NATA Exam Pattern 2026: Check Pattern, Marking Scheme & Test Duration

National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )

Vikrant Shukla
Updated on Aug 23, 2026 19:52 IST

By Vikrant Shukla, Deputy Manager

NATA Exam Pattern 2027: The NATA 2027 exam pattern is available at nata. in. The NATA exam pattern 2027 shows how the authorities conduct the entrance examination. NATA 2027 will be held online, i.e., as a computer-based and offline test. The exam duration is 3 hours. NATA 2027 will have two sections in the examination: the Drawing and Composition Test and the MCQ section. NATA question paper will be for 200 Marks. Scores and ranks obtained in the entrance exam can be checked through NATA 2027 result. Qualifying in NATA 2027 is mandatory for admission to BArch degree offered by various colleges across India. 

NATA 2027 Counselling will not be conducted by the authorities. Candidates are advised to check the NATA 2027 exam pattern to be well-prepared for the entrance examination. Read to know more about the NATA Exam Pattern 2027.

 

Table of contents
  • NATA 2027 Exam Pattern
  • NATA 2027 Exam Pattern - Assessment Factors
  • NATA 2027 Exam Pattern Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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NATA 2027 Exam Pattern

Candidates can check the NATA 2027 exam pattern from the table given below.

Particulars Details
Exam Mode Computer-Based and Offline Test
Duration

3 Hours

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test - 90 Minutes

Part B - MCQs - 90 Minutes

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
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is NATA exam pattern important for exam preparation?
A: 

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. 

Q:   Where can I access the NATA exam pattern?
A: 

CoA will release the NATA exam pattern online at nata.in. The details regarding the NATA exam pattern are available along with the official information brochure. Candidates can check the details on how the entrance examination will be held through the exam pattern of NATA. During the preparation period, the candidates are advised to become familiar with how the entrance examination will be held. NATA will be held as a computer-based and offline test. 

Q:   What is the duration of NATA?
A: 

As per NATA exam pattern, exam duration will be 3 hours. Candidates must complete entrance examination within time allotted. Authorities will not give any extra time to candidates to complete entrance exam. Candidates must improve time management skills so that they can complete the exam.

Q:   Will NATA be held online?
A: 

NATA will be conducted by the authorities as an online  i.e., computer-based and offline test. The MCQ section will be held as a computer-based test, while the drawing and composition test will be held as an offline test. CoA will conduct NATA at various centres. All registered candidates will have to report to their allotted centres and attempt the examination through the systems provided there. The detailed information regarding NATA exam pattern has been announced online.

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NATA 2027 Exam Pattern - Assessment Factors

Candidates will be judged on the following factors. The NATA question paper will also be set by the authorities, keeping in mind these factors.

  • Inductive Reasoning 
  • Diagrammatic Reasoning
  • Numerical Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning 
  • Situational Judgment 
  • Abstract Reasoning 
  • Logical Reasoning 
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How are the sections divided in the NATA question paper?
A: 

NATA 2027 question paper will have two sections. First section will be conducted as an offline test and will have drawing and composition questions. The second section will have MCQs. The questions will be prepared to check candidate's basic conceptual knowledge in various subjects that are important in architectural field. A total of 48 questions will be in NATA question paper.

Q:   What type of questions will be present in the NATA paper?
A: 

NATA paper will be prepared to assess the aptitude of the candidates for BArch admissions. Within the 3 hour duration, the candidates will have to attempt a total of 48 questions. NATA questions will be Multiple-Choice type (MCQ), Drawing and Composition. The question paper will be prepared so that the candidates can be assessed on basic concepts in mathematics, Physics and Geometry, language and interpretation, elements and principles of design, aesthetic sensitivity, colour theory, lateral thinking and logical reasoning, visual perception and cognition, graphics and imagery, building anatomy and architectural vocabulary, basic techniques of building construction and knowledge of material, general knowledge and Current Affairs etc. and may not be limited to those outlined.

Q:   What are the NATA assessment factors?
A: 

Candidates will be checked on various factors during NATA 2027. Authorities will prepare NATA 2027 question paper after considering various assessement factors - Inductive Reasoning (ability to analyze data and patterns), Diagrammatic Reasoning (ability to analyze drawings and use logical reasoning), Numerical Reasoning (ability to solve simple numerical problems), Verbal Reasoning (verbal logic), Situational Judgment (problem-solving abilities), Abstract Reasoning (general knowledge and their ability to apply it in situations) and Logical Reasoning (ability to recognise patterns, relationships, sequences and more).

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NATA 2027 Exam Pattern Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Read to know the NATA 2027 Exam Pattern Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Q:   Will there be a drawing section in NATA paper?
A: 

Yes. The CoA has added the drawing and composition section in the NATA paper. During the examination, the candidates will have to attempt questions on composition and colour, sketching and composition (black and white) and 3D composition. All three questions have to attempted within 90 minutes. Therefore, the candidates are advised to carefully prepare for the drawing and composition section.

Q:   What is the medium of NATA paper?
A: 

As per NATA exam pattern, medium of the question paper will be English and Hindi. The candidates will be able to know detailed information regarding the medium of languages through the NATA 2025 question paper. In case candidates face any problems during examination, they can request help from the invigilators. 

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Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered 3 weeks ago

Not exactly, though it's the most common route by far. Besides NATA, JEE Main Paper 2 conducted by NTA is another accepted option for many architecture programs. Some states also run their own separate entrance exams for local colleges. So depending on your target college, you might need to prepare

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T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No, NATA scores do not influence the category structure of tuition fees for BArch programme at VIT Bhopal University. The tuition fee remains the same regardless of entrance exam marks.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, students can get admission in Sri University BArch with NATA scores. BArch admission is entrance-based. The final selection is based on academic scores and SSU CET/ NATA/ JEE Main Paper-2. 

 

G

Gaurika Chhabra

Contributor-Level 10

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