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Architecture Entrance Exams: Check Out Entrance Exams After Class 12th

Architecture entrance exams include NATA, JEE Main Paper 2, and JEE Advanced for admission to B.Arch at leading institutes. Explore details for the architecture entrance exams 2025-26, including the eligibility criteria and key features.
authorImageSwati Kumar30 May, 2025
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Architecture Entrance Exams

Architecture Entrance Exams: A career in Architecture is blooming through the years, and many students, after completing their 12th class, are indulging in architecture courses. Since the field is evolving and upskilling, the demand for skilled architects has never been higher, and thereby, many opportunities are opening up for the upcoming candidates.

Students interested in pursuing an architecture degree can appear for various architecture exams such as EE Main Paper II, NATA, GAT GITAM Admission Test, KIITEE, etc. These architecture exams are conducted at the university, national, and state levels. The national-level architecture entrance exams are considered difficult compared to the university level. After clearing the university-level entrance exams, candidates are given direct admission to the respective architecture courses. At the national and state levels, candidates have to take an entrance exam conducted by various top institutes and specific conducting bodies, followed by the counseling process.


List of Architecture Entrance Exams After 12th

To gain admission to various architectural courses at various universities, candidates have to clear the following Entrance Exam for Architecture after the 12th. Some colleges and universities conduct their own Architecture Entrance Exams for admission, while most of the architectural colleges offer admission through NATA, JEE Main Paper II, etc. The Entrance Exams for Architecture after the 12th are listed below.

  • JEE Main Paper II (Joint Entrance Exam for B.Arch program)
  • NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture)
  • HITSEEE (Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Engineering Entrance Examination)
  • GAT GITAM Admission Test (Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management Admission Test).
  • BSAUEEE (BS Abdul Rahman University Engineering entrance exam)
  • KIITEE (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Exam)
  • AMUEEE (Aligarh Muslim University Engineering Entrance Examination)

Architecture Entrance Exams After 12th

The most prominent Architecture Entrance Exams in India are discussed below. Candidates can get an overview of the most popular Architecture entrance exams conducted in India. 

1. NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture)

  • To apply for the NATA Exam, candidates must have passed class 12th with at least 50% marks with physics, chemistry, and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  • Candidates who have completed their diploma in mathematics are eligible for the NATA exam.
  • The NATA scorecard is valid for one year from the date of the result declaration. NATA scorecard is accepted by institutes at the time of admission.
  • The top institutes that accept the NATA scorecard include Chandigarh College of Architecture, Jamia Islamia College of Architecture, Delhi, Dr Rizvi College of Architecture Mumbai, Sir JJ College of Architecture, IES College of Architecture, Dehradun Institute of Technology, etc.

NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) Overview

Particulars

Details

Name of Exam

National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA)

Conducted By

Council of Architecture (CoA)

Exam Level

Undergraduate

Exam Frequency

Thrice a year

Mode of Exam

Computer-Based (MCQ section) & Offline (Drawing/Composition)

Exam Duration

3 Hours (Part A: 90 min, Part B: 90 min)

Medium of Exam

English and Hindi

Number of Papers

1

Sections

Part A: Drawing & Composition (Offline)

Part B: MCQ (Computer-Based)

Total Questions

48 (as per some sources) / 125 (as per others; confirm with official brochure)

Type of Questions

Drawing, Composition, MCQ, MSQ, PCQ, NAQ

Total Marks

200

Marking Scheme

Varies by question (1, 2, or 3 marks per question)

Negative Marking

No

Syllabus Highlights

Mathematics, General Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Drawing, Architecture Awareness

Assessment Factors

Inductive, Diagrammatic, Numerical, Verbal, Situational Judgment, Abstract, Logical Reasoning

Course Offered

BArch

Colleges Accepting Scores

365

No. of Test Cities

61

Official Website

nata.in

2. Joint Entrance Exam for B.Arch Program (JEE Main Paper II)

  • JEE Main is one of the toughest entrance exams for admission to architectural courses. It is a national-level exam for admission to NIIT, GFTI, and IIT institutes.
  • To appear for the exam, candidates must have scored at least 75% marks in class 12th with PCM as the compulsory subjects.
  • To gain admission to an IIT, candidates are required to take JEE Advanced.
  • The JEE Main entrance exam will be conducted four times a year, from 2021 onwards.
  • The exam will be conducted in March, April, and May.
  • Candidates can appear for the exam in any of the months of their choice.

Joint Entrance Exam for B.Arch Program (JEE Main Paper II) Overview

Particulars

Details

Name of Exam

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main Paper II (B.Arch)

Conducting Body

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Exam Level

Undergraduate

Exam Frequency

Twice a year (January & April sessions)

Mode of Exam

Online (Mathematics & Aptitude), Offline (Drawing section)

Exam Duration

3 hours (180 minutes); 4 hours for PwD candidates

Exam Language

13 languages (including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, etc.)

