NATIONAL APTITUDE TEST IN ARCHITECTURE

NATIONAL APTITUDE TEST IN ARCHITECTURE
(Aptitude test required for admissions to 1st year B.Arch. At all institutes / schools / colleges of Architecture in India (including Govt., Govt-aided, Private Unaided, University Depts. Deemed Universities, etc.), offering courses, leading to Bachelor’s degree in Architecture)

The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) measures aptitude of the applicant for specific field of study, i.e. Architecture. The test measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportions, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking, that have been acquired over a long period of time, and that are related to specific field of study, i.e. Architecture.

Prospective applicants desirous of taking admission to First year of undergraduate course in Architecture (Bachelor of Architecture) in India take NATA. NATA scores are used by admissions authorities of different unaided & Govt. aided schools / colleges of Architecture, to provide common measures for comparing the qualifications of applicants. NATA is offered year-round at designated Test Centers located at colleges / schools of architecture in India.

Who Accepts It?
All schools / colleges of Architecture, Govt., Govt aided, University Departments, private unaided, including colleges affiliated to self-financed Deemed Universities and Private Universities, or any department of Architecture within a college, requires that its applicants take the NATA.

Test Fees
NATA Fees are Rs.800, and are to be paid at the time of Registration and before collection of the appointment voucher from the Test Center. The test fees may be paid in cash or by demand draft in favour of the Test Center. Exact name in whose favour the draft has to be drawn may be obtained from respective Test Center.

Requesting a Refund
Only if the candidate cancels the appointment for NATA no later than 3 full working days prior to the candidate’s test date, the candidate will receive Rs.400 as refund.

About NATA
The NATA consists of two tests, a paper based ‘Drawing Test’ of two hours duration and a Computer based ‘Aesthetic Sensitivity Test’ of one hour duration. For the Drawing Test, a question paper consisting of two questions –a free hand drawing and a memory sketch, will be generated by the Computer and printed for the candidate. It will be handed over to the candidate along with the drawing paper (Answer sheet) with preprinted barcode. Paper of any kind, other than the one officially distributed, is not permitted in the testing room.

The applicants should attempt the question on the drawing paper supplied by the test center on the side where barcode is printed. The Appointment number, Candidate ID and test center stamp with supervisor’s signature shall be on the reverse side of the paper. At the conclusion of the test the candidate should return the answer sheet (drawing paper) and question paper to the test supervisor. The drawing aptitude of the applicant is judged on the following aspects – ability to sketch a given object proportionately and rendering the same in visually appealing manner, visualizing and drawing the effects of light on the object and shadows cast on surroundings, sense of perspective drawing, combining and composing given three dimensional elements to form a building or structural form, creating interesting two dimensional composition using given shapes and forms, creating visual harmony using colors in given composition, understanding of scale and proportions, drawing from memory through pencil sketch on themes from day to day experiences etc.

The primary emphasis in scoring the drawing section is on the candidate’s drawing, imagination and observation skills. In memory drawing, the candidate’s sense of proportion & perspective is evaluated. The candidate will receive a single score for the performance on the drawing section. The candidate will receive a NS (No Score) if he/she does not draw a response for either of the two tasks in the drawing section.

Computer based Aesthetic Sensitivity Test is given after the paper based test, measures perception, imagination and observation, creativity and communication along with architectural awareness, of the candidate. The Computer-based test begins at ‘log-in’ and ends at ‘log-out’. It comprises of visualizing three dimensional objects from two dimensional drawings, visualizing different sides of three dimensional object, identifying commonly used materials and objects based on their textural qualities, analytical reasoning, mental ability, imaginative comprehension and expression, Architectural awareness etc.

In this, a candidate is administered a set of questions with a difficulty level that is specifically designed to match the examinee's ability level. The candidate’s score will depend on his/her performance on the questions given and on the number of questions answered in the time allotted. Average time allotted to answer the question is 90 seconds and the countdown begins 30 seconds before the time ends.

