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JEE Main Paper 2A Guide: B.Arch Pattern, 2027 Dates, Fees and Eligibility

9 min readNovember 7, 2026

JEE Main Paper 2A is the B.Arch paper of the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), run by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Its ranks are used for B.Arch seats at NITs and Schools of Planning and Architecture. The 2027 bulletin came out on 24 October 2026, and Session 1 forms close on 22 November 2026. Here are the pattern, dates, fees, eligibility and a comparison with NATA.

Key takeaways

JEE Main Paper 2A has three parts: Maths (100 marks), Aptitude (200 marks) and Drawing (100 marks). Total 400 marks in 3 hours.

Maths and Aptitude are on a computer. The Drawing Test is on paper, on an A4 drawing sheet.

Session 1 exams run on 20-24 and 28 January 2027. Session 2 exams run on 2-7 April 2027. Your best total score counts.

The fee for Paper 2A alone in India is Rs 1,000 for a General male candidate, per session.

For B.Arch seats through JoSAA in 2026, you needed Physics, Chemistry and Maths in Class 12, plus 75% marks or a top 20 percentile rank in your board.

What is JEE Main Paper 2A?

Quick answer: JEE Main Paper 2A is the B.Arch entrance paper of JEE Main, run by NTA. It has 77 questions worth 400 marks in 3 hours: 25 Maths questions, 50 Aptitude questions and 2 drawing questions. Its Common Rank List is used for B.Arch seats at NITs, SPAs and other institutes through JoSAA and CSAB.

Paper 1 of JEE Main is for B.E./B.Tech. Paper 2 splits into 2A (B.Arch) and 2B (B.Planning). NTA runs the test and publishes ranks; seats come from counselling. For the full exam picture, read our JEE Main 2027 guide.

What is the JEE Main 2027 Paper 2A exam pattern?

From the JEE Main 2027 Information Bulletin:

Part	Questions	Marks	Mode
Part I: Mathematics	20 MCQs (Section A) + 5 numerical (Section B)	100	Computer (CBT)
Part II: Aptitude Test	50 MCQs	200	Computer (CBT)
Part III: Drawing Test	2	100	Pen and paper, A4 drawing sheet
Total	77	400	3 hours

JEE Main 2027 Paper 2A at a glance. Maths has 25 questions for 100 marks, and Aptitude has 50 questions for 200 marks. The Drawing Test has 2 questions for 100 marks, on an A4 sheet. Total: 77 questions, 400 marks, 3 hours. The computer parts give +4 for a right answer, -1 for a wrong one and 0 for a blank.

How does marking work in Paper 2A?

Right answers get +4, wrong or multiple answers -1, blanks 0. This applies to Maths and Aptitude, not the Drawing Test. For numerical questions, you type a whole number on an on-screen keypad, rounded to the nearest integer. Drawing sheets are evaluated digitally.

What is the shift, and what should you carry?

Paper 2A is in the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon shift (IST), per the NTA notice. Your admit card gives the exact day. For the Drawing Test, bring your own geometry box, pencils, erasers and colour pencils or crayons. Water colours and calculators are not allowed.

What is the JEE Main Paper 2A syllabus?

The official JEE Main 2027 syllabus lists three parts:

Mathematics: 14 Class 11-12 units, from quadratic equations and matrices to calculus, coordinate geometry, vectors, probability and trigonometry.
Aptitude Test: buildings and materials, 3D objects from 2D drawings, visual and numerical reasoning, plans, elevations and 3D views.
Drawing Test: sketching from memory: markets, streets, monuments, landscapes and rural life.

What kind of maths question comes in Paper 2A?

Here is a JEE-style Section A question from the quadratic equations unit.

Question: The roots of x^2 - 5x + k = 0 differ by 1. What is k? (A) 4 (B) 5 (C) 6 (D) 8

Step by step: finding k from the gap between the roots. Let the roots be a and b. Then a + b = 5 and ab = k. Use (a - b)^2 = (a + b)^2 - 4ab. Since a - b = 1, we get 1 = 25 - 4k. So 4k = 24 and k = 6. Check: x^2 - 5x + 6 = (x - 2)(x - 3). The roots 2 and 3 differ by 1. The answer is (C).

A wrong guess costs 1 mark, so guess only with good reason.

When is JEE Main 2027 Paper 2A?

Dates from the NTA public notice of 24 October 2026 and the bulletin:

Step	Session 1	Session 2
Apply online	24 Oct - 22 Nov 2026	5 Jan - 3 Feb 2027
Late form (Rs 500 extra)	23 - 26 Nov 2026	4 - 7 Feb 2027
Form correction	27 - 29 Nov 2026	8 - 10 Feb 2027
City slip	30 Dec 2026	12 Mar 2027
Admit card	13 Jan 2027	25 Mar 2027
Exam dates	20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28 Jan 2027	2 - 7 Apr 2027

If you sit both sessions, NTA uses your better total score. The Common Rank List comes after Session 2. For help with the form, follow our JEE Main 2027 registration guide. Submit only one application.

How much is the JEE Main Paper 2A fee?

