In this page you will find the following:

  • How does one become an Architect in India?
  • How are students ranked to get through B. Arch programmes in India?
  • Architecture Entrance Exam Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Target Scores or Ranks
  • Structure of the Question Papers & Syllabus

How does one become an Architect in India?

Career Path

The Council of Architecture (CoA) is charged with the responsibility to regulate the education and practice of the Architecture profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of architects.

They have stipulated that all aspirants must complete a 5 year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program in architecture from approved institutes only. Aspirants must also answer an aptitude test before they can get admission into the approved architecture school.

Click Here to find out the status of All Architecture Schools in India (UG) for the year 2023-2024

Click Here to find out the status of All Architecture Schools in India (PG) for the year 2023-2024

To do an undergraduate program in Architecture (B. Arch) in India, there are 3 exams that one may target:

  1. National Aptitude test for Architecture (NATA): To get admission into 400+ architecture colleges in India. This test is conducted by CoA. Universities include CEPT Ahmedabad, JJ School of Architecture Mumbai, RV College of Architecture Bangalore etc.
  2. JEE (Paper 2): To get admission into 9+ NIT's and other Centrally Funded Universities providing B. Arch programmes. Universities other than NIT's include SPA (Delhi, Bhopal & Vijayawada)
  3. IIT JEE + IIT Advanced + Architecture Aptitude Test: To get admission into 2 IIT's - Kharagpur and Roorkie which provide B. Arch Programmes.

For more information on NATA & JEE Paper 2 2023, 2024 & 2025 Online Coaching, speak to us on the chat interface at the bottom right of the screen or fill the DQ Labs Enquiry Form and our counsellors will call you back.

How are students ranked to get through B. Arch programmes in India?

  1. NATA: 50% of 12th Board score + 50% of NATA Score - Applicants will be given a state rank through which they can secure admissions to colleges in each state considering the reservation categories
  2. IIT JEE (Paper 2): 40% of 12th Board score + 60% of JEE Paper 2 - Ranking is provided by each of the universities independently through which they can secure admissions considering the reservation categories
  3. IIT JEE + IIT Advanced + Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT): Ranking will be given based on students completing JEE-Mains + JEE-Advanced and AAT - Applicants will be given an All India Rank (AIR) through which they can secure admissions to universities considering the reservation categories

Download the 2023 brochure of JEE Paper 2, & JEE Advanced / AAT for more detailed information.

For more information on NATA & JEE Paper 2 2023, 2024 & 2025 Online Coaching, speak to us on the chat interface at the bottom right of the screen or fill the DQ Labs Enquiry Form and our counsellors will call you back.

Architecture Entrance Exam Important Dates

Attempts NATA 2022 JEE Paper 2 (SPA’s, NIT’s etc) AAT (IIT’s)
Application Start Date (1st Test) 8th April 2022 1st March - 31st March 2022 11th September 2022
Application End Date (1st Test) 23rd May 2022 31st March 2022 12th September 2022
Application Start Date (2nd Test) 8th April 2022 8th April 2022 to 3rd May 2022 NA
Application End Date (2nd Test) 20th June 2022 3rd May 2022 NA
Test Date: 1st Attempt 12th June 2022 16th April - 21st April 2022 14th September 2022
Declaration of 1st Attempt Result 20th June 2022 Yet to be announced 17th September 2022
Test Date: 2nd Attempt 3rd July 2022 24th May - 29th May 2022 NA
Declaration of 2nd Attempt Result / Ranks 13th July 2022 31st August 2022 NA
Application Start Date (3rd Attempt) 8th April 2022 NA NA
Application End Date (3rd Attempt) 11th July 2022 NA NA
Test Date: 3rd Attempt 24th July 2022 NA NA
Declaration of 3rd Attempt Result 3rd August 2022 NA NA

It is highly recommended that students write both NATA & JEE Paper 2 to maximize their chances of getting into an architectural college of their choice.

Target Scores or Ranks:

  1. NATA: A target score of 140+ is what students need to focus on to get a good rank in each state. At DQ Labs, our students target and achieve 150+. Our highest score achieved is 182.5
  2. IIT JEE (Paper 2): The ranking is conducted by JoSAA. JEE Paper 2 (Architecture) - 2022 Cut Off - Closing Ranks (General Merit)
  3. IIT JEE + IIT Advanced + Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT): The top 2,00,000 students who qualify JEE Mains, are eligible to answer JEE Advanced.
    Those who qualify JEE Advanced, are eligible to answer AAT. Students within the top 9000 ranks have secured admissions into the IIT's for Architecture in previous years.

