composition |
Part 2: Computer based Adaptive Test Duration: 90 Minutes Maximum marks: 120 marks | B1:42 MCQs B2: 8 NCQ |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Aspirants need to have NATA score for admission in BArch programme of MET's School of Architecture and Interior Design. The seats are allotted to aspirants based on their NATA scores via DTE CAP, Maharashtra.
N
Guide-Level 15
Dhanya writes content on Engineering and Architecture exams. She has completed MSc Physics. She has 8+ years of work experience in the education industry. She likes painting and travelling.
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