The IISER Aptitude Test 2027 will be conducted for aspirants seeking admission to top science research institutes across the nation, such as IISc Bangalore, IITs (Madras, Guwahati), IISERs, IACS, and IIEST Shibpur. These institutes provide science research courses like BS-MS dual degree, BS degree and BTech courses.

For the 2027-2028 academic session, the exam officials will tentatively release the IAT 2027 notification in the first week of February. Candidates interested in the courses offered need to meet the IAT 2026 eligibility criteria before applying. The exam officials will conduct the exam to test candidates’ domain knowledge, critical and analytical understanding in subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in the form of MCQ questions.

IISER 2026 exam is anticipated to be held in the first week of June 2027 at multiple exam centres across the nation in online/CBT Mode. Every year, thousands of students appear to get admission to these top IAT participating institutes. Candidates planning to appear for IAT 2027 should understand the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility requirements, admission process, and counselling procedure well in advance. This SciAstra blog provides a comprehensive overview to help aspirants prepare effectively.

What is IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)?

IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), is a national-level entrance examination that is conducted annually to provide admissions to the BS-MS/BS/Btech degree courses offered at the finest research institutes across the nation.

Admission through IAT is highly competitive as IISERs are among India's leading institutions for science education and research. These institutions aim to nurture talented students and encourage them to pursue careers in scientific research, innovation, and academia.

IAT 2026 Courses Offered at IISERs

Before applying for the IISER entrance exam, the candidates must know the courses offered by the participating institutions. This will help them figure out their choice and career in science institutes.

Course/Programme

Duration

Institute(s) Offering the Programme

BS-MS (Dual Degree) Programme

5 Years

All IISERs

BS-MS (Dual Degree) in Computational and Data Sciences

5 Years

IISER Kolkata

BS Degree in Economic Sciences

4 Years

IISER Bhopal

BS Degree in Economic and Statistical Sciences

4 Years

IISER Tirupati

BS-MS with a Major in Geology

5 Years

IISER Mohali

BS-MS with a Major in Environmental Sciences

5 Years

IISER Mohali

B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering

4 Years

IISER Bhopal

B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

4 Years

IISER Bhopal

B.Tech. in Data Science and Engineering

4 Years

IISER Bhopal

Candidates who also want to explore the list of courses offered by IISc, IACS, IIEST Shibpur, IIT Madras and IIT Guwahati from here- IAT Courses Offered 2027

IAT 2027 Participating Institutes

Check out the list of participating institutes for the IISER 2027 exam from here:

IISER 2027 Participating Institute Name

Location (State)

IISc Bangalore

Bangalore, Karnataka

IIT Madras

Madras, Tamil Nadu

IIT Guwahati

Guwahati, Assam

IISER Pune

Pune, Maharashtra

IISER Bhopal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

IISER Thiruvananthapuram

Trivandrum, Kerala

IISER Mohali

Mohali, Punjab

IISER Kolkata

Kolkata, West Bengal

IISER Berhampur

Berhampur, Odisha

IACS, Kolkata (Indian Association for Cultivation of Science)

Kolkata, West Bengal

IIEST Shibpur (Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology)

Shibpur, West Bengal

Also Read: IISER Participating Institutes

IISER 2027 Seat Intake

The exam officials have yet to release the IAT seat matrix for the session 2027-2028. Check out the seat intake data based on the previous year's data available.

BS-MS Programme

Number of Seats

IISER Berhampur

300

IISER Bhopal

300

IISER Kolkata

280

IISER Kolkata (BS-MS in Computational and Data Sciences)

30

IISER Mohali

275

IISER Pune

288

IISER Thiruvananthapuram

320

IISER Tirupati

250

BTech/ BS Programme

Number of Seats

IISER Bhopal (B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering)

40

IISER Bhopal (B. Tech. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)

75

IISER Bhopal (B. Tech. in Data Science and Engineering)

80

IISER Bhopal (BS in Economic Sciences)

55

IISER Tirupati (BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences)

50

Total

2343

Also Read: IISER Aptitude Test Seat Intake

IISER 2027 Exam Highlights

The interested candidates need to know the exam highlights before the IISER 2027 Preparation. Check out the complete details here:

