A score of 150 marks in NATA 2026 Phase 1 is expected to fetch a percentile between 87 and 92 (based on 2025 trends), making you competitive for several top architecture colleges across India.
NATA 2026 Phase 1 is conducted by the Council of Architecture (COA) for a total of 200 marks. Scoring 150 out of 200 translates to 75%, well above the qualifying threshold and enough to put you in contention for Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs), NIT B.Arch programmes, and leading private colleges.
- NATA 2026 Phase 1 total marks: 200
- 150 marks in percentage: 75%
- Expected percentile at 150 marks: 87–92 percentile (based on 2025 trends)
- General category qualifying marks: 80 marks (40% aggregate, 25% per section)
- Colleges within reach: SPA Bhopal, SPA Vijayawada, BIT Mesra, Rizvi College of Architecture, and more
| Direct Link — NATA 2026 Official Portal Visit nata.in for Phase 1 Score Card and Result |
What Does 150 Marks Mean in NATA 2026 Phase 1?
NATA 2026 Phase 1 is a 200-mark exam with two components: Part A (online aptitude test) worth 125 marks and Part B (drawing test) worth 75 marks. Scoring 150 out of 200 means you have secured 75% of the total marks, comfortably above the general category qualifying mark of 80.
The minimum qualifying criteria require students to score at least 25% in each section and 40% overall. With 150 marks, you clear this threshold with significant headroom. This score places you in the higher performance bracket and makes you eligible to apply to most architecture colleges that use NATA for admission.
Expected Percentile for 150 Marks in NATA 2026 Phase 1
COA calculates percentile based on the relative performance of all students who appeared in the same phase. Based on NATA 2024 and 2025 score data, 150 marks in Phase 1 is expected to correspond to a percentile between 87 and 92.
Two key factors can shift this range in 2026. If the paper is harder than previous years, fewer students will cross 150, pushing your percentile toward the upper end. If the paper is easier, more students may score above 150, bringing the percentile slightly lower. The official percentile is confirmed when COA releases the Phase 1 result and merit list.
NATA 2026 Score Bands and Percentile Ranges
The table below shows expected percentile ranges for different mark bands in NATA 2026. All figures are expected estimates based on 2024–2025 trends and not official COA data.
| Marks Range (out of 200) | Expected Percentile (Based on 2025 Trends) | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| 175–200 | 97–99+ percentile | Excellent |
| 160–174 | 93–97 percentile | Very Good |
| 145–159 | 86–93 percentile | Good |
| 130–144 | 74–86 percentile | Above Average |
| 110–129 | 55–74 percentile | Average |
| Below 110 | Below 55 percentile | Below Average |
A score of 150 marks falls in the 145–159 band, corresponding to an expected percentile of 86–93. For most architecture college admissions, raw marks matter more than percentile since colleges set direct mark-based cutoffs rather than percentile cutoffs.
Top Architecture Colleges You Can Target with 150 Marks in NATA 2026
The table below lists architecture colleges and their expected NATA mark cutoffs for general category students, based on 2024–2025 closing marks. All figures are expected and based on previous year trends.
| College | City | Expected Cutoff — General (Out of 200) | Chances at 150 Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi | New Delhi | 155–170 | Borderline / Low |
| SPA, Bhopal | Bhopal | 132–150 | Good |
| SPA, Vijayawada | Vijayawada | 128–148 | Good |
| CEPT University | Ahmedabad | 140–155 | Moderate |
| NIT Trichy (B.Arch) | Tiruchirappalli | 148–162 | Borderline |
| NIT Calicut (B.Arch) | Calicut | 145–160 | Moderate |
| BIT Mesra | Ranchi | 118–138 | Strong |
| Sir J.J. College of Architecture | Mumbai | 128–145 | Good |
| Rizvi College of Architecture | Mumbai | 108–132 | Strong |
| Chandigarh College of Architecture | Chandigarh | 112–138 | Strong |
Students targeting NIT Trichy or NIT Calicut B.Arch should note that these programmes also consider JEE Main Paper 2 scores alongside NATA. Check individual college admission criteria before applying.
Category-wise Cutoff Trends at 150 Marks in NATA 2026
Architecture college admissions follow the national reservation policy. Cutoffs for OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories are lower than general category cutoffs, typically by 15–30 marks. With 150 marks, students from reserved categories have strong chances at SPA Delhi and top NIT B.Arch programmes (expected, based on 2025 trends).
| Category | Expected Min. Qualifying Marks (2026) | College Access at 150 Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 80 marks | SPA Bhopal, SPA Vijayawada, BIT Mesra, Rizvi, Chandigarh, JJ College |
| OBC-NCL | 72 marks | SPA Delhi (possible), NIT Trichy, NIT Calicut, CEPT University |
| SC | 60 marks | SPA Delhi, all NITs, all SPAs, most top government colleges |
| ST | 60 marks | SPA Delhi, all NITs, all SPAs, most top government colleges |
| PwD | 60 marks | SPA Delhi, all NITs, all SPAs, most top government colleges |
These are expected figures based on 2024–2025 cutoff data. Actual 2026 cutoffs will depend on seat availability, total applicants in each category, and college-specific rules after counselling concludes.
NATA 2026 Phase 1 150 Marks FAQs
Ques. Is 150 marks a good score in NATA 2026 Phase 1?
Ans. Yes, 150 out of 200 in NATA 2026 Phase 1 is a good score. It represents 75% of the total marks and is expected to place you between the 87th and 92nd percentile based on 2025 trends. This score makes you competitive for several well-regarded architecture colleges across India.
Ques. What is the expected percentile for 150 marks in NATA 2026?
Ans. Based on NATA 2024 and 2025 score distributions, 150 marks in Phase 1 is expected to correspond to a percentile between 87 and 92. The exact figure will be confirmed once COA releases the official result and merit list for NATA 2026 Phase 1.
Ques. Can I get into SPA Delhi with 150 marks in NATA 2026?
Ans. SPA Delhi is highly competitive. General category closing marks typically range from 155 to 170, making 150 a borderline score in this category. However, OBC students have a reasonable chance and SC or ST students with 150 marks are likely to secure admission based on previous year trends. SPA Bhopal and SPA Vijayawada are more accessible at 150 marks for general category students.
Ques. What is the total marks for NATA 2026 Phase 1?
Ans. NATA 2026 Phase 1 is conducted for a total of 200 marks. Part A (online aptitude test) carries 125 marks and Part B (drawing test) carries 75 marks. The minimum qualifying criteria require 25% in each part and 40% overall, which equals 80 marks for the general category.
Ques. Which private architecture colleges can I target with 150 marks in NATA 2026?
Ans. With 150 marks, strong private college choices include Rizvi College of Architecture (Mumbai), Chandigarh College of Architecture, Sir J.J. College of Architecture (Mumbai), and BIT Mesra (Ranchi). These colleges have seen closing marks below 145 in recent years, making 150 a strong score for admission.
Ques. If I appear in both NATA Phase 1 and Phase 2, which score is considered for admission?
Ans. Most B.Arch counselling bodies and colleges use the best score from Phase 1 and Phase 2 for admission. If your Phase 1 score is 150 and you improve in Phase 2, the higher score is typically used. However, individual state counselling authorities and colleges may have specific rules, so verify with your target institution before applying.
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