NATA 2026 Preparation: Tips, Strategy & Guide
National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )
NATA 2026 is being conducted by CoA to provide eligibility to the candidates for BArch admissions offered by the various participating institutes. Since most undergraduate Architecture colleges accept students based on their NATA scores, the competition level is quite high. Candidates should be well-prepared and secure good scores in NATA 2026 so that they can apply for admission into their preferred institutes. NATA 2026 preparation tips will allow the candidates to know which tips and guidelines will help them secure the scores that they want. Candidates can check the various compiled NATA preparation tips 2026 listed in the article to boost their studies and preparation for the upcoming examination. Read to know more about NATA 2026 Preparation Tips.
Candidates will be checked on various factors during NATA 2026. Authorities will prepare 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 recognise patterns, relationships, sequences and more).
Yes. Mock tests are essential and very important for NATA preparation. Candidates are advised to attempt the mock tests regularly so that they are updated with the examination pattern and the type of questions that they can expect in NATA. By attempting the mock tests, the candidates will be able to understand how the examination will be conducted, the important topics, subject-wise weightage of marks and more. Mock tests will also allow the candidates to know their commonly made mistakes so that they can correct it before the examination. Time management skills can also be boosted using the mock tests.
- NATA 2026 Preparation Tips
- Best Books for NATA 2026
- NATA 2026 Preparation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NATA 2026 Preparation Tips
Some of the important preparation tips of NATA 2026 are listed below.
Understand the NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
Candidates are advised to check the official NATA 2026 exam pattern before starting their preparation process. Through the exam pattern, the candidates will be able to know how the authorities will conduct the entrance examination. Details regarding the duration, mode, type of questions and more will be made available through the NATA exam pattern. This will help the candidates to prepare for the examination.
NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| Duration | 3 Hours Part A - Drawing and Composition Test - 90 Minutes Part B - MCQs - 90 Minutes |
| Medium | English and Hindi |
| Sections | Part A - Drawing and Composition Test Part B - MCQs |
| Number of Questions | 48 |
| Division of Questions | Part A - Drawing and Composition Test
Part B - MCQs
|
| Marking Scheme | Part A - Drawing and Composition Test
Part B - MCQs
|
Check NATA 2026 Syllabus
The authorities have released the NATA 2025 syllabus on the official website. Candidates can now check the topics and units which have to be studied for the entrance examination. Through the syllabus, the candidates will be able to familiarise themselves with the topics from which the questions for the entrance examination will be formulated.
Practice Mock Tests
Mock tests are an important part of the preparation process. By solving mock tests, the candidates will be able to know how the entrance examination will be conducted. Mock tests will also help the candidates understand their current preparation stance and learn from their commonly made mistakes. This will ensure that the candidates do not repeat the same mistakes and give them a higher chance of scoring good marks.
Create Notes Regularly
Candidates are advised to create notes regularly while preparing for NATA 2026. Creating notes will help the candidates to write down the concepts and formulas which they have a hard time memorising. Having small notes will help the candidates to revise these topics whenever and wherever they wish to.
Revision is Important
Candidates should ensure that they add revisions to the daily study schedule. It is important for the candidates to revise whatever they have studied since this will allow them to be well-prepared for the examination. Candidates should also revise the difficult and important topics more. A few hours of regular revision will bring much change in the preparation progress of the students.
Create a Healthy Schedule
Along with a well-planned exam preparation schedule, the candidates should also make sure that they take care of their health. Sleep should never be compromised, as it will ensure that the students have a fresh mind to absorb information. Candidates should also ensure that they have a healthy diet since they need to be in good condition to perform well in the examination.
Commonly asked questions
Creating a timetable is very important for preparation process of NATA. Students are advised to prepare a timetable that will allow them to complete syllabus well before the examination. While creating timetable, candidates should ensure that the entire syllabus is equally distributed. The subjects and topics should be divided well so that the candidates cover different units in a day and the studying process does not become monotonous. The daily study routine should also include revision and mock test. It is very important that the timetable is created considering the aptitude of the candidate.
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.
Best Books for NATA 2026
Candidates can check some of the popular books for NATA 2026 from the tables given below.
| Topics |
Books |
|---|---|
| Algebra |
Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight |
| Reasoning |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal |
| General |
NATA & B.Arch Question Bank by Ar. Shadan Usmani |
| Mathematical Problems |
Problems in Mathematics by V Govorov, P.Dybov, N.Miroshin and S.Smirnova |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal |
Commonly asked questions
Candidates are advised to refer to the best materials while preparing for NATA. By checking the best books for NATA, the candidates will have access to the knowledge required to perform well in the entrance examination. Some of the subject-wise best books for NATA are given below.
- Algebra - Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight
- Reasoning - A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal
- General - NATA & B.Arch Question Bank by Ar. Shadan Usmani
- Mathematical Problems - Problems in Mathematics by V Govorov, P.Dybov, N.Miroshin and S.Smirnova
- Quantitative Aptitude - Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal
Yes. NATA syllabus is very important for the examination preparation as it will allow the candidates to have a first-hand experience to know which topics and units have to studied. By knowing the syllabus beforehand, the candidates will be able to take the necessary measures that are required to complete it well before the entrance examination. Ideally, the candidates are expected to finish studying and revising the NATA syllabus before the examination.
NATA syllabus has been released online at nata.in. The candidates are advised to check the official NATA syllabus to understand what needs to be studied for the entrance examination. The topics to be studied are - Composition and Colour, Sketching and Composition (Black and White), 3D Composition, Visual Reasoning, Logical Derivation, GK Architecture and Design, Language Interpretation, Design Sensitivity, Design Thinking and Numerical Ability.
NATA 2026 Preparation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Read for NATA 2026 Preparation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
NATA Exam
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Contributor-Level 10
538 Institutes accepting NATA
IIT Roorkee - Indian Institute of Technology
Roorkee • Public
4.6- ₹ 10.00 Lakh
- 5 years
- |
- Full Time
NIT Calicut - National Institute of Technology
Calicut • Public
IIT Kharagpur - Indian Institute of Technology
Kharagpur • Public
- ₹ 10.00 Lakh
- 5 years
- |
- Full Time
IIEST Shibpur - Indian Institute of Engineering Scie...
Howrah • Public
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