Drawing and Composition section will be conducted for 1 hour and 30 minutes. This section will be conducted in offline mode. This section will be conducted for 80 marks. Number of questions and marks allotted for each section is given below.
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National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA); All You Need to Know
National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )
NATA 2026 exam will be conducted on weekends from March to June. The NATA exam will be held in two sessions on Fridays and one session on Saturdays. Preferred exam centres must be filled while filling the application form. In this article, candidates can check the NATA 2026 important updates, eligibility, application details and more.
NATA 2026
NATA 2026: NATA Registration 2026 will start in February 2026. NATA 2026 exam is expected to be conducted from March 2026 to June 2026. NATA information brochure will be uploaded on the official website with all NATA 2026 details. NATA brochure will include the application details, syllabus, exam pattern and more. Aspiring candidates are advised to read the brochure thoroughly to stay informed about all NATA details.
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Table of content
- NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Number of Attempts
- Revised NATA 2026 Syllabus
NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Q: What are the NATA preparation tips?
Q: Does CoA prepare NATA merit list?
A:
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.
Q: I passed the first session of NATA. Should I go for further attempts?
A:
In case the candidates are satisfied with their obtained scores in the first session of NATA, and are sure that it will lead to admissions into their preferred institutes, then they are not required to attempt further examination sessions. However, the candidates are advised to check the previous year cutoffs to be sure that their obtained scores are enough for admissions. The candidates are advised to attempt more than one session of NATA, because the best of the scores will be considered for admission. Attempting all tests of NATA will give an advantage to the candidates to obtain the score that they required for admission into their preferred institute/college.
NATA 2026 Information Brochure will have all details about the eligibility requirements for the exam. As per the revised criteria, candidates who have secured a minimum of 45% in their Class 12 qualifying examination are eligible to appear for NATA 2026.
Number of Attempts
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TANATA 2026 application form
30 May '26
Candidates can attempt NATA up to three times in a single academic year. This rule, introduced last year, allows students to improve their scores, with only the highest score among all attempts being considered. Additionally, the NATA score will remain valid for two years from the date of the exam.
Those candidates who have already appeared for NATA 2025 and availed of one, two, or three attempts and got a valid NATA 2025 score may also apply for NATA 2026. Their NATA 2026 score shall be calculated/determined as under, depending upon the number of attempts:
| Appeared in NATA 2025 |
Attempts in NATA 2026 |
Final Score |
| Obtained a valid 2025 score |
1st Attempt | Better of both scores of NATA 2025 & 2026 |
| 1st & 2nd Attempt | Best of three scores of NATA 2025 & 2026 | |
| 1st, 2nd & 3rd Attempt | Best of three scores of NATA 2026 (NATA 2025 score will be invalid. |
NATA 2026 Exam Schedule: Conducted Every Weekend
The NATA 2026 exam will be conducted on Fridays & Saturdays. It will be conducted in two sessions, starting from March 2026 to June 2026. Candidates must select exam city and session while registering.
NATA 2026 Exam Timings
| Exam Date | Morning Session (Tentative) | Afternoon Session (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| March - June 2026 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM |
| Date & Time of Examination | |
|---|---|
| FRIDAYS No Morning Session |
Afternoon Session: 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm (180 mins / 3.0 hours) |
| SATURDAYS Morning Session: 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 pm (180 mins /3.0 hours) |
Afternoon Session: 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm (180 mins / 3.0 hours) |
Revised NATA 2026 Application Fee
The NATA 2026 application fee was revised last year for all categories. The official brochure provides updated fees for General/OBC, SC/ST/PwD, and Transgender candidates, along with a separate fee structure for applicants from outside India.
Application Fee (Per Test)
| Category | Fee (India) | Fee (Outside India) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) | INR 1,750/- | INR 15,000/- |
| SC / ST / EWS / PwD | INR 1,250/- | INR 15,000/- |
| Transgender | INR 1,000/- | INR 15,000/- |
Part A - Drawing and Composition Test (Reintroduced from 2024)
NATA 2026 Drawing and Composition Test – Question & Marks Distribution
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks Per Question |
|---|---|---|
| Composition and Colour | 1 | 25 |
| Sketching and Composition (Black & White) | 1 | 25 |
| 3D Composition | 1 | 30 |
| Total | 3 | 80 |
Part B – MCQ Section
Part B of NATA 2026 exam will be conducted in online mode. Exam will be conducted for 1 hour and 30 minutes. This section consists of 45 MCQs, divided into two sub-sections:
- B1: 30 questions
- B2: 15 questions
The total marks for Part B are 120.
NATA 2026 Part B – Question & Marks Distribution
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks Per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 30 | 2 | 60 |
| B2 | 15 | 4 | 60 |
| Total | 45 | — | 120 |
Revised NATA 2026 Syllabus
Part A – Drawing and Composition Test Syllabus
The Drawing and Composition Test has these following sections:
A1 - Composition and Colour:
A2 - Sketching and Composition (Black and White):
A3 - 3D Composition:
Part B – NATA 2026 Syllabus
Part B of the NATA 2026 syllabus covers various cognitive and analytical skills essential for architecture and design. The key areas include:
Virtual Reasoning:
Understanding and reconstructing 2D and 3D compositions.
Knowledge of spatial arrangements, structures, and technical concepts.
Logical Derivation:
Analysing a given situation and understanding the meaning.
Identifying hidden details and drawing logical conclusions.
General Knowledge (GK), Architecture, and Design:
Awareness of architecture, design trends, current events, and significant developments.
Language Interpretation:
Understanding English grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
Understanding words and sentences logically.
Design Sensitivity:
Observing, analysing, and recording people, spaces, products, and environments.
Developing critical thinking and identifying subtle design elements.
Design Thinking:
Understanding semantics, metaphors, and problem identification.
Defining & analysing given scenarios creatively.
Numerical Ability:
Applying basic mathematical concepts in a design context.
Utilising geometry to visualise & unfold spatial structures
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
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month 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
R
RUHI KHAN
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months 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 2 months 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
A
Aishwarya Garg
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months 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
M
Mohit Shukla
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months 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
S
Shikha Hazarika
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months 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
M
Manisha Sahni
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months 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
P
Parul Pandey
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 months 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 |
|---|---|---|
INR 10 Lakh | 1 | |
INR 10 Lakh | 2 | |
INR 6.25 Lakh | 3 | |
INR 4 Lakh | 5 | |
INR 6.25 Lakh | 8 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
M
Muskan Chugh
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months 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 |
INR 13.75 Lakh | 11 | |
| Nirma University Admission | INR 11.1 Lakh | 13 |
| Nirma University Admission | INR 11.5 Lakh | 19 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
M
Muskan Chugh
Contributor-Level 10
To have a higher chance of securing good marks, the candidates are advised to follow the NATA preparation tips. The candidates should have a proper strategy to know how they can prepare for the examination and secure the scores that they need for admissions into their preferred institutes. Firstly, the candidates should check the 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 personalized timetable so that they are able to efficiently divide their study time and cover the syllabus. Mock tests should be attempted regularly and the candidates should make a habit of creating notes of important topics. Revision should be done regularly.