Know How to Prepare for NATA Exam This 2024!

The CoA or Council of Architecture will conduct the NATA 2024 in three phases to offer candidates the eligibility for BArch and B. Planning course admissions in different universities. Many students appear for the NATA entrance examination every year because most of the Architecture colleges in India accept the NATA scores of a student for admission. Hence, the competition level for this examination is very high, and students must contemplate how to prepare for the NATA Exam. Proper NATA preparation can help candidates bring out the best in their performance and score very well.

NATA, or the National Aptitude Test in Architecture, is one of the most prestigious competitive examinations conducted yearly in two sessions. One of the biggest challenges for students appearing for this examination is preparing for the same. Students need to have the most effective and beneficial preparation strategy to crack the NATA exam. If you are one of those students wondering how to prepare for NATA, note that you must thoroughly understand the exam syllabus and pattern to prepare well for the exam. Simply brushing up on your perspective and aptitude skills will be more than enough to accomplish your objective and secure admission to one of the top architecture colleges in India.

To make things easier here is how to prepare for NATA in 1 month. These tips below will help you understand how to plan for NATA preparation in a better way. You can also know the best resources and subject-wise strategies.

It is crucial as a student to improve your preparation for the exam with the right choice of NATA study material and books that can help you secure desired scores. Understand the exam material and structure thoroughly to implement an effective NATA preparation strategy. Some tips that can help you out are as follows:

Know the NATA Exam Syllabus Thoroughly

Before contemplating how to prepare for NATA in 15 days, be very well-versed with the official NATA syllabus. The syllabus generally consists of topics you must focus on to crack the examination successfully. Having a clear idea of the syllabus will help you plan your study strategy and secure the highest exam scores. The NATA syllabus consists of sections that test the candidate's perception, imagination, visualisation, observational, analytical and general awareness skills. Some of the most important subjects and their topics to be covered in NATA exam preparation are as follows:

 

Mathematics

 

• Matrices

• Algebra

• Theory of Calculus

• Trigonometry

• Logarithms

• Statistics and Probability

• Permutation and Combination

• Calculus

 

General Aptitude

 

• Mental Ability

• Analytical Reasoning

• Objects

• Textures related to Architecture and Built Environment

• Interpretation of Pictorial Compositions

 

Drawing

 

Harmony and Contrast

• Aesthetics

• Geometric Composition

• Rotation

• Shape

• Creating 2D and 3D Compositions

• Conceptualisation and Visualisation

Some of the most important topics you need to brush up on when preparing for the NATA exam are:

• Mathematics

• Diagrammatic Reasoning

• Verbal Reasoning

• Elements and Principles of Design

• Logical Reasoning

• Numerical Reasoning

• Visual Perception and Cognition

• Current Affairs and General Knowledge

Understand the NATA Exam Pattern

Once you thoroughly understand the NATA Exam syllabus, it is time for you to understand the NATA examination pattern to know how to prepare for NATA in 6 months. Go through the previous years' NATA question papers. Get a clear idea of the types and numbers of questions asked, the marking scheme, the examination mode and various other important things related to the NATA Exam pattern. Some important details for you to know are as follows:

• NATA Examination is conducted in online mode. Or in other words, it is a computer-based examination.

• It is conducted in English language and consists of a total of 125 questions. You get 3 hours to answer these questions.

• There is just one- Aptitude Test section in the question paper consisting of 125 questions. There are different varieties of questions you need to answer. These include MCQ or Multiple-Choice Questions, MSQ or Multiple Select Questions, PCQ or Preferential Choice Questions and NAQ or Numerical Answer Questions.

• The total mark for the examination is 200, with each question carrying one mark, two marks or three marks.

Come Up With a Personalised Timetable

So, now you know how to prepare for the NATA drawing test and even the aptitude test. The next important step is to create a fully personalised timetable to prepare for the NATA examination. Make sure to have a well-strategised schedule covering all the topics and subjects. As a candidate appearing for the NATA examination, you can allot more time on difficult topics. Make sure to chuck out separate times to revise the topics within the timetable. Allot time to solve the mock tests when preparing your timetable for NATA Examination. Above everything else, come up with your NATA exam preparation timetable according to your aptitude level.

Have a Notebook Handy

When studying and preparing for the NATA examination, always have a notebook handy to jot down important formulas and concepts as you come across them. This will help you revise them regularly without the formulas and the concepts going out of your mind. This will also help you get an idea of the topics and subjects you need to revise to perform well in the NATA Examination.

