NATA (National Aptitude Test for Architecture) is conducted by the Council of Architecture. Candidates have to clear this test to qualify for admission to the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program in Architecture colleges across India. The NATA 2024 entrance exam Information Brochure has been released. There are 7 important changes in the NATA 2024 exam in the following areas- Pattern, Syllabus, Attempts, Exam Dates, Score Validity, Qualifying Marks, and Eligibility Criteria.

1. NATA 2024 Exam Pattern: NATA exam from 2020 to 2023 was a fully computer based test. NATA 2024 has introduced a very big change. The exam now has 2 Parts:

Notes:

1. PBT = Paper Based Test, CBT = Computer Based
2. The medium of the test will be both English and

2. NATA 2024 Syllabus: The exam will assess the aptitude of the candidates for specific field of Architecture using some or all of the following:

PART A – Drawing and Composition Test

This is one and half hour (90 minutes) – 80 Marks Test where candidate has to attempt three questions. The content of the PART A Test is as follows:

• A1 – Composition and Color – 25 Marks: Creating suitable compositions for various situations and coloring them appropriately. Re-arranging various shapes in a visually appealing manner and coloring it suitably.
• A2 -Sketching & Composition (Black and White) – 25 Marks: Ability to draw, visualize, depict a situation, involving buildings / its components, people, environment, products with an understanding of scale, proportions, textures, shades and shadow etc.
• A3 – 3D Composition – 30 Marks: Creating interesting 3D composition for the given situation using the provided kit.

SILICA Expert Note: We expect A1 to be a 2D Design question on composition using shapes or patterns with application of color based on instructions given. We expect A2 to be a Memory Drawing question with complex scenes from different eye levels to be drawn in proper perspective

with different people and elements in proportion. We do not have enough clarity about the A3 question, but we expect it to be based on 3D Composition where different forms or objects are given and students will be expected to create an aesthetically pleasing and stable composition.

PART B – MCQ Online Test

This is one and half hour (90 minutes), 120 Marks Test where candidate has to appear for online test. It shall have two type of Questions viz., B1 – 30 Questions of 2 Marks and B2 – 15 Questions of 4 Marks from the following topics:

• Visual Reasoning Ability: to understand and reconstruct 2D and 3D composition, knowledge about its composition and technical concepts.
• Logical Derivation Ability: to decode a situation, composition, context and generate Understanding the minute information hidden in a particular situation and drawing conclusions.
• K., Architecture & Design: General awareness of architecture and design, current issues, recent episodes etc., Knowledge about important buildings, historical progression, innovation in materials and construction technology.
• Language Interpretation Ability: to correctly & logically generate meaning of words, sentences, understanding about English grammar.
• Design Sensitivity Ability: to observe, record and analyze, people, spaces, product, Critical thinking, reasoning and ability to identify the subtle communications.
• Design Thinking Ability: to understand semantics, metaphors, problem identification and definition, analysis of a given situation.
• Numerical Ability: Basic Mathematics and its association with creative To unfold a space with the use of geometry.

SILICA Expert Note: We expect the following type of questions to be asked under each topic:

Topic	Type of Questions
1. Visual Reasoning Ability	Questions related to 3D visualization like Plan & Elevation, Unfolding Objects, Shadow, Counting Surfaces, Different views of Objects etc.
2. Logical Derivation Ability	Questions on Analytical & Logical Ability covering visual series, verbal reasoning, passage & inference, direction test, critical thinking etc.
3. GK, Architecture & Design Awareness	Questions on famous buildings, architects, monuments; building construction techniques & materials; architectural elements, styles etc.
4. Language Interpretation Ability	Questions on language like synonyms, antonyms, ordering of sentences, idioms & phrases, spotting errors, reading comprehension etc.
5. Design Sensitivity Ability	Questions on elements & principles of design, spotting the difference, signs, symbols & graphic design etc
6. Design Thinking Ability	Questions on Usability of products, problem identification in design, graphics & imagery, analysis of situations
7. Numerical Ability	Questions on Profit & Loss, Percentage, Average, Probability, Geometry, Menusration, Time-Speed-Distance, Mixture & Allegation etc.

 

3. NATA 2024 Exam Dates: For the past 4 years, from 2020 to 2023, NATA exam was conducted on 4 specific dates in the months from April to August. Starting from Saturday, 6th April 2024, the NATA exam will be conducted every weekend in 2 slots, across various test The slot times will be – Session 1: 10.00am to 1.00pm & Session 2: 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Students have to select their choice of date, time slot and city of examination while applying. The test center will be allotted by the Council, as far as possible, on the basis of cities and sessions preferred by the candidates.

4. Eligibility Criteria: There are 2 types of eligibility that candidates have to consider.

• Eligibility to appear for NATA 2024: Candidates have to fulfill following educational qualification criteria to appear for NATA 2024-

1. Passed or appearing for 10+1 Exam with PCM Subjects;
2. Passed or appearing for 10+2 Exam with PCM Subjects;
3. Passed or appearing for 10+3 Diploma Exam with Mathematics as a

• Eligibility for admission to B.Arch program: Qualifying the NATA exam does not assure admission to the candidate in an Architecture The criteria for admission to B.Arch program is issued by the Council of Architecture as follows: “No candidate shall be admitted to architecture course unless she / he has passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects with at least 50% marks in aggregate or passed 10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as compulsory subject with at least 50% marks in aggregate.”

SILICA Expert Note: We need to take into account 2 points.

1. Candidates appearing for / passed 11th grade exam with PCM can also appear for the NATA This along with the new rule that NATA score is valid for 2 years make their score 1 year ago valid for admissions after their 12th grade board exams.
2. The eligibility criteria for admission to Arch program has remained the same i.e. 10+2 with PCM with aggregate 50% marks. There is no mention of any additional requirement of 50% in PCM, which is good for students. Further, the Council of Architecture has proposed a further relaxation of the above eligibility criteria, which is under consideration from the Government of India.

5. Number of Attempts: The candidates can appear for a maximum of 3 attempts in NATA 2024 in one academic year. The best score out of all the attempts shall be considered for declaration of results.

6. Score Validity: The NATA score will now be valid for 2 So if you give NATA in 2024, the score will be valid for admission in 2024 as well as 2025.

7. Qualifying Marks: The Qualifying Marks for the NATA 2024 would be based on the following Rules:

• A minimum of 20 marks must be secured in PART A
• A minimum of 30 marks must be secured in PART B
• Overall qualifying marks for NATA 2024 (Part A + B) shall be 70 marks out of 200

A Candidate will not qualify in NATA 2024 unless all three conditions mentioned above are satisfied. In case the candidate appears in multiple tests, all the previous scores shall appear on the scorecard. The best score obtained in all attempts shall be taken as the valid score for NATA 2024.

How to Apply for NATA 2024: The online application link will start from 1st March 2024 on www.nata.in.