NATA 2026 Phase 2: How to Score 140+ with Subject-Wise Tips

Scoring 140 or more out of 200 in NATA 2026 Phase 2 is a realistic target. Aim for 60+ marks in Drawing and 80+ in the MCQ section to get there.

NATA 2026 Phase 2 is scheduled for July 5, 2026. The exam has two parts. Part A is a Drawing test worth 80 marks. Part B is an online MCQ section covering PCM and General Aptitude worth 120 marks. A focused subject-wise plan in the final days makes a significant difference to your score.

• The exam is worth 200 marks total: Drawing Part A (80 marks) and MCQ Part B (120 marks).
• A score of 140+ puts you in approximately the top 15-20% of test takers based on previous year trends.
• The Drawing section carries 80 marks and is the single largest scoring block in the exam.
• NATA 2026 Phase 2 exam date: July 5, 2026.

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NATA 2026 Phase 2 Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam structure is the first step toward a focused preparation plan. NATA 2026 Phase 2 follows a two-part format across 180 minutes.

Part B includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) and Match the Following type questions. Negative marking applies to select question types in Part B. Check the official NATA 2026 information brochure at www.nata.in for the exact marking scheme.

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Breaking Down the 140+ Target

Reaching 140 out of 200 means securing roughly 70% of total marks. Here is a realistic score split that gets you there.

Students who score 60+ in Drawing and above 80 in Part B consistently cross the 140-mark threshold. This pattern holds across previous NATA cycles.

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Drawing Section: How to Score 55-65 Out of 80

The Drawing test is evaluated on composition, creativity, proportion and use of colour. Each of the two questions carries 40 marks. This section rewards consistent daily practice more than any last-minute technique.

• Practise 3D visualisation every day. Draw isometric views, plan-elevation-section sets and perspective sketches of everyday objects.
• Build drawing speed above all else. You have 70 minutes for 2 questions. Allocate 5 minutes for planning and 30 minutes per drawing.
• Fill the full A4 sheet. Compositions that use the entire page score higher than small centred sketches.
• Colour with confidence. Use pencil colours or crayons boldly. Flat pale colouring costs marks in evaluation.
• Add labels where relevant. Neat annotations and labels demonstrate architectural thinking and add to your score.
• Cover all three drawing types. NATA questions test landscape composition, object memory drawing and imaginative 2D or 3D sketches. Practise all three types before the exam.

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MCQ Section: Subject-Wise Tips for Part B

Part B tests PCM and General Aptitude. General Aptitude carries more marks and rewards consistent daily practice more than last-minute cramming.

Mathematics

• Revise Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry and Statistics. These are the most frequently tested topics in NATA.
• Solve at least 10 problems per topic without a calculator to build the speed you will need in the exam.
• Do not skip Matrices and Determinants. They appear consistently across NATA sessions.

Physics and Chemistry

• Focus on Class 11-12 NCERT chapters: Units and Measurement, Optics, Electrochemistry and Organic Chemistry basics.
• NATA PCM questions are largely NCERT-level in difficulty. Mastering NCERT is sufficient for most questions in this section.
• Revise key formulae every morning before working through practice questions.

General Aptitude

• This section tests visual and spatial reasoning, texture identification, colour theory and mental ability.
• Practise mirror images, rotated 3D shapes and texture-based questions. These topic types appear in every NATA session.
• Solve at least 20 aptitude questions daily in the week before the exam.
• Study basic facts about well-known architectural structures. These appear in general awareness sub-questions within the Aptitude section.

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Last-Week Practice Schedule Before NATA 2026 Phase 2

The week before July 5, 2026 should focus entirely on revision and timed mock practice. Do not start new topics at this stage. Here is a day-wise plan.

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Exam Day Strategy for NATA 2026 Phase 2

How you manage time and composure on July 5, 2026 can shift your score by 10-15 marks in either direction.

• Reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes early. Entry gates close before the exam begins.
• In Part A, read both drawing questions before picking up your pencil. Spend the first 5 minutes deciding which prompt to start with.
• In Part B, attempt General Aptitude questions first if you find them easier. Return to PCM after completing the Aptitude section.
• Skip questions with negative marking when you are unsure. Guessing on penalised questions costs more marks than leaving them blank.
• Carry sharpened pencils, erasers and coloured pencils for Part A. Confirm which materials are permitted at your test centre in advance.
• Rough proportions with confident strokes consistently score higher than stiff over-corrected sketches in the Drawing evaluation.