NATA 2027
National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA)
NATA is the Council of Architecture's aptitude test for B.Arch admission. The 2026 test carried 200 marks: an 80-mark drawing paper and a 120-mark online adaptive test. This page also explains the JEE Main Paper 2A route to B.Arch.
- Conducted by
- Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi
- Mode
- Hybrid: Part A drawing test on paper at the centre, Part B computer-based adaptive test
- Frequency
- Once a year, with a main Phase 1 and a smaller Phase 2 for vacant seats
- Duration
- 3 hours (Part A 90 minutes, Part B 90 minutes)
NATA 2027 Syllabus
Updated on 18 October 2026 · Compiled from official Council of Architecture notices
NATA does not have a fixed chapter list. The brochure describes the skills tested in each part, which are summarised below.
Subject-wise syllabus
Part A: Drawing and Composition80 marks, 90 minutes, on paper
A1 Composition and colour (25 marks)
Creating compositions for given situations · Rearranging shapes in a visually appealing way · Suitable colouring
A2 Sketching and composition, black and white (25 marks)
Drawing buildings and their components, people, environment and products · Scale and proportion · Texture, shades and shadow
A3 3D composition (30 marks)
Building a 3D composition for a given situation using the provided kit
Part B: Aptitude (MCQ and NCQ)120 marks, 50 questions, 90 minutes
Visual reasoning
Understanding and reconstructing 2D and 3D compositions · Technical concepts of composition
Logical derivation
Decoding a situation or context · Drawing conclusions from small details
General knowledge, architecture and design
Awareness of architecture and design · Important buildings and historical progression · Innovation in materials and construction technology · Current issues
Language interpretation
Meaning of words and sentences · English grammar
Design sensitivity and thinking
Observing and analysing people, space, product and environment · Critical thinking · Semantics, metaphors and problem identification
Numerical ability
Basic mathematics linked to creative thinking · Geometry used to unfold a space
How to use this list
The topics are the ones the NATA 2026 brochure names. Questions in Part B are not limited to Class 11 and 12 chapters, so practise reasoning, observation and design awareness along with basic mathematics.