NATA vs JEE Main B.Arch: NATA and JEE Main B.Arch are entrance exams for Architectural courses. Both demand strong subject knowledge and thorough preparation. While NATA emphasizes drawing skills, JEE Main B.Arch covers drawing and other aptitude subjects. Choosing between them hinges on the candidate's strengths and weaknesses, making it vital to assess their aptitude and competence beforehand.
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NATA vs JEE Main B.Arch 2025 Overview
NATA and JEE Main B.Arch are two prominent entrance exams for architecture aspirants in India, each offering unique pathways to B.Arch programs. The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), conducted by the Council of Architecture, focuses on design aptitude and drawing skills, while the JEE Main B.Arch, administered by the National Testing Agency, provides a more comprehensive exam covering mathematics, aptitude, and drawing. Both exams are conducted multiple times annually and serve as gateways to prestigious architecture colleges, with NATA being more design-oriented and JEE Main offering admission to NITs, IITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions. The choice between NATA and JEE Main depends on individual strengths, target institutions, and specific career aspirations in the field of architecture. Let's examine the details of these Architectural exams.
NATA Exam:
- The Council of Architecture (COA) administers the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) for admission to B.Arch and B.Planning programs in various colleges.
- It offers a 5-year undergraduate architecture degree. The NATA exam is conducted three times annually.
JEE Exam:
- The National Test Agency (NTA) conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main B.Arch exam yearly. JEE Main provides admission to various BE, B.Tech, B.Arch, and B planning programs.
- These programs offer admission to prestigious institutions like the National Institute of Technologies (NITs), the Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs), and Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs).
- JEE Main Paper 2 B.Arch is also held twice a year, similar to NATA.
Differences between JEE MAIN B.Arch and NATA 2025
The JEE Main B.Arch and NATA 2025 are both entrance exams for admission to B.Arch programs, but they differ in structure and assessment criteria. JEE Main B.Arch evaluates candidates on subjects like Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing, and is conducted by NTA for admission to various IITs and NITs. NATA, on the other hand, is focused on design aptitude and drawing skills, with an emphasis on evaluating creativity and spatial awareness.
Below is a comparison table highlighting the variances between NATA and JEE Main Paper 2:
| Differences between JEE MAIN B.Arch and NATA 2025 |
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Parameters
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JEE MAIN B.Arch
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NATA
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Conducting Body
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The National Test Agency (NTA)
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The Council of Architecture (COA)
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Exam Level
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National Level exam
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National Level Exam
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Programs Offered
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BE (Bachelor of Engineering), B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology), B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture), and B.Planning
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Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
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Participating Institutes
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The National Institute of Technology (NITs) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
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School of Planning and Architecture (SPA)
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Frequency of Exam
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Twice a year
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Twice a year
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Eligibility
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12th-pass students from PCM backgrounds with a minimum aggregate of 50% are eligible for JEE Main (Paper-II). Students Appearing in the class XIIth exam and those who have passed their qualifying exam in the last two years are also eligible. No minimum or maximum age limit to appear in JEE Main (Paper-II)
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12th pass students from PCM background with a minimum aggregate of 50% are eligible for NATA Minimum age limit is 17 years for NATA (on the 01st of July of the year of admission)
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Subjects in Exam
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General Aptitude, Drawing, and Mathematics
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Drawing, Mathematics, and General Aptitude
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Number of Questions
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Total of 83 (General Aptitude has 50 questions, mathematics has 30 questions, and Drawing has only 3 questions)
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Total of 62 (Part A contains 60 questions, and Part B contains 2 questions)
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The Language of Paper
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English, Hindi, and Gujarati for candidates belonging to Gujarat, Daman, Diu, and Nagar Haveli
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English
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Duration of Examination
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3 hours
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3 hours (Part A - 90 minutes and Part B – 90 minutes)
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Mode of Examination
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Online mathematics and General Aptitude test and drawing exams will be in offline mode/pen and paper-based
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Part A – online Part B – online
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Question Pattern
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Multiple choice questions with one correct answer for Aptitude and Mathematics, whereas for drawing, a candidate has to represent his/her sketching skills
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Part A- Multiple Choice Questions (Online-mode) Part B- Drawing sheets (Offline-mode)
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Marks Allocation
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4 marks will be given for each correct answer, 1 mark will be cut for every wrong answer, and 0 marks will be given for unanswered questions.
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2 marks will be given for each correct answer; there is no negative marking
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Total Marks Allocated
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390 Marks
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200 marks (Part A will be allotted 110 marks, and Part B will be allocated 90 marks)
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JEE Main B.Arch vs. NATA 2025 Exam Comparison
- In the JEE Main B.Arch exam, candidates tackle 77 questions within 3 hours, whereas in the NATA 2025 exam , they face 53 multiple-choice questions in the same duration.
- JEE Main 2 B.Arch imposes a penalty of 1 mark for each wrong answer, unlike NATA, which has no negative marking.
- Admission to various NITs and IITs requires appearing for JEE Main Paper 2, while admission to the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) necessitates taking the NATA.
- JEE Main scores are accepted by NITs and IITs, while NATA scores are accepted by approximately 500 colleges across India.
- JEE Main application fees are Rs. 650/- for general category and Rs. 325/- for SC/ST/PwD categories. In contrast, NATA application fees are Rs. 2000/- for general category (single test) and Rs. 1500/- for other categories (single test). For two tests, fees are Rs. 4000/- and Rs. 3000/- respectively.
JEE Main B.Arch vs NATA Nature of Exams 2025
Both examinations are highly esteemed and carry equal importance. However, they exhibit significant differences, with the exam pattern being one of them. Below is a comparison of the exam patterns of JEE Main and NATA:
JEE Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The JEE Main exam is a national-level engineering entrance exam for admission to undergraduate programs like B.Tech/BE, B.Arch, and B.Planning. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the JEE Main exam pattern for 2025, with changes to the number of numerical type questions and the removal of optional questions in certain sections.
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JEE Mains Exam Pattern 2025
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Specifications
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JEE Main 2025 Exam Pattern for Paper 2 (B.Arch.)
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Exam Mode
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Mathematics and Aptitude - CBT Mode; Drawing - Pen and paper mode
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Subjects
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Aptitude Tests, Mathematics, Drawing
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Type of Questions
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Maths - 20 (MCQs) + 5 (Numerical Value) + Aptitude- 50 MCQ + Drawing - 2 Questions
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Medium of Exam
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English and Hindi (All Centre Cities); English, Hindi, and Gujarati (Centre Cities in Gujarat, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli)
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Duration of Exam
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3 hours
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Total Marks
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400 Marks
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Marking Scheme
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MCQs: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect; Non-MCQs: +4 for correct, no negative marking; Drawing Test: 2 questions of 100 marks
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NATA Exam Pattern 2025
The NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) 2025 exam pattern is structured to assess candidates' skills through various testing formats. The exam consists of two main sections: the Drawing and Composition Test, conducted offline, and a computer-based MCQ section.
NATA Exam Pattern 2025
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Particulars
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Details
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Mode of Examination
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Online
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Medium of Examination
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English
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Duration of the Exam
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3 hours
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Number of Sections
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One - The Aptitude Test
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Number of Questions
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125
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Type of Questions
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Multiple-Choice (MCQ), Multiple Select (MSQ), Preferential Choice (PCQ), Numerical Answer (NAQ)
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Total Marks
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200 Marks
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Marking Scheme
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Questions carry 1, 2, or 3 marks
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Click to Check NATA Exam Pattern 2025
NATA vs JEE Main B.Arch 2025 Syllabus Difference
NATA and JEE Main B.Arch are two major entrance exams for architecture aspirants in India, each with a distinct syllabus focus. While NATA emphasizes creative aptitude, drawing skills, and architectural awareness, JEE Main B.Arch places more weight on mathematics, logical reasoning, and structured aptitude alongside drawing. Understanding the syllabus differences is essential for candidates to tailor their preparation according to the exam they choose. The following table highlights the key differences between the syllabi of these exams.
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NATA vs JEE Main B.Arch 2025 Syllabus Difference
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Aspect
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NATA Syllabus
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JEE Main B.Arch Syllabus
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Objective
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Emphasizes drawing skills, creativity, and architectural aptitude
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Focuses on Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing skills
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Drawing Section
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High weightage on freehand sketching, composition, visualisation, 3D drawing
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Drawing section tests geometric drawing, perspective, and composition
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Mathematics
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Covers basic mathematics relevant to architecture
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Includes detailed mathematics syllabus at 10+2 level
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Aptitude/General
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Tests visual reasoning, logical derivation, design sensitivity, architectural awareness
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Aptitude section covers spatial ability, 3D perception, reasoning, general awareness, and architectural awareness
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Exam Structure
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Part A: Drawing (offline), Part B: Aptitude & Maths (online)
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Mathematics (online), Aptitude (online), Drawing (offline)
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Unique Topics
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Design thinking, color theory, and creative visualization
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Plan, elevation, 3D views, transformation of shapes, and mathematical reasoning
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Difficulty Level of JEE Main B.Arch 2025 vs NATA 2025 Exam
The difficulty level of the JEE Main exam ranges from moderate to high, while the NATA exam is generally considered easier to moderate. Details on the difficulty level of each exam are as follows:
JEE Mains – Difficulty Level
- JEE Main assesses candidates based on classes 11th and 12th syllabi, making it relatively easier compared to JEE Advanced.
- The exam witnesses a high volume of candidates appearing each year.
NATA - Difficulty Level
- NATA tends to be less challenging than JEE Main, featuring several topics that are comparatively easier, facilitating higher scores.
- The NATA cutoff tends to be lower than the cutoff for JEE Main Paper 2.
NATA vs JEE Main B.Arch Key Points
Some key points related to NATA vs JEE Main B.Arch are as follows.
- Both the NATA and JEE Main B.Arch exams hold equal significance for aspiring architects. However, the selection between the two hinges on the student's scores and preferences.
- NATA evaluates the student's architectural aptitude, whereas JEE Main B.Arch assesses proficiency in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
- Both exams demand thorough preparation for success, and it's noteworthy that certain colleges accept scores from either exam for admissions.
- Thus, staying abreast of updates regarding both exams is imperative before sitting for them.
