The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is a national-level online entrance examination conducted for admission into the undergraduate science programmes offered by the group of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) across India.
Through this exam, candidates can gain admission to programmes such as the 5-year BS-MS (Dual Degree) and the 4-year BS (or B.Tech depending on campus) in basic and interdisciplinary sciences.
📅 Important Dates (Tentative for 2026)
| Event | Date |
| Application Form Opens | March 10, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | April 15, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | April 21-22, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | May 15, 2026 |
| IAT Exam Date | May 25, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | June 24, 2026 |
🧾 Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have passed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination in the Science stream in 2023, 2024 or appearing in 2025.
- They should have studied at least three out of the four subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology in Class 12.
- Additional criteria may apply for specific IISER campuses or programmes (for example, mathematics being mandatory for certain data-science programmes).
🧭 Exam Pattern
| Feature | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Number of Questions | 60 questions (15 each from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Biology) |
| Maximum Marks | 240 marks (4 marks for a correct answer) |
| Negative Marking | –1 mark for each incorrect answer; 0 for unattempted questions |
| Admit Card / Result | Admit card released prior to exam; results after evaluation |
📚 Syllabus Overview
The syllabus for IAT is broadly based on Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT topics in:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology
Candidates are expected to have conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability in these subjects.
🏛️ Participating Institutes & Available Programmes
The exam serves for admission into multiple IISER campuses across India. Some of the programmes offered include:
- 5-Year BS-MS (Dual Degree) programmes
- 4-Year BS programmes (and in some campuses, 4-Year B.Tech in specialisations)
Note: Seat numbers vary by campus and programme.
💻 Application Process
- Visit the official admissions portal of IISER
- Register with requisite credentials and fill the online application form.
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, Class 12 mark sheet/certificate, etc).
- Pay the application fee online and submit the form.
- Download and print confirmation/acknowledgement for future reference.
| Category | Typical Fee (2025) |
| General / OBC / EWS | Approx. ₹2,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Approx. ₹1,000 |
| Foreign Nationals | Higher fee (varies) |
📈 Result & Merit List
- The results are declared online on the official IAT portal.
- Following results, a merit list is prepared based on the total marks obtained out of 240.
- Being in the merit list does not guarantee admission; candidates must follow subsequent counselling and admission processes by the individual IISERs.
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