Particulars

Details

Exam Name

IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2027

Exam Level

National Level Undergraduate Entrance Exam

Purpose

Admission to BS-MS/ BS/ Btech Degree programmes offered by IISERs and participating institutes

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT) / Online Mode

Exam Frequency

Once a Year

Duration

3 Hours (180 Minutes)

Medium of Exam

English and Hindi

Question Type

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Single Correct Answer

Total Questions

60 Questions

Subjects Covered

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology

Questions per Subject

15 Questions from each subject

Maximum Marks

240 Marks

Marking Scheme

+4 for Correct Answer, -1 for Incorrect Answer, 0 for Unattempted Questions

Official Website

Link will be provided once it's made live by the officials for the session 2027-2028

IAT Exam Date 2027

It is important for the applicants to know the IISER Exam Date 2027, like release of the exam notification, exam date, registration and other event timelines. Since the officials have yet to release the IAT 2027 exam schedule, here is the tentative timeline (based on the 2026 exam calendar) mentioned:

Event Name

Tentative Dates

IAT 2027 Notification

First Week of February 2027

IISER 2027 Application Form Start Date

First Week of March 2027

IISER 2027 Application Form End Date

Second Week of April 2027

IAT 2027 Application Correction Window

Third Week of April 2027

IISER Aptitude Test 2027

First Week of June 2027

IAT 2027 Provisional Answer Key

First Week of June 2027 (After the successful conduct of the exam)

IAT 2027 Student Response Sheet

Second Week of June 2027

IAT 2027 Result Release Date

Fourth Week of June 2027

IAT vs Other Exams

Science stream students after Class 12 often compare IAT with other major entrance exams such as NEST, NEET, and JEE. While all these exams are science-oriented, they serve different career goals. IAT is specifically designed for admission to IISERs and focuses on building careers in scientific research and innovation. Understanding the differences between major Science Entrance Exams 2027 helps students choose the examination that aligns best with their academic interests and long-term career aspirations.

IAT vs NEST

Check out the comparison between the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) and National Test Screening Test (NEST) from here:

Parameter

IAT

NEST

Full Form

IISER Aptitude Test

National Entrance Screening Test

Purpose/ Institutes Covered

Admission to IISERs, IISc, 2 IITs, IACS, IIEST

Admission to NISER and CEBS

Courses Offered

BS-MS Dual Degree, BS Degree Programmes

Integrated MSc Programmes

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Subjects

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

Total Questions

60

Varies by year

Maximum Marks

240

Varies by year

Difficulty Level

Moderate to High

Moderate to High

Career Focus

Scientific Research and Higher Studies

Scientific Research and Basic Sciences

Ideal For

Students seeking admission to IISERs

Students targeting NISER and CEBS

IAT vs NEET vs JEE

Candidates can check out the comparison between the entrance exams like IAT, NEET and JEE from here:

Parameter

IAT

NEET

JEE (Main/Advanced)

Primary Goal

Admission to IISERs for Science Research

Admission to Medical Colleges

Admission to Engineering Colleges

Career Path

Scientist, Researcher, Academia

Doctor, Surgeon, Healthcare Professional

Engineer, Technologist

Courses Offered

BS-MS, BS/Btech (limited branch) Programmes

MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences

BTech, BE., Integrated Engineering Programs

Subjects Tested

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

Physics, Chemistry, Biology

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

Biology Required

Yes

Yes (Core Subject)

No

Mathematics Required

Yes

No

Yes (Core Subject)

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test

Pen-and-Paper (OMR Based)

Computer-Based Test

Maximum Marks

240

720

Varies by Exam

Difficulty Level

Moderate to High

High

High to Very High

Research Opportunities

Excellent

Limited during UG

Available in select institutes

Best Suited For

Students interested in Science and Research

Students aspiring to become Doctors

Students aspiring to become Engineers

Top Institutes

IISERs, IISc, 2 IITs, IACS, IIEST

AIIMS, Government & Private Medical Colleges

IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs

IISER 2026 Eligibility Criteria

While filling out the registration, interested applicants are advised to check out the IAT 2026 eligibility criteria meticulously in order not to lose their candidature at any stage during the admission process.

