What Is The Difference Between JEE B.Arch and NATA?

A layman’s perspective to the structure of Architecture

In a ‘concrete jungle’ where the world is covered with ‘buildings’, it becomes important to acknowledge the need of ‘smart’ and creative architects, who not only build structures but rather would lay the foundation to future.

To cater to the need of providing more and more architects to the world, Architectural schools have been set up to guide and develop students in the field.

The two tests, JEE Mains paper2 or the JEE B.Arch paper and NATA are two tests taken by Indian students in order to apply for admissions at different architectural schools like NIT, IIT and other private institutes.

While both exams are more or less evaluating the same skill sets, there are a few points of difference based on:

Who takes the test?

The JEE B.Arch paper is conducted by CBSE while Council of Architecture conducts NATA. It is generally believed that JEE Mains is more difficult than NATA (but it still requires continuous efforts and hard work from students to crack either of the tests)

When it is taken?

Earlier, NATA was supposed to be taken on dates specified by the test taker, but since 2016, the test has been scheduled to be on a single day for everyone. Last year it was on 17th April, while this year it would be conducted on 29th of April.

The dates for JEE Mains paper2 remain the same as the dates for JEE Mains paper1, which is generally the first two weeks of April.

Who accepts the scores? Where can you apply with either scores?

The difference in application of scores is basically similar to the difference between the state held entrance examinations like KCET and national level entrance exams like the JEE.

However, NATA is also a national level entrance exam but admits students into colleges that are NOT centrally funded i.e. colleges like the NITs would not accept your application even if you get a good score in NATA.

Some self-funded universities and colleges may have their own entrance test too.
Bottom line being
JEE paper 2 scores = NITs, IITs
NATA scores= Rest of the Institutes

How the tests are structured?

The two tests are structured differently. While NATA is both online and offline based exam, JEE Mains Paper2 is an offline test.

The NATA is divided into two parts: Drawing and Aptitude Test. While the former is an offline test, the latter is an online one based on MCQs, with no negative marking. The two parts valued for 200 marks.

Unlike NATA, JEE Mains Paper 2 is a complete offline exam with the MCQs being negatively marked for each incorrect option.

While JEE has three sections including Math(like paper 1, same level of difficulty), Aptitude(logical reasoning) and Drawing, NATA has only two sections Maths and general aptitude and Drawing. The three sections make a total of 390 marks.

The division of questions goes like:

JOINT ENTRANCE EXAM - PART 2 (JEE-2) breakup:

1. Maths - 30 Question - 4 marks each (-1 for wrong answers) - 120 marks
2. Aptitude - 50 Question - 4 marks each (-1 for wrong answers) - 200 marks
3. Drawing - 3 Questions - 20+20+30 marks - 70 marks

NATIONAL APTITUDE TEST IN ARCHITECTURE (NATA) breakup:

1. Maths and Aptitude - 60 Question ( 20 maths + 40 Aptitude ) - no negative marking -120 marks | Difficulty Score - 5/10 (Maths), 7.5/10(Aptitude)
2. Drawing - 2 Question - 40 marks each - 80 marks | Difficulty Score - 8.5/10

The syllabi for the two tests are present on their websites.

People generally say that the level of Maths for NATA is generally low than for JEE but it isn’t true. Both the tests have the same syllabus for Maths section, while JEE paper may have more focus on maths as they have a separate section to it.

Thus the two National level 3 hours’ tests are quite different from each other in the way they are conducted, who conducts them to who accepts their scores.

They are like two faces to the same coin, each significant on its own yet can’t face each other.

Also read: Types of Scholarships for Higher Education you can get

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Source: edge.dqlabs.in