NATA Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Sections, Duration and Question Types

NATA 2026 (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) is a 3-hour (180-minute) hybrid exam for 200 marks conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA). The exam splits into Part A — an offline drawing test worth 80 marks — and Part B — an online Computer-Based Test worth 120 marks, each running for 90 minutes. NATA 2026 has no negative marking, making it strategic to attempt every question in Part B.

• NATA 2026 is a 180-minute hybrid test for 200 marks — offline drawing in Part A and an online aptitude test in Part B.
• The exam has 2 parts: Part A (Drawing & Composition, 80 marks, 90 min) and Part B (Aptitude CBT, 120 marks, 90 min).
• Part A has 3 drawing tasks — Composition & Color (25 marks), Sketching & Composition (25 marks), and 3D Composition (30 marks).
• Part B has 45 aptitude questions — 30 MCQs at 2 marks each and 15 NCQs at 4 marks each — delivered as a Computer Adaptive Test.
• There is no negative marking for any question type — attempt all Part B questions to maximize your score.
• NATA 2026 allows only one attempt per year; you must choose either Phase 1 or Phase 2.
• Phase 2 is scheduled for August 7–8, 2026 — the exam pattern and marking scheme are identical across both phases.

NATA Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

NATA 2026 follows a hybrid exam pattern — Part A is an offline pen-and-paper drawing test, and Part B is a Computer-Based Adaptive Test (CAT format). The test measures drawing ability, spatial visualization, logical reasoning, and architectural awareness across two back-to-back 90-minute sessions on the same day. The total marks for NATA 2026 is 200, with Part A contributing 80 marks and Part B contributing 120 marks.

NATA 2026 is a 180-minute hybrid exam — Part A tests drawing and compositional skills offline, while Part B tests aptitude through a Computer-Based Adaptive Test worth 120 marks.

NATA Exam Pattern 2026: Important Dates

NATA 2026 runs in two phases. Phase 1 concluded in June 2026; Phase 2 is scheduled for August 7–8, 2026 and is the current active window for students who have not yet appeared in Phase 1. The exam pattern and marking scheme are identical in both phases. Admit cards for Phase 2 are typically released on the Tuesday (for Friday exams) or Wednesday (for Saturday exams) before each exam date.

Source: Council of Architecture – NATA Official Website

NATA 2026: Detailed Exam Pattern

NATA 2026 divides into Part A (Drawing & Composition Test) — held offline — and Part B (Aptitude Test) — held as an online Computer Adaptive Test. Both parts are on the same exam day. Part A runs first, followed by a short break and then Part B. The total is 48 questions across both parts, worth 200 marks in 180 minutes.

Part A – Drawing & Composition Test (Offline, 80 Marks, 90 Minutes)

Part B – Aptitude Test (Computer-Based Adaptive Test, 120 Marks, 90 Minutes)

Combined Pattern Summary

Note: Part A drawing tasks are not auto-graded. Expert evaluators score each drawing against structured rubrics covering composition, aesthetic quality, spatial accuracy, and color or tonal use. The adaptive nature of Part B means you cannot return to previous questions once you proceed — plan each answer before submitting.

NATA Marking Scheme 2026

NATA 2026 applies a no negative marking policy across all sections. Wrong answers and unattempted questions in Part B both score zero — there is no deduction. MCQs in Part B carry 2 marks each, and the higher-value NCQs carry 4 marks each. Part A (Drawing) is assessed by expert examiners using defined scoring criteria, not automatically graded.

There is no negative marking in NATA 2026 — never leave any Part B question unattempted.

Part A is scored holistically. Examiners assess each drawing on composition and spatial balance, quality of line and form, color or tonal accuracy (where applicable), and originality of interpretation. Scores from multiple evaluators are moderated before the final Part A mark is assigned. You cannot predict or calculate your Part A score mid-exam — focus on completing all three tasks within the 90 minutes.

NATA Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026

NATA 2026 does not use traditional subject divisions like Physics, Chemistry, or Biology. Instead, the exam tests architecture-specific aptitude areas across Part A and Part B. The breakdown below shows each competency area, what it tests, and how much it contributes to your total score.

Part A – Drawing & Composition (80 Marks)

Part B – Aptitude Test (120 Marks)

Note: NATA 2026 Part B is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT format) — the difficulty of questions adjusts dynamically based on your previous answers. Strong early performance routes you to harder, higher-discrimination questions; the system is designed to precisely measure your ability level rather than just your raw score.

NATA Question Types 2026

NATA 2026 Part B has two primary question formats — Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and No-Choice Questions (NCQ). Part A uses a non-objective drawing format evaluated by human examiners. Each question type in Part B has a specific marks structure and demands a different answering approach.

CoA may also incorporate Preferential Choice Questions (PCQ) and Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) within the adaptive CBT framework in some sessions. Always verify the final question-type breakdown in the official NATA brochure at nata.in before your exam date.

NCQ questions carry 4 marks each — double the MCQ value — making the B2 section the highest per-question opportunity in the entire test.

NATA Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year

NATA 2026 introduces structural changes that directly affect how you approach the exam. The most significant shift is the reduction in allowed attempts — from 3 attempts in 2025 to a single attempt per year in 2026. The introduction of Computer Adaptive Testing for Part B changes both preparation strategy and in-exam behavior compared to previous years.

The shift to Computer Adaptive Testing in Part B means question difficulty adjusts in real time — you cannot revisit or change previous answers in the adaptive section.

The removal of the minimum score requirement benefits students who perform exceptionally in Part A (Drawing) but find Part B more challenging. Any non-zero score now qualifies, allowing more students to be considered for architecture college admissions based on their combined performance.

How to Prepare Based on NATA Exam Pattern

Your NATA 2026 preparation strategy must reflect the exam’s two distinct 90-minute halves — each testing completely different skills. Balancing Part A (drawing and aesthetic ability) with Part B (logical and mathematical reasoning) is the central challenge. The tips below are drawn directly from the 2026 exam pattern.

1. Make A3 (3D Composition, 30 marks) your highest priority in Part A: It is the single highest-scoring component in the entire exam. Practice drawing 3D objects, shadow projection, isometric views, and spatial assembly for at least 30 minutes every day.
2. Time yourself to 25–30 minutes per Part A drawing task: Part A gives you 90 minutes for 3 tasks. Over-spending on one drawing risks leaving another incomplete — practice full mock tests with a timer to build consistent pacing.
3. Attempt every question in Part B — zero penalty for wrong answers: With no negative marking, leaving any MCQ or NCQ blank is a guaranteed loss of marks. Use the remaining time to make your best educated guess on uncertain questions.
4. Focus NCQ preparation on mathematical and spatial problem-solving: NCQs carry 4 marks each — double the MCQ value. Strong performance in the B2 section can decisively lift your total score. Practice numerical accuracy under timed conditions.
5. Build color media speed for the A1 Composition and Color task: At 25 marks, A1 rewards confident use of color. Practice regularly with pencil colors and poster colors to develop both technique and speed — slow color application in the exam costs you composition time.
6. Study architectural awareness regularly for Part B: Landmark buildings, famous architects (Indian and global), architectural movements, and built-environment concepts appear consistently in Part B aptitude questions. Fifteen minutes of reading daily builds this knowledge progressively.
7. Practice on an adaptive mock test platform for Part B: NATA 2026 Part B is a Computer Adaptive Test — question difficulty changes based on your answers. Practice on platforms that simulate adaptive difficulty so you can build composure when harder questions appear after a strong early run.