NATA Aptitude Test

The aptitude test will comprise of questions that could be of the Multiple-Choice type (MCQ), Multiple Select type (MSQ), Preferential Choice type (PCQ) and Numerical Answer type (NAQ).

The questions will carry either 1 mark, 2 marks or 3 marks and 125 questions have to be answered in 180 minutes.

The medium of Aptitude test will be in the English language.

The aptitude of the candidate will be assessed using some or all of the following techniques:

  1. Diagrammatic Reasoning - Tests the ability of logical reasoning, using diagrams and scenarios
  2. Numerical Reasoning - Tests mathematical ability through simple problems
  3. Verbal Reasoning - Assesses the ability to assess verbal logic.
  4. Inductive Reasoning - Tests the ability to see patterns and analyse given data
  5. Situational Judgment - Tests problem-solving ability
  6. Logical Reasoning - Tests ability to recognise patterns, sequences or relationships between shapes and imagery.
  7. Abstract Reasoning - Will assess general knowledge, and ability to utilise knowledge in new situations.

Questions could be asked in various topics that assess candidates on basic concepts in mathematics, physics and geometry, language and interpretation, elements and principles of design, aesthetic sensitivity, colour theory, lateral thinking and logical reasoning, visual perception and cognition, graphics and imagery, building anatomy and architectural vocabulary, basic techniques of building construction and knowledge of material,general knowledge and current affairs, etc. and are may not be limited to those outlined.

JEE Paper 2 Question paper pattern

JEE (B.Arch)
Sections Questions Marks
Mathematics (Part I) 20 (Section A) and 10 (Section B) 100
Aptitude Test (Part II) 50 200
Drawing Test (Part III) 02 100
Total 82 400

JEE Paper 2 Syllabus

Unit 1: Sets, Relations & Functions: Sets and their representation: Union, intersection and complement of sets and their algebraic properties; Power set; Relation, Type of relations, equivalence relations, functions; one-one, into and onto functions, the composition of functions.

Unit 2: Complex Numbers & Quadratic Equations: Complex numbers as ordered pairs of reals, Representation of complex numbers in the form a + ib and their representation in a plane, Argand diagram, algebra of complex number, modulus and argument (or amplitude) of a complex number, triangle inequality, Quadratic equations in real and complex number system and their solutions Relations between roots and co-efficient, nature of roots, the formation of quadratic equations with given roots.

Unit 3: Matrices & Determinants: Matrices, algebra of matrices, type of matrices, determinants and matrices of order two and three, properties of determinants, evaluation of determinants, area of triangles using determinants, Adjoint and evaluation of inverse of a square matrix using determinants and elementary transformations, Test of consistency and solution of simultaneous linear equations in two or three variables using determinants and matrices.

Unit 4: Permutations & Combinations: The fundamental principle of counting, permutation as an arrangement and combination as section, Meaning of P (n,r) and C (n,r), simple applications.

Unit 5: Mathematical Inductions: Principle of Mathematical Induction and its simple applications.

Unit 6: Binomial Theorem & its Simple Applications: Binomial theorem for a positive integral index, general term and middle term, properties of Binomial coefficients and simple applications

Unit 7: Sequence & Series: Arithmetic and Geometric progressions, insertion of arithmetic, geometric means between two given numbers, Relation between A.M and G.M sum up to n terms of special series; Sn, Sn2, Sn3. ArithmeticoGeometric progression.

Unit 8: Limit, Continuity & Differentiability: Real – valued functions, algebra of functions, polynomials, rational, trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions, inverse function. Graphs of simple functions. Limits, continuity and differentiability. Differentiation of the sum, difference, product and quotient of two functions. Differentiation of trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, composite and implicit functions; derivatives of order up to two, Rolle’s and Lagrange's Mean value Theorems, Applications of derivatives: Rate of change of quantities, monotonic-Increasing and decreasing functions, Maxima and minima of functions of one variable, tangents and normal.

Unit 9: Integral Calculus: Integral as an anti-derivative, Fundamental Integrals involving algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithms functions. Integrations by substitution, by parts and by partial functions. Integration using trigonometric identities. Evaluation of simple integrals, Integral as limit of a sum. The fundamental theorem of calculus, properties of definite integrals. Evaluation of definite integrals, determining areas of the regions bounded by simple curves in standard form.

