What is IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) Entrance Exam? - Full Form, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Fees & Seats

Last updated: 21 May 2025
IISER Apptitude Test (IAT)
IISER Apptitude Test (IAT)
Table of Contents
What is IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) Exam? What is IISER? What is Integrated BS-MS? IISER Aptitude Test Exam Summary IISER Aptitude Test Exam Eligibility Criteria IISER Aptitude Test Exam Benefits IISER Aptitude Test Exam Pattern IISER List Seats of IISER Institute IISER Fees IISER Aptitude Test Exam Advantages IISER Aptitude Test Exam Disadvantages

What is IISER Apptitude Test (IAT) Exam?

The full name of IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Aptitude Test.

It is a national level entrance exam which is conducted for admission to BS-MS dual degree programs in reputed IISER institutes of India.

This exam is conducted once every year for those students who have passed class 12th (12th) from science stream and they want to take admission in BS-MS dual degree program in IISER.

  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Biology

Students who successfully clear the IISER IAT exam get admission in any one of the seven premier IISER institutes across the country.

What is IISER?

The full form of IISER is Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research. As the name suggests, it is a science research institute.

It is a group of autonomous institutions established by the Government of India, with the objective of promoting high quality science education and research.

What does IISER do?

IISER institutes offer research-based education to promising students in the field of science through BS-MS dual degree programs, integrated PhD and PhD programs. The main objective of these institutes is to promote scientific thinking and make India a leader in scientific research.

There are currently a total of 7 IISERs in India, and all of these IISERs come under the Ministry of Education.

What is Integrated BS-MS?

Integrated BS-MS (BS-MS Dual Degree Program) is a five-year academic program in which students obtain the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) and Master of Science (M.Sc) degrees simultaneously. This course is specially designed for students who want to gain a deeper understanding and research-based education in the field of science.

Key Features of Integrated BS-MS

  • Duration: Total 5 years
  • Degree: B.Sc + M.Sc Degree under one course
  • Focus: Deep study and research of science
  • Main subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Earth Science, etc.

Why pursue Integrated BS-MS?

  • Students get both B.Sc and M.Sc degrees from the same institute without any break.
  • There is no need to apply separately for the master's degree.
  • This program prepares students for a career in research.
  • Stipend/scholarship is also provided during this course at prestigious institutes like IISER.
  • At the end of the course, students can easily move towards PhD, research or scientific career.

IISER Apptitude Test Exam Summary

IAT Exam Summary
Detail Information
Exam Name IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)
Full Form Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Aptitude Test
Conducting Body Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)
Purpose Admission to IISERs for BS-MS dual degree program.
Target Candidates 12th pass Science background students who want to pursue BS-MS dual degree programs at IISER.
Exam Level National
Frequency Once a year
Application Mode Online
Official Website Website

IISER Apptitude Test Exam Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality: Indian
  • Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination in the science stream.
  • Subjects: Candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology (PCM/PCB) in their Class 12th.
  • Age limit: No age limit
  • Number of attempts: 2
  • Percentage: General/OBC/EWS candidates must have at least 60% marks in Class 12, while SC/ST/PwD candidates must have a minimum of 55% marks.

IISER Apptitude Test Exam Benifits

Students who clear the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) exam get an opportunity to study in India's top science institutes - IISERs, along with many other academic and professional benefits. Below are some major benefits of clearing IISER Aptitude Test (IAT).

  • Direct Admission to India's Top IISER Institutions: After passing the IAT exam, candidates get direct admission to BS-MS dual degree programs in 7 premier IISER institutions of the country, which are centers of excellence in education and research in the field of science.
  • INSPIRE SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS: Students selected through IAT are awarded the INSPIRE Scholarship, which is provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Under this scheme, 5,000 monthly and 20,000 summer project grants are provided to the top 1% students in class 12th. Also, some state governments and private organizations also offer additional scholarships.
  • World Class Education and Experienced Faculty: IISER institutes offer world-class education, state-of-the-art laboratories and experienced professors educated from institutes like IIT, IISc, ISRO, TIFR.
  • 5-Year BS-MS Integrated Degree Programme: IISER offers a special 5-year BS-MS Dual Degree Programme, in which Bachelor's and Master's degrees are combined together. The program provides students with a strong foundation for their research and academic careers.
  • 1-year research experience: Students in the BS-MS integrated program have to undertake a compulsory 1-year research project, which gives them real research experience.

IISER Apptitude Test Exam Pattern

If you want to take admission in IISER BS-MS dual degree program, then you have to clear IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) first. Before starting this exam preparation, it is very important to know the IAT exam pattern.

The syllabus of IAT is completely based on the NCERT syllabus of class 11th and 12th. The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) consists of four subjects, with a total of 60 questions (15 from each subject), and the paper carries a total weightage of 240 marks. The entire syllabus of IAT is based on the NCERT syllabus of class 11 and class 12.

