NATA Vs JEE Main BArch: Which exam is better for BArch Admission?

NATA and JEE Main BArch are competitive exams designed for students who want to build careers in architecture. Admission to BArch programmes is available through both NATA and JEE Main Paper 2. Before selecting an admission route, students should understand the differences between NATA and JEE Main Paper 2.

NATA Vs JEE Main BArch

NATA Vs JEE Main BArch (Paper 2): National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) and is widely accepted by private and state-level architecture colleges. NATA 2026 will be conducted from March 2026 to June 2026. On the other hand, JEE Main Paper 2, conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), provides admission to NITs, GFTIs, and other centrally funded institutions offering BArch programmes.

Since both exams share similarities in their structure and objectives, students often wonder about differences in eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and overall advantages. Since both exams have a similar pattern and difficulty level, the choice between them depends on the college or institute where admission is sought. Different colleges accept admissions through NATA and JEE Main Paper 2.

NATA Vs JEE Main BArch: Highlights

NATA is conducted for BArch programmes admission at various architectural institutions. COA will release the NATA 2026 brochure on the official website.  The eligibility requirement for NATA 2026 is a Class 12 with Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. COA will conduct NATA multiple times a year. 

The JEE Mains exam is conducted twice a year. Candidates can attempt JEE Mains for three consecutive years, with two attempts each year, allowing a total of six attempts. JEE Mains Paper 2 is held for admissions into BArch and BPlanning courses offered by NITs (National Institutes of Technology), GFTIs (Government-Funded Technical Institutes), IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology), and CFTIs (Centrally Funded Technical Institutes). To be eligible for JEE Mains, candidates must have passed Class 12 with Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics or have completed a diploma.

NATA vs JEE Main Paper 2: Number of Seats

The number of colleges accepting the NATA score is much larger than the number of colleges accepting the JEE Main Paper 2 score.

NATA vs JEE Main Paper 2: Testing Skills

JEE Main Paper 2 primarily evaluates a candidate’s Aptitude and Mathematical skills, whereas NATA assesses a broader range of abilities, including observational skills, drawing, aesthetic sensitivity, critical thinking, and mathematics. This diverse skill assessment in NATA provides a more comprehensive measure of a candidate’s aptitude for an architecture program.

NATA vs JEE Main Paper 2: Syllabus Comparison

The syllabi for both exams are provided below for comparison. Both are prestigious national-level entrance exams for undergraduate architecture programmes, and understanding their syllabus can help candidate prepare effectively. 

NATA 2026 Qualifying Marks

CoA has kept a minimum qualifying score for NATA 2026 that candidates must get to pass the exam. The qualifying criteria are as follows:

Minimum 20 marks in Part A
Minimum 30 marks in Part B
Overall: A total of 70 out of 200 (sum of Parts A and B)

JEE Main Paper 2 Qualifying Marks

NTA does not mention the qualifying score for JEE Main Paper 2. The minimum score required for BArch admissions through JEE Main varies across institutions.

Generally, candidates must get in the Class 12 board exams 50% with Mathematics as a mandatory subject
Obtain a decent score in JEE Main Paper 2.

NATA 2026 Exam Pattern

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test - Offline Mode

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 and NCQ - Computer-Based Adaptive Test

B1 - 42 Questions - MCQ
B2 - 08 Questions - NCQ

Total 50 Questions - 120 Marks

JEE Main BArch 2026 Exam Pattern

JEE Main Paper 2A Exam Pattern

JEE Main Paper 2B BPlanning Pattern

Top Colleges Accepting NATA Score

Some of the top-ranking colleges that take admission based on NATA scores.

Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 Score

Also Read

NATA 2026 Application Form (Released): Check Steps to Apply, Correction Facility

NATA 2026 Participating Institutes: Check List of Colleges, State-Wise Seats

NATA Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions; PDF Download