What is a good score in NATA?

National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )

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NATA 2026 Phase 1 Exam(Friday and Saturday)

4 Apr '26 - 13 Jun '26

Updated on Mar 16, 2026 17:54 IST
Check this page to know What is a good score in NATA? The exam is conducted for a total of 200 marks. What is a good score in NATA for admission to top colleges? Check this page to know What is a good score in NATA? The exam is conducted for a total of 200 marks. What is a good score in NATA for admission to top colleges?

A good score in the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) will depend on the college the candidates want to apply to. A score above 120 Marks is considered a good score in NATA 2026. Read more to know what a good score in NATA is. 

NATA 2026 Scores: Candidates willing to join the Architecture course can appear for NATA 2026. NATA 2026 will be conducted for a total of 200 marks. The minimum marks required to qualify for the exam are 70. So, what is a good score in NATA to get admission in the top colleges? If a candidate gets a score of above 120 marks in NATA 2026, it is considered a good score.

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A good score in NATA depends on the college the candidates want to apply to. A score of above 120 is usually considered a good score to get admission in top colleges. 

Table of contents
  • NATA 2026 Scores Range
  • Top Colleges in India for NATA Score Above 150
  • Colleges for NATA Score of 120
  • How to Score 150 in NATA

NATA 2026 Scores Range

The candidates can check below to know what is a good score in NATA 2026.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How to crack NATA in first attempt?
A: 

Candidates can crack NATA through proper planning and strategies. Candidates must check the exam pattern before they start the preparation. 

  • For the Aptitude Test, candidates can expect questions based on Indian and world architectural structures, designs, colour, and pattern. Therefore, read books and watch videos to learn about architecture.
  • 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.
Q:   What are the NATA preparation tips?
A: 

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. 

Q:   Is the NATA exam tough?
A: 

No, NATA is not a tough exam. The difficulty level of NATA is easy to moderate. Candidates must be well prepared with the drawings and architecture aptitude. 

Q:   Which is the most difficult section of NATA Exam?
A: 

The NATA exam includes the Drawing section and the MCQ section. The drawing section is considered more difficult than the MCQs. Candidates must practice 5 to 7 drawings every day to score well in the exam.

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Score Above 150: Excellent Score 

120 - 150: Good Score

90 - 120: Average Score

Below 90: Low Score

  • From the above data, it is clear that a minimum qualifying score is 70 out of 200.
  • To get admission in top BArch colleges, candidates must score above 120+ marks.
  • For top architecture colleges, a score of 150 or higher gives a stronger chance of admission.

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
How to Prepare for NATA at Home? Common Mistakes Students Make While Preparing for NATA

Top Colleges in India for NATA Score Above 150

Here are few good colleges that candidates can apply with a NATA score of above 150.

  1. CEPT University, Ahmedabad
  2. Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur, West Bengal
  3. Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
  4. School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
  5. School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
  6. Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai
  7. Manipal School of Architecture and Planning
  8. SRM Institute of Science and Technology
  9. Chandigarh College of Architecture
  10. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

Colleges for NATA Score of 120

A score of 120 is considered a good score to apply to a few of the top architecture colleges. A list of colleges is given below. Based on the previous year's trends and the expected 2026 cutoff, the following colleges accept a score of 120.

Explore more Architecture & Planning exams with upcoming dates

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How to Score 150 in NATA

Scoring 150+ in the NATA requires a strong drawing ability, visual reasoning and basic mathematics. Since the exam is conducted for 200, the candidates must aim at 75% accuracy or higher. Here are the tips to score above 150+.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   I passed the first session of NATA. Should I go for further attempts?
A: 

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.

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.

  • Master the Drawing Section: Since the drawing section has the highest weightage, practising it every day can improve the score.
  • Improve the Visualisation Skills by practising 3D shapes and transformation, mirror images, patterns, and mental visualisation exercises.
  • Improve Basic Mathematics
  • Practice using past year NATA question papers.
  • Improve Time Management
  • Study Important Architecture topics like architecture awareness, analytical reasoning, general aptitude and more.
About the Author

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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Answered 2 days ago

Aspirants need to have NATA score for admission in BArch programme of MET's School of Architecture and Interior Design. The seats are allotted to aspirants based on their NATA scores via DTE CAP, Maharashtra. 

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a month ago

Yes, students can get admission in SPA Delhi without NATA. Students with a score in the JEE Main Paper II are also eligible for BArch admissions. For other programmes, scores of exams, such as GATE, UCEED are also accepted.

N

Nishtha Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

All the candidates who have registered and booked the slot will receive the admit card. NATA 2026 admit card will be available online at nata.in. Registered candidates will be able to download the admit card by logging into their account 2-3 days before the selected exam slot. 

I

Ishita Patra

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The last date to apply for NATA 2026 will be in August 2026. The registration for NATA 2026 will begins. The application form released on March 9, 2026.

M

Mohit Gaurav

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The last date to apply for NATA 2026 will be in August. The NATA application form was released on March 9, 2026.

D

Dhanya B

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

No common counselling will be conducted for NATA 2026 qualified candidates. Counselling will be conducted by the individual colleges based on the NATA score. Therefore, candidates can apply to any architecture college with NATA result. 

P

Pallavi Sinha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

NATA 2026 exam will be conducted multiple times in a year. The exam date of the NATA exam are from April to August 2026. The exam will be conducted on Friday and Saturday throughout the month. 

A

Akansha Karan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The NATA exam includes the Drawing section and the MCQ section. The drawing section is considered more difficult than the MCQs. Candidates must practice 5 to 7 drawings every day to score well in the exam.

A

Aishwarya Garg

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The NATA 2026 exam will be conducted for 200 Marks. The candidates must score above 80 marks to get admission in the top colleges. 

M

Mohit Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

No, NATA is not a tough exam. The difficulty level of NATA is easy to moderate. Candidates must be well prepared with the drawings and architecture aptitude. 

S

Shikha Hazarika

Contributor-Level 7