National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is an entrance examination conducted by Council of Architecture (CoA) since 2006, in terms of the provisions of CoA (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 1983, published in the Gazette of India.
NATA is a national level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate courses in Architecture. It is believed that a separate aptitude test should be conducted for admission to Architecture which should not be combined with the tests for admissions to Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine and other disciplines.
The purpose of this entrance exam is to provide a single scheme of examination for holding aptitude test and to facilitate prospective students all over the country to apply for admissions in architecture seats in institutions spread across the country and to avoid appearing in multiple aptitude tests.
NATA also ensures that the eligibility criteria for admission to five years Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree course, as prescribed by CoA and duly approved by the Central Government, are strictly adhered to and followed all over the country in Architectural Institutions.
The NATA scores are used by admission authorities of different Government, Govt. Aided & Unaided schools/colleges of Architecture. This test measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability.