NATA 2020 – The Council of Architecture (CoA) conducts National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) twice a year, in the month of April and July. It is an entrance exam for all eligible candidates who wish to pursue B.Arch Programme from any of the recognized universities/ colleges/ institutions in India. NATA 2020 is a National level exam. The council shall release the notification on the official website, nata.in by the 04th week of Jan 2020. All the candidates who have qualified 12th class with an aggregate of 50% marks in PCM can fill NATA 2020 Application Form. Candidates are selected on the basis of their score in NATA 2020 all over India at any institution etc. Learn more about NATA 2020 from this page.
NATA 2020
In the NATA 2019 July session, around 35, 651 candidates applied for the exam and only 18, 126 candidates appeared. Out of which, 14, 589 candidates qualified the exam. Candidates can check out the important dates related to NATA 2020 April and July session below:
| NATA 2020 | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Release date of NATA 2020 Application Form | 4th week of Jan 2020 |
| End of Registration process (April and July session) | 2nd week of Mar 2020 and the 2nd week of Jun 2020 |
| Uploading of Images in the Application form (April and July session) | 2nd week of Mar 2020 and the 2nd week of Jun 2020 |
| Submission of Application Fee (April and July session) | 2nd week of Mar 2020 and the 2nd week of Jun 2020 |
| Confirmation page available for printing (April and July session) | 3rd week of Mar 2020 and the 3rd week of Jun 2020 |
| Application Form correction window (April and July session) | 3rd week of Mar 2020 and 2nd week of Jun 2020 to the 3rd week of Jun 2020 |
| Release date of the NATA 2020 Admit card | 1st week of Apr 2020 and the 4th week of Jun 2020 |
| NATA 2020 Exam Date | 2nd week of Apr 2020 and the 1st week of Jul 2020 and |
| Declaration of NATA 2020 Result | 1st week of May 2020 and the 3rd week of Jul 2020 |
Quick Links
NATA 2020 Syllabus
Candidates can check out the syllabus below for NATA 2020:
Part A is a computer-based test which consist of MCQ type questions from Mathematics, and General Aptitude. The NATA syllabus for Part A is as follows:
Mathematics:
- Algebra
- Logarithms
- Matrices
- Trigonometry
- Coordinate geometry
- 3-Dimensional Coordinate geometry
- Theory of Calculus
- Application of Calculus
- Permutation and combination
- Statistics and Probability
General Aptitude:
- Mathematical reasoning
- Sets and Relations
Part B – Drawing Section:
Understanding of scale and proportion of objects, geometric composition, shape, building forms and elements, aesthetics, colour texture, harmony and contrast. Conceptualization and Visualization through structuring objects in memory. Drawing of patterns – both geometrical and abstract. Form transformations in 2D and 3D like union, subtraction, rotation, surfaces and volumes. Generating plan, elevation and 3D views of objects. Creating 2D and 3D compositions using given shape and forms. Perspective drawing, Sketching of urban scape and landscape, Common day-to-day life objects like furniture, equipment etc., from memory.
NATA 2020 Exam Pattern
Candidates can check out the NATA 2020 Exam Pattern below:
- Duration of the exam: The duration of the exam is 3 hours.
- Mode of the exam: Part A of the exam is an Online Test and Part B is a Pen and Pencil Test (Drawing Test).
- Language of the Question paper: English only.
- Type of Questions: Part A has Multiple Choice Based Questions and Part B has 2 practical questions and the candidate has to draw the answers on an A4 size sheet.
- Total No. of Parts in the exam: There are two parts – Part A and Part B.
- Total Number of Marks: 200 Marks
- Marking Scheme: Each question carries 2 marks and there is no negative marking.
Candidates can check the distribution of Marks and Questions in each Part of NATA 2020 from the table below:
| Parts of the NATA 2020 Question Paper | Number of Questions | Number of Marks |
| Mathematics (Part A) | 20 Questions | 40 Marks |
| General Aptitude (Part B) | 40 Questions | 80 Marks |
| Drawing (Part B) | 2 Questions (40 marks each question). | 80 Marks |
Best Books for NATA 2020
This is one of the most general asked questions by the students who are preparing for NATA exam. In all honesty, and as per the research, it is observed that there is no specific books for NATA preparation. For Aptitude section, it is best to prepare for Arihant or RS Agarwal (Quantitative Ability), yet it i important that students should be aware of new happenings in the field and industry. For Mathematics section, you can practice questions from NCERT as the level of the difficulty as not as high. However, we have compiled few books which can further help you in your preparation.