Fees per session for Paper 2A only:

Category	India	Outside India
General, male	Rs 1,000	Rs 5,000
Gen-EWS / OBC (NCL), male	Rs 900	Rs 4,500
General, Gen-EWS or OBC (NCL), female	Rs 800	Rs 4,000
SC / ST / PwD / PwBD, third gender	Rs 500	Rs 2,500

Paper 1 and Paper 2A together cost Rs 2,000 (male) or Rs 1,600 (female) for General, EWS and OBC (NCL) candidates in India, and Rs 1,000 for SC, ST, PwD and third gender. Processing charges and GST are extra.

Book a free demo class to plan your Paper 2A maths prep with a mentor, or see our plans and fees.

Who is eligible for JEE Main Paper 2A?

To sit the exam, there is no age limit. You must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2025 or 2026, or be appearing in 2027.

Seats have stricter rules. The JoSAA 2026 Business Rules said that for B.Arch at NITs, IIITs and other GFTIs you needed:

A rank in JEE Main Paper 2A.
A pass in Physics, Chemistry and Maths in Class 12.
At least 75% aggregate in five subjects (65% for SC, ST and PwD), or a place in the top 20 percentile of your board.

JoSAA 2027 rules are not yet out, so check josaa.nic.in later. The Council of Architecture's own minimum is lower: 10+2 with Physics and Maths and 45% aggregate. Check each college's rules too.

Which colleges accept JEE Main Paper 2A?

NTA's Common Rank List is used for JoSAA and CSAB seats at NITs, IIITs, CFTIs and other institutes. JoSAA's list includes SPA Bhopal, SPA New Delhi and SPA Vijayawada. Some other institutes rank students on JEE Main scores themselves.

The usual route from Class 12 to a B.Arch seat via Paper 2A. Start with Class 12 Physics, Chemistry and Maths, and meet the JoSAA marks rule. Take Paper 2A in January or April 2027. NTA then publishes the Common Rank List. JoSAA or CSAB counselling allots B.Arch seats at NITs, SPAs and other institutes.

Can you get into IIT B.Arch with Paper 2A?

No. In 2026, B.Arch was offered only at IIT (BHU) Varanasi, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee. You had to qualify JEE Advanced, which you reach through JEE Main Paper 1, then pass the 3-hour Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT). AAT 2026 was held on 4 June 2026. Seats go by JEE Advanced rank. See JEE Main vs JEE Advanced and how to get into IIT.

JEE Main Paper 2A vs NATA: which should you take?

Council of Architecture rules accept either NATA (run by CoA) or JEE (run by NTA) for B.Arch. See our NATA 2027 guide.

Paper 2A and NATA side by side. Paper 2A (NTA) is a computer test plus a paper drawing, for 400 marks. NATA 2026 (CoA) was a paper drawing plus an adaptive computer test, for 200 marks. Paper 2A has January and April 2027 sessions; your best score counts. NATA 2026 allowed two Phase 1 attempts; NATA 2027 dates are not yet out. Paper 2A ranks feed JoSAA and CSAB. NATA scores are used by state authorities and colleges.

For an NIT or SPA, take Paper 2A. For a state or private college, check whether it uses NATA. Unsure about architecture? Read how to become an architect, or compare a design route like UCEED 2027.

How should you prepare for JEE Main Paper 2A?

Fix your maths first. It is 100 marks, and on a tied total the Maths score is checked first.
Practise aptitude daily: 3D views, plans and elevations.
Sketch from memory on A4 sheets with pencils and colour pencils.
Time full papers so you have a plan for all three parts.

How 1-on-1 tutoring helps with JEE Main Paper 2A

Asymptode gives each student one dedicated mentor in live online 1-on-1 classes:

Maths, method first: your mentor watches each step of your working, so slips and risky guesses get caught early.
Your syllabus and dates: lessons follow your board syllabus and your session date.
Homework with feedback: you get personalised maths homework, and every class is recorded so you can rewatch it.
Planning for aptitude and drawing: we do not teach drawing, but your mentor helps you plan practice time. Parents get short updates, and you can start with a free demo class.

Facts checked against official sources on 7 November 2026.

FAQ

Is the JEE Main Paper 2A drawing test online or offline?

It is offline, on an A4 sheet. Maths and Aptitude are on a computer.

Is there negative marking in JEE Main Paper 2A?

Yes, in Maths and Aptitude: +4 for right, -1 for wrong. The Drawing Test has no negative marking.

Can I take JEE Main Paper 2A without Chemistry?

NTA does not set subjects for sitting the test. But JoSAA 2026 rules for B.Arch at NITs and similar institutes needed a pass in Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Check the 2027 rules when out.

How many times can I take Paper 2A in 2027?

Up to twice: January and April 2027. NTA uses your better total score.

Can I take Paper 1 and Paper 2A together?

Yes. Choose both on one form and pay the combined fee: Rs 2,000 per session for a General male candidate in India.

Is JEE Main Paper 2A better than NATA?

Neither is better; they open different doors. Paper 2A ranks serve JoSAA and CSAB seats at NITs and SPAs. NATA scores serve state authorities and colleges, and you can take both.

Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.

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