IAT 2026

IISER Aptitude Test

The IAT is a national-level entrance exam for admission to the BS-MS (Dual Degree) and BS/B.Tech programs at the seven Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), as well as several other elite research institutions including IISc Bangalore, IIT Madras, and IIT Guwahati.

📅 2026 Critical Timeline

  • Application Period: 5 March 2026 – 13 April 2026 (Closes at 11:55 PM)

  • Correction Window: 16 April – 18 April 2026

  • Admit Card Release: 24 May 2026

  • Examination Date: 7 June 2026 (Sunday)

  • Exam Timing: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CBT Mode)

📝 Exam Pattern (Computer-Based Test)

The IAT is a 3-hour exam with a total of 60 questions (15 questions in each of the four sections).

  • Sections: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

  • Marking: +4 for correct answers; -1 for incorrect answers; 0 for unattempted.

  • Maximum Marks: 240.

  • Syllabus: Generally follows the rationalized NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

  • Academic Year: Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026.

  • Subjects: Must have taken at least three of the following in Class 12: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.

  • Minimum Marks: * General/OBC/EWS: 60% aggregate marks.

    • SC/ST/PwD: 55% aggregate marks.

  • Admission Channel: Starting 2024–25, the IAT has become the sole channel for admission to the BS-MS and BS programs at all IISERs. The KVPY and JEE Advanced channels are no longer used for direct entry into IISERs.

💰 Application Fee

  • General / OBC-NCL / EWS: ₹2,000

  • SC / ST / PwD ₹1,000

  • Foreign Nationals: ₹12,000

🏛️ Participating Institutes

A successful IAT score grants eligibility for admission to:

  • IISERs: Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tirupati.

  • Other Elite Partners: IISc Bangalore and IIT Madras (for specific BS/Medical Sciences & Engineering programs) also accept IAT 2026 scores for their admissions.

🔗 Official Links

Pro-Tip for 2026: Since you must answer questions from all four sections to maximize your score, do not completely skip a subject even if it wasn't your primary focus in 10+2. PCMB students have a natural advantage, but PCM or PCB students should still target the "easy" high-weightage topics in their fourth subject (e.g., Ecology for PCM students or Matrices for PCB students).