NATA 2026 Question Papers: Download PDF Here

National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )

Dhanya B
Updated on Jan 16, 2026 11:51 IST

By Dhanya B

NATA 2026 question papers will be released on the official website, nata.in. Council of Architecture (CoA) will release the sample question papers for NATA.  Architecture aspirants can use the NATA sample papers to check important details like exam pattern, type of questions, subject weightage and more. The candidates will also be able to know more about the entrance examination and have higher chances of performing well in the exam using the question papers of NATA. Candidates can also use these question papers to track the preparation process and improve time management skills.

NATA 2026 will be conducted on every Saturdays and Sundays from April onwards. Candidates will be able to attempt a maximum of three sessions of NATA 2026. Read to know more of NATA 2026 Question Papers.

Table of contents
  • NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
  • Highlights of NATA Question Papers
  • NATA Syllabus 2026
  • Benefits of Solving NATA Question Papers
  • NATA Preparation Guides
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NATA 2026 Exam Pattern

Candidates can check the official exam pattern of NATA 2026 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:   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:   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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Highlights of NATA Question Papers

The NATA exam highlights are given below.

  • Candidates will be able to check NATA question papers to know the commonly asked questions that candidates will have to answer in the examination.
  • Using NATA question papers, candidates will be able to prepare well for the examination. 
  • Through the question papers, the candidates will be able to know the pattern of NATA 2026.
  • Previous year question papers can be used as sample papers to prepare for the exam.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How is the NATA question paper prepared?
A: 

NATA question paper is prepared by authorities after referring to official syllabus. The authorities prepare tNATA question paper to check candidates on aptitude and reasoning skills. Candidates are advised to check and refer to syllabus carefully to be well prepared for questions prepared by candidates for tentrance examination. NATA question paper will consist of various types of questions such as Multiple-Choice type, Multiple Select type, Preferential Choice type and Numerical Answer type. 

Q:   Will CoA release the NATA question papers?
A: 

CoA has not released official NATA question papers. However, if released, candidates will be able to access NATA question papers here. The questions asked in examination can be checked by candidates to review answers. NATA question papers will be prepared by authorities and will be based on official syllabus. Through question paper of NATA, candidates will be assessed on their aptitude and reasoning skills. 

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NATA Syllabus 2026

NATA syllabus 2026 will be released online at nata in. The NATA syllabus is designed to test both cognitive and architectural aptitude. While drawing was the most important section in earlier years, the updated syllabus focuses more on mental ability, creativity, and perception skills. The entrance exam will include a variety of question types such as general aptitude, diagrams, verbal reasoning, and logical reasoning. The exam will be conducted online. Candidates skills in mathematics, verbal communication, and drawing will be evaluated in aptitude section. Familiarising the NATA 2025 Syllabus will help candidates to focus on relevant topics and save time during preparation. 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is NATA syllabus important for the examination preparation?
A: 

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. 

Q:   Are Mathematics and Drawing included in the NATA syllabus?
A: 

While Mathematics is not included in the NATA syllabus, CoA has reintroduced the Drawing section. As per the current pattern of NATA, the examination will consist of two sections - Drawing and Composition and MCQ sections. Candidates are advised to be well prepared as per their syllabus for the examination. 

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Benefits of Solving NATA Question Papers

The importance of solving NATA question papers is given below.

  • Solving NATA question papers helps candidates improve performance.   
  • Solving past year question papers helps in understanding the exam pattern.  
  • Referring to NATA 2026 question papers helps candidates understand the topics better.  
  • Applicants can also understand the marking scheme of NATA 2026 exam.  
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
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 are the NATA 2026 assessment factors?
A: 

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).

Download previous year NATA question papers and sample papers. Use them for practice and improve your speed and accuracy. You can download NATA previous year question papers and the preparation guides for free.

NATA Preparation Guides

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NATA Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 5 days ago

ndus University NATA cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the BArch course for various categories under both the All India and Home State quota. For the General HS quota, the last round cutoff was 11431. On the other hand, for the General AI quota, the cutoff was 21182 in the last round.

To know

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

VNSGU Surat accepts the NATA cutoff results for admission to the BArch course. The cutoff was released in the form of opening and closing ranks for various categories under both the All India and Home State quotas. 

According to the VNSGU Surat NATA cutoff 2024, the last round cutoff for the General

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Sasi Creative Colleges accepts NATA scores for admission to BArch programme. Candidates must also pass Class 12 with at least 50% aggregate to apply for BArch. The seats are allotted to candidates based on their NATA scores via TNEA Counselling. Candidates can also get admission in BArch programme b

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 2 weeks ago

If you want to get admission into M.Arch colleges in India than you can consider the following exams other than NATA:

  • MAH MArch CET
  • GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering),
  • CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design)
  • Karnataka PGCET
  • CEETA
  • KCET
  • CUET-PG

Some colleges also require their own aptitude tests and

...Read more

S

Shruti Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

The HNGU NATA Cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the BArch course for both the AI and HS quota. As per the HNGU Cutoff 2024 for the General AI category, the cutoff in the last round was 31049.

On the other hand for the General HS category, the last round cutoff was 11429 for the same course. C

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

No, you can't get admission in Dev Bhoomi School of Architecture, Planning and Design BArch course without NATA. The university accepts students for the other courses on a merit basis. But, if you want to enrol in the BArch course, NATA is mandatory.

S

Sanjana Srivastava

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 is compulsory for Architecture, and is generally mandatory for admission to most recognised B.Arch) programs in India, as per Council of Architecture (CoA) regulations, to assess aptitude for the course. While NATA covers a broad range of colleges, prestigious instituti

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The MSU Baroda NATA Cutoff was released for admission to the BArch course. The NATA Cutoff 2024 was 31005 for the General category candidates under the All India quota. For the Gender candidates in the Home State quota, the BArch cutoff 2024 was 11076

For the OBC AI candidates, students faced a las

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The Anant National University accepts the NATA cutoff ranks for admission to the BArch courses. The Anant National University NATA cutoff 2024 for the General AI category ranged from 21013 in the first round closing ranks and remained unchanged in the last round closing ranks.  On the other hand, th

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Nirma University NATA cutoff 2024 has been released for admissions to BArch programme. In the first round NATA Cutoff 2024 was 11086 for the General AI category, and the last round closing cutoff was also 11086. For the General HS quota, the closing cutoff was again 11086

On the other hand, for the

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

533 Institutes accepting NATA

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