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NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 – Which is better option for B.Arch Admission?
Admission to B.Arch is offered through NATA and JEE Main Paper 2. Before deciding the mode of admission students must know about NATA vs JEE Main BArch. Both NATA and JEE Main BArch (Paper 2) are conducted for offering admission in B.Arch courses. The disparity lies in participating colleges in NATA and JEE Main Paper 2. Students can choose to go with anyone among NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 for taking admission in B.Arch depending on the college for which admission is desired. National Architecture Aptitude Test or NATA is conducted by Council of Architecture (CoA) whereas JEE Main Paper 2 is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). JEE Main Paper 2 opens the door to NITs and GFTIs offering B.Arch course whereas admission in colleges like SPA Delhi and CEPT University Ahmedabad is offered through NATA. Since both the exam are alike in pattern and objective, is there any difference as to eligibility criteria, Which test should you take, What is the syllabus, exam pattern, and eligibility criteria? Careers360 brings to you an elaborative guide to help you decide which way to go, NATA or JEE Main Paper 2.
Comparative Analysis - NATA or JEE Main Paper 2?
Students who want to take admission in B.Arch have choice of taking admission either through NATA or JEE Paper 2. Since both the exams have almost the same exam pattern and difficulty level, selecting one among the two depends on the college or institute for which the admission is desired. There are different set of colleges which offer admissions through NATA and JEE Main Paper 2.
If we look at the two exams, National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is a specialized test meant to test the aptitude of candidates specifically for studying architecture. Questions in NATA are made to test drawing observational skills, aesthetic sensitivity, mathematics and critical thinking ability of students. JEE Main Paper 2 is developed in such as to check the aptitude of prospective students in drawing, mathematics and basic aptitude of student. Students can check the table to know the differences between NATA and JEE Paper 2.
NATA vs JEE Main
NATA | JEE Main Paper 2 |
NATA is held twice a year with first phase in April whereas second phase is held in. | NTA also be conducts JEE Main Paper 2 twice a year in January and April. |
Candidates can appear in any one of the two phases or can also appear in both the phases. | Candidates can appear in any one of the two phases or can also appear in both the phases. |
NATA Exam consists of questions from Mathematics, General Aptitude and Drawing | The JEE Main Paper 2 exam consists of questions from Mathematics, General Aptitude and Drawing |
The question paper consists of two sections, Part A and Part B. Part A contains questions from Mathematics and General Aptitude and Part B from Drawing Part A test of NATA is conducted on computer based test while Part B is conducted on paper Admission through NATA is offered in colleges like SPA Delhi, CEPT University Number of seats are more as participating colleges are high Students appearing in NATA is less in comparison to JEE Main Paper 2 | The JEE Main Paper 2 is categorized into Part I, II and III where Part I contains question from Mathematics, Part II from Aptitude and Part III from Drawing Part I and II of NATA is conducted on computer based test while Part B is conducted on paper Participating institute are NITs, GFTIs and many other prestigious colleges Admission is limited to NITs and GFTIs and so seats are comparatively less Number of students appearing in JEE Main Paper 2 is high Difficulty level of JEE Main Paper 2 is promising and paper is quite tough |
Eligibility Criteria : NATA and JEE Main B.Arch have set certain eligibility criteria for appearing in the exam. Students can find all the details regarding eligibility criteria in table below
Comparison of Eligibility Criteria
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NATA Exam Pattern : National Aptitude Test in Architecture is a test which is specifically designed for testing the aptitude of candidates in architecture. The exam test carries question from Mathematics,General Aptitude and Drawing. Part A of the test is conducted by online mode while Part B which is a drawing test is conducted on Paper. Both NATA and JEE Main is conducted on a single day on single sitting duration of 3 hour. The detailed exam pattern is shown in table below
Part | Subjects | Marks Distribution | Total Marks |
Part A | Mathematics | 20 Questions 2 Marks Each | 40 |
General Aptitude | 40 Questions 2 Marks Each | 80 | |
Part B | Drawing | 2 Questions 40 Marks Each | 80 |
| Total | 200 |
JEE Main Exam Pattern
Students can find the complete break-up of marks and questions for JEE Main Paper 2 below
Paper | Subject | Marks Distribution | Total Marks |
Paper I | Mathematics | 25 Questions 4 Marks Each | 100 |
Paper 2 | General Aptitude | 50 Questions 4 Marks Each | 200 |
Paper 2 | Drawing | 2 Questions Totals Marks 100 | 100 |
400 |
List of top colleges who takes admission through National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA)
Some of the top ranking colleges which takes admission through NATA providing courses in architecture.
College | Course |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Town and Regional Planning Ph.D. Program | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor of Design Master of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture | |
Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Virudhunagar | Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor of Planning PhD Program | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor of Planning PhD Program | |
Bachelor of Architecture |
List of top colleges participating in admission through JEE Main Paper 2 for B.Arch
College | Course |
Bachelor of Architecture Masters in Planning | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Masters in Planning Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture Masters in Urban Planning | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture M.Tech Architecture and Planning Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture Masters in Urban Planning Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor in Planning Master of Architecture Master in Planning Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor in Planning Master of Architecture Master in Planning Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor in Planning Master of Architecture Master in Planning Ph.D. | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Town and Regional Planning Ph.D. Program | |
Bachelor of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture Master of Architecture | |
Bachelor of Architecture |
Comparison by Difficulty Level
Number of students who appear in NATA and JEE Main Paper 2 varies a lot as participating colleges are more with NATA. JEE Main exam is an exam of international repute with its own standard and level of difficulty. NATA is designed specifically to analyze the aesthetics of drawing and logical thinking towards geometry and architecture planning.
