Tamil Nadu Aptitude Test in Architecture Exam Pattern 2026
Tamil Nadu Aptitude Test in Architecture Exam Pattern
TANATA 2026 Exam Pattern: Overview
TANATA 2026 is a 180-minute offline pen-and-paper test conducted by Anna University, Chennai for B.Arch admissions. The exam carries 200 marks across 62 questions in two parts — Part A (MCQ-based Mathematics and General Aptitude) and Part B (Drawing Test).
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-and-Paper, OMR + Drawing Sheets) |
| Conducting Body | Anna University, Chennai |
| Total Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Total Questions | 62 (60 MCQs + 2 Drawing) |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Number of Sections | 2 (Part A and Part B) |
| Marks per MCQ | +2 |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Qualifying Marks | 25% (minimum) |
The exam is split into 2 parts: Part A (Mathematics + General Aptitude) and Part B (Drawing Test), each with a 90-minute time limit. Every correct MCQ earns +2 marks and there is no negative marking for wrong answers.
The Drawing Test in Part B contains only 2 questions but carries a heavy weightage of 80 marks. General Aptitude holds the highest MCQ weightage with 40 questions for 80 marks.
The exam is conducted in English medium only, in a single session across notified centres in Tamil Nadu. The 2026 pattern remains unchanged from the previous cycle.
TANATA 2026: Detailed Exam Pattern
TANATA 2026 is a 180-minute offline test with 62 questions for a total of 200 marks. Part A uses OMR sheets for MCQs, while Part B requires freehand sketches on drawing sheets.
- Part A covers Mathematics and General Aptitude with 60 MCQs.
- Part B covers the Drawing Test with 2 questions.
- Each part has a 90-minute time limit.
- The exam is conducted in a single session.
TANATA Marking Scheme 2026
Each correct MCQ in Part A earns +2 marks. There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
- Correct MCQ: +2 marks
- Wrong MCQ: 0 marks (no deduction)
- Drawing Test: scored on rubric (out of 40 each)
- Qualifying marks: minimum 25% of total marks
TANATA Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026
Part A contains Mathematics and General Aptitude, while Part B contains the Drawing Test. General Aptitude has the highest weightage among MCQ sections.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| General Aptitude | 40 | 80 |
| Drawing Test | 2 | 80 |
| Total | 62 | 200 |
TANATA Question Types 2026
Part A contains multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on Mathematics and General Aptitude. Part B contains drawing questions that test visual-design ability.
- Mathematics: analytical and numerical MCQs
- General Aptitude: reasoning and aptitude MCQs
- Drawing: freehand sketches on drawing sheets
TANATA Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year
The 2026 pattern remains unchanged from the previous cycle. The section-wise question distribution, marking scheme, and drawing test format are confirmed ahead of the upcoming exam window.
How to Prepare Based on TANATA Exam Pattern
Focus on General Aptitude since it carries 40 questions for 80 marks. Practice drawing regularly since the 2 questions in Part B carry 80 marks.
- Solve MCQs for Mathematics and General Aptitude within the 90-minute limit.
- Practice freehand sketches to complete the drawing test within 90 minutes.
- Aim for more than 25% of total marks to qualify for B.Arch counselling at Anna University.
TANATA Exam Pattern FAQs
What is the duration of TANATA 2026?
The exam duration is 180 minutes, with 90 minutes for each part.
How many questions are in TANATA 2026?
There are 62 questions — 60 MCQs and 2 drawing questions.
Is there negative marking in TANATA?
No, there is no negative marking for wrong answers.
What is the qualifying marks for TANATA?
Candidates must secure a minimum of 25% of total marks to qualify.
What is the medium of TANATA exam?
The exam is conducted in English medium only.
TANATA 2026 Important Dates
Anna University has released the TANATA 2026 schedule along with the official notification on its website. The exam is scheduled for the last week of June 2026, with results and counselling expected in the following months.
| Event | Date (2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| TANATA 2026 Exam (Tentative) | Last week of June 2026 | Upcoming |
| Admit Card Download | 3rd week of June 2026 | Upcoming |
| Answer Key Release | Within 5–7 days of exam | Upcoming |
| Result Declaration | 3rd week of July 2026 | Upcoming |
| Counselling Begins | August 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| Notification Released | April 2026 | Over |
| Registration Window | April – May 2026 | Over |
Print your admit card and confirm your test centre at least seven days before the exam. All dates are subject to change. Always verify the latest schedule on the official Anna University website.
