Overview: The CoA conducts the NATA exam annually for admission to top architecture colleges across India. With thousands of candidates each, preparing well for this exam is important. Here are some basic strategies to remember while writing the NATA exam.

The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), the most popular entrance examination for admissions to Bachelor of Architecture (B Arch) programs, will be held each year in April. Because NATA is administered by the Council of Architecture (CoA), it cannot be combined with the other examinations.

Continue reading for some basic strategies to remember while writing the NATA exam.

Download Free Study Material for NATA by Creative Edge

NATA Exam: Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The NATA entrance exam assesses an aspirant's creativity and critical thinking skills. When crafting a NATA study plan, it is crucial to understand the exam pattern, which is divided into multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Drawings. The mathematics and general aptitude questions will be in multiple-choice format.

NATA Exam Syllabus

CoA will publish the NATA syllabus for 2025 on the official website. The syllabus will allow candidates to view the courses, themes, and units that must be studied to pass the exam.

The NATA exam syllabus includes three subjects:

• Numerical Reasoning
• General Aptitude
• Drawing Test

NATA Exam Pattern

According to the latest NATA exam pattern, the exam will have two sections. Part A of the NATA question paper will now include questions on 3D modelling. 

Part A now features a 90-minute segment where candidates tackle three tasks:

1. Composition and Colour Test (25 marks): Create and colour compositions for various scenarios.
2. Sketching & Composition in Black and White (25 marks): Visualize and sketch architectural settings, focusing on scale and textures.
3. 3D Composition (30 marks): Construct a 3D model using provided materials, testing spatial understanding and material manipulation.

The exam is for 200 marks and lasts 3 hours.

Basic Strategies to Remember While Writing the NATA Exam

Now, let us take a look at some basic strategies to remember while writing the NATA exam.

1. Understand the NATA Exam Structure

Before you start studying for the NATA Exam, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the test format. This will help you understand what to expect on test day and allow you to better prepare for the exam.

The NATA Exam is offered in both paper-and-pencil and computer-based formats. If you are taking the computer-based version of the exam, practice using the online testing platform to be comfortable with it on test day.

2. Develop a Study Plan

Creating a study timetable is essential in preparing for the NATA exam. By mapping out when you will study, you can ensure you allocate enough time to cover all the material. Make sure to include regular breaks in your timetable so you do not get overwhelmed.

Once you have created a timetable and set realistic goals, it's time to break down the course material into manageable chunks. This will help make studying less overwhelming and ensure you understand everything before moving on to the next topic. 

3. Utilize Online Resources

One way to prepare for the NATA exam is to take advantage of online practice tests. This will help you become familiar with the types of questions that will be asked on the exam.

Utilizing online learning resources is another great way to prepare for the NATA exam. Several websites offer video lessons and tutorials specifically designed for the NATA exam.

4. Improve Your Time Management Skills

One of the best ways to improve your time management skills is to practice with NATA mock tests. This will help you get a feel for how much time you need to spend on each question and will also help you identify which questions are more complicated and require more time.

Planning how to use your time during the exam is essential for managing your time wisely. This means creating a timeline for yourself and sticking to it as much as possible.

5. Strengthen Your Weak Areas

Self-assessment is integral to the NATA study plan and is particularly crucial for enhancing weaker areas. Engaging in practice quizzes and tests is a beneficial approach to pinpointing the topics that require more attention.

Once you have identified your problem areas, it's time to start working on them. Try breaking it into smaller pieces if you struggle with a particular concept. Then, focus on one piece at a time until you understand it fully.

6. Stay Motivated

Staying motivated when preparing for a long, gruelling exam like the NATA can be difficult. One way to overcome this is to set mini-goals for yourself.

You can also reward yourself for your accomplishments. After completing a section of your study material, take some time off to relax or do something you enjoy.

7. Final Preparations

Practice with NATA's previous years' question papers to familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam and the types of questions that will be asked. This will help you pace on test day and manage your time more effectively.