Criterion

Details

Educational Qualification

Must have passed Class XII (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with a science stream, from a board recognized by the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE), India

Subject Combination

Must have taken at least three subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics during Class XII.

Mandatory Mathematics for Specific Programmes

For admission into certain programs, Mathematics is mandatory at Class XII level. These include:5‑year BS‑MS in Computational and Data Sciences at IISER Kolkata

  • 4‑year BTech at IISER Bhopal

  • 4‑year BS in Economic Sciences at IISER Bhopal

  • 4‑year BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences at IISER Tirupati

The eligibility criteria are based on the data available for the IISER 2026 Admissions. The updated eligibility criteria will be updated once the officials provide information.

IISER Admission Process 2027

To secure admission to prestigious research institutes such as IISERs, IISc, and other institutes, candidates must be familiar with the complete IAT 2027 admission process. The process begins with filling out the application form and includes meeting the eligibility criteria, understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, appearing for the examination, checking the provisional and final answer keys, result declaration, and participating in the counselling process.

Since the admission process is cumbersome and extensive, as it involves multiple stages, candidates should be aware of the complete timeline, key steps, and important details associated with each event. To simplify the process and help candidates navigate it smoothly, a step-by-step guide to the IAT 2027 admission process is provided below.

IAT Application Form 2027

The exam officials will release the IISER 2027 Application Form in the first week of March 2027 on the official website. Candidates interested in pursuing their UG degree in science research must fill out the IAT Registration Form 2027 before the deadline. Applicants will be required to create a registered account at the official website and complete the form, from filling in details to IAT 2027 registration fee payment.

How to Fill IISER Application Form 2026

Candidates can check out the steps mentioned below to get complete insight into the steps to fill out the application form:

Step 1: Registration at the IISER Admission Portal 2027

At first candidates need to visit the official website and need to register themselves. Username and Password will be generated upon successful registration.

Step 2: Fill out IAT 2027 Application Form 

Through the registered account, candidates are required to fill out the application form in online mode. Below are the details asked by the officials to fill in:

  1. Personal details like name, DOB, religion, category, disability, etc.

  2. Educational details like subject-wise marks achieved, percentage of marks in class 12, name of the board, etc.

  3. Filling in the exam city preference.

  4. Upload of documents like a photograph, signature, class 12 marksheet, and category certificate in the required dimensions.

Step 3: Pay IISER 2027 Application Fee

To successfully submit the application form, candidates will need to pay the registration fee via online mode, like credit card/debit/online banking or UPI payments.

Step 4: Download the Application Form

Upon successful submission of the application form, candidates are required to download the registration form and save it for future use.

IAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Along with the release of the information brochure, the exam officials will also update the IISER entrance exam pattern every year, which includes the type of questions asked in the examination, the number of questions in each subject, the mode of the exam, the negative marking scheme and other details.

Based on the IAT 2027 exam pattern, the exam will be held in online mode/CBT mode for the duration of three hours from 9 AM to 12 PM. Check out the overview of the exam pattern from here:

Particulars

Details

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Duration

3 Hours (180 Minutes)

Number of Sections

4

Sections/Subjects

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

Questions per Section

15 Questions

Total Questions

60 Questions

Question Type

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Marks for Correct Answer

+4 Marks

Negative Marking

-1 Mark for each incorrect answer

Maximum Marks per Section

60 Marks

Total Marks

240 Marks

Medium of Examination

English and Hindi

IISER Exam Syllabus 2027

The IAT syllabus 2027 is primarily based on the Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT curriculum prescribed by CBSE. The IAT exam conducting body shortlists the topics for the exam from the Class 11 & 12 syllabus. Candidates preparing for the IISER exam 2027 should focus on the four core subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.