TANATA 2026 Exam Pattern
The TANATA 2026 paper has two equal-time sections that test analytical and artistic abilities. Part A covers mathematics and aptitude through 60 MCQs, while Part B tests drawing skill with two long-form sketching tasks.
| Section / Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Mathematics | 20 | +2 | 40 | 90 minutes (Part A combined) |
| Part A | General Aptitude | 40 | +2 | 80 | — |
| Part B | Drawing Test | 2 | +40 | 80 | 90 minutes |
| Total | — | 62 | — | 200 marks | 180 minutes |
Both parts must be attempted in the same single sitting. The invigilator collects the Part A OMR sheet at the 90-minute mark before issuing the drawing sheets for Part B.
TANATA 2026 Marking Scheme
Every correct MCQ in Part A earns +2 marks. Incorrect or unattempted MCQs carry no penalty. The drawing section is evaluated on a structured rubric covering composition, proportion, perspective, and presentation.
| Question Type | Marks for Correct Answer | Marks for Wrong Answer | Marks for Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ — Mathematics | +2 | 0 | 0 |
| MCQ — General Aptitude | +2 | 0 | 0 |
| Drawing Test (each sketch) | Up to 40 (rubric-based) | Partial credit applies | 0 |
There is no negative marking in TANATA 2026. Attempt every MCQ even if unsure.
If two students score the same total, the number of wrong responses can be used as a secondary differentiator during merit-list preparation. Random guessing costs no marks directly, but excessive incorrect responses may hurt your tie-break ranking.
TANATA 2026 Subject-Wise Pattern
Each subject in TANATA 2026 tests a distinct skill set. Mathematics checks Class XI–XII numerical fluency, General Aptitude tests reasoning and visualisation, and Drawing evaluates form, proportion, and composition.
Mathematics (20 Questions — 40 Marks)
| Topic | Indicative Questions | Indicative Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra, Logarithms, Matrices | 4–5 | 8–10 |
| Trigonometry | 2–3 | 4–6 |
| Coordinate Geometry (2D & 3D) | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Calculus and Applications | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Permutation, Combination, Probability | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Statistics | 2–3 | 4–6 |
General Aptitude (40 Questions — 80 Marks)
General Aptitude covers reasoning, visualisation, and analytical ability. The questions are designed to assess a candidate's overall aptitude for architecture studies.
Drawing Test (2 Questions — 80 Marks)
The drawing test evaluates your sense of form, proportion, and composition. Each sketch is worth up to 40 marks, with partial credit applied where appropriate.
TANATA 2026 Section-Wise Mark Distribution
The TANATA 2026 exam has two parts. Part A is the MCQ section, and Part B is the drawing test.
Part A covers five topics. The table below shows the number of questions and marks for each topic.
| Topic | Indicative Questions | Indicative Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural Awareness (objects, textures, monuments) | 6–8 | 12–16 |
| 3D Visualisation and Spatial Reasoning | 8–10 | 16–20 |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | 8–10 | 16–20 |
| Mental Ability and Mathematical Reasoning | 8–10 | 16–20 |
| Sets, Relations and Functions | 4–6 | 8–12 |
Drawing Test (2 Questions — 80 Marks)
The drawing test has two questions. Each question carries 40 marks.
| Drawing Task | Skill Assessed | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Object / Composition Sketch | Scale, proportion, geometric composition, 2D/3D transformations | 40 |
| Perspective / Landscape Sketch | Perspective drawing, building forms, aesthetics, sketching of landscapes | 40 |
Drawing contributes 40% of your total TANATA score. Strong sketching skills can swing the result more than any single MCQ topic.
TANATA Question Types 2026
TANATA 2026 mixes two distinct question formats. Part A uses standard objective MCQs marked on an OMR sheet, while Part B is a freehand sketching test on physical drawing sheets.
There are no numerical-integer-type or assertion-reason questions in this exam. The list below explains each format you will encounter.
- MCQ (Single Correct Option): Four options per question; only one is correct. Used across both Mathematics and General Aptitude.
