Architecture Aptitude Test
AAT 2026: The IIT Architecture Aptitude Test, Decoded
AAT is the qualifying test for B.Arch at IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT (BHU) Varanasi. Pass status, plus your JEE (Advanced) 2026 rank, decides allotment. Here is everything you need: dates, syllabus, exam pattern, drawing kit, and the IIT centres.
AAT 2026 at a glance
The short answer first: AAT 2026 is a 3-hour offline pen-and-paper test on Thursday, June 4, 2026. It is free for JEE (Advanced) qualifiers, in English only, and the result is simply Pass or Fail.
- Exam
- AAT 2026 (Architecture Aptitude Test)
- Conducted by
- JEE (Advanced) 2026 Board
- Eligibility
- JEE (Advanced) 2026 qualified
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Mode
- Offline, pen and paper
- Language
- English only
- Result
- Pass or Fail (no rank, no marks)
- Fee
- No separate fee
Eligibility for AAT 2026
Only candidates who have qualified JEE (Advanced) 2026 are eligible for AAT 2026. There is no separate eligibility check.
- You must appear and qualify in JEE (Advanced) 2026.
- The Class XII (or equivalent) performance criterion in Clause 26 of the JEE (Advanced) 2026 brochure continues to apply for B.Arch admission.
- You register for AAT separately on the JEE (Advanced) 2026 portal during the 48-hour window after results.
- There is no age limit beyond what JEE (Advanced) requires.
- PwD candidates, see the dedicated provisions section below.
AAT 2026 schedule
Registration is a tight 48-hour window after JEE (Advanced) results. Plan ahead.
- Done: Online registration opens10:00 ISTMonday, June 1, 2026
- Done: Online registration closes17:00 ISTTuesday, June 2, 2026
- Done: AAT 2026 examination09:00 to 12:00 IST (reach centre by 08:00 IST)Thursday, June 4, 2026
- Done: Declaration of AAT 2026 results17:00 ISTSunday, June 7, 2026
AAT 2026 exam pattern
One offline pen-and-paper test of 3 hours. The question paper is in English only. The result is Pass or Fail, with cut-off decided by the Joint Implementation Committee. No marks, percentile, or AAT rank is published.
- Mode
- Offline, pen and paper
- Duration
- 3 hours (4 hours for eligible PwD candidates)
- Language
- English only
- Result format
- Pass or Fail (no marks, no rank)
AAT 2026 syllabus, 5 sections
The official syllabus is published at jeeadv.ac.in/documents/aat-syllabus.pdf. Below is a faithful breakdown of each area, the skills it tests, and what to practice.
Freehand Drawing
Sketch everyday objects (furniture, household items, tools) from memory with correct proportion and texture. No instruments allowed.
- Proportion
- Texture rendering
- Quick observation
- Realistic representation
Geometrical Drawing
Geometric shapes, plans and elevations of 3D forms, spatial representations of cylinders, cones, prisms, cubes, splayed surfaces, drawn with technical precision using a geometry box.
- Plans and elevations
- Orthographic projection
- Compass and scale work
- Technical line quality
Three-Dimensional Perception
Visualisation of 3D objects and spatial forms. Volume, orientation, structure, and depth conveyed through sketched 3D forms and building elements.
- Mental rotation
- Isometric projection
- Spatial reasoning
- Depth and volume
Imagination and Aesthetic Sensitivity
Creative composition and visualisation. Context mapping, form arrangement, colour application, aesthetic judgment, and sketching from imaginary scenarios.
- Composition
- Colour use
- Creative visualisation
- Design judgment
Architectural Awareness
Knowledge of famous architectural works (national and international), notable architects and designers, historical and contemporary landmarks, and architectural styles and movements.
- Famous buildings
- Architects and designers
- Architectural styles
- Movements and history
Three IITs offer B.Arch via AAT
Seats are allotted strictly on JEE (Advanced) 2026 All India Rank, with AAT Pass status as the prerequisite. JoSAA conducts the counselling.
IIT Roorkee
B.Arch (5 years)Department of Architecture and Planning. Top-ranked IIT for architecture (NIRF Architecture #1, 2024).
IIT Kharagpur
B.Arch (5 years)Department of Architecture and Regional Planning. One of the oldest architecture programs in India.
IIT (BHU) Varanasi
B.Arch (5 years)Department of Architecture, Planning and Design. Newer IIT B.Arch offering.
AAT 2026 examination centres
AAT 2026 is conducted at seven zonal IIT centres in India. The official centre list is at jeeadv.ac.in/aat_centre_list.html. You select your preferred centre during registration.
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Guwahati
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Madras
- IIT Roorkee
Drawing kit checklist
Candidates must bring their own drawing and colouring aids. Pack the night before.
Bring
- HB and 2B pencils, plus 2H for fine lines
- Sharpener (metal or wooden)
- Soft erasers, kneaded eraser preferred for light sketching
- Geometry box: compass, scales, set squares, protractor
- Ruler, 12 to 15 inch
- Colouring aids: colour pencils or crayons
- Original JEE (Advanced) 2026 admit card (printed)
- Government photo ID: Aadhaar, Passport, DL or Voter ID
Avoid
- Wet paints and watercolours (smudging risk)
- Mobile phones and smart watches
- Calculators and electronic devices
- Loose paper or unauthorised material
Provisions for PwD candidates
PwD candidates with at least 40% impairment under the RPwD Act 2016 are eligible for one hour of compensatory time, making AAT a 4-hour test. The same applies to candidates with less than 40% disability who have difficulty writing under Section 2(s) of the said Act.
- Compensatory time: one additional hour (total 4 hours).
- Scribe (amanuensis) services available on request.
- Required certificate formats are in Annexure-II of the JEE (Advanced) 2026 brochure.
- Request must be made during JEE (Advanced) 2026 registration, not at the AAT centre.
AAT vs NATA, when do you take which?
Quick answer: AAT is for B.Arch at three IITs and requires JEE Advanced. NATA is for B.Arch at most other Indian colleges, with no JEE requirement. Many serious aspirants take both.
AAT 2026
- 3 IITs only (Roorkee, Kharagpur, BHU)
- Eligibility: JEE (Advanced) qualifier
- 3-hour offline pen-and-paper
- Pass or Fail, no rank
- Allotment by JEE (Advanced) AIR
NATA 2026
- Most COA-approved B.Arch colleges
- Eligibility: 12th pass with Mathematics
- Drawing offline + MCQ/NCQ online, 3 hours
- Marks and percentile published
- 2 attempts in Phase 1, 1 in Phase 2
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about AAT 2026
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Preparing for AAT 2026?
Neram coaches both NATA and AAT aspirants. Our drawing labs and architectural awareness modules cover the AAT pattern end-to-end.