Solve Sample Papers and Mock Tests

So, how to prepare for the NATA aptitude test? Ensure that you solve the sample papers and mock tests regularly. This will help you understand the questions that are likely to appear in the question paper. Being thorough with the sample papers and mock tests will help you know your common mistakes and work towards them so you do not repeat them in the future. Solving mock tests and sample papers will also help you improve your time management skills, accuracy, and speed.

Revise Regularly

Regular revision of all the prepared topics and concepts is also significant, reducing your chances of forgetting the essential topics and concepts. Try spending at least a few hours revising the things you have studied. This will also help you gain confidence to appear for the NATA examination. Revision of the short notes will keep topics fresh in your mind. And you can go through them anywhere and anytime.

You must study from the preparation books and the study materials regularly without fail. Also, keep updating yourself daily while revising the topics that must be completed on time. Do not take time off for even a day as you may forget the things you have studied. Remember, there's nothing that can replace dedication and hard work. Dedicate yourself towards committed preparation and focus on clearing the NATA exam with the best scores. 

Maintain Proper Health

Good health is imperative to prepare well for the NATA entrance examination. To maintain good health, you must ensure having a balanced diet every day while maintaining a proper sleep schedule at the same time. Take regular breaks while studying and indulge in extracurricular and outdoor activities to stay healthy and sit.

Arrange for Proper NATA Study Material

Preparing for the NATA examination with the right study materials and books is also one of the most important aspects of succeeding. Have a clear idea of the recommended study materials and books to prepare for NATA so you can start the preparations without any delay or problems. The recommended books for NATA 2024 include:

• BArch Entrance Examination Guide by Surendra Kavimandan

• A Complete Self-Study Guide for BArch by P.K. Mishra

• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning Book- R.S. Agarwal

• NATA & BArch Complete Self Study Material: Entrance Examination by Ar. Shadan Usmani

 

Also, get to the best NATA coaching in Bangalore to ensure you prepare well for the examination.   

Alleviate Stress

Prepare thoroughly to emerge successful in the NATA examination. But that does not mean you must take unnecessary stress, as this will do nothing and lead to a lack of confidence. Instead, you must always stay positive, have healthy and balanced food and take good care of your health and fitness. These things will help you prepare well for the NATA examination.

Start with the Preparations Early On and Be Highly Creative

Starting with the preparations at the earliest while being highly creative with your steps will help you prepare very well and succeed in your NATA examination. Using creativity while practising your memory drawing skills along with perspective skills will help you in the long run. Practice as many perspective questions as possible. This way, you can know the proportion and scale of images. Also, while practising, make it a point to draw the objects lightly and darken the lines later.

Consult Your Tutors and Teachers

Asking for required help from professors and teachers is among the best ways to clear all your doubts and provide proper information regarding where you are making mistakes and your weak areas. Expert academicians can help you spot your problem areas easily and offer advice on improving yourself. This will further help you overcome all the obstacles you may encounter when preparing for NATA Examination.

Important Factors to Keep in Mind

Below, you will find some additional tips to prepare for the NATA entrance examination so you can come up with desired results:

• Always have your focus on memorising the most important topics and concepts.

• Form a study group consisting of friends to discuss different topics. This will also help you get a third perspective regarding your NATA preparation.

• Avoid skipping any part of the NATA Exam syllabus, considering it to be unimportant.

• Practice live sketching every alternate day along with human figures, as they are integral parts of the perspective questions in the NATA Examination.

• Have a clear idea of popular logos along with their history. Try playing with varied colour schemes, such as complementary, primary, analogue and monochrome.

• Keep your general knowledge up-to-date.

 

FAQS

 

1. When should I start preparing NATA?

Since NATA is one of the most difficult architecture entrance examinations, you must start preparing for the exam from Class 11 and 12.

1. Is NATA easy to crack?

NATA will be easy to crack if you are good at free-hand drawing or sketching. However, a candidate's success in the examination depends on their drawing and aptitude skills.

1. Is NATA tougher than JEE?

NATA is easier than JEE because it includes several more convenient and easy topics for the candidates. Also, candidates can score good marks in the topics covered in the NATA entrance examination.

1. Can I crack NATA in 20 days?

Honestly, it is difficult to crack NATA in 20 days, and this exam is specifically designed to test your aptitude and not your preparation. So, whether you can crack it in 20 days depends on your skills.

1. Is NCERT maths enough for NATA?

Yes, NCERT Maths is sufficient for NATA because most of the sections covered in NCERT Maths make the main points or topics of study in NATA Mathematics preparation.