How to Prepare for NATA 2025: Check Best Books, Syllabus, Preparation Tips

National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )

Updated on Feb 20, 2025 11:39 IST

NATA 2025 is a popular entrance examination among the BArch aspirants. Since there are many aspirants for NATA, the candidates are advised to be well-prepared. By following the popular NATA 2025 preparation tips, the candidates will be able to strategize their studying process and have more chances of securing the marks required for higher chances of admission into the preferred college. Read to know more about NATA 2025 Preparation Tips.

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The Council of Architecture (CoA) conducts NATA 2025 to provide eligibility for BArch admissions. Since most Architecture colleges accept NATA scores for admissions, lakhs of students appear for the entrance examination every year. Therefore the competition level for the entrance examination is quite high and the candidates need to be well-prepared. NATA 2025 preparation tips will help the candidates bring out their best performance and score well. Read the full article to know more about How to Prepare for NATA 2025.

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Table of content
  • How to Prepare for NATA 2025
  • Best Books for NATA 2025
  • NATA 2024 Preparation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to Prepare for NATA 2025

Check Official Syllabus

Before starting the preparation for NATA 2025, the candidates should ensure that they are well-versed with the official syllabus. NATA 2025 syllabus has been released on the official website and consists of the topics that the candidates should focus on for the examination. By knowing the syllabus beforehand, the candidates will be able to plan out their study strategy to secure high scores in the entrance examination. NATA 2025 syllabus consists of two sections - Part A syllabus consists of Composition and Colour Test, Sketching and Composition (Black and White) and 3D Composition. Part B will consist of Visual Reasoning, Logical Derivation, G.K. Architecture and Design, Language Interpretation, Design Sensitivity, Design Thinking and Numerical Ability.

Q:   Which are the best books for preparation of NATA exam?
Q:   Which are the good books for the preparation of drawing section (NATA)?

Know Exam Pattern

Along with the syllabus, the NATA 2025 exam pattern is also a very important factor in being well-prepared for the entrance examination. The exam pattern will allow the candidates to know how the entrance examination will be held along with important details such as the mode, duration, marking scheme and more. If the candidate is familiar with the pattern, they will be comfortable with the question paper and have a higher chance of scoring more in NATA 2025. The authorities have revised the exam pattern and the authorities will now conduct NATA 2025 as a computer-based and pen-and-paper-based test. 

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SAT Registration Deadline for ...

18 Oct '25

NATA Exam Pattern 2025

Particulars Details
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test and Pen-and-Paper-Based Test
Duration 3 Hours
Medium  English and Hindi
Section

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test

Part B - MCQs 

Total Number of Questions 48 Questions
Division of Questions

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test

  • A1 - 1 Question - Composition and Colour
  • A2 - 1 Question - Sketching and Composition (Black and White)
  • A3 - 1 Question - 3D Composition

Part B - MCQs 

  • B1 - 30 Questions
  • B2 - 15 Questions
Total Marks 200
Marking Scheme

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test

  • A1 - 1 Question - Composition and Colour - 25 marks
  • A2 - 1 Question - Sketching and Composition (Black and White) - 25 marks
  • A3 - 1 Question - 3D Composition - 30 marks

Part B - MCQs 

  • B1 - 30 Questions x 2 marks - 60 marks
  • B2 - 15 Questions x 4 marks - 60 marks

Create a Personalized Timetable

The next step is to create a personalized timetable for NATA 2025 preparation. Candidates should make sure that the timetable is well planned and that all of the subjects and topics are equally divided. Candidates can allot more time for those topics that they facing difficulty with. In the timetable, the candidates should also be given separate time for revision and solving mock tests. It should be noted that the timetable should be created as per the aptitude of the candidate.

Keep a Notebook Ready

While studying, the candidates are advised to keep a notebook ready with them. The important concepts and formulas can be noted down so that the candidates can regularly revise them. This will help the candidates to be aware of what has to be revised to perform well in the exam

Solve Mock Tests and Sample Papers

One of the most popular methods of preparation is solving mock tests and sample papers. Candidates are advised to regularly attempt mock tests since it will help them to understand the types of questions that are likely to be present in the paper. Through mock tests and sample papers, the candidates will also be able to understand their commonly made mistakes and work towards them. This will ensure that the candidates do not make the same mistakes during the examination. Mock tests will also help the candidates improve their time management skills.  

Regular Revision is Important

It is very important for the candidates to regularly revise whatever they have studied. This will allow the candidates to have fewer chances of forgetting important concepts and topics. Candidates should spend a few hours every day revising what they have earlier studied. The revision will also help the candidates gain confidence in the entrance examination.  