In the days before the exam, it is essential to stay calm and focused. Review your study materials one last time and ensure you have everything you need on test day, such as pens, pencils, and a calculator.

What are the evaluators looking for in the Drawing Exam (Part A)?

Candidates must plan their preparation according to what evaluators seek in the drawing section. We have compiled insights into our NATA basic preparation strategies to help them understand evaluators' viewpoints.

Drawing in Perspective

• The reviewer will first notice the correct proportions and scale. For example, the ratio of humans to a store, a tree, or any other object).
• How much detail can a candidate add to a specific object/element to demonstrate observation skills?
• Accuracy in determining eye level.
• Whether all of the lines in your drawing have the correct diverge and perspective to the vanishing point.

Read more: NATA study plan.

Logo/Composition/Signage in 2D

• Try to avoid using logotypes.
• The logo should be simple, memorable, and minimal.
• Colouration quality
• Colour combinations are essential. Use fewer number colours whenever possible. If not specified, use no more than three or four colours.
• Compositional innovation is based on simple designs or shapes.

Read more: NATA 6-month preparation strategy.

3D or Object Design

• Organizing and innovating various objects
• The scale and proportions of objects concern one another.
• Organizing and innovating various objects
• The material's texture/finish (If specified)
• An object's correct shade and shadow is the light source's angle, type, and direction.

Read more: NATA preparation tips.

How to prepare for the NATA entrance exam?

NATA Drawing Tips

This section's most important aspect is cultivating a vision for observing everyday objects and chores in all their minute details (shape, different views from different heights, scale and size of each concerning the human body, etc.). This will sharpen your observation skills and will undoubtedly help you with perspective sketches and 3D drawings in the long run. Continue to practice!

1. Begin with the question about perspective/memory drawing. Take 5 minutes to determine your point of view and eye level. Don't start sketching right away. Try to finish your drawing in 35 minutes or less. If you cannot complete it, disregard it and proceed to the next question.
2. When sketching in 2D, start with a small piece of paper and then move on to your main drawing sheet. This should take no more than 10 minutes. Colour it in 15 minutes before moving on to the next question.
3. Per the NATA basic preparation strategies developed by domain experts, candidates should wrap up the 3D pencil sketch in 10 minutes and the remaining 15-20 minutes for texture/shadow, etc., according to the question's requirements. So, you now have 15 minutes for any final touches or anything you missed in the questions. Try solving NATA sample papers within these time constraints.

Also read: NATA Drawing Preparation

General Tips on How to prepare for the NATA exam?

• Aspirants should begin their preparation by creating a timetable. They should also review the syllabus, plan their study strategy, and stay focused.
• Understand the NATA 2025
• Exam Pattern, including the distribution of marks, question pattern, and several questions asked in the exam.
• Continue to practice Mock Tests and NATA previous year's question papers/sample papers. It is said to be a powerful success mantra.
• Identify your areas of weakness and work around them through getting NATA mock tests. Prepare according to your strengths and make the most of them.
• Take small notes while studying any topic. These small notes help with revision because they save time. Candidates can review these brief notes at any time and from any location.
• Try to learn good sketching methodologies for scale and proportion, light and shadow effects, a sense of technical drawing, memory sketching, creating three-dimensional elements, and so on.
• Practice sketching landscapes and everyday objects from memory.
• Avoid stress at all costs. Adding unnecessary stress to the exam will only lead to a lack of confidence. Aspirants are advised to maintain a positive attitude and eat healthily.
• Another critical aspect is preparing appropriate study materials. Studying from the right test prep will improve your knowledge and save time.

Also read: How To Prepare For NATA In One Month [Preparation Strategy]

Conclusion

Preparing for a challenging exam like the NATA can feel impossible. Follow these basic strategies to remember while writing the NATA exam to help give you an edge over the other candidates.