- Visual / Pattern-Based MCQ: Questions in General Aptitude that show a figure, pattern, or 3D object and ask for the correct visual interpretation.
- Analytical Reasoning MCQ: Short logic puzzles, sequences, and arrangement problems testing your problem-solving speed.
- Drawing Test — Object/Composition: A descriptive prompt asking you to sketch an object, scene, or composition with scale and proportion accuracy.
- Drawing Test — Perspective / Landscape: A scenario-based prompt requiring you to draw a building, landscape, or memory-based scene using perspective rules.
Note: The drawing answers must be made on the official drawing sheets supplied at the centre. Extra sheets are not provided, so plan your composition before you begin.
TANATA Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year
Anna University has retained the TANATA exam pattern for 2026 with no structural revisions to question count, marks, duration, or marking scheme. The pre-exam fortnight refresh by the conducting body confirms the same two-part offline format that has been in use over the recent cycles.
The table below compares 2025 and 2026 parameters side by side.
| Parameter | TANATA 2025 | TANATA 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR + Drawing) | Offline (OMR + Drawing) — No Change |
| Duration | 180 minutes | 180 minutes — No Change |
| Total Questions | 62 | 62 — No Change |
| Total Marks | 200 | 200 — No Change |
| Part A — MCQs | 60 questions (Math + GA) | 60 questions (Math + GA) — No Change |
| Part B — Drawing | 2 questions, 80 marks | 2 questions, 80 marks — No Change |
| Marks per MCQ | +2 | +2 — No Change |
| Negative Marking | None | None — No Change |
| Qualifying Marks | 25% | 25% — No Change |
The TANATA 2026 pattern is identical to 2025. You can rely on previous years’ papers as the closest practice resource for the upcoming exam.
How to Prepare Based on TANATA Exam Pattern
The TANATA 2026 pattern itself reveals where your preparation time should go. Because 40% of the marks come from just two drawing questions and another 40% from General Aptitude MCQs, the smart strategy is to weight your study calendar in those directions.
Use the pattern-driven tips below to convert structural understanding into score gains.
TANATA Exam Pattern 2026
TANATA 2026 has 62 questions in total. The paper is divided into two parts: Part A and Part B.
- Part A has 60 MCQs — 20 Mathematics and 40 General Aptitude.
- Part B has 2 Drawing Test questions.
- Part A carries 120 marks.
- Part B carries 80 marks.
- The total marks for TANATA 2026 are 200.
Exam Duration and Mode
The TANATA 2026 exam runs for 180 minutes in a single sitting. Part A is allotted 90 minutes for MCQs, and Part B is allotted a separate 90 minutes for the Drawing Test.
TANATA 2026 is held in offline pen-and-paper mode. Part A is answered on an OMR sheet using a blue or black ball pen, while Part B is answered on physical drawing sheets supplied at the test centre.
Marking Scheme
Each correct MCQ in Part A carries +2 marks. The two drawing questions in Part B are scored on a rubric out of 40 each, totalling 80 marks for Part B.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| General Aptitude | 40 | 80 |
| Drawing Test | 2 | 80 |
| Total | 62 | 200 |
Negative Marking
No, TANATA 2026 does not have negative marking. You can attempt every MCQ in Part A without losing marks for wrong answers, though excessive incorrect responses may be used as a tie-break factor.
Qualifying Cut-off
You must score at least 25% of the total marks to qualify in TANATA 2026. This works out to a minimum of 50 marks out of 200 to be eligible for B.Arch counselling at Anna University.
Sections Covered
TANATA 2026 has two parts. Part A covers Mathematics and General Aptitude through MCQs, while Part B is a Drawing Test that assesses scale, proportion, perspective, and visual composition.
Exam Pattern Comparison with 2025
No, Anna University has retained the same exam pattern for TANATA 2026. The number of questions, marking scheme, section structure, and total duration remain unchanged from 2025.
Drawing Test Evaluation
The Drawing Test is evaluated on a rubric covering scale, proportion, composition, perspective accuracy, and overall presentation. Each of the two drawing tasks carries up to 40 marks and partial credit is awarded for incomplete but well-executed sketches.