The IISER Aptitude Test Syllabus 2027 covers fundamental concepts, theories, formulas, applications, and problem-solving techniques. Check out the IAT Syllabus PDF 2027 from here:

Details

PDF Download

IAT 2027 Syllabus PDF

Download Now

Candidates must note that the syllabus for the 2027–2028 academic session has not yet been released. However, the syllabus for the IISER Aptitude Test generally doesn’t undergo any changes. Therefore, candidates can refer to the IISER 2026 syllabus provided above for their preparation until the official IISER 2027 syllabus is announced. 

IISER 2027 Preparation Tips

IISER Exam Preparation 2027 will require a strategic approach, consistent practice, and a strong understanding of fundamental concepts. Candidates should begin by thoroughly reviewing the syllabus and exam pattern to understand the topics and marking scheme. Since the examination assesses conceptual clarity, it is important to focus on understanding concepts rather than memorising facts.

How SciAstra Can Help You Crack IISER 2027

SciAstra offers a comprehensive preparation ecosystem specifically designed for IISER, NEST, and other research entrance examinations.

Live Interactive Classes: Learn directly from mentors and educators associated with IISERs, IISc, and other premier research institutes through structured live classes covering the complete IAT syllabus.

Comprehensive IAT 2027 Study Material: Access high-quality notes, topic-wise assignments, practice questions, and revision resources curated specifically for IISER aspirants.

Regular IISER 2027 Mock Tests and Performance Analysis: SciAstra provides full-length mock tests that closely resemble the actual IAT exam pattern. Detailed performance reports help students identify strengths and areas requiring improvement.

IISER Exam 2027 Personalized Mentorship: Students receive one-on-one guidance from mentors who have successfully cleared IISER and other prestigious research entrance examinations. Mentors help with preparation strategies, study plans, and exam-related queries.

Dedicated Doubt-Solving Support: Candidates can get their academic doubts resolved through dedicated doubt-solving sessions, ensuring that concepts remain clear throughout their preparation journey.

Revision Programmes and IAT 2027 Crash Courses: As the exam approaches, SciAstra offers revision batches, crash courses, and intensive practice sessions that help students consolidate their preparation and boost their confidence.

IAT Previous Year Question Paper

While preparing for the examination, it is very important for the candidates to meticulously go through the IISER previous year question papers, as this will help them in knowing the type of questions asked, exam difficulty level, pattern for the questions and other details. Candidates can check out the IAT Question Papers from here:

Year

IAT Question Paper PDF

2026

Download Now

2025

Download Now

2024

Download Now

2023

Download Now

2022

Download Now

IAT 2027 Books

SciAstra offers specially designed IISER 2027 Books that focus on concept clarity, practice questions, and exam-oriented preparation. These books align with the Class 11 and 12 NCERT syllabi and are designed to match the analytical level of the IAT exam.

IAT 2027 Mastering Combo Booksets (Class 11 & 12)

  • Complete IAT syllabus coverage for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology

  • Available as separate Class 11 and Class 12 sets

  • Also available as a combined full syllabus bookset

  • Ideal for building strong fundamentals and advanced problem-solving skills

IIISER Subject-Wise Books

  • Individual books for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology

  • Topic-wise explanations with step-by-step concepts

  • Includes practice questions from basic to advanced level

  • Designed for focused preparation in weak or important subjects

IAT Mock Test & PYQ Books

  • Includes IISER previous year questions

  • Full-length mock tests based on real exam pattern

  • Helps improve speed, accuracy, and exam temperament

  • Useful for final revision and self-assessment

Conclusion

The IISER Aptitude Test 2027 is a gateway for students whose dream is to pursue a career in science and research at institutes like IISERs, IISc, and other participating institutes. With a strong focus on conceptual understanding across Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, the exam authorities will assess candidates’ analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities rather than rote learning.

A well-planned IAT 2027 preparation strategy, consistent practice, and regular revision are the keys to securing a good score in the examination.

Candidates should make the best use of NCERT books/SciAstra Mastering Combo (Class 11-12), IAT 2027 mock tests, and previous year papers to strengthen their fundamentals. With the right guidance from our SciAstra mentors, aspirants can significantly improve their chances of success. Ultimately, dedication and smart preparation will play a crucial role in achieving admission into India’s top research institutes through the IAT 2027 exam.