Tamil Nadu Aptitude Test in Architecture

NATA measures aptitude for architecture rather than mastery of a school syllabus. It assesses visual and spatial reasoning, observation and a sense of proportion, awareness of the built environment and of architectural history, logical reasoning and basic mathematical ability, so preparation for it differs from preparation for an engineering entrance test. The Council of Architecture conducts it in computer-based sessions at centres across the country and allows candidates to appear in more than one session, with the pattern, the number of sessions and the marking scheme set out in the brochure released each year.

In Tamil Nadu, a valid NATA score is required for B.Arch admission and is considered alongside the qualifying examination marks during the state's centralised counselling for government, aided and self-financing architecture institutions, while other states and private universities across India use the same score in their own admission processes.