National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is being conducted by COA since 2006, in terms of the provisions of CoA (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 1983, published in the Gazette of India. 

Further, the Council has prescribed the Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 2020, with the approval of the Central Government in terms of Sections 21 & 45 of the Architects Act, 1972. The Regulations were published in the Gazette of India on 11.08.2020 and came into force w.e.f. 01.11.2020. These Regulations prescribe that the candidate needs to qualify an Aptitude Test in Architecture conducted by the Council for admission to the Architecture degree course. 

The actual admissions shall be carried out only by the concerned competent authorities of the respective states/institutions based on valid NATA score. The NATA ensures that the eligibility criteria for admission to five-year 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. 

NATA 2023 will be conducted as a comprehensive computer-based aptitude test at the Council allotted centers in identified cities in the country. Unlike any other entrance examination, NATA is an Aptitude test that assesses a candidate’s innate ability through a variety of testing formats and cannot be taught, learnt or induced. 

NATA measures the aptitude of the applicant for specific field of study, i.e. Architecture, through assessment of cognitive skills, visual perception and aesthetic sensitivity tests, logical reasoning and critical thinking ability, etc., besides the learning that the candidate has acquired over the past few years and is related to the specific field of study. 

With the objective of giving opportunities to a greater number of bright aspirants to join Architecture, Council will be conducting NATA-2023 for admission to B.Arch. in the academic session 2023- 2024 thrice this year. The Tests shall be conducted on different dates as computer-based examinations. Candidates are allowed to appear for up to 3 NATA tests. 

In case a candidate appears for 2 Tests, best of the 2 scores shall be the valid score and in the case of 3 attempts, valid score shall be average of the 2 best scores.