Preparing for NATA can be challenging for aspirants. There are a few Common Mistakes Students Make While Preparing for NATA. In this page, candidates can check the tips to avoid the common mistakes while preparing for NATA 2026.
NATA is one of the most important entrance exams for architecture aspirants. For candidates appearing for first time or looking to improve their scores, it is important to understand the common mistakes students make while preparing for NATA and how to avoid them. Students can miss the 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.
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.
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
Answered 2 days ago
GITAM School of Architecture Hyderabad accepts NATA scores for admission to BArch course. Aspirants with NATA score also need to meet the eligibility criteria for admission. The school also accepts scores in JEE Main paper-2 or GITAM GAT.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
No, NATA application form cannot be filled offline. NATA application form can be filled only on official website, nata.in. Candidates must pay application fee and fill all the details on application form online and submit it.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
Knowing NATA exam pattern is important for exam preparation. Candidates will know exact sections included in the question paper and their weightage. If the candidates are familiar with topics in the syllabus, they need not waste time on irrelevant topics.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The NATA 2026 application form will be available soon. As per the last year dates, the NATA application form will be available from February. Application form is released on the official website.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Indus University NATA cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the BArch course for various categories under both the All India and Home State quota. For the General HS quota, the last round cutoff was 11431. On the other hand, for the General AI quota, the cutoff was 21182 in the last round.
To kno
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
VNSGU Surat accepts the NATA cutoff results for admission to the BArch course. The cutoff was released in the form of opening and closing ranks for various categories under both the All India and Home State quotas.
According to the VNSGU Surat NATA cutoff 2024, the last round cutoff for the General
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Sasi Creative Colleges accepts NATA scores for admission to BArch programme. Candidates must also pass Class 12 with at least 50% aggregate to apply for BArch. The seats are allotted to candidates based on their NATA scores via TNEA Counselling. Candidates can also get admission in BArch programme b
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a month ago
If you want to get admission into M.Arch colleges in India than you can consider the following exams other than NATA:
- MAH MArch CET
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering),
- CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design)
- Karnataka PGCET
- CEETA
- KCET
- CUET-PG
Some colleges also require their own aptitude tests and
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The HNGU NATA Cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the BArch course for both the AI and HS quota. As per the HNGU Cutoff 2024 for the General AI category, the cutoff in the last round was 31049.
On the other hand for the General HS category, the last round cutoff was 11429 for the same course. C
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, you can't get admission in Dev Bhoomi School of Architecture, Planning and Design BArch course without NATA. The university accepts students for the other courses on a merit basis. But, if you want to enrol in the BArch course, NATA is mandatory.
S
Contributor-Level 10

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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