NATA Qualifying Marks
Students who are appearing for NATA have to score the minimum qualifying marks in order to take admission in any of the participating college. Council of Architecture (CoA) has fixed the minimum cutoff marks for individual section in NATA exam while the overall cutoff mark for merit is decided by the exam conducting body on the basis of students appeared in exam and past cutoff marks.
Subject | Qualifying Marks |
Mathematics & General Aptitude | 25% |
Drawing | 25% |
Overall Qualifying Marks | 50% of Total marks |
JEE Main Paper 2 Qualifying
National Testing Agency (NTA) does not pre-fix any qualifying marks for JEE Main Paper 2 exam
and minimum qualifying marks is decided every year on the basis of number of students appeared or as deemed necessary by NTA.
JEE Main Cutoff Marks for Top Colleges
The JEE Main Paper 2 cutoff is released in the form of opening and closing rank for state and national quota. Students have to score minimum qualifying marks along as well as should meet the minimum cutoff mark of the college for which admission is desired. Student can find college wise cutoff list for JEE Paper 2 exam below:
College | Cutoff Rank |
Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur | Closing Rank (Open Category, Home State)- 2401 Closing Rank (Open Category, Other State)-1263 |
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal | Closing Rank (Open Category, Home State)-3235 Closing Rank (Open Category, Other State)-1629 |
National Institute of Technology, Calicut | Closing Rank (Open Category, Home State)-1141 Closing Rank (Open Category, Other State)-1323 |
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur | Closing Rank (Open Category, Home State)-11202 Closing Rank (Open Category, Other State)-1902 |
NATA Cutoff Ranks for Top Colleges
The overall rank for NATA is calculated on the basis of class 12 Marks and NATA score. Institutes which take admission through NATA follows cutoff for admission as per the marks scored in class 12 and in NATA exam.
College | Cutoff Rank |
CEPT University, Ahmedabad | Closing Rank (Open Category, Home State)-10026 Closing Rank (Open Category, Other State)-20001 |
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara | Closing Rank (Open Category, Home State)-10044 Closing Rank (Open Category, Other State)-20003 |
Admission to B.Arch in Indian Institute of Technologies (IIT’s)
IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee offers bachelor degree course in architecture. Students who want to take admission in B.Arch course in any of these two IIT’s have to appear in JEE Advanced Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT). Students have to first appear and qualify JEE Main Paper I and JEE Advanced and qualify with high rank. Students then have to register for Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) conducted by IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee. Applications forms are submitted online in respective IIT after the announcement of JEE Advanced result. There will be a single question paper with questions from aptitude of architecture related to monument and a drawing test. Result of Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) is declared online in the website of respective IIT only.
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Hii
Here's the information about Architecture course:
- Eligibility criteria: Qualification completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as compulsory subjects with minimum 50% marks. Age limit is minimum 17 and upper age limit is generally not fixed, that varies by college.
- Entrance Exam: NATA & JEE Mains are both main national level entrance exam that are expected by most of colleges for admission. There are some State exam like MHT-CET, UPSEE and many more that are also accepted by colleges.
- Fee Structure: for government colleges its between 1,00,000 to 2,50,000 per year & for private colleges it's between 3,00,000 to 10,00,000. Fees can also vary based on college, state, facilities, and even quota
For architecture courses, you generally need to complete 10+2 with Maths as a compulsory subject. The main entrance exams are JEE Main Paper 2 and NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture), and you need to clear either of these for admission. Some private colleges also have their own entrance exams. The total fees usually range between 5 to 15 lakhs for the full 5-year course, depending on the college. It’s best to check the specific college website for exact eligibility and fee details.
Hi dear candidate,
The Council of Architecture (CoA) needs a 10+2 and a diploma with mathematics subject being compulsory along with at least 45% overall aggregate marks. If you fulfil these conditions, then you are surely eligible for NATA entrance exam.
Know more in detail at:
NATA Eligibility Criteria 2025 (Out) - Check Age Limit, Qualification, Aggregate Marks
BEST REGARDS
NATA 2025 counselling in Andhra Pradesh is conducted through AP B.Arch admissions under APSCHE, not by NATA directly. Students with NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 scores can apply. The process generally begins in August 2025 with online registration, fee payment, and document verification, followed by choice filling and seat allotment. A second round of counselling is usually held in September 2025 if seats remain vacant.
With a Mumbai NATA rank of 350 in the open category, you stand a strong chance of getting admission into top architecture colleges in Mumbai through the State CET Cell Maharashtra counselling. Usually, ranks under 500 can fetch seats in reputed institutes like Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Rachana Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, L.S. Raheja School of Architecture, and Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture (KRVIA), depending on the year’s cut-offs. Exact allotment will depend on seat availability, your preference order, and how other candidates with similar ranks choose during counselling, but historically you’d be competitive for most premier options in the city.
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