NATA Brochure 2009
NATA Brochure 2009
NATA 2009
Overview
What Is It?
The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) measures the aptitude of the applicant for specific field of study, i.e. Architecture. The test measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability, that have been acquired over a long period of time, and that are related to specific field of study, i.e. Architecture.
Test Fees
NATA Fees are Rs.800, and are to be paid at the time of Registration and before collection of the appointment voucher from the Test Center.
Requesting a Refund
Only if the candidate cancels the appointment for NATA no later than 3 full working days prior to the candidates test date, the candidate will receive Rs.400 as refund. The refund is sent directly to the candidate on the address provided by him within six weeks of date of cancellation.
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Registration Process
Approach the Test Center located at college / school of Architecture at a location convenient to the candidate with the documents listed below and test fees. Fill up and submit the form Pay the fees Get the online registration form filled Get receipt cum appointment voucher with date and time from the Test Center.
INSIST ON RECEIPT CUM APPOINTMENT VOUCHER TO BE HANDED OVER TO YOU. IN CASE ANY OF THE TEST CENTRE REFUSES ISSUING OF APPOINTMENT VOUCHER PLEASE REPORT TO COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE / NIASA IMMEDIATELY.
Repeating NATA
NATA can be given as many number of times as desired by the candidate. For every attempt, however, test fees have to be paid afresh in full. The marklist will show the average of marks scored by the candidate in his last attempt and his previous valid score. Data on such Tests shows that repeaters on an average show a slight score gain. However, this finding is tempered by the observation that repeaters are typically a self-selected group who believe that repeating the test will increase their scores.
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Unless the scores seem unusually low compared to the other indicators of the candidates ability, taking a NATA again is not likely to result in a substantial score increase. In fact, there is some chance that the candidates scores may drop.
NATA Dates
NATA can be given from 1st January till 30th September every year at designated Test Centers. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The candidate may take NATA any number of times subject to availability of appointment at the Test Centers. However, full fees will have to be paid for every new attempt. To register, contact the appropriate Test Center. REGISTER WELL IN ADVANCE TO GET PREFERRED TEST DATE.
Test Centers
Please check the websites www.niasa.org or www.nata.in for the updated list of approved NATA Centers
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The Test Center in-charge will not admit the candidate The candidate will not be allowed to take the test The candidate will forfeit the test fee.
When scheduling the appointment, the candidate must use exactly the same name as shown on the Std X mark list or the primary identification document that the candidate will present at the Test Center. If the name shown on the candidates primary identification document or Std X mark list does not match the name on the appointment voucher, the candidate will not be permitted to appear for the test. Only mis-spellings of the candidates name can be corrected at check-in. NAME CHANGES WILL NOT BE MADE. If the candidates name has changed for any reason, including marriage, the candidate still must present primary identification in the name under which he / she made the appointment, or the candidate will not be permitted to test. Marriage certificates and divorce decrees cannot be used to confirm name differences.
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If the Test Center in-charge questions the ID the candidate presents, the candidate will be required to present additional proof of identity. If positive confirmation cannot be made, the candidate may be refused admission to the Test Center and the candidate will forfeit the test fee paid. Test Center personnel will check the candidates identification before assigning the candidate a seat at the Test Center. The administrator will check to verify that the candidate is the person in his photo identification. The test center in-charge will repeat this procedure before and after all breaks. Admittance to the Test Center does not imply that the candidates form of identification is valid or that the candidates scores will be reported. All reported cases of questionable identification are subject to review and approval by the NIASA of Testing Integrity.
The confirmation of identity letter must contain the candidates date of birth; a recent, recognizable photo; the candidates signature; and the date issued. The confirmation of identity letter must be typed on the original letterhead of the educational institution the candidate attend(ed), and the signature of the school official and the school seal must overlap the candidates photo. A letter of identity is valid for only one year after the date issued.
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Set of colours (Water/ Poster colours, crayons, pastels) with appropriate instruments (Brushes, dish, etc.) Geometry instrument box Blue ink pen / Blue ink ball point pen
Please do not sign the counterfoil in advance. Sign the counterfoil only when the hall supervisor asks you to. If the hall supervisor finds the counterfoil already signed he may disallow the candidate to proceed with the test and his candidature will get forfeited.
Test Center Procedures and Regulations For Both Paper-Based and Computer-Based Tests
Dress so that you can adapt to any room temperature. Friends or relatives who accompany the candidate to the Test Center will not be permitted to wait in the Test Center or be in contact with the candidate while the he / she is taking the test. Except for NIASAauthorized observers, visitors are not allowed in the testing room while test is in progress. ID verification at the Test Center may include thumbprinting, iris scan, photographing, videotaping, or other form of electronic ID confirmation. If the candidate refuses to participate, he / she will not be permitted to appear for the test and the candidate will forfeit the test fee. This is in addition to the requirement that the candidate must present acceptable and valid identification. Other than ID, personal items are not allowed in the testing room. Before the test, the candidate will receive instructions from Test Center staff regarding where the candidate must deposit items such as mobile phones, PDAs, digital music players, MP3 players, or any other electronic devices with memory, handbags, and study materials. The candidate may also be asked to empty his/ her pockets. Storage space is limited, so plan accordingly. The candidate may not have access to his/ her personal items during the test or break. Test Centers assume no responsibility for personal belongings. The test administrator will assign the candidate a seat. On occasion, electrical supply failure, internet connectivity failure, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test administrator's or NIASAs control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of the test appointment. In the event that it is then necessary to cancel the test session, or if it is later determined that the candidates marks could not be reported, the candidate will be offered the opportunity to schedule another test appointment free of charge or receive a full refund of the original test fee. To request refund, contact NIASA with the following information within 30 days of the candidates original appointment: candidates name, date of birth, mailing address, daytime telephone number, e-mail address, original test date and appointment number, and a brief description of what occurred at the Test Center. All refunds will be made in Indian Rupees.