Hence, for certain questions depending upon their difficulty level, time allotted to provide the answer may be reduced to 60 seconds or may be extended to 120 seconds. The computer selects questions based on the candidate’s performance on preceding questions and on the requirements of the test design. When a correct answer is given, the next question will be of higher difficulty level whereas, if wrong answer is given, the next question is of lower difficulty level. The Computer-based test begins at ‘log-in’ and ends at ‘log-out’. The candidate will be provided with rough paper.

The language medium of the test will be English. There will be a model NATA interface available on the NATA website to help candidates get acquainted with the visual format of the test. Minimal computer skills such as pointing and clicking Mouse buttons are required for taking the test.

NATA Registration:
NATA is being offered at designated Test Centers located at colleges/schools of Architecture in India, between January 1 and September 30 every year. Test Center availability is subject to change. The most current information regarding Test Centers and other registration information will be available on the NATA website www.nata.in. Applicant has to register for the Test at any of the Test centres. The NATA Pre-Registration form is available at the Test Centres at www.nata.in.

Appointments for the Test are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The candidates should approach the selected Test Center with (1) Attested copy of the mark list of Class X or equivalent examination (2) One recent passport size colour photograph of the candidate (3) Attested copy of any valid document of identification bearing photograph and signature of the candidate. The list of Acceptable Primary Identification Documents are given in the Information Brochure available at www.nata.in (4) Test fees of Rs.800/- which has to remitted by way of Cash or Demand Draft in favour of the Test Center, as prescribed by the Test Center. Exact name in whose favour the Draft has to be drawn, should be obtained from respective Test Centres.

The Registration process includes (1) filling up and submitting the Registration form, (2) remitting the fee and (3) getting the ‘Receipt cum appointment voucher’, with date and time from the Test Centre.

Reporting to the Test Centre:
The candidate has to report to the Test Centre, with (1) The appointment voucher or the ‘Receipt cum appointment voucher’, issued to the candidate at the time of registration and showing the candidate’s test date, time of test and Test Center as well as the Candidate ID and Appointment Number with Exam Key (2) Official identification document mentioned on the ‘Receipt cum appointment voucher’, at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the test. If the candidate arrives at the Test Center without the required identification, he/she will not be admitted and the candidate will forfeit the test fee. Candidate should also carry three or four sharpened soft-lead (2B & HB) pencils, a good eraser (Pencils and erasers will not be supplied at the Test Center. Mechanical pencils are not permitted), Set of colours (Water/ Poster colours, crayons, pastels) with appropriate instruments (Brushes, dish, etc.), Geometry instrument box, Blue pen etc.

Score Card:
The applicant may collect the scorecard in person on fourth day of appearing for the test or later from the Test Center where the candidate appeared for NATA. If specifically requested in writing to the center in charge, they will be mailed to the candidate, approximately 3 to 4 days after the candidate takes the test for which the candidate should handover to the Test Center in-charge, an application requesting mark list by mail together with Self-addressed Envelope suitably stamped. As per the current NATA policy, the candidate’s scores are retained for the two years following the testing year in which the candidate tested.

Applying for admission:
As per COA rules, a candidate applying to any school/college of Architecture in India should have secured a minimum of 40% in the total NATA score (At least 80/200), for consideration of admission into first year B.Arch. They must also satisfy the academic eligibility for admission to the B.Arch course, as laid down by the Council of Architecture. Candidates may apply for admission to participating institutions as per the time schedule specified by the appropriate admission authority, along with all the documents desired by it.

Rescheduling or Canceling the Test Appointment
The candidate must reschedule or cancel the scheduled test no later than 3 full working days before the scheduled appointment (not including the day of the candidate’s test or the day of the candidate’s request) or the test fee will be forfeited. If the candidate cancels the scheduled test no later than 3 full working days prior to the scheduled test date, the candidate will receive a Rs.400 refund. The rescheduling fee is Rs.200.

For further details: www.nata.in