How to Prepare for NATA Exam at Home? Preparation Strategy, Study Tips
National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )
How to Prepare for the NATA Exam at Home? Preparing for NATA at home is definitely possible with the right strategy, consistent practice and smart resources. Since NATA tests both drawing ability, observation, creativity and architecture aptitude, candidates must balance both artistic skills and logical reasoning. Read more to know NATA 2026 preparation tips.
NATA preparation tips
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NATA 2026 Preparation at Home: In order to get admission to any of the architecture colleges in India, candidates must qualify NATA exam (Other than IIT and NIT). NATA 2026 is conducted by CoA for BArch admissions. Based on the NATA 2026 scores, candidates will be offered admission to various participating institutes. Since most undergraduate Architecture colleges accept students based on NATA scores, the competition level is quite high.
While preparing for NATA 2026 at home, candidates must be consistent, focus on the neatness and clarity of the drawing, and practice drawing from imagination. In this article, candidates can check how to prepare for NATA at home. NATA 2026 exam preparation can be done by the candidates at home if they follow the strategies given here.
- Understanding exam pattern and studying
- Mastering The Drawing and Sketching Skills
- Preparation Tips for Aptitude and Visualisation
- Basic Architecture Awareness
- Solve Previous Year Papers and Mock test
- Build Creativity and Observation Skills
- NATA 2026 Preparation At Home Study Plan
Understanding exam pattern and studying
Candidates must check the NATA 2026 exam pattern and prepare the plan of study accordingly. The NATA 2026 exam is conducted for 200 marks, and it consists of two parts: aptitude and drawing test. It is important to know that both have separate qualifying marks. The aptitude test is in online mode, while drawing is offline.
- For the Aptitude Test, candidates can expect questions based on Indian and world architectural structures, designs, colour, and pattern. There will be 2 marks awarded for the right answer and no negative marks for the incorrect answers.
- For the drawing test, candidates must practice drawing at least 5 to 7 sketches every day. Candidates must make sure they cover 3D, 2D and perspectives in the sketches.
Mastering The Drawing and Sketching Skills
Drawing is given the maximum weightage in NATA 2026. Therefore, the candidates must practice drawing every day. Candidates must check the NATA syllabus before they start the preparation. Here is a list of what to practice in drawing.
- Perspective Drawing
- Human Figures and Proportions
- Everyday Objects (Charis, Cups, Vehicles)
- Scenes from memory (Park, Market, Classroom)
- Light, Shadow and Shading Techniques.
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.
Candidates must observe before drawing. NATA checks the observation skills of the candidates. Candidates must practice neat labelling and composition. Candidates must learn to manage time and do the drawing. Candidates can use HB, 2B, and 4B pencils for variations in drawing.
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Part A - Drawing and Composition Test Syllabus
- A1 - Composition and Colour Test - Creating suitable compositions for various situations and colouring them appropriately. Re-arranging various shapes in a visually appealing manner and colouring them suitably.
- A2 - Sketching and Composition (Black and White) - Ability to draw, visualise, and depict a situation, involving buildings/their components, people, environment, products with an understanding of scale, proportions, textures, shades and shadow, etc.
- A3 - 3D Composition - Creating interesting 3D compositions for the given situation using the provided kit
Also Read
| Is NATA Mandatory for B.Arch Admission in India? | Is Architecture a Good Career? |
| What is the Average Starting Salary after B.Arch? | Top Architecture Dissertation Topics for BArch |
Preparation Tips for Aptitude and Visualisation
This section in the NATA question paper is for checking the ability of the candidates to think like a designer. The important topics to study here are
- 3D visualisation and mental rotation.
- Mirror images and pattern completion.
- Paper folding and cube problems.
- Analytical Reasoning
- Basic Mathematics (10th level)
Candidates must use the books, previous year questions paper and mock test to study for the architecture exam.
Part B - MCQs Syllabus
- Visual Reasoning - Ability to understand and reconstruct 2D and 3D composition, knowledge about its composition and technical concepts.
- Logical Derivation - Ability to decode a situation, composition, context and generate meaning. Understanding the minute information hidden in a particular situation and concluding.
- G.K. Architecture & Design - General awareness of architecture and design, current issues, recent episodes, etc., Knowledge about important buildings, historical progression, innovation in materials and construction technology.
- Language Interpretation - Ability to correctly & logically generate the meaning of words, and sentences, and understand English grammar.
- Design Sensitivity - Ability to observe, record and analyse people, space, products, and environment. Critical thinking, reasoning and the ability to identify subtle communications.
- Design Thinking - Ability to understand semantics, metaphors, problem identification and definition, and analysis of a given situation.
- Numerical Ability - Basic Mathematics and its association with creative thinking. To unfold a space using geometry.
Basic Architecture Awareness
Candidates need not know deep theory, but basic knowledge in architecture is required to score well in NATA 2026. The topics candidates must be familiar with are as follows.
- Famous buildings and monuments.
- Architectural styles (modern, classical and traditional)
- Sustainable design concepts
- Elements of design (balance, symmetry, proportion)
Candidates can watch architecture videos, documetaries and building walkthroughs to develop visual understanding.
Solve Previous Year Papers and Mock test
The best way to prepare for NATA at home is to Practice previous years papers and mock test.
- Practice full-length tests regularly.
- Analyse the mistakes after each test.
- Improve the speed and accuracy of solving the paper.
Build Creativity and Observation Skills
NATA question paper is prepared to reward the original thinking of the candidates. Candidates can practice these things every day.
- Sketching Scenes from Real Life
- Redesign everyday objects.
- Observe the buildings and structures around.
- Maintain a sketchbook journal.
NATA 2026 Preparation At Home Study Plan
Candidates can follow this study plan to prepare for NATA at home.
- Drawing Practice - 60 Minutes
- Aptitude Questions - 45 Minutes
- Architecture Awareness - 30 Minutes
- Mock Test - 1 in a week
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?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
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.