| Books | Author | Buy Here |
|---|---|---|
| Study Guide for B.Arch 2020 | Arihant Experts | Click Here to Buy |
| NATA Preparation Book : The Road to Becoming An Architect Begins Here | Tarun Gupta | Click Here to Buy |
| NATA/B.ARCH. Architecture Entrance Question Bank (Revised 2018 Edition) | Ashok Goel | Click Here to Buy |
How to Prepare for the NATA 2020 Exam for Architecture?
- Logical Reasoning and Mathematics: With your superb drawing skills, you must also work on the logical reasoning and mathematics every day. Learn everything you can about the architecture, study the current affairs related to it and read newspapers everyday. For maths, brush up the formulas, tricks and techniques needed to solve the paper.
- Creativity: Part B of the question paper is judged by many examiners on the basis of the candidate’s drawing, imagination and observation skills. So you must practice daily on these key aspects.
- Speed Drawing: Speed drawing is important in NATA 2020. You must have a fast speed to draw whatever the question is asking in the minimum time as you might have to fill in the colors too and it takes time to do that.
- Previous Year’s Question Papers: Solving the previous year’s question papers really helps you to increase your speed an ability to attempt the questions in a calm manner.
- Draw Light: You must practice draw the required question in light tone first. You can draw a rough sketch first and then erase the part which doesn’t look good. It helps you to save time in erasing the whole thing again and again.
NATA 2020 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for NATA 2020, candidates must check the eligibility Criteria. You can check it out below:
- Candidates must have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and also at least 50% marks in aggregate of the 10+2 level examination.
- Candidates must have passed 10+3 diploma examination with Mathematics as a compulsory subject with at least 50% marks in aggregate. Candidates may note that no direct lateral admission is allowed at any other year/stage of B.Arch. course based on any qualification.
NATA 2020 Application Form
The application form releases on the official website as per the schedule. Candidates can fill out the application form as per the eligibility criteria.
Candidates have to pay the application fee via online mode only. Candidates can check out the Application fee details for NATA 2020 below: (it as per last year’s information brochure)
| Category | For 1 Exam Session | For 2 Exam session |
| General Category | Rs. 1800 | Rs. 3500 |
| For SC/ ST Category | Rs. 1500 | Rs. 2800 |
| For Candidates who are applying from abroad | Rs. 10,000 | Rs. 18,000 |
Note: Candidates can apply for both the exam sessions if they like. If the candidate applies for both the session, he/she has to pay the combined application fee as mentioned above in the table.
NATA 2020 Test Centres
Candidates have to choose a Test Centre for NATA 2020 in the application form. You can check out the Test Centres below for reference purpose. (It is as per last year’s information brochure):
NATA 2020 Admit Card
Since NATA was conducted twice in the previous year, COA released the Admit Card separately for each Exam on the official website. Candidates have to login with their Application Number and Password to download the NATA 2020 Admit Card. The Admit Card should be kept safely. The exam centre won’t allow the candidate to enter if his/ her admit card is found distorted. Before you download your Admit card, you must check all the details on it carefully. The following details are mentioned in the NATA 2020 Admit Card:
- Name of the candidate
- Exam date and Time
- Address of the Exam centre
- Date of Birth of the candidate
- Gender
- Category
- PwD Status
- Mother’s Name
- Father’s Name
- NATA 2020 Roll Number
- Photograph of the Candidate
- Signature of the Candidate
- General Instructions regarding the exam.
NATA 2020 Answer Key
The council releases the model answers for Part A on the online as per the schedule for each exam session. The response sheet of the candidates along with part – wise marks secured also releases. Candidates can view their responses by login with their Application number/ Hall Ticket number and password on the official website.
CoA does not release the reviews of the drawing test (Part B), only part A is made available. There is no provision for re – evaulation or re – checking after the final result is announced. No such requests will be entertained by the council.
NATA 2020 Qualifying Cut Off
In order to get admission in B.Arch programmes at any college in India, a candidate has to qualify NATA 2020 first. The minimum qualifying cut off for NATA 2020 is given below for reference purpose only as it is as per last year’s information brochure:
- An aggregate of 25 % marks in Part A and Part B must be secured by the candidates.
