NATA 2021 Exam Dates & Schedule - Check Complete Details

The Council of Architecture will hold the authority to conduct the National Aptitude Test in Architecture for providing admission to B.Arch programs.

Qualifying in the NATA Exam is mandatory to get admission to 5-year B.Arch and B.Planning programs. Therefore, students who have passed any other aptitude test in architecture conducted by other authorities shall also be required to qualify for the exam conducted by the council in order to be eligible for the admission process.

This post shall guide you through detailed information about exam dates, selection process, exam pattern, syllabus, and more.

NATA Notification 2021

The Council of Architecture is responsible for conducting the NATA Entrance Exam for providing admission to 5-year B. Arch and B. Planning programs at recognized institutions all over the country. The NATA 2021 brochure with important dates for NATA 1 and NATA 2 has been released by CoA on the official website, i.e., www.nata.in and www.coa.gov.in. 

The National Aptitude Test in Architecture is conducted twice a year. However, CoA is conducting NATA phase 3 for those who failed to attempt the phase 2 exam. Therefore, students, who have not appeared in either one or both tests of NATA are eligible for a third NATA test.

You can apply for one or both exams as per your interest. However, the best score will be considered for the admission process.

Click here to download the NATA Notification PDF

As per the notification, you must have passed class 12th with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) or 10+3 diploma with mathematics and your age should be 17 years to apply for the exam.

NATA 2021 Exam Dates

In April and May, the National Aptitude Test in Architecture is conducted twice a year in the online mode. The below table explains the Exam Dates for the NATA exam.

Download Free Study Material for NATA Exams by CreativeEdge

NATA Eligibility 2021

Before proceeding with the application form, you must meet the Eligibility Criteria for NATA. Otherwise, you are not eligible to apply for the exam. You must be aware that the candidature is subject to cancellation if you do not satisfy the eligibility for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture.

• You must have 10+2 with 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (or)
• 10+3 Diploma graduates/appearing with Mathematics as a compulsory subject (or)
• You will be provided with 5% relaxation in total Aggregate in 10+2 Level/10+3 Diploma as well as PCM if you belong to SC, ST, OBC- NCL Category, or PWD(Person with Disability).

NATA Application Form 2021

The Online filling up of the Application is of interactive nature. You can find a cursor Tip message while filling in the details. A "Help" Icon is placed next right to the fields to provide guidance.

Go through the following steps to fill up the Application Form for NATA 2021 without any errors.

• Step 1: Visit the official website of NATA, i.e., www. nata.in
• Step 2: Find the direct link to register for the exam
• Step 3: Enter your personal details such as name, email ID, phone number, date of birth, etc. to create the login credentials
• Step 4: After that, fill the form with personal, academic, and communication details along with your preference of 3 exam centres in the form
• Step 5: Upload your photo and signature in the next step as per the specifications
• Step 6: Submit the details and move to the payment of the application fee
• Step 7: You can pay the application fee in online mode only, i.e. Debit card/Credit card or Net banking

NATA Exam Pattern 2021

According to the Exam Pattern for NATA 2021, the exam paper comprises two sections. Part A comprises MCQ to be answered online, and Part B is a paper-based drawing test.

The exam is conducted for a total of 200 marks and the time duration of the exam is 3 hours. 90 minutes for Part-A and 90 minutes for Part-B.

2 marks will be allotted for each correct answer, and there is no negative marking in the exam.

You need to secure a minimum of 25% marks in the MCQ portion (30 out of 120) & 25% marks in the drawing portion (20 out of 80).

NATA Syllabus 2021

There has been no change in the syllabus over the span of years. The syllabus is announced and set by the conducting body. The Syllabus of NATA Exam 2021 includes three subjects: mathematics, general aptitude, and drawing.

NATA Syllabus for Maths

The syllabus for Maths includes topics from elementary maths. The questions are usually based on the direct formula but can be calculative. Given below are the important topics from Syllabus:

NATA Syllabus for General Aptitude

Objects or textures related to architecture and the built environment. Interpretation of pictorial compositions, Visualizing three-dimensional objects from a two-dimensional drawing. Visualizing different sides of 3D objects. Analytical reasoning, mental ability (visual, numerical, and verbal), General awareness of national/ international architects, and famous architectural creations.

Syllabus for Drawing Test

• Understanding 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.
• Creating 2D and 3D compositions using given shapes and forms, generating a plan, elevation, and 3D views of objects. Perspective drawing, Sketching of urbanscape, and landscape common day-to-day life objects like furniture, equipment, etc., from memory.

NATA Preparation Tips 2021

Following Preparation Tips for NATA provided by experts will help enhance your preparation levels.