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NATA includes an optional 10-minute break after the Drawing section. This break time cannot be exceeded. When the test gets disrupted because of failure of internet connectivity or electricity supply failure, candidate can resume the test from the point of disruption onwards if resumed within four hours. In case disruption lasts for more than four hours the candidate may have to give entire test again.
NIASA reserves the right to take all action including, but not limited to, barring the candidate from future testing and/or canceling the candidates scores/ marks for failure to comply with test administration regulations or the test administrator's directions. If the candidates scores/ marks are cancelled, they will not be reported and the candidates fees will not be refunded. Although tests are administered under strict supervision and security measures, testing irregularities may sometimes occur. Please contact NIASA as soon as possible to report any observed behavior that may lead to an invalid score for example, someone copying from another candidate, taking a
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test for someone else, having access to test questions before the exam, or using notes or unauthorized aids. All information will be held in the strictest confidence. Phone: 020-6573-1088 TeleFax: 020-2295-2262 (Office Hours: 10am-4pm)
Test Content
The test is in two parts. A paper based drawing test for two hours and computer based online aesthetic sensitivity test for one hour. The test measures aptitude of the candidate through two sections a paper based section for drawing and computer based section for aesthetic sensitivity.
Drawing Test
This is a two hour paper where candidate has to attempt two questions. One of the questions has two sub questions. The drawing aptitude 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.
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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.
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The statistical characteristics (including difficulty level) of the questions already answered The required variety of question types The appropriate coverage of content. 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. Average time allotted to answer the question is 90 seconds and the countdown begins 30 seconds before the time ends, however, for certain questions depending upon their difficulty level, time allotted to provide the answer may be reduced to 60 seconds or may be extended to 120 seconds. There is no Negative marking in this test.
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Council of Architecture and NIASA, does not guarantee any admissions and is not involved with the admission procedure. Appearing at a particular center for the test does
not imply that the candidate could be given any priority for admission to that institute.
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3. Ans:
What is the last date for giving NATA? Technically, 30 September. NATA runs continuously from 1 January till 30 September, usually on working days. The dates on which NATA is available depends on the Test Centre. Candidates may request Test Centres for the preferred dates. If the candidate is available for NATA only on a particular date (or range of dates) that a particular Test Centre is not able to give, the candidate may register at any other Test Centre throughout India that is able to administer NATA on that date / time. TEST CENTRE LOCATION HAS NO BEARING ON CHOICE OF ADMISSION AND APPEARING AT A PARTICULAR CENTER FOR THE TEST DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE CANDIDATE COULD BE GIVEN ANY PRIORITY FOR ADMISSION TO THAT INSTITUTE. The logical last date for giving NATA for candidates seeking admission this year itself would be 5 days before the last date for submitting application for admission under a particular Admission Authority. This varies from authority to authority.
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4. Ans:
What is the meaning of Admission Authority? Admission Authority is a body, authorised by the State Govt. / University to conduct and monitor admissions in that area. This may vary from the Directorate of Technical Education itself, a major University, a body created by an association of Architectural Schools in that State (eg. MASA), or any other Admission Authority recognised by the state. The candidate may be advised to check up in advance with Schools of Architecture where he / she is applying for the details of the admission authority and other information on the exact admission process. How do I practice for NATA? Where can I take tuitions? 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 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. There will be certain questions on architecural awareness wherein candidates may be required to identify building of national or international importance. The candidate is expected to know about these structures through General Knowledge. The candidate may also prefer to update his knowledge on this by some reading, internet browsing or even by talking to architectural students,
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5.
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architects and other knowledgable persons. In all probability, this will not be required. There will be a model NATA interface available on the NATA website to help candidates get acquainted with the visual format of the test. There will be no model questions available as such. The language medium of the test will be English. Minimal computer skills are required (pointing and clicking Mouse buttons). 6. I am a foreign student / NRI. Can I take the test from my country of residence? No. The candidate will have to register in India and give the test from any of the designated Test centres of his / her choice in India. The qualification process for giving NATA stands the same. Admission will be given by the respective admission authorities according to the rules layed down by it for students of such category.
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7.
If I belong to a particular quota (SC/ST/NT/etc.), do I get score waiver during admission? This issue lies with the Admission Authority in the particular state of application for B.Arch.
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Are there any additional fees payable for training, etc? THERE ARE NO OTHER FEES PAYABLE. IF ANY CENTRE INSISTS ON ADDITIONAL FEES OR PARTICIPATION IN TRAINING PROGRAM, PLEASE REPORT SUCH INCIDENCE TO COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE OR NIASA.
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9.
Do I have to appear for NATA at the college where I aspire to take admission? No. You may appear for NATA at any Test center convenient to you. Based on the score you may seek admission to any college where you are eligible to seek admission.
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