NATA

Overview

The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) to assess a candidate's aptitude for architecture. A qualifying NATA score is required, along with the relevant Class 12 eligibility, for admission to B.Arch programmes at institutions across India.

Who can apply

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Mathematics as a subject, or a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics, meeting the minimum marks prescribed for the year. There is no upper age limit specified by CoA for NATA itself, but individual institutions may have their own eligibility conditions for admission.

Exam pattern

NATA 2026 is a computer-based test carrying 200 marks in total, held across two parts.

For 2026, CoA scheduled NATA across multiple test dates from April to June (Phase 1) with an additional Phase 2 in August, so candidates can choose a slot and, in some cases, attempt more than one session.

Syllabus

Part A tests drawing and visualisation skills — perspective, proportion, composition and design sense — rather than a fixed textbook syllabus. Part B draws on Class 11–12 Mathematics along with general aptitude, logical reasoning and awareness of architecture and the built environment. CoA publishes a detailed syllabus document on nata.in each year.

Marking and results

CoA computes the NATA score from performance in both Part A and Part B. Scorecards are released online through the candidate's login on the NATA portal after each test date/session. Institutions then use the NATA score, combined with Class 12 marks as per their own admission rules, to prepare merit lists for B.Arch counselling.

Important dates

For the 2026 cycle, the NATA registration portal opened on 9 March 2026, with Phase 1 test sessions held on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 April to 13 June 2026, and a Phase 2 session on 7–8 August 2026. Exact dates for each cycle are notified on nata.in.

Fees

For NATA 2026, the fee per test attempt was ₹1,750 for General and OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates, ₹1,250 for SC, ST, EWS and PwD candidates, ₹1,000 for transgender candidates, and ₹15,000 for candidates applying from outside India. Fees must be paid online through net banking, debit or credit card; no other payment mode is accepted.

How to apply

Registration is done online on the NATA student portal (nata.in). Candidates create an account, fill in personal and academic details, choose a test date/slot, upload photograph and signature, and pay the fee online to complete the application.

After the exam

After the NATA score is released, candidates apply separately to architecture colleges/counselling authorities (state-level or institution-level, depending on where they are applying), which use the NATA score alongside Class 12 marks for admission. Requirements vary by state and institution, so candidates should check each one's specific counselling process.

Preparation tips

Since Part A tests drawing and design sense directly, regular sketching practice — including quick perspective and composition exercises — helps more than last-minute revision. For Part B, revising Class 11–12 Mathematics and practising general aptitude and reasoning questions under timed conditions builds speed. Reviewing sample papers and previous years' drawing prompts from nata.in gives a realistic sense of the format.

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