IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)

Status checked: 15 Oct 2026. Official site: iiseradmission.in

Quick Facts

2027 Status (expected)

• For reference: IAT 2026 applications ran 5 March – 13 April 2026, and the exam was held on 7 June 2026, for about 2,338 seats across BS, BS-MS and B.Tech programmes.
• From 2024, IAT became the only route into IISERs. The old JEE Advanced and KVPY channels were discontinued.

Eligibility

• Class 12 (Science stream) passed in 2026 or 2027.
• At least 60% aggregate in Class 12 (55% for SC/ST/PwD), from a COBSE-recognised board. Students waiting for Class 12 results can apply.
• You must have studied at least 3 of: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics.

Exam Pattern

• Duration: 3 hours.
• Marking: +4 / −1.
• All 4 subjects are compulsory, even if you didn't study Biology or Maths in Class 12.

Syllabus — Topics

• NCERT Class 11 & 12 in all four subjects. Questions are conceptual, application-based, and closer to an Olympiad style than a memory test.
• Biology: cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, human and plant physiology, biotechnology.
• Chemistry: physical (thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics), inorganic (bonding, periodicity), organic (reactions, mechanisms).
• Maths: algebra, calculus, coordinate geometry, probability, vectors.
• Physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, modern physics, thermodynamics.

Preparation Timeline

• PCM students: from Class 12 (October), add NCERT Biology basics (2–3 hours a week). PCB students: add NCERT Maths basics.
• After JEE or NEET (May), spend 2–3 weeks on IAT past papers (2019–2026).
• The best preparation is understanding concepts deeply, not just practising for speed.

Tip: Using one strong subject to make up for a weak one is fine. Attempt only the questions you're confident about in your weak subject (−1 negative marking).

Related exam

• NEST (for NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai) is very similar. Many IAT aspirants take both.