NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
IISER Aptitude Test Guide
IISER Aptitude Test
2026 examination cycle · IISERs
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Current cycle
2026 admission
Current stage
Offer rounds
Admission body
IISER Joint Admissions Committee
Test duration
180 minutes
Questions
60
Maximum marks
240
2026 cycle tracker
- Application5 Mar–13 Apr
- Examination7 Jun
- ResultPublished
- Preferences2–9 Jul
- Offer roundsRound 2: 1–5 AugYou are here
On This Page
Exam Resources
About IISER IAT
What is IISER IAT?
The IISER Aptitude Test is the admission route for BS-MS and listed undergraduate programmes offered through the IISER admission process.
IAT 2026 was held on 7 June. Result, preference registration and the first offer round are complete; the second offer round runs from 1 to 5 August, and candidates must follow the official portal for acceptance and payment windows.
Programme eligibility may depend on the class XII subject combination. A candidate can qualify IAT yet remain ineligible for a particular programme, so the official programme matrix controls choices.
Latest IISER IAT Updates
Verified updates, newest first
IISER IAT Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | IISER Aptitude Test |
| Subjects | Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics |
| Questions | 15 per subject |
| Scoring | +4 correct, −1 wrong |
| Admission | Central preference and offer rounds |
| Programmes | BS-MS and listed BS routes |
IISER IAT 2026 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application opened | Completed | |
| Application deadline | Closed | |
| Admit card | Published | |
| IAT examination | Completed | |
| Counselling registration opened | Completed | |
| Counselling registration closed | Closed | |
| First offer round | Completed | |
| Second offer round | In progress |
IISER IAT Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
The IAT form and counselling registration are closed. Registered candidates should use the live portal for the second offer round, which runs from 1 to 5 August, and for later round-wise acceptance and payment actions.
The examination form required academic and category information, programme eligibility details, document uploads and online payment.
During counselling, candidates order eligible programme preferences; later options depend on rank, category, seat availability and the official float/freeze/withdraw rules.
| Applicant category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹2,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Kashmiri Migrant and notified Kashmiri Pandit categories | ₹1,000 |
| Foreign national | ₹12,000 |
- Seat-acceptance and admission charges are separate from the examination application fee.
IISER IAT Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Qualifying examination
Class XII or equivalent
- Use the recognized-board and passing-year rules in the official brochure.
Science subjects
At least 3 of PCMB
- Programme-specific mathematics or biology requirements still apply.
Board performance
Category rule in brochure
- Confirm the exact qualifying-board marks provision before counselling.
Nationality route
Indian / OCI / foreign rules
- Foreign-national fee and admission provisions are separate.
IISER IAT Admit Card
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The 2026 admit card was released on 24 May and the examination is complete.
The card was downloaded from the official candidate portal.
IISER IAT Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- IAT60-question CBT
- PreferencesEligible programme order
- Offer roundsRank, category and seats
IAT 2026 Paper Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 15 | 60 |
| Chemistry | 15 | 60 |
| Mathematics | 15 | 60 |
| Physics | 15 | 60 |
- A correct response earns 4 marks, a wrong response loses 1 mark and an unattempted question earns 0.
IISER IAT Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- The official syllabus spans class XI–XII Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- All four sections contribute to the IAT score even where a candidate studied only three qualifying subjects, so preparation should account for the full paper.
Biology
Diversity, cells, genetics, physiology, ecology, evolution and biotechnology.
Chemistry
Physical, inorganic and organic chemistry at senior-secondary level.
Mathematics
Algebra, calculus, coordinate geometry, probability, vectors and trigonometry.
Physics
Mechanics, heat, waves, electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics.
IISER IAT Answer Key
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The 2026 answer-key stage is complete.
Candidates should use the official final score and portal records for admission decisions.
IISER IAT Result
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The IAT 2026 result is published and the second offer round is in progress through 5 August.
Rank is followed by separate counselling registration, preferences and round-wise offers.
IISER IAT Cut-off and Closing Ranks
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: Admission thresholds emerge round by round by programme, category and seat availability.
Do not present an early round or coaching estimate as one universal IISER cut-off.
IISER IAT Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Cover all four IAT sections rather than assuming the best three are counted.
- Use NCERT concepts and official mock/sample resources before coaching questions.
- Practise 60-question, 180-minute mocks with minus-one marking.
- Check programme subject eligibility before setting counselling preferences.
Official-first preparation material
- IAT 2026 information brochure and syllabus
- Official IISER mock-test instructions
- NCERT class XI–XII PCMB texts
IISER IAT Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
The IISER admission website provides official cycle documents and testing guidance.
Use the current brochure for scoring and programme eligibility when solving older questions.
IISER IAT Frequently Asked Questions
Is IISER IAT 2026 counselling underway?
Yes. The first offer round is complete, and the official schedule runs the second offer round from 1 to 5 August.
How many questions are in IAT?
There are 60 questions: 15 each from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. A wrong answer attracts minus one mark under the 2026 scheme.
Must I study all four PCMB subjects?
The paper includes all four and all can contribute to the score; qualifying-school and programme subject rules are separate.
Does an IAT rank guarantee a seat?
No. Programme preferences, category, seat availability, round actions and document verification determine admission.
Can I pay a seat fee through an agent?
No. Use only the payment link inside the official IISER admission portal.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Undergraduate Science Admissions
Compare official research-oriented science degree routes
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.