NATA Vs JEE Main BArch: Which exam is better for BArch Admission?
National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2025 ( NATA )
Exam On - 1 Mar '25
NATA and JEE Main BArch are both competitive exams designed for students aspiring to build careers in architecture. Admission to BArch programmes is available through both NATA and JEE Main Paper 2. Before selecting an admission route, students should understand the differences between NATA and JEE Main Paper 2. While both NATA and JEE Main BArch serve as gateways to Architecture courses, the key distinction lies in the participating institutions.
NATA Vs JEE Main BArch
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.NATA Vs JEE Main BArch (Paper 2): The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) and is widely accepted by private and state-level architecture colleges. On the other hand, JEE Main Paper 2, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), provides admission to NITs, GFTIs, and other centrally funded institutions offering BArch programmes.
Since both exams share similarities in their structure and objectives, students often wonder about differences in eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and overall advantages. Since both exams have a similar pattern and difficulty level, the choice between them depends on the college or institute where admission is sought. Different colleges accept admissions through NATA and JEE Main Paper 2.
NATA Vs JEE Main BArch: Highlights
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NATA is conducted for admission into BArch programmes at various architectural institutions across India. The Council of Architecture (COA) released the NATA 2025 brochure on the official website. The NATA 2025 application form is available from February 3, 2025. The eligibility requirement for NATA 2025 is a Class 12 with Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. COA will conduct NATA multiple times a year.
The JEE Mains exam is conducted twice a year. Candidates can attempt JEE Mains for three consecutive years, with two attempts each year, allowing a total of six attempts. JEE Mains Paper 2 is held for admissions into BArch and BPlanning courses offered by NITs (National Institutes of Technology), GFTIs (Government-Funded Technical Institutes), IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology), and CFTIs (Centrally Funded Technical Institutes). To be eligible for JEE Mains, candidates must have passed Class 12 with Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics or have completed a diploma.
| NATA | JEE Main Paper 2 |
|---|---|
| NATA is conducted multiple times a year |
NTA conducts JEE Main Paper 2 twice annually, in January and April. |
| Candidates can attempt a maximum of three sessions |
|
| Test duration is 3 hours |
|
| Total 200 Marks | Total 400 Marks |
| Sections included are
|
Sections included are
|
Which is Tougher – JEE Main Paper 2 or NATA?
The question of whether JEE Main Paper 2 is tougher than NATA has been a common concern among BArch aspirants. While the difficulty of an exam is subjective and varies from student to student, many still engage in such comparisons, which may not necessarily help in achieving better scores in these national-level architecture entrance exams.
One factor that may make JEE Main Paper 2 seem more challenging than NATA is the limited number of colleges that accept its scores for BArch admissions. Compared to NATA, which is widely accepted by many institutions, JEE Main Paper 2 scores are considered by a smaller number of institutes, leading to fewer seats and increased competition. This difference often fuels the perception that JEE Main Paper 2 is harder to crack.
NATA vs JEE Main Paper 2: Number of Seats
The number of seats available in colleges accepting JEE Main Paper 2 scores is significantly lower compared to those accepting NATA scores. As a result, the competition for JEE Main Paper 2 is more intense.
NATA vs JEE Main Paper 2: Testing Skills
JEE Main Paper 2 primarily evaluates a candidate’s Aptitude and Mathematical skills, whereas NATA assesses a broader range of abilities, including observational skills, drawing, aesthetic sensitivity, critical thinking, and mathematics. This diverse skill assessment in NATA provides a more comprehensive measure of a candidate’s aptitude for an architecture program.
NATA vs JEE Main Paper 2- Syllabus Comparison
When deciding between JEE Main Paper 2 and NATA as the ideal choice for architecture aspirants in India, it is essential to compare their syllabi. Both are prestigious national-level entrance exams for undergraduate architecture programmes and understanding their syllabus can help candidates prepare effectively. The table below provides direct links to the syllabus for both NATA and JEE Main Paper 2.
| NATA 2025 Syllabus | JEE Main 2025 BArch Paper 2 Syllabus |
NATA 2025 Qualifying Marks
The Council of Architecture (CoA) has established the minimum qualifying marks for NATA 2025 that candidates must achieve to pass the exam. The highest score obtained across all attempts will be considered the valid NATA 2025 score. The qualifying criteria are as follows:
Part A: Minimum of 20 marks
Part B: Minimum of 30 marks
Overall Score: A combined total of at least 70 out of 200 (sum of Parts A and B)
JEE Main Paper 2 Qualifying Marks
Unlike NATA, the National Testing Agency (NTA) does not specify official qualifying marks for JEE Main Paper 2. Instead, the eligibility for BArch admissions through JEE Main varies across institutions. Generally, candidates must:
Secure a minimum aggregate score in their Class 12 board exams, typically around 50% with Mathematics as a mandatory subject
Attain a required percentage or score in JEE Main Paper 2, which differs based on factors such as exam difficulty, the number of applicants, and individual college admission policies.
