Difference between NATA and JEE B.Arch. and Which Option is Best ?

The National Aptitude Test in Architecture is an entrance-level examination for students who wish to pursue Architecture. JEE Main paper 2 is yet another exam for the same.

Both exams have some differences that may help you make your decision. If you wish to pursue Architecture as your career choice, there are some skills that you need to have to clear the exam. Sketching and imagination power are few basic skills required for clearing the exam.

If you are fond of popular buildings, their architectural style and have an eye for designing, it would be a cherry on top. NATA and JEE both are top-level exams that can get you into the best colleges if you get good scores. Keep reading to know everything about the exams, eligibility criteria and more. Without any further ado, let’s get started:

Basic difference NATA and JEE Exam

National Aptitude Test in Architecture or NATA is an examination that gets conducted by the national institute of advanced studies in architecture. On the other hand, JEE Main Paper 2 is conducted by the National Testing Agency, NTA. This is by far the primary difference as the two papers get conducted by different educational agencies. Going popularity-wise, both exams have the same hype. Also, the institutes that an individual can get into differ as well. With JEE Paper 2, one can get in SPAs. NATA too is acceptable in a wide array of institutes.

Eligibility Criteria

For JEE Paper 2, here is the minimum eligibility:

75% in 12^th Boards

Note that eligibility criteria as per COA is 50% in Boards but if you are taking admission through CSAB i.e. JEE Counselling then the eligibility criteria is 75% in boards.

The eligibility for NATA:

50% marks in Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry.
50% market in aggregate.

Test Pattern

National Aptitude Test in Architecture or NATA is an examination that gets conducted by the national institute of advanced studies in architecture. On the other hand, JEE Paper 2 is conducted by the National Testing Agency, NTA. This is by far the primary difference as the two papers get conducted by different educational agencies. Going popularity-wise, both exams have the same hype. Also, the institutes that an individual can get into differ as well. With JEE Paper 2, one can get in SPAs. NATA too is acceptable in a wide array of institutes.

National Testing Agency sets the paper for JEE Mains 2, and the Council of Architecture sets the paper for NATA every year. When it comes to the test pattern and skills required, there are some noticeable differences in the papers.

Starting with JEE Paper 2, it is of 400 marks in total. With three parts in the paper, each part focuses on a different skill. However, more weightage is given to aptitude skills. Part 1 of the paper is based on mathematics. It has 25 questions and contains 100 marks weightage. The second part of the paper is about aptitude, which has 50 questions for 200 marks. Furthermore, the last part is drawing, which has only two questions of 50 marks each. Part 1 and Part 2 consist of questions of 4 marks each, with 1 negative mark for every wrong answer.

Negative Marking

Nata has no negative markings in any section. On the other hand, JEE Main Paper 2 has a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer. This makes JEE a very competitive exam because you have to be very sure of the answers, and there won’t be any lucky guesses to help. Any paper that has a negative marking automatically increases competition. For both NATA and JEE, students get 3 hours to solve the paper.

Level of Difficulty

Undoubtedly, both papers are challenging for students. However, JEE Mains Paper 2 is more difficult. It has a negative marking as well, which can drastically affect the scores. The level of mathematics add-on to the difficulty level. There is fierce competition in this exam, and it requires a lot of hard work to crack it. NATA is a difficult exam too, but it is comparatively moderate. Constant practise is necessary for appearing for both exams.

Mode of Conduct

In JEE Main Paper 2, only MCQs are present. NATA is a blend of both MCQs and PCQs.

Best Institute for NATA and JEE B.Arch Students

Best Institute Getting a good score in JEE Main Paper 2 will allow you to study at the top institutes in India. From NITs, GFTIs, CFTIs, and SPAs, there are several options for students. Here are some top colleges that accept JEE Main scores:

School of planning and architecture, New Delhi
School of planning and architecture, Bhopal
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Jammu and Kashmir
National University of Technology, Calicut
National University of Technology, Hamirpur

Here is a list of colleges that accept NATA scores:

CEPT
Sir J.J. College of Architecture
Thiagarajar College of Engineering
Tamil Nadu School of Architecture
Sushant School of Art and Architecture
Singhad College of Architecture
Sathyabama University

Tips to clear the exams

Be it NATA or JEE Mains Paper 2, it would require constant dedication and hard work to clear the cutoff. While preparation times can get tough, it is important to maintain your calm and never stop trying. Here are some tips that will help you in scoring great marks:

Drawing skills

Firstly, you need to work on your drawing skills. Make it a routine to practise it daily, as both papers have a significant weightage for testing this aspect. Effects of light and shadow, a sense of perspective in drawing, memory in drawing, and composing three-dimensional elements are some important topics to focus on.

Previous year's papers

Keep solving previous years’ papers, as they will give you a gist of where you stand. Not only this, but also record your speed while attempting the papers. This will allow you to know what your weak points are and what you need to focus on. Make it a habit to solve mock tests daily, as they have the potential to increase your speed and thought process.

Know the syllabus.

Before you start with your preparation, create a handmade chart of the syllabus. Create a plan accordingly and see how much time you have left with you. Divide the syllabus into the days you have, and leave some time for revision too.

Work on your aptitude.

While it is said that if your drawing is good, half the job is done. This is not true! Aptitude plays an equally important role here. For this, ensure that you are devoting enough time to this segment.

Don’t waste time on endless material.

Choose your study material and stick to it. There is so much available online that may confuse you. Ignore it and focus on a few books and courses that you understand easily.

Final Words

This was all about NATA and JEE Mains Paper 2. Aspirants usually take both exams for practise and for broaden their college opportunities. Do your research thoroughly before choosing architecture as your career choice. Start preparing for the exams as soon as possible. Get great scores and kickstart your career in your dream field to make the most of it.