• Questions under the Maths section are mainly based on the 12th-grade syllabus. 
• You must solve questions from the CBSE Textbooks for better preparation.
• The question paper also includes questions from a general knowledge subject. You need to stay updated about the latest issues happening across the globe. 
• You must be aware of the important Architects of India and the World, Building Materials and Terminology, Common Architectural Terminology, 2D and 3D objects and their plans and elevations, etc.

NATA Preparation Books 2021

There are so many books available for the NATA entrance exam. However, opting for the right book is important to score good marks in the upcoming exam.

You can refer to the following Books for NATA as these books cover all the topics as per the syllabus.

• A Complete Self Study Guide for B. Arch Entrance Examination 2018/19/20 by PK Mishra
• NATA & B. Arch Question Bank by Ar. Shadan Usmani
• NATA & B.Arch complete self-study material: entrance examination by Ar. Shadan Usmani

NATA Admit Card 2021

You can download the Admit Card for NATA only from the official website. You can follow the steps given below to download the admit card.

• Visit the official website of NATA.
• On the home page, find the direct link to download the admit card and click on it.
• You will be redirected to a new page.
• Enter your registration number and password to log in and view your admit card
• Check the details on the Admit card and download the same

NATA Exam Centers 2021: List of Cities

NATA will be conducted across 135 cities in India. Check out the table below to know the list of exam centres of NATA 2021.

NATA Answer Key 2021

The answer key is an official document released by the exam conducting authority that helps to check your responses before announcing results. This way, you can estimate your scores and know if you are eligible for further stages. Generally, the Answer Key for NATA is released the next day of the exam.

How to Download NATA 2021 Answer Key?

• Step 1- Visit the official website.
• Step 2- Click on the “Download Answer Key” link.
• Step 3- NATA answer key will be displayed on the screen
• Step 4- Download the answer key and take a print
• Step 5- Calculate the score using the response sheet and answer key

NATA Result 2021: Score Card and Merit List

The results will be announced separately for the first and second phases since they are conducted separately. The Result for NATA 2021  will be available as follows:

• Marks obtained in each part, i.e. Part A and Part B
• Marks obtained out of 200
• Qualifying status, i.e. Pass or Fail

How to Check NATA Result?

• Visit the official website of NATA.
• Click on “Download scorecard for NATA 2021.”
• Login with the credentials: Candidate ID and Password
• Enter the captcha provided
• Download the scorecard

NATA 2021 Cut Off

Cut off marks are the minimum qualifying marks that you need to score to get selected for the next round of the exam. Generally, the Cut Off for NATA will be released after the declaration of the result. Based on the qualifying marks, the NATA Merit List will be prepared. 

CoA will determine the cut off marks based on various factors such as the total number of applicants, the difficulty level of the paper, and previous year cut off marks.

• You should obtain a minimum of 25% in the Drawing Section (20 out of 100).
• You should obtain a minimum of 25% should be obtained in the Aptitude Section (30 out of 100).
• The Qualifying marks (out of 200) is created on post-exam statistics and at the disposition of the Board/Council.

NATA Counselling 2021

There is no specific or centralized counselling for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture. However, CoA might announce a centralized procedure this year. Will be notified after the announcement of the exam date.

• Universities/colleges and states that offer B.Arch programs will be conducting a separate Counselling for NATA.
• The authorities begin the counselling right after the declaration for NATA Result.
• You must satisfy the eligibility criteria to apply for counselling.
• 400 B.Arch institutes are undertaking the counselling process for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture.

Eligibility Criteria for NATA 2021 Counselling

You must satisfy the below-mentioned eligibility norms to successfully seek admission to your desired college through the National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2021:

• Secured 50% marks in 10+2 or equivalent examination in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry as the subjects; or
• 10+3 Diploma (any stream) recognized by Central/State Govts with 50% aggregate marks with Mathematics; or
• International Baccalaureate Diploma passed/appearing, after 10 years of Schooling with 50% marks in aggregate and with Mathematics as compulsory subject of examination  

NATA Colleges

There are 400 institutes/universities that offer admissions through the National Aptitude Test in Architecture. Given below are Top NATA Colleges that offer admission to design courses:

Differences Between NATA and JEE Main B.Arch Paper

It is common to questions the difference between the National Aptitude Test in Architecture and the JEE Main B.Arch paper.

The major difference is that the Council of Architecture conducts NATA while National Testing Agency conducts JEE Main B. Archncy. These are National level entrance exams conducted to offer admission into Engineering and B.Arch programs.

JEE Main B. Arch Paper offers admission in various prestigious institutes like IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and other GFTIs. The National Aptitude Test in Architecture offers admission in NATA score accepting colleges like the School of Planning and Architecture, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, etc.