NATA from April 1: Regn begins

Kochi: The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), the aptitude test of the Council of Architecture aimed at measuring the aptitude of a student for Architecture for admission to the Bachelor of Architecture (B Arch) Programme will be held from April 1, 2016. 

The test measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are related to Architecture.

Those desirous of taking admission to First year of undergraduate course in Architecture (Bachelor of Architecture) in India have to take NATA and get qualified. NATA scores are used by admissions authorities of different Government, Govt. Aided & unaided schools / colleges of Architecture, to provide common measure for comparing the qualifications of applicants, for admission in addition to their scholastic performance in 10+2 or equivalent examination. 

Any person having passed SSC (Std X) or equivalent examination and above can appear for NATA. However, only candidates who have qualified an aptitude test in Architecture and have secured 50% marks in 10+2 or equivalent examination with Mathematics as one of the subjects shall be eligible for admission to B.Arch. Course. No direct lateral admission is allowed at any year/stage of B.Arch. course based on any qualification. 

NATA is offered over major part of admission season at designated Test Centers located at colleges / schools of architecture in India. Updated list of Test centers is available at the website http://www.nata.in

NATA 2015 Registration Form can be filled and submitted online at website http://www.nata.in by paying fees of Rs. 1250/- either through credit card / debit card / net banking. Payment can also be made using Challan. The candidate can generate the challan for depositing the payment through cash in any of the branches of the ICICI Bank all over India. The candidate shall be required to pay additional charges as ‘processing charges’ as prescribed.

Applicant may then download the Prefilled Registration form and procure the necessary registration documents. They should then select a Test Center / Region (from the website http://www.nata.in) at a location convenient to them and approach the Test center for Appointment for NATA Exam with an acceptable and valid Identification Document (ID).

On getting the registered, applicant will be issued an appointment voucher. The appointment voucher confirms the candidate's test date, time of test and Test Center. The voucher will also show Candidate ID and Appointment Number with Exam Key.

Appointment once scheduled cannot be cancelled or rescheduled. There will be no refund of NATA test fees under any conditions. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants may register well in advance to get the preferred test date.

 

NATA will be conducted from 01.04.2016 to 28.05.2016 and from 06.06.2016 to 20.08.2016 and can be given during this period as per the pre-decided schedule of the designated Test Centers. The last date for Registration is 18.8.2016.

Candidates can attempt NATA for a maximum of 5 times during the period when their latest scorecard is valid. For every attempt, however, a new NATA Registration form is to be submitted online by the candidate at the NATA website. The mark list will show the best marks scored by the candidate in his previous 5 attempts. Applicant should not register for repeat attempt unless he/she has received the score card for previous attempt.

Candidate, while seeking the repeat test appointment must declare the same (even if he/she has appeared in the previous year) while registering for NATA. If any candidate is found registering afresh despite earlier appearance (including registered but exam not given) for NATA, he/ she will forfeit his/her candidature, his/her all previous scores will be cancelled and he/she will be barred from appearing for NATA again. The ‘Best of 5’ attempt system will be applicable for the test given from NATA 2016 onwards. Students who have a valid score of NATA tests given before year 2016, and give NATA in 2016, the best score of the earlier valid score and current NATA score will be considered.

The test is in two parts. The test measures aptitude of the candidate through two sections - a paper based section for drawing and computer based section for aesthetic sensitivity. Drawing Test is a two hour paper where candidate has to attempt three questions. The drawing aptitude is judged on the Ability to sketch a given object proportionately and rendering the same in visually appealing manner, Visualising 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 colours in given composition, Understanding of scale and proportions, Drawing from memory through pencil sketch on themes from day to day experiences etc.

Aesthetic Sensitivity Test is a computer based test where candidate has to answer 40 multiple choice questions. The aesthetic sensitivity test measures perception, imagination and observation, creativity and communication along with architectural awareness and comprises of Visualising three dimensional objects from two dimensional drawings, Visualising different sides of three dimensional objects, Identifying commonly used materials and objects based on their textural qualities, Analytical reasoning, Mental Ability, Imaginative comprehension and expression, Architectural awareness etc.

The Answer to each question in the 'drawing' paper will be examined by a panel of three examiners independently and the marks are averaged. It may be further subject to moderation. During the computer based test, with adaptive testing, an examinee is administered a set of questions with a difficulty level that is specifically designed to match the examinee's ability level. The mathematical process for calculating a score in this situation incorporates the statistical properties of the questions, the examinee's performance on the questions, and the number of questions that are answered. 

In the Aesthetic Sensitivity Section, 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. There is no Negative marking in this test. 

The score cards will be available on NATA website in e-format. Usually, the score cards will be posted on the website on the fourth working day after the test. The candidate, after fourth day may check his/her score directly from website giving his / her candidate ID. However, print out taken by the candidate of such score card will be only for reference and information. Candidate, however, may use print out of this score card while applying for the admission if the admission authority calls for the same. Original score card will be retrieved and verified by the admission authority directly from NATA server. Only the score card stored on NATA server is valid and no print/ hard copy will be considered valid. The NATA score shall be valid for a period of two years from the year in which the applicant appeared for the NATA Test. 

As per Council of Architecture regulations, a candidate applying to any school / college of architecture in India should have 50% marks in 10+2 or equivalent examination with Mathematics as one of the subject and as per admission guidelines prescribed by CoA and should have achieved 40% score in NATA (80/200), for consideration of admission into first year of 5-year B.Arch. Degree Course.

The NATA Brochure is available at http://www.nata.in/2016/