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NATA Exam 2026, Exam Pattern and Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria

authorImageSwati Kumar26 Jul, 2025
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NATA Exam 2026

NATA exam 2026 is expected to begin in March 2026 and continue till June/July 2026. The last session of the NATA exam 2026 is likely to be held in the last week of June or the first week of July. The NATA entrance exam is held in multiple sessions, usually on Fridays and Saturdays of every week. 

The NATA application form 2026 will most likely be available in February 2026. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria must complete their registration process before the NATA 2026 registration last date. 

NATA stands for National Aptitude Test in Architecture. It is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) for admission to BArch programs across India. The test evaluates candidates based on their aptitude in drawing, observation, critical thinking, aesthetic sensitivity, and mathematics.

 

NATA Exam 2026 Overview

NATA exam 2026 will be held in multiple sessions, generally on Fridays and Saturdays from March to June. Candidates can attempt the exam up to three times in a year. The best score among these will be considered for admission. 

The exam will be held in online mode for students aspiring to join the first year of the five-year B.Arch program at recognized colleges across India. Explore various aspects of the NATA exam 2026 in the following table. 

NATA Exam 2026 Overview

Particulars

Details

Name of the exam

National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA

Type of Examination

UG National Level Exam

Courses

B.Arch Courses

Conducting Body

Council of Architecture (COA)

Mode of the exam

Online

Attempt

Thrice a year

Duration of Exam

Three Years

Application Form Release

February 2026 (tentative)

Official Website

nata.in

NATA Exam Dates 2026 (Tentative)

Based on the previous year’s NATA exam cycle, NATA entrance exam 2026 is likely to be conducted in several sessions starting from March to June 2026. NATA 2026 registration may start from February 2026. NATA result 2026 will be declared within a week after the conclusion of each NATA session. 

Check out the tentative dates for the NATA exam 2026. Once the official notification is released, the dates will be updated accordingly. 

NATA Exam Dates 2026 (Tentative)

Event

Dates 2026 (Tentative)

Online registration starts

February 2026

Last date for the registration process

Every Monday (For Friday Test)

Every Tuesday (For Saturday Test)

Last date for application correction

Every Tuesday (For Friday Test)

Every Wednesday (For Saturday Test)

Release of Admit card

Every Wednesday (For Friday Test)

Every Thursday (For Saturday Test)

NATA 206 Exam Date

1st week of March till 4th week of June 2026 (Fridays & Saturdays)

Result Declaration

Within one week

NATA 2026 Application Form

Candidates can access the NATA 2026 application through the official portal at nata.in. It is likely to be released in February 2026. Candidates meeting the NATA eligibility criteria need to register, enter their personal, academic, and contact details. Upload the prescribed documents and pay the application fee. Candidates must note that they need to submit separate forms if they are willing to take the NATA in multiple sessions. 

NATA Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the NATA exam 2026, candidates must meet the following parameters as outlined in the NATA exam 2026 eligibility criteria. 

NATA Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Parameters

Details

Age Limit

No age limit

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed class 12th from a recognized board.

Diploma Holders

Candidates must have a 10+3 diploma degree with Mathematics as a compulsory subject with 45% minimum aggregate marks. 

Compulsory Subjects in Class 12th

Candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects, along with at least one more subject, such as Chemistry, Biology, Technical Vocational subjects, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics, or Business Studies.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Aspirants need at least 45% aggregate marks in their qualifying examination. 

NATA 2026 Exam Pattern

The Council of Architecture will notify if there will be any changes in the NATA 2026 exam pattern. Based on the previous year’s exam pattern, it will consist of 125 questions spread across multiple formats, including Multiple-Choice (MCQ), Multiple-Select (MSQ), Preferential Choice (PCQ), and Numerical Answer (NAQ) types. 

The exam will last for 3 hours with 20 maximum marks. Candidates can refer to the following table to get an overview of the NATA 2026 exam pattern. 

NATA 2026 Exam Pattern

Particulars

Details

Exam Mode

Computer-Based and Offline Test

Duration

3 Hours

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test - 90 Minutes

Part B - MCQs - 90 Minutes

Medium 

English and Hindi

Section

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test

Part B - MCQs 

Total Number of Questions

48 Questions

Division of Questions

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test

A1 - 1 Question - Composition and Colour

A2 - 1 Question - Sketching and Composition (Black and White)

A3 - 1 Question - 3D Composition

Part B - MCQs 

B1 - 30 Questions

B2 - 15 Questions

Total Marks

200

Marking Scheme

Part A - Drawing and Composition Test

A1 - 1 Question - Composition and Colour - 25 marks

A2 - 1 Question - Sketching and Composition (Black and White) - 25 marks

A3 - 1 Question - 3D Composition - 30 marks

Part B - MCQs 

B1 - 30 Questions x 2 marks - 60 marks

B2 - 15 Questions x 4 marks - 60 marks

NATA Exam 2026 Syllabus

The NATA syllabus covers a blend of general aptitude, mathematics, physics, geometry, language interpretation, and core design concepts. Each section is designed to test both your analytical thinking and creative abilities. By getting familiar with the official syllabus, you can focus your preparation on what matters most, saving time on less relevant topics and making your study sessions more efficient. The important topics included in the NATA exam syllabus 2026 are as follows. 

NATA Exam 2026 Syllabus

Subject

Topics

Mathematics

Coordinate Geometry, Statistics, Permutation and Combination, Trigonometry, Logarithms, Algebra, Matrices, 3-Dimensional Coordinate Geometry, Application of Calculus

DrawingTest

Geometric composition, understanding scale and proportion of objects, shape, building forms and elements, color, texture, aesthetics, harmony, and control.

General Aptitude

2D and 3D visualisations, Interpretation of pictorial compositions.

Objects, textures related to architecture & built environment.

Analytical reasoning, general awareness of national/international architects. 

NATA 2026 Admit Card

The Council of Architecture (CoA) will release the NATA 2026 admit card on Wednesdays and Thursdays before each session. Candidates can download it through the official NATA website using their application number and password. The admit card includes important details like the allotted test centre, session, and appointment number. 

NATA 2026 Result

NATA 2026 results will be published on the official NATA website, usually just a week after the exam. Candidates need to log in using their registered details to download the scorecard. The result will be in the form of a scorecard containing details such as candidates’ marks, rank, and qualifying status. The NATA score will remain valid for two admission cycles.

 

NATA Exam 2026 FAQs

What is the NATA entrance exam?

NATA 2026 is conducted by the Council of Architecture for admission to B.Arch programs at recognized institutions in India.  It is a national-level exam occurring in multiple sessions.

How many times will NATA 2026 be conducted?

NATA 2026 will be held four times during the year. Candidates can appear for a maximum of three NATA sessions.

Who is eligible to apply for the NATA exam 2026?

To appear for the NATA exam 2026, candidates must have passed or appeared in 10+2 with Physics, Mathematics, and one of Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Technical Vocational subjects, or equivalent. They must have secured at least 45% aggregate marks in the qualifying exam. 

What is the exam pattern for NATA 2026?

NATA 2026 consists of two sections: a drawing and composition test, along with an online aptitude section featuring a variety of question formats like multiple-choice and numerical answer questions. The exam lasts for three hours in total and is scored out of 200 marks.

Can I appear for more than one session of NATA 2026?

Yes, candidates can appear in multiple sessions (up to three times). The best score among all attempts is considered for admission purposes.

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