- The overall qualifying marks in NATA 2020 will be based on post – exam statistics and as per the decision of the Council.
NATA 2020 Result
The result will come in the format of a Scorecard. The validity of the scorecard is only for 1 year after the declaration of the result. The result for each exam session will be released separately on the official website. Candidates can check their NATA 2020 Result by login with their Application Number and Password. All the candidates must secure the below qualifying marks criteria to become eligible for admission into B.Arch programme:
- A minimum of 25% must be secured in MCQ portion (30 out of 120)
- A minimum of 25% must be secured in Drawing portion (20 out of 80)
- Overall qualifying marks (out of 200) would be based on post-exam statistics and at the discretion of the Council.
Note: A Candidate will not qualify in NATA-2019 unless he/ she satisfies all three conditions mentioned above.
NATA 2020 FAQs
In case of any queries, you can check out some of the Frequently Asked Questions related to NATA 2020 below:
NATA 2020 Exam Frequently Asked Questions
Ans : You can visit the official website and then click on the link for ‘NATA 2020’ to apply for the entrance exam. However, before you apply for NATA 2020, you must check the eligibility criteria first.
Ans : Yes, NATA is mandatory to qualify if you want to pursue architecture from any of the recognized universities/ colleges/ institutions in India as per the Council of Architecture (CoA is the exam conducting body of NATA).
Ans : No, there is no negative marking in NATA
Ans : Candidates have to secure a minimum of 25 % marks in both parts of the exam (Part A and Part B). And the overall qualifying marks would be based on post - exam statistics and at the discretion of the Council (as per last year’s information brochure).
Ans : Yes, all the colleges consider your 12th class marks for admission into B.Arch, but the weightage differs. Like some colleges have a 50 - 50 weightage system and some colleges have a 60 - 40 ratio system (60 percent is your NATA score whereas 40 % is your 12th class board marks).
Ans : NATA is conducted twice a year, and to avoid clash of dates with board exams CoA releases the dates for NATA examination in the month of April and in the month of July.
Ans : Candidates can appear for both the NATA April and July examinations. The results between the two will be considered for admission in architecture courses offered by colleges.
Ans : The eligibility criteria for NATA examination is that the candidates must have secured at least 50% marks in aggregate in SSC/10+2 or equivalent examination and the candidates who have passed 10+3 diploma with 50% marks in aggregate in any stream from Central/State Government are also eligible to apply for NATA.
Ans : Candidates must note that COA authority of NATA will not conduct any admission procedure. Candidates have to apply separately in the institution in which they are seeking for admission on the basis of NATA score.
Ans : NATA examination will have 2 parts, Part A (Maths and General Aptitude – Computer mode) and Part B (Drawing – pen paper mode).
Ans : Candidates must be present at the NATA examination center for the complete timing as assigned by the authority.
Ans : For NATA examination candidates will get their Test Center details after the release of the NATA exam Admit Card. Test Center of the candidates will be printed on their Admit Card.
Ans : Candidates must note that the request for change of test centre once allotted will not be entertained.
Ans : No, it is not necessary to sit for the JEE examination along with NATA to get admission into good colleges. If engineering and sciences are candidate’s primary interest then he/she should take jee mains. If architecture is their primary interest candidates must sit for the NATA 2020 examination.
Ans : CoA releases the Syllabus for NATA examination. The Syllabus for NATA examination is totally based upon the two parts of the examination where Part A comprises of Mathematics and General Aptitude sections while Part B constitutes Drawing section.
Ans : The Cutoff marks for NATA examination is that the candidate must secure an aggregate of 25% marks in Part A and B. The overall qualifying marks for NATA examinations will be based on post exams statistics and as per the decision of Council.
About Council of Architecture
The Council of Architecture (CoA) was constituted by Govt. of India under the Architects Act 1972. The responsibility of the Council of Architecture is to maintain a register of all the architects on a national basis. Apart from that, CoA regulates the Architecture education and practice of Architects in India. It also conducts the National Aptitude Test in Architecture at a National level every year. Candidates have to pass this exam in order to get admission into any of the recognized institute/ college/ university of India.
Official Website: nata.in
Previous Year’s Information Brochure: NATA 2019
All the above information is based on last year’s information brochure. This page will get updated as soon the new information brochure releases as per the schedule on the official website. Until then, stay tuned!