Keep Track of Health

To perform well in the entrance exam, the candidates should be in good health. During the preparation period, the candidates should ensure that they have a healthy diet and a good sleep schedule. If the candidate is unwell, they will not be able to give their 100 per cent to the examination. Regular breaks should also be taken in between studies. Candidates should also indulge in outdoor extracurricular activities to remain healthy.

Best Books for NATA 2025

To perform well in the examination, the candidates are advised to use the best materials. Candidates can check the list of best books for NATA 2025 from the table given below.

Topics

Books

Algebra

Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight

Reasoning

A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal

General

NATA & B.Arch Question Bank by Ar. Shadan Usmani

Mathematical Problems

Problems in Mathematics by V Govorov, P.Dybov, N.Miroshin and S.Smirnova

Quantitative Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal

NATA 2024 Preparation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Where can I check the official NATA 2025 syllabus?

A. NATA 2025 syllabus will be released on the official website at nata.in.

Q. Will NATA 2025 be held online?

A.  NATA 2025 will be held as a computer-based test and pen-and-paper-based test.

Q. How many sections will be there in NATA 2025 question paper?

A. NATA 2025 question paper will have two sections - Part A (Drawing and Composition) and Part B (Multiple-Choice Questions). 

Q. Do I have to study the entire NATA 2025 syllabus?

A. Candidates are advised to study the entire NATA 2025 syllabus to have higher chances of scoring well in the exam.

Q. Which is the best books for reasoning while preparing for NATA?

A. While preparing for NATA, the best book for reasoning is A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal.

About the Author
Dhanya specialises in writing content on engineering colleges and related exams. She is a Post-Graduate in Physics with 5+ years of work experience in the education industry. With a natural talent for the creative a Read Full Bio
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Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered a week ago

Absolutely, either NATA or JEE Paper 2 (B.Arch Aptitude Test) is compulsory for admission into Chandigarh University's architecture program. Even if a student has scored well in 12th or diploma, the aptitude test cannot be skipped because it is mandated by the Council of Architecture. These tests me

...Read more

R

RUHI KHAN

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, candidates have to qualify AAT after qualifying JEE Advanced to be eligible for IIT BArch admissions.

A

Akansha Bhandari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

In the NATA Drawing section, questions are designed to test your creativity, imagination, visualisation, and sketching ability. You won't be judged on artistic perfection, but on clarity, proportion, perspective, and originality.

Here are the common types of questions asked:

Sketching from Memory – Dr

...Read more

A

Aishwarya Garg

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Yes, NCERT Mathematics (Class 11 & 12) is generally enough for NATA preparation because most of the topics in the syllabus are covered in NCERT.

The NATA Mathematics section usually tests:

Algebra

Trigonometry

Coordinate Geometry

Matrices & Determinants

Probability & Statistics

Vectors

Differential & Integr

...Read more

M

Mohit Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

For NATA, you don't need to study architecture as a full subject before the exam. However, having a basic awareness is very helpful because the General Aptitude section includes questions on:

  • Famous architects (like Le Corbusier, B.V. Doshi, Zaha Hadid, etc.)
  • Well-known monuments and buildings in Indi

...Read more

S

Shikha Hazarika

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

The General Aptitude section of NATA checks your reasoning, visualization, and awareness related to design and architecture. It generally covers:

  • Analytical Reasoning & Mental Ability – puzzles, patterns, coding-decoding, sequences, etc.

  • Logical Reasoning – problem-solving, relationships, analogies, a

...Read more

M

Manisha Sahni

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

No, the NATA syllabus does not include Physics and Chemistry.
The exam mainly focuses on Mathematics, General Aptitude, and Drawing skills. While Physics and Chemistry are not part of the test, having a basic understanding of these subjects may indirectly help in architectural concepts, but they are

...Read more

P

Parul Pandey

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Students can refer to the table below for some details about the top government Architecture colleges in India accepting NATA:

Public/Government Colleges

Total Tuition Fee

NIRF '24

IIT Roorkee Admission

INR 10 Lakh

1

IIT Kharagpur Admission

INR 10 Lakh

2

NIT Calicut Admission

INR 6.25 Lakh

3

SPA Delhi Admission

INR 4 Lakh

5

NIT Trichy Admission

INR 6.25 Lakh

8

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The table below provides some details about the private top Architecture colleges in India that accept NATA:

Private Colleges

Total Tuition Fee

NIRF '24

CEPT University Admission

INR 22.75 Lakh

6

SRM IST Admission

INR 13.75 Lakh

11

Nirma University Admission

INR 11.1 Lakh

13

Nirma University AdmissionINR 11.5 Lakh19

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

M

Muskan Chugh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The Council of Architecture has not yet announced the official last date to register for NATA 2026. However, based on previous years' trends and information from exam sources, the registration process is expected to begin in February 2026 and continue until the third week of March 2026. Additionally

...Read more

D

Dhanya B

Contributor-Level 10