Unit 10: Differential Equations: Ordinary differential equations, their order and degree, the formation of differential equations, solution of differential equation by the method of separation of variables, solution of a homogeneous and linear differential equation.

Unit 11: Co-Ordinate Geometry: Cartesian system of rectangular co-ordinates 10 in a plane, distance formula, sections formula, locus and its equation, translation of axis, slop of a line, parallel and perpendicular lines, intercept of a line on the co-ordinate axes. Straight line: Various forms of equations of a line, intersection of lines, angles between two lines, conditions for concurrence of three lines, the distance of a point form a line, equations of internal and external by sectors of angles between two lines co-ordinate of the centroid, orthocentre and circumcentre of a triangle, equation of the family of lines passing through the point of intersection of two lines. Circle, conic sections: A standard form of equations of a circle, the general form of the equation of a circle, its radius and central, equation of a circle when the endpoints of a diameter are given, points of intersection of a line and a circle with the centre at the origin and condition for a line to be tangent to a circle, equation of the tangent, sections of conics, equations of conic sections (parabola, ellipse and hyperbola) in standard forms, condition for Y = mx + c to be a tangent and point (s) of tangency.

Unit 12: Three Dimensional Geometry: Coordinates of a point in space, the distance between two points, section formula, directions ratios and direction cosines, the angle between two intersecting lines. Skew lines, the shortest distance between them and its equation. Equations of a line and a plane in different forms, the intersection of a line and a plane, coplanar lines.

Unit 13: Vector Algebra: Vectors and scalars, the addition of vectors, components of a vector in two dimensions and three-dimensional space, scalar and vector products, scalar and vector triple product.

Unit 14: Statistics & Probability: Measures of discretion; calculation of mean, median, mode of grouped and ungrouped data calculation of standard deviation, variance and mean deviation for grouped and ungrouped data. Probability: Probability of an event, addition and multiplication theorems of probability, Baye's theorem, probability distribution of a random variate, Bernoulli trials and binomial distribution.

Unit 15: Trignometry: Trigonometrical identities and equations, trigonometrical functions, inverse trigonometrical functions and their properties, heights and distance.

Unit 16: Mathematical Reasoning Statement logical operations and, or, implies, implied by, if and only if, understanding of tautology, contradiction, converse and contrapositive.

Part –II Aptitude

Unit - 1 Awareness of persons. Buildings, Materials. Objects, Texture related to Architecture and Build-environment. Visusalising three dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings. Visualising. Different sides of three-dimensional objects. Analytical Reasoning Mental Ability (Visual. Numerical and Verbal).

Unit – 2 Three dimensional- perception: Understanding and appreciation of scale and proportions of objects, building forms and elements, colour texture harmony and contrast Design and drawing of geometrical or abstract shapes and patterns in pencil. Transformation of forms both 2D and 3D union, subtraction rotation, development of surfaces and volumes, Generation of Plan, elevations and 3D views of objects, Creating two dimensional and three-dimensional compositions using given shapes and forms.

Part – III Drawing

Sketching of scenes and activities from memory of urbanscape (public space, market, festivals, street scenes, monuments, recreational spaces etc). landscape (riverfronts. Jungles. Gardens, trees. Plants etc.) and rural life.

For more information on NATA & JEE Paper 2 2023 & 2024 Online Coaching, speak to us on the chat interface at the bottom right of the screen or fill the DQ Labs Enquiry Form and our counsellors will call you back.

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DQ Labs provides training for entrance exams of Architecture like NATA, JEE Paper-II (B. Arch) and AAT.

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All the DQ Labs study material and the teaching methodology for Architecture entrance preparation is a result of years of experience we have gained through mentoring thousands of Architecture aspirants at our design studios in Bangalore, Mangalore, Chennai, Pune, Thrissur, Nagpur & Hyderabad. Students can witness tremendous improvement in their aptitude and skills under DQ Labs mentorship. DQ Labs students exceptional results stand a testimony for the quality and individual attention DQ Labs provides for each of our students.

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For more information on NATA & JEE Paper 2 2023 & 2024 Online Coaching, speak to us on the chat interface at the bottom right of the screen or fill the DQ Labs Enquiry Form and our counsellors will call you back.

Some of DQ Labs NATA 2022 Toppers


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    NATA Score - 155

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    NATA Score - 113

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