NATA 2025 Exam Pattern
Part A - Drawing and Composition Test - Offline Mode
A1 - 1 Question - Composition and Colour - 25 Marks
A2 - 1 Question - Sketching and Composition (Black and White) - 25 Marks
A3 - 1 Question - 3D Composition - 30 Marks
Part B - MCQs and NCQ - Computer-Based Adaptive Test
B1 - 42 Questions - MCQ
B2 - 08 Questions - NCQ
Total 50 Questions - 120 Marks
JEE Main BArch 2025 Exam Pattern
JEE Main Paper 2A Exam Pattern
The JEE Main BArch exam paper 2A exam pattern is provided in the table below.
| Paper 2A Sections | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted |
| Part 1: Mathematics | 20 (Section A), 5 (Section B) | 100 |
| Part 2: Aptitude Test | 50 | 200 |
| Part 3: Drawing | 2 | 100 |
| Total | 77 | 400 |
JEE Main Paper 2B BPlanning Pattern
Candidates can check the BPlanning Paper 2B exam pattern in the table below.
| Paper 2A Sections | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted |
| Part 1: Mathematics | 20 (Section A), 5 (Section B) | 100 |
| Part 2: Aptitude Test | 50 | 200 |
| Part 3: Planning | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
Top Colleges Accepting NATA Score
Some of the top-ranking colleges that take admission based on NATA scores.
Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main 2025 Paper 2 Score
| Colleges |
|---|
| National Institute of Technology- Calicut |
| Malaviya National Institute of Technology- Jaipur |
| Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology- Nagpur |
| National Institute of Technology- Patna |
| National Institute of Technology- Raipur |
| National Institute of Technology- Tiruchirappalli |
| BITS - Mesra |
| School of Planning & Architecture- New Delhi |
| School of Planning & Architecture- Bhopal |
| School of Planning & Architecture- Vijayawada |
| Faculty of Technology and Engineering- Vadodara |
| GITAM University- Visakhapatnam |
| ICL Institute of Architecture- Ambala |
| SRM University-Chennai |
| Chandigarh College of Architecture-Chandigarh |
Also Read
NATA 2025 Application Form (Released): Check Steps to Apply, Correction Facility
NATA 2025 Participating Institutes: Check List of Colleges, State-Wise Seats
NATA Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions; PDF Download
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Firstly, check the NATA official website for their exam pattern. Understand their exam patterna and syllabus.
Prepare for the syllabus and match the common subject with your academics so that you can work more hard on them.
Check the eligibility for 10+2 for NATA so that you not get problem after 12
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
After completing the application submission process, candidates will have to make the payment of the prescribed NATA application fee for enrollment in BArch course at JNTUK. The application fee can be paid using Netbanking / Credit Cards / ICICI Isure Bank Challan.
Particulars | Fee of one test | Fee for two tests | Fee for three tests |
|---|---|---|---|
General/OBC Male Candidates | INR 1,750 | INR 3,250 | INR 4,500 |
General/OBC Female Candidates | INR 1,250 | INR 2,250 | INR 3,000 |
SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates | INR 1,250 | INR 2,250 | INR 3,000 |
SC/ST/EWS/PwD Female Candidates | INR 1,000 | INR 1,750 | INR 2,500 |
Transgender Candidates | INR 1,000 | INR 1,500 | INR 2,000 |
Outside India | INR 10,000 | INR 18,000 | INR 25,000 |
Note: Candidates need to download t
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
The authorities have not yet announced the NATA 2025 application form last date for the additional exam dates. The candidates will be required to fill out and submit the NATA application form on or before the final date. The authorities will not entertain any requests of application after the final
T
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
The material on the various pages of the JNTUK official website suggests that the institution may accept the NATA/EAMCET score for admission to BArch programmes. It is a given that the institution will accept the entrance exam results for admission to BArch programmes. Although the official website
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Yes, candidates without a valid NATA score are also eligible to apply for BArch course of NICMAR University. These aspirants can apply with a valid score of JEE Main paper - 2 score. Apart from this, the student should have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognised board with at le
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates seeking admission to the BArch course at Pillai HOC College of Architecture can gain entry without a NATA score. If they do not have a valid NATA score, they must have a valid score from JEE - Paper 2 instead to be eligible for admission. Apart from this, candidates must meet the last eli
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
The table below shows the top Architecture colleges accepting NATA scores in India along with their tuition fees:
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| IIT Roorkee | INR 10 lakh |
| IIEST Shibpur | INR 6 lakh |
| CEPT University | INR 17 lakh |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 81,000 |
| VNIT Nagpur | INR 6 lakh |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, NATA is one of the accepting exams for admission to Sister Nivedita University BArch programme. Aspirants can also apply with SNUET scores for BArch. SNUET is an online multiple choice test conducted by the university. Aspirants have to fill out the university application form to appear for SNU
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
While your NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) and JEE Paper 2 scores are crucial for securing admission to architecture programs, your Class 12 marks still play an important role, especially in meeting eligibility criteria and in the overall selection process.
Most institutes require a mi
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, you can appear for NATA more than once in a year. In fact, candidates are allowed to take the NATA exam up to three times in a year.The option to appear multiple times allows candidates to improve their scores if they are not satisfied with their first attempt. The best score from the attempts
A
Beginner-Level 3
How do I prepare for NATA exam? Currently I am in class 11th.