National Aptitude Test in Architecture : Examination
NATA is designed in such a manner that prior tutelage is not required.
COA-NIASA is aware that candidates will have no or minimal knowledge of
architecture.
NATA examination which consist of two parts, measures aptitude of the
candidate in his / her aesthetic sensibilities (3D visualisation, logical
understanding, etc.) and drawing skills, that are in-built in every candidate
and developed right from childhood to the present day. The paper
based drawing test is of two hours duration and computer
based online aesthetic sensitivity test is of one hour. Computer
based test will be given only after completing the Paper based test.
Drawing Test
In the drawing test thecandidate has to attempt two questions. One of
the questions has two sub questions.
The drawing aptitude test is judged on the following aspects -
• Ability to sketch a given object proportionately and rendering the
same in visually appealing manner.
• Visualising and drawing the effects of light on the object and shadows
cast on surroundings.
• Sense of perspective drawing.
• Combining and composing given three dimensional elements to form
a building or structural form.
• Creating interesting two dimensional composition using given shapes
and forms.
• Creating visual harmony using colours in given composition.
• Understanding of scale and proportions.
• Drawing from
memory through pencil sketch on themes from day to day experiences.
Aesthetic Sensitivity Test
In the aesthetic sensitivity test the candidate has to answer
40 multiple choice questions.The test measures perception, imagination
and observation, creativity and communication along with architectural
awareness and comprises of -
• Visualising
three dimensional objects from two dimensional drawings.
• Visualising
different sides of three dimensional object.
• Identifying
commonly used materials and objects based on their textural qualities.
• Analytical
reasoning.
• Mental Ability.
• Imaginative
comprehension and expression.
• Architectural
awareness.
Test Centers :
NATA shall be conducted at various designated Test Centers in CoA approved
architectural institutions in the country. Details of the test center
will be available in the nata website.
The Scoring Process
The drawing paper will be examined by the designated examiners over the
internet in absence of the candidate and marks will be uploaded to NATA
server. The drawing papers are scanned and uploaded to NATA server for
the purpose, within four hours of printing the question paper. Usually
three different examiners, from different parts of India, independently
examine each question and their marks are averaged. NATA administrator
reserves the rights to moderate the marks given by the examiners to achieve
parity.
During the computer based test, with adaptive testing, an examinee is
administered a set of questions with a difficulty level that is specifically
designed to match the examinee's ability level. The mathematical process
for calculating a score in this situation incorporates the statistical
properties of the questions, the examinee's performance on the questions,
and the number of questions that are answered.
Drawing Section - The primary emphasis in scoring the
draw ing section is on the candidate’s drawing, imagination and
observation skills. In memory drawing, the candidate’s sense of
proportion & perspective is evaluated. The candidate shall receive
a single score for his / her performance on the drawing section. The candidate
will receive a NS (No Score) if the he / she does not draw a response
for either of the two tasks in the drawing section.
Aesthetic Sensitivity Section - The candidate’s score will
depend on his / her performance on the questions given and on the number
of questions answered in the time allotted. This section is computer adaptive,
meaning that the computer selects questions based on the candidate ’s
performance on preceding questions (When correct answer is given, next
question will be of higher difficulty level whereas, if wrong answer is
given next question is of lower difficulty level) and on the requirements
of the test design. The final score depends on average difficulty level
of all questions and of those questions answered correctly. e.g. person
with correct answer for less number of questions of higher difficulty
level may score higher marks than someone who answers more number of questions
correctly but of lower difficulty level.
The candidate may collect the his/ her score card from the Test Center
where the candidate appeared, in person on fourth day of appearing for
the test or later. Alternatively, on specific request in writing to the
center in-charge, they can be mailed to the candidate, at his / her risk,
approximately 3 to 4 days after the candidate takes the test. |
