NATA 2026 at a glance
The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is the gateway exam for B.Arch admissions in India, conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA). For 2026, the exam continues in the multi-phase format that has been stable since 2022, with online MCQ-style questions and online drawing assessment.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total marks | 200 |
| Total questions | 125 |
| Total duration | 3 hours |
| Mode | Online, computer-based |
| Phases | Up to 2 attempts in Phase 1, 1 attempt in Phase 2 |
| Best score | Best of all attempts considered for admission |
| Negative marking | No |
Section-wise breakdown
NATA 2026 covers three broad areas, each with its own weight. The Council has gradually shifted away from raw drawing skill towards multi-modal aptitude, so a 2026 candidate cannot afford to over-prepare any single section.
1. Diagrammatic Reasoning (around 50 marks)
- Pattern recognition, mirror images, paper folding, embedded figures
- Series completion, analogy, classification of 2D and 3D shapes
- Tests spatial intelligence at the foundational level
2. Numerical and Verbal Reasoning (around 50 marks)
- Mathematics covering algebra, trigonometry, coordinate geometry, calculus basics, statistics
- Logical reasoning: syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense
- Verbal ability: synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion, reading comprehension
- General knowledge focused on architecture, famous buildings, architects, materials
3. Inductive and Situational Reasoning (around 100 marks)
- Drawing-based questions presented digitally (you draw and the answer is captured online)
- Composition: combining given shapes into a meaningful 2D or 3D image
- 3D rendering and shading
- Architectural awareness: identify a building or architect from a partial image
- Aesthetic sensitivity: pick the most well-composed image from a set
Question type mix
NATA 2026 uses three question types blended across the paper:
- MCQ (Multiple Choice Question): one correct answer from four options
- MSQ (Multiple Select Question): one or more correct answers from four options
- NAQ (Numerical Answer Question): enter a numerical value, no options
This mix punishes guessing on MSQ (you lose the mark if you miss any correct option) and rewards genuine calculation on NAQ.
Time strategy
3 hours for 125 questions works out to roughly 1 minute 26 seconds per question on average. In practice, you should allocate:
- 30 minutes for diagrammatic reasoning (about 35 questions)
- 50 minutes for numerical and verbal reasoning (about 40 questions)
- 90 minutes for inductive and situational reasoning, especially drawing-heavy ones (about 50 questions)
- 10 minutes for review and flagged questions
Common 2026 changes versus 2025
- The Council moved fully to online drawing input (digital tablet or mouse-based composition tools)
- Aesthetic sensitivity questions now use higher-resolution image stimuli
- General aptitude weightage has stabilised around 50 marks (down from 80 in earlier years)
How Neram covers each section
Our NATA online coaching program runs section-specific modules:
- Daily 2-hour drawing practice covering composition, 3D rendering, shading
- Weekly mathematics and reasoning drills aligned with the latest NATA paper analysis
- Monthly full-length mock tests on the exact NATA interface
- One-on-one critique on every submitted drawing
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in NATA 2026?
No. NATA 2026 has no negative marking, so attempt every question.
How many drawing questions appear in NATA 2026?
Approximately 15 to 20 questions in the inductive and situational reasoning section involve drawing input, with the remaining being MCQ-based on visual stimuli.
Can I attempt NATA more than once in 2026?
Yes. You can attempt up to 2 tests in Phase 1 (April to June) and 1 test in Phase 2 (August). Best score across attempts is considered.
Tags
- NATA 2026
- NATA Exam Pattern
- NATA Sections
- NATA Drawing
- NATA Aptitude
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