NATA to be conducted twice every year from 2019; know 4 crucial changes proposed

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Manashjyoti | November 1, 2018 | 11:03 AM IST

New Delhi, October 30: Following JEE Main, the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is also set to be conducted twice a year from this academic session onward. The first attempt will be held around mid-April, while the second and final attempt will be held in the first week of July. Candidates have the choice to appear in one or both the attempts. The decision was announced at a press conference by Vijay Garg, president of the Council of Architecture (COA).

Garg informed changes have also been made to the exam pattern, with the time duration of the Drawing test increased from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. The time duration of the Aptitude test, however, has been reduced to 60 minutes. Further, the eligibility criteria has also been updated with Chemistry and Physics being made compulsory subjects, along with Mathematics.

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The council is also planning a national-level counselling process, so that aspirants don't have to run from college to college seeking admission. If it takes shape, the centralized counselling will additionally put a stop to the problem of unfilled seats, by offering such seats to other state candidates after accommodating local candidates.

NATA gets an Overhaul. Check out the changes here.

 

Proposed Changes

Reason Cited

Number of Attempts

 

The entrance exam will now be held twice a year.

 
  • First Attempt - Mid-April

  • Second Attempt - First week of July

 

Candidates will have the option to appear in any one, or both the attempts

 

Which score will be accepted if candidate appears in both attempts

 

In such a case, the better of the two scores will be considered.

When the exam was conducted once a year, there were complaints from various stakeholders that it clashed with board exams.

 

Also, some boards approached COA to postpone the exam or conduct two exams.

 

With NATA to be held twice a year now onward, candidates will have the option to appear in the attempt that doesn’t clash with their board exam.

Exam Pattern

 

Earlier both Aptitude test and Drawing test were of 90 minutes each. But now the duration for:

 
  • Aptitude test has been reduced to 60 minutes, while

  • Drawing test is increased to 120 from

Officials are of the view that the high failure rate of Drawing test could be improved if candidates have more time in their hands.

 

As for reducing the time of Aptitude test, it is not known though how it will play out.  

National-level Centralized Counselling



 

In current system, candidates need to apply separately to colleges, which may be located all across the country, meaning it was very taxing. With a centralized process, the candidate don't have to hop around.  

 

Another reason is many seats go unoccupied in decentralized counselling, which can easily be filled through the centralized process.

 
  • In such cases if seats in a college remain vacant even after accommodating all local candidates, such seats will be offered to candidates from other states.

Eligibility Criteria for Qualifying Exam (10+2)

 

Candidates now need to score minimum 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

 

Previously, the candidate needed to only study Mathematics as one of the compulsory subjects in 10+2

Garg opined that there more technology-oriented construction is happening today, which warrants that architecture aspirants are conversant with Physics and Chemistry, in addition to Mathematics.

 

Special note for Students from Humanities

 

They can also pursue B.Arch course, provided they take additional exams conducted for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics by CBSE.


 

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