Items to Carry to the Exam Centre
You should carry the printed admit card, a valid photo ID, blue and black ball pens for the OMR sheet, and a personal drawing kit including pencils, eraser, sharpener, and colour pencils or sketch pens for Part B.
Question Paper Language
No, the TANATA 2026 question paper is set only in English. There is no regional language option, so all instructions and MCQ stems are in English.
Compulsory Sections
No, both Part A and Part B are compulsory in TANATA 2026. Your total score is calculated by adding marks from both sections, and qualifying requires meeting the 25% overall cut-off.
TANATA Preparation Tips
Practise drawing on real A3/A4 sheets for 90 minutes daily. Part B has only two questions but carries 80 marks — your speed, layout, and finish under timed conditions decide nearly half of your total score.
Master spatial reasoning and 3D visualisation in General Aptitude. This sub-topic alone accounts for up to 20 marks — drill cube-folding, top/side/front views, and pattern rotation questions repeatedly.
Pick high-yield Mathematics chapters first. Coordinate geometry, calculus, and algebra together cover roughly 12 of 20 Math questions — secure these before tackling lower-weightage topics like statistics.
Attempt every MCQ. Since there is no negative marking, leaving any MCQ blank is a guaranteed loss. Even an educated guess has positive expected value.
Time-box Part A at 75 minutes so you have a 15-minute review buffer before the OMR is collected. Drawing speed cannot be recovered if Part A runs long.
Sketch monuments and famous architecture from memory. The "Architectural Awareness" sub-topic regularly features iconic Indian and global buildings — building a visual library helps in both MCQ and drawing sections.
Solve at least 5 previous years' TANATA drawing papers. The drawing prompts follow a recognisable pattern (object composition + perspective sketch), and exposure builds muscle memory for the 90-minute window.
Tip: Build a personal drawing portfolio of 30–40 perspective and composition sketches before the exam — reviewing it the night before TANATA primes your hand for the test sheets.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
TANATA 2026 Exam Pattern
TANATA 2026 has 62 questions in total. The paper is divided into Part A and Part B.
- Part A: 20 Mathematics MCQs and 40 General Aptitude MCQs
- Part B: 2 Drawing Test questions
The MCQs together carry 120 marks. The drawing section carries 80 marks.
Marking Scheme
Each correct MCQ in Part A carries +2 marks. The two drawing questions in Part B are scored on a rubric out of 40 each, totalling 80 marks for Part B.
There is no negative marking in TANATA 2026. You can attempt every MCQ in Part A without losing marks for wrong answers, though excessive incorrect responses may be used as a tie-break factor.
Exam Duration
The TANATA 2026 exam runs for 180 minutes in a single sitting. Part A is allotted 90 minutes for MCQs, and Part B is allotted a separate 90 minutes for the Drawing Test.
Exam Mode
TANATA 2026 is held in offline pen-and-paper mode. Part A is answered on an OMR sheet using a blue or black ball pen, while Part B is answered on physical drawing sheets supplied at the test centre.
Qualifying Cut-off
You must score at least 25% of the total marks to qualify in TANATA 2026. This works out to a minimum of 50 marks out of 200 to be eligible for B.Arch counselling at Anna University.
Sections Covered
TANATA 2026 has two parts. Part A covers Mathematics and General Aptitude through MCQs, while Part B is a Drawing Test that assesses scale, proportion, perspective, and visual composition.
Drawing Test Evaluation
The Drawing Test is evaluated on a rubric covering scale, proportion, composition, perspective accuracy, and overall presentation. Each of the two drawing tasks carries up to 40 marks and partial credit is awarded for incomplete but well-executed sketches.
Comparison with 2025 Pattern
Anna University has retained the same exam pattern for TANATA 2026. The number of questions, marking scheme, section structure, and total duration remain unchanged from 2025.
Items to Carry to the Exam Centre
You should carry the printed admit card, a valid photo ID, blue and black ball pens for the OMR sheet, and a personal drawing kit including pencils, eraser, sharpener, and colour pencils or sketch pens for Part B.
Language of the Question Paper
The TANATA 2026 question paper is set only in English. There is no regional language option, so all instructions and MCQ stems are in English.
Compulsory Sections
Both Part A and Part B are compulsory in TANATA 2026. Your total score is calculated by adding marks from both sections, and qualifying requires meeting the 25% overall cut-off.