The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) assesses candidates’ abilities through a variety of testing formats. Since 2006, the Council of Architecture (CoA) has conducted NATA to determine eligibility for Bachelor of Architecture programs. The CoA has established the Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations in 1983 and 2020, approved by the Central Government under the Architects Act, 1972.
Candidates must pass NATA or/ and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to qualify for admission. Admissions are managed by the relevant authorities in each state and Union Territory based on valid NATA scores.
To facilitate aspiring applicants, the CoA will conduct the NATA-2025 Aptitude Test for admission to accredit the architectural institutions for the session 2025-2026, with assessments scheduled on designated Fridays and Saturdays from March to June 2025.
The relevant details are furnished below:
Schedule of Examination
| Date & Time of Examination | ||
| NATA 2025 commencing from: | 01-03-2025 onwards till June 2025 | |
| FRIDAYS | No Morning Session | Afternoon Session: 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm (180 mins/3.0 hours) |
| SATURDAYS | Morning Session: 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 pm (180 mins/3.0 hours) | Afternoon Session: 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm (180 mins/3.0 hours) |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for NATA 2025, candidates must meet the following requirements as prescribed by the CoA: –
- Candidates must have passed or be currently enrolled in the 10+1 Examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) subjects.
- Candidates must have passed or be currently enrolled in the 10+2 Examination with PCM subjects.
- Candidates must have passed or be currently enrolled in a 10+3 Diploma in Architecture with Mathematics as a subject.
- No candidate shall be admitted to an architecture program unless they have successfully completed the 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, as well as one of the following: Chemistry, Biology.
- Technical Vocational Subjects, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics, or Business Studies, achieving a minimum aggregate score of 45%.
- Alternatively, candidates holding a 10+3 Diploma in Architecture must have Mathematics as a compulsory subject and achieve a minimum aggregate score of 45%.
*The allocation of reservations and the provision for relaxation in qualifying marks for candidates from reserved categories fall under the authority of the Admission or Counselling Authority and are not governed by this examination.
Syllabus
The NATA 2025 assessment will encompass a comprehensive aptitude test divided into two distinct parts: –
Part A- Drawing and Composition (conducted in offline mode)
Full Marks: 80
Time: 1 and half hours (90minutes)
Part B- Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-Choice Questions (NCQs) (conducted in online adaptive mode, 120 marks).
Full Marks: 120
Time: 1 and half hours (90minutes)
| Part A- Drawing and Composition (offline mode) | ||||
| A1 | Composition and Colour | 25 marks | Creating appropriate compositions for various contexts and effectively applying colour, alongside arranging different shapes in a visually appealing manner | |
| A2 | Sketching and Composition (Black and White) | 25 marks | Demonstrating the ability to visualize and portray a scenario involving buildings, their components, people, and the environment, emphasizing scale, proportion, texture, shade, and shadow | |
| A3 | 3D Composition | 30 marks | Constructing an engaging 3D composition based on a specified context using given materials. | |
| TOTAL | 80 MARKS | Three Questions | 90 MINUTES | |
| Part B- Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-Choice Questions (NCQs) (online adaptive mode) | ||||
| B1 | 42 Questions (MCQ) | Visual Reasoning | The ability to understand and reconstruct both 2D and 3D compositions and their technical concepts. | |
| Logical Derivation | The capacity to decode situations and compositions, understanding implicit information and drawing informed conclusions. | |||
| General Knowledge, Architecture, and Design | Awareness of current issues and recent developments in architecture and design. | |||
| B2 | 08 Questions (NSQ) | Language Interpretation | Proficiently interpreting the meaning of words and sentences while demonstrating comprehension of English grammar. | |
| Design Sensitivity and Thinking | Observing, recording, and analysing individuals, spaces, products, and environments, as well as exhibiting critical thinking and reasoning skills. | |||
| Numerical Ability | Basic mathematics and its application in fostering creative thinking. | |||
| TOTAL | 120 MARKS | 50 QUESTIONS | 90 MINUTES | |
