Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.
Official Overview & Examination Scope
Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact
The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is the sole national entrance examination for admissions into the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER Berhampur, IISER Bhopal, IISER Kolkata, IISER Mohali, IISER Pune, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, and IISER Tirupati). IAT scores are also accepted by the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bangalore) for its 4-year Bachelor of Science (Research) and IIT Madras for BS Medical Sciences.
Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
Total: 240 Marks| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 15 Questions | 60 Marks | 180 Mins (Integrated) |
| Chemistry | 15 Questions | 60 Marks | 180 Mins (Integrated) |
| Mathematics | 15 Questions | 60 Marks | 180 Mins (Integrated) |
| Physics | 15 Questions | 60 Marks | 180 Mins (Integrated) |
+4 marks for correct response, -1 mark for incorrect response, 0 for unattempted. Total 60 questions for 240 marks.
Negative Marking Rule: -1 mark penalty per incorrect answer
Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark
IISER Pune and Kolkata BS-MS typically close within the top 500-1,000 ranks (score ~140-155+ out of 240). IISc Bangalore BS Research requires rank within top 50-100.
Participating Institutes / Career Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PCM students without Biology appear for IISER IAT?
Yes! All candidates receive questions from all four subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics). Candidates can choose which questions to answer. While Biology is not mandatory to attempt, attempting basic Biology questions gives a major competitive rank boost.
Does IISc Bangalore accept IAT scores?
Yes! IISc Bangalore accepts IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) scores for admission into its flagship 4-year Bachelor of Science (Research) programme.
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