NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
NATA 2026 is a 200-mark exam in two parts: Part A — Drawing & Composition (80 marks, offline, 90 minutes) and Part B — MCQ/NCQ (120 marks, online adaptive, 90 minutes). The medium is English and Hindi.
Drawing & Composition Test
Mode
Offline (Pen & Paper)
Marks
80
Duration
90 minutes
Questions
3 questions
Medium
English and Hindi
Negative Marking
No
Question Breakdown:
A1 — Composition & Color (25 marks): Create compositions and color them appropriately. A2 — Sketching & Composition B&W (25 marks): Draw buildings, people, environment with scale, proportion, shading. A3 — 3D Composition (30 marks): Create a 3D composition using a kit provided at the center.
Materials to bring: Pencils, erasers, dry colors, scale (up to 15 cm). No geometry box or other instruments allowed.
MCQ / NCQ (Adaptive)
Mode
Online (Computer Adaptive)
Marks
120
Duration
90 minutes (108 sec/question)
Questions
50 (42 MCQ + 8 NCQ)
Medium
English and Hindi
Negative Marking
No
Topics Covered:
• Visual Reasoning — 2D/3D composition understanding • Logical Derivation — Decoding situations and drawing conclusions • GK, Architecture & Design — Buildings, history, materials • Language Interpretation — Grammar, word meanings • Design Sensitivity & Thinking — Observation, critical thinking • Numerical Ability — Math with creative/geometric applications
Exam Day Schedule
Session 1 (Morning)
09:00 AM
Report to Examination Centre
09:15 AM
Gate opens to examination hall
09:45 AM
Registration must be completed
10:00 AM
Gate closes, examination begins (Part A + Part B)
10:15 AM
Late entry cutoff — no entry after this
01:00 PM
Examination ends, exit allowed
Session 2 (Afternoon)
12:30 PM
Report to Examination Centre
12:45 PM
Gate opens to examination hall
01:15 PM
Registration must be completed
01:30 PM
Gate closes, examination begins (Part A + Part B)
01:45 PM
Late entry cutoff — no entry after this
04:30 PM
Examination ends, exit allowed
Fridays: 1 session (afternoon only). Saturdays: 2 sessions. Total duration: 3 hours (Part A 90 min + Part B 90 min). No exit before exam ends.
FAQs — NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
How many questions are there in NATA 2026?
NATA 2026 has 3 questions in Part A (offline, 80 marks) and 50 questions in Part B (online, 120 marks) — 42 MCQs and 8 NCQs. The total is 200 marks. Part A tests drawing and composition skills while Part B is a computer-based adaptive test.
Is NATA 2026 Part B adaptive?
Yes, Part B of NATA 2026 uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). You get 108 seconds per question. The difficulty adjusts based on your performance — correct answers lead to harder questions and incorrect ones lead to easier questions.
Can I use a calculator in NATA?
No, calculators, mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, slide rules, log tables, and electronic watches with calculator facilities are strictly not allowed in the examination hall. Possession of such items may lead to cancellation of candidature.
What materials can I bring for Part A drawing?
For Part A, you must bring: pencils, erasers, dry colors, and a scale (up to 15 cm only). No geometry box, compass, set squares, or other instruments are allowed. The exam center provides drawing paper/material and rough sheets.
How many attempts are available in NATA 2026?
You can take up to 2 attempts in Phase 1 (April–June 2026) for Centralized Admission Counselling, OR 1 attempt in Phase 2 (August 7–8, 2026) for vacant seats. You cannot appear in both phases. Your best raw score is used for percentile calculation.
What is the new 3D Composition question in Part A?
Question A3 (30 marks) requires creating an interesting 3D composition for a given situation using a kit provided at the test center. This tests your ability to think in three dimensions and create spatial compositions.