NATA Exam Pattern 2026: Check Pattern, Marking Scheme & Test Duration
National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )
NATA 2026 exam pattern is now available online at nata. in. Candidates are advised to check the NATA exam pattern 2026 to understand how the entrance examination is conducted by the authorities. As per the NATA exam pattern, the entrance examination will be held online, i.e., as a computer-based and offline test. The candidates will be given 3 hours to complete the entrance examination. NATA 2026 will have two sections in the examination: the Drawing and Composition Test and the MCQ section. Candidates are advised to check the NATA 2026 exam pattern to be well-prepared for the entrance examination. Read to know more about the NATA Exam Pattern 2026.
CoA will release the official marking scheme of NATA 2026. The allotted marks vary as per the type of question. The NATA 2026 question paper will consist of 48 questions that have to be answered in 180 minutes. It is to be noted that there will be no negative marking. The total marks of the NATA 2025 question paper are 200. The exact marks of every question can be checked during the NATA 2026. Since there is no negative marking, the candidates are advised to attempt as many questions as they can to score well.
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.
As per the NATA exam pattern, the medium of the question paper will be English and Hindi. The candidates will be able to know the detailed information regarding the medium of languages through the NATA 2025 question paper. In case the candidates face any problems during the examination, they can request help from the invigilators.
- NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
- NATA 2026 Exam Pattern - Assessment Factors
- NATA 2026 Exam Pattern Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
Candidates can check the NATA 2026 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
Part B - MCQs
|
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Marking Scheme | Part A - Drawing and Composition Test
Part B - MCQs
|
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
According to the NATA 2025 exam pattern, the examination duration will be 3 hours. Candidates will be required to complete the entrance examination within the allotted duration. The authorities will not provide any extra time to the candidates to complete the entrance examination. Candidates are advised to improve their time management skills so that the candidates are able to complete the entrance examination within the allotted time. After the examination is over, the paper has to be submitted as no extra time will be provided.
NATA 2026 Exam Pattern - Assessment Factors
Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following factors. The questions will also be set by the authorities keeping in mind these factors.
- Inductive Reasoning - Candidates will be tested on their ability to analyze data and patterns.
- Diagrammatic Reasoning - Candidates will be tested on their ability to analyze drawings and use logical reasoning.
- Numerical Reasoning - Candidates will be tested on their ability to solve simple numerical problems
- Verbal Reasoning - Candidates will be assessed on their verbal logic.
- Situational Judgment - Candidates will be tested on their problem-solving abilities.
- Abstract Reasoning - Candidates will be tested on their general knowledge and their ability to apply it in situations.
- Logical Reasoning - Candidates will be assessed on their ability to recognize patterns, relationships, sequences and more.
Commonly asked questions
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.
NATA 2026 will consist of two sections. The first section will be held as an offline test and will consist of drawing and composition questions. The second section will have multiple choice questions. The questions will be prepared to assess the candidate's basic conceptual knowledge in the various subjects that are important in the architectural field. A total of 48 questions will be present in the NATA question paper.
Candidates will be assessed on various factors during NATA 2026. The authorities will prepare the NATA 2026 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 recognize patterns, relationships, sequences and more).
NATA 2026 Exam Pattern Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Read to know the NATA 2026 Exam Pattern Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Commonly asked questions
NATA 2026 will be conducted from March 2026, to June 2026. The candidates will be able to attempt a maximum of three tests of NATA 2026 and the best score will be considered for admission. The exam will be conducted on designated Fridays and Saturdays, with one session on Friday and two sessions on Saturday. This test is conducted offline and is a computer-based test (CBT). The duration of the test is 180 minutes or 3 hours.
Yes. The candidates are advised to download and check the NATA exam pattern to understand how the entrance examination will be held. Using the exam pattern of NATA 2026, the candidates will be able to know how the authorities will conduct the entrance examination. Through the exam pattern, the candidates will understand the nature of the questions, sections, marking scheme and more. By having prior knowledge of the pattern, the candidates will be able to boost their preparation progress.
NATA Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks 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
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a month ago
Yes, candidates have to qualify AAT after qualifying JEE Advanced to be eligible for IIT BArch admissions.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month 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
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month 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
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month 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
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month 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
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month 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
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The Council of Architecture has not yet announced the official last date to register for NATA 2026. However, based on previous years' trends and information from exam sources, the registration process is expected to begin in February 2026 and continue until the third week of March 2026. Additionally
D
Contributor-Level 10
542 Institutes accepting NATA
SPA Delhi - School of Planning and Architecture
IP Estate, Delhi • Public
3.8IIT Roorkee - Indian Institute of Technology
Roorkee • Public
- ₹ 10.00 Lakh
- 5 years
- |
- Full Time
University Area, Ahmedabad • Private
Chandigarh • Private
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