The Registration for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), the Aptitude test required for admissions to 1st year B.Arch at all Institutes/Schools/Colleges of Architecture in India (including Government, Govt-aided, Private Unaided, University Depts., Deemed Universities, etc.), offering B Arch, has commenced at the different Test Centre, as per the information given at http://www.nata.in/www/Home.aspx The Test is aimed at measuring the aptitude of the applicant for Architecture and will measure the drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability, related to Architecture. NATA scores are used by admitting authorities in addition to the marks in 10+2 or equivalent examination for assessing the merit of applicants’ for admission to the B Arch Course.
Applicants can fill up the form online, take a print out of the same and take it to the identified test centre for registration. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre- Registration forms can also be obtained from Test Centers.
NATA Test Fees is Rs. 800/- which is to be paid at the time of Registration by way of a Demand Draft/ Postal Order/Banker’s Cheque, drawn in favour of ‘Council of Architecture’, payable at New Delhi. The DD, along with Pre-registration form and other supporting documents is to be submitted at the Test center at the time of Registration.
Candidate has to carry the documents listed below when reporting for registration.
(i) Attested copy of the Mark list of Class X or equivalent examination
(ii) One recent passport size colour photograph, to be pasted on the registration form
(iii) Attested copy of any valid document of identification bearing photograph and signature of the candidate
(iv) Test fees in the form of Demand Draft taken in favour of ‘Council of Architecture’, payable at New Delhi
Applicant should also have a valid email address. In case the applicant does not have one, he/she may open an email account. The applicant will have to declare to the Test center coordinator whether the applicant is taking NATA exam for the first time or has already taken it earlier.
On submission of the filled up Pre- Registration form along with the necessary documents and fee; the applicant will get a Receipt cum Appointment Voucher with date and time, from the Test Center. The Receipt cum Appointment voucher should be checked for the correctness of the entries. The Appointment voucher will also show the Candidate ID, Appointment Number and Exam Key. The Appointment Number and Exam Key are to be used by the candidate to log in at the time of the test. There are two counterfoils on the appointment voucher. The applicant has to sign the counterfoil in presence of the Hall supervisor at the time of the test, and hand over the same to him / her. Candidates should not sign the counterfoil in advance. The candidate will be required to sign the Test Center attendance register before and after the test session and any time the candidate leaves or enter the testing room. Appointment once scheduled cannot be cancelled or rescheduled. NATA test fees will not be refunded.
Reporting for NATA: Applicant should report for the test, at least 30 minutes, before scheduled time of the test. along with an acceptable and valid Identification Document ID with signature, details of which are mentioned on the receipt cum appointment voucher, and Appointment voucher for being admitted to a Test Center.
Candidates should bring (i) Official identification document mentioned on the receipt cum appointment voucher (details can be had from the Brochure).
(ii) The receipt cum appointment voucher issued to the candidate at the time of registration.
(iii) Three or four sharpened soft-lead (2B & HB) pencils and a good eraser (Pencils and erasers will not be supplied at the Test Center.) Mechanical pencils are not permitted.
(iv) Set of colours (Water/ Poster colours, crayons, pastels) with appropriate instruments (Brushes, dish, etc.)
(v) Geometry instrument box.
(vi) Blue ink pen / Blue ink ball point pen.
Test: NATA has two parts, a paper based Drawing Test of two hours duration and a Computer based online Aesthetic Sensitivity Test of one hour. (Practice Tests are usually made available at the NATA website).
In the Drawing Test, the candidate has to attempt two questions. One of the questions has two sub questions. The drawing aptitude is judged on
(i) the ability to sketch a given object proportionately and rendering the same in visually appealing manner.
(ii) Visualising and drawing the effects of light on the object and shadows cast on surroundings.
(iii) Sense of perspective drawing.
(iv) Combining and composing given three dimensional elements to form a building or structural form.
(v) Creating interesting two dimensional composition using given shapes and forms.
(vi) Creating visual harmony using colours in given composition.
(vii) Understanding of scale and proportions.
(viii) Drawing from memory through pencil sketch on themes from day to day experiences.
Candidate should attempt the question on the drawing paper supplied by the test center, on the side where barcode is printed. The Appointment number, Candidate ID and test center stamp with supervisor’s signature should be on the reverse side of the paper. At the conclusion of the test the candidate should return the Answer sheet (drawing paper) and question paper to the test supervisor.
The drawing paper will be examined by the designated examiners over the internet in absence of the candidate and marks will be uploaded to NATA server. The Aesthetic Sensitivity Test is a computer based test where candidate has to answer 40 multiple choice questions.
The aesthetic sensitivity test measures perception, imagination and observation, creativity and communication along with architectural awareness and comprises of
(i) Visualising three dimensional objects from two dimensional drawings
(ii) Visualising different sides of three dimensional objects
(iii) Identifying commonly used materials and objects based on their textural qualities
(iv) Analytical reasoning
(v) Mental Ability
(vi) Imaginative comprehension and expression
(vii) Architectural awareness.
The candidate’s score will depend on his / her performance on the questions given and on the number of questions answered in the time allotted. There is no Negative marking in this test.
The Computer based test will be given after completing the Paper based test. There is an optional 10-minute break after the Drawing section. Candidates will be provided with rough paper. The candidate is not permitted to take his/ her own rough paper for the test.
If the candidate needs to leave his / her seat at any time, he / she must raise his / her hand for permission; timing of the section will not stop. If at any time during the test the candidate has a problem with his / her computer, or for any reason needs the attention of the administrator, the candidate shall raise his/ her hand.
When the test gets disrupted because of failure of internet connectivity or electricity supply failure, candidate can resume the test from the point of disruption onwards if resumed within four hours. In case disruption lasts for more than four hours the candidate may have to give entire test again.
Score card / Mark list: The score cards of NATA will be available on NATA website in e-format. Usually, the score cards will be posted at the website, on the fourth working day after the test. The candidate, after fourth day may check his/her score directly from website giving his / her candidate ID. Print out of such score card will be only for reference and information. Candidates may use the print out of this score card while applying for the admission. Original score card will be retrieved by the admission authority directly from NATA server.
Candidate’s scores are retained for two years following the testing year in which the candidate tested.
NATA can be given as many number of times as desired by the candidate. Test fees have to be paid in full for every attempt. The mark list will show the average of marks scored by the candidate in the last attempt and previous valid score. Candidates should not register for repeat attempt unless the score card for previous attempt is received. Candidate, while seeking the repeat test appointment must inform the test center of the previous attempts and present copy of previous Appointment voucher/ Score card. If any candidate is found registering afresh despite of earlier appearance for NATA he/ she will forfeit his candidature, his all previous scores will be cancelled and he/she will be barred from appearing for NATA again.
NATA can be given on any working day till 25th September every year at designated Test Centers. However, some test centers may stop conducting tests even before this date. Candidates may check the dates of examination with the center concerned.
Applying to institutions for admission: As per COA rules, a candidate applying to any School /College of Architecture in India should have achieved 40% score in the total NATA score (80/200), for consideration of admission into first year B.Arch. After receiving score card / Mark list and HSC / Class XII results, the candidate may apply for admission to any of the participating institutions as per the time schedule specified by the appropriate admission authority, along with all the documents desired by it.