Number of Sections

3 (Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing)

Number of Questions

82

Section-wise Questions

Mathematics: 20 MCQs + 10 numerical (attempt 5); Aptitude: 50 MCQs; Drawing: 2 questions

Type of Questions

MCQs, Numerical Value (Maths), Drawing (Sketching/Design)

Total Marks

400

Marking Scheme

+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQ/Numerical); Drawing section as per question weightage

Negative Marking

Yes (MCQ/Numerical only)

Syllabus Highlights

Mathematics, General Aptitude, Drawing

Assessment Factors

Mathematical ability, spatial visualization, drawing/sketching skills, architectural awareness

Course Offered

B.Arch

Official Website

jeemain.nta.ac.in

3. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Exam (KIITEE)

  • Candidates need a minimum of 60% marks in their class 12th with physics, chemistry, and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  • Different universities have different eligibility criteria for the B.Arch courses. While some universities require a minimum of 50% marks, some require 60% marks, and others require 75% marks in class 12th to apply for the exam.

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Exam (KIITEE) Overview

Particulars

Details

Name of Exam

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE) – B.Arch

Conducting Body

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT)

Exam Level

Undergraduate

Exam Frequency

Multiple phases per year

Mode of Exam

Online (Computer-Based Test)

Exam Duration

3 hours (180 minutes)

Exam Language

English

Number of Sections

3 (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)

Number of Questions

120 (40 per section)

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total Marks

480

Marking Scheme

+4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer

Negative Marking

Yes

Syllabus Highlights

10+2 level Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

Assessment Factors

Conceptual understanding, problem-solving, analytical skills

Course Offered

B.Arch (and B.Tech Dual Degree)

Official Website

kiitee.kiit.ac.in

4. JEE Advanced Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT)

  • The Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) is a specialized entrance exam conducted for candidates who have qualified JEE Advanced and seek admission to the B.Arch program at select IITs.
  • The exam is conducted in a pen-and-paper format and lasts for 3 hours. 
  • AAT is offered in English language only. 
  • Admission to B.Arch courses at IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, and IIT (BHU) Varanasi is based on the AAT score. 

JEE Advanced Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) Overview

Particulars

Details

Name of Exam

Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT)

Conducting Body

7 Zonal Coordinating Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

Exam Level

Undergraduate (National level)

Exam Frequency

Annual

Mode of Exam

Pen and Paper-Based Test

Exam Duration

3 hours

Exam Language

English

Eligibility

Must qualify JEE Advanced 2025

Offered Course

B.Arch

Participating Institutes

IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT (BHU) Varanasi

Exam Date

5 June 2025

Registration Dates

2–3 June 2025

Result Date

8 June 2025

Number of Sections

5 (Freehand Drawing, Geometrical Drawing, 3D Perception, Imagination & Aesthetic Sensitivity, Architecture Awareness)

Total Questions

16

Marking Scheme

As per question paper (details provided in exam)

Negative Marking

Not specified

Syllabus Highlights

Freehand drawing, geometrical drawing, 3D perception, imagination, aesthetic sensitivity, architectural awareness

Medium of Exam

English

Admit Card

JEE Advanced admit card is valid for AAT

Official Website

jeeadv.ac.in

Counselling

Through JoSAA

5. Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management Admission Test (GAT GITAM Admission Test)

  • For the GAT GITAM Admission Test, candidates need at least 50% marks with PCM as the main subjects.
  • Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Bangalore are the 3 campuses of the GITAM University.
  • The GITAM University offers various undergraduate courses. GAT GITAM Admission Test is conducted by GITAM University only.

Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management Admission Test (GAT GITAM Admission Test) Overview

Particulars

Details

Name of Exam

GITAM Admission Test (GAT) – Architecture

Conducting Body

Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM)

Exam Level

Undergraduate

Exam Frequency

Multiple phases annually (January to July 2025)

Mode of Exam

Computer-Based Test (CBT) and Remote Proctored Test (for some courses)

Exam Duration

2 hours (120 minutes)

Exam Language

English

Number of Questions

100

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Marking Scheme

+2 for each correct answer; No negative marking

Negative Marking

No

Syllabus Highlights

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Quantitative Aptitude & Analytical Reasoning, English

Eligibility for B.Arch

10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and qualified in NATA; Minimum 50% marks in qualifying exam

Assessment Factors

Conceptual understanding, analytical skills, aptitude, English proficiency

Course Offered

B.Arch

Official Website

gitam.edu

Excelling in the top architecture entrance exams for 2025-26 requires a strategic approach and a thorough understanding of the examination landscape. These exams, pivotal for gaining admission to prestigious architecture programs, assess a range of skills including design aptitude, spatial awareness, and critical thinking. Ultimately, a combination of focused preparation and a clear grasp of exam content will pave the way for success in these architecture entrance exams.

Other Related Links

B.Arch Admission 2025 NIFT Personal Interview
BArch BPlan Cutoff  NATA 2025 Preparation

Architecture Entrance Exams FAQs

What are the main architecture entrance exams in India?

The primary exams are NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture), JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch), and JEE Advanced AAT. Some universities also conduct their own entrance exams, like KIITEE, HITSEEE, and GITAM GAT.

What is the eligibility criteria for architecture entrance exams?

Candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, and usually require at least 50% aggregate marks.

What is the exam pattern for NATA?

NATA includes multiple-choice questions, drawing, and composition tasks, and assesses mathematical, reasoning, and architectural aptitude over a 3-hour duration.

Are there drawing or sketching sections in all architecture entrance exams?

Most major exams like NATA and JEE Advanced AAT include drawing/sketching sections, while some university-level exams may focus only on PCM subjects.

What topics are commonly tested in architecture entrance exams?

Architecture entrance exams assess mathematics, general aptitude, logical reasoning, architectural awareness, drawing skills, color theory, design principles, and general knowledge.
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