Here we are giving you complete information about IAT exam pattern in simple language:

IISER Apptitude Test Exam Pattern
Detail Information
Exam Mode Online (Computer-Based Test - CBT)
Type of Questions MCQ
Language
  • English
  • Hindi
Total Paper 4
Subjects
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
Total Question 60
Subject wise Question
  • Physics: 15
  • Chemistry: 15
  • Mathematics: 15
  • Biology: 15
Total Marks 240
Subject wise Marks
  • Physics: 60
  • Chemistry: 60
  • Mathematics: 60
  • Biology: 60
Duration 180 minutes (3 hours)
Sylabus NCERT (11 & 12)

IISER List

Here is a list of yeha niche IISER (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research) institutes, including seven major IISERs in India:

IISER List
IISER Alias Institute Name State
IISER-B IISER Bhopal Madhya Pradesh
IISER-P IISER Pune Maharashtra
IISER-K IISER Kolkata West Bengal
IISER-M IISER Mohali Punjab
IISER-T IISER Thiruvananthapuram Kerala
IISER-Tir IISER Tirupati Andhra Pradesh
IISER-Ber IISER Berhampur Odisha

Seats of IISER Institute

Every year thousands of students apply for admission to BS-MS degree programs through IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). The table below gives the number of seats available in each IISER Institute:

Seats of IISER Institute
IISER No of Seats
IISER Berhampur 224
IISER Bhopal 252
IISER Pune 288
IISER Mohali 244
IISER Thiruvananthapuram 302
IISER Kolkata 250
IISER Tirupati 174
Total 1734

IISER Fees

The fee structure of BS-MS dual degree program at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) varies by institute and category. Below are the fee details of major IISER institutes:

IISER Fees
IISER Fees
IISER Berhampur ₹36000/-
IISER Bhopal ₹33000/-
IISER Pune ₹36000/-
IISER Mohali ₹36000/-
IISER Thiruvananthapuram ₹33000/-
IISER Kolkata ₹36000/-
IISER Tirupati ₹36000/-

IISER Apptitude Test Advantages

Below are some advantages of IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), which students get through this exam.

  • International-Level Course Structure: IISER's BS-MS (Bachelor of Science - Master of Science) program is an integrated course, considered equivalent to BS/MS courses abroad. In India, most institutes offer separate BSc or MSc courses, whereas, in foreign countries, they are referred to as BS and MS.
  • Foreign Study: Research papers, publications, and theses are crucial for any PhD application. MSc programs in Indian universities are not research-focused, whereas MS degrees are purely research-oriented. This gives MS graduates a higher chance of securing PhD admissions and scholarships.
  • Top Institutions Work: IISERs have a highly demanding and research-oriented curriculum, providing students with strong theoretical foundations and analytical skills. Students gain research project and lab work experience at the undergraduate level, which is an important quality for top institutions.
  • Top NIRF Rank: Most IISERs are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the NIRF rankings, reflecting their academic excellence and research quality.
  • Research-Oriented Syllabus: IISER's curriculum is research-focused, with a strong emphasis on practical research and lab work along with theoretical concepts.

IISER Apptitude Test Disadvantages

Here below are the possible disadvantages of IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), so that students can get complete information and make informed decisions:

  • No Engineering or Medical Degree: Although IISER offers many academic advantages, it has some limitations. It is focused on research and science education, meaning that traditional engineering or medical degrees are not available. IISER is only suitable for students who are not interested in engineering or medical fields but want to pursue research in science. However, IISER Bhopal is the only institute offering an Engineering Sciences course. While it does not provide traditional B.Tech or BE degrees, it offers a BS-MS (Dual Degree) program in Engineering Sciences.
  • Low Seats: There are a total of 7 IISERs in India, each having around 200 to 300 seats. The total number of IISER seats across all institutes is approximately 2000, whereas around 50,000 to 100,000 students appear for the entrance exam. This makes admission highly competitive.
  • Limited Internship Opportunities: IISERs do not have a dedicated placement cell or strong corporate tie-ups for internships. As a result, students have to contact professors or institutions on their own for internship opportunities.
  • Limited Job Placement Opportunities: IISERs primarily focus on basic & natural science research, which means direct job placements in industries are limited.
  • High Academic Pressure & Hard Work: The level of academics at IISERs is very challenging, especially for students who are not deeply interested in research. Regular assignments, research projects, and tough exam patterns can make it difficult for many students.
  • Limited Research Infrastructure: Older IISERs (such as Pune and Kolkata) have well-established research facilities and experience, but newer IISERs (such as Tirupati and Berhampur) are still